Royal Palms Resort and Spa, part of Hyatt

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Okay, so you know how most resort spas try way too hard to be fancy? Royal Palms actually pulls it off without feeling pretentious. I mean, the place sits right on Camelback Road – which honestly can get pretty busy during rush hour – but once you’re through those gates, it’s like stepping into this Mediterranean fantasy that somehow works perfectly in the Sonoran Desert. The whole property used to be a mansion back in the 1920s, and you can tell they’ve kept that intimate, estate-like feel instead of turning it into some massive resort complex.

What really got me was how they’ve designed everything around these lush courtyards and gardens. You’re literally in the middle of Phoenix (Lincoln Drive and the Biltmore area is right there), but walking around the property feels like being in some secluded villa. The rooms – well, they’re more like casitas really – each have their own little patio areas, and the bathrooms are honestly ridiculous in the best way possible. Marble everything, but not cold and sterile. The spa is where things get interesting though. They do this thing called the Royal Treatment that’s… look, I’m usually skeptical of spa packages, but this one actually lived up to the hype. Plus, you know what I loved? The pool area never felt crowded, even when I was there during peak season in March. They’ve got multiple pools, so families with kids tend to gravitate toward one area while couples stick to the quieter spots.

Here’s the thing about location – you’re maybe ten minutes from Old Town Scottsdale if you want nightlife, and Camelback Mountain is literally right there if you’re into hiking (though honestly, do it early morning because Arizona sun is no joke). The resort’s restaurant, T. Cook’s, is actually worth staying in for dinner, which surprised me. Usually hotel restaurants are just… fine. But they source a lot locally and the patio dining situation is pretty perfect for those cooler desert evenings. Parking is valet only, which some people complain about, but given how narrow the property entrance is, it makes sense. Check-in was smooth – they actually remembered I’d mentioned it was my anniversary when I booked, which was a nice touch without being over-the-top about it. If I had to nitpick, the WiFi in some of the casitas can be a little spotty, and if you’re staying during one of Phoenix’s big golf tournaments, expect everything to be busier and pricier. But honestly? For a five-star property that feels more like a boutique hideaway than a corporate hotel, Royal Palms gets the balance right.