Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch [In-depth Review]

I know I’m not alone in saying that Scottsdale is one of my favorite domestic vacation spots. The desert city is home to world-class golf courses, endless spas, and resorts. Plus, your chances of a rainy day are slim, with more than 300 days of sun per year.

But for a last-minute trip to the Scottsdale area, I had a choice to make. Do I book a tried-and-true hotel or go for something new?

Ultimately, I decided to branch out and book the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch where I redeemed points to offset the cost of my peak-season weekend stay. With 10 swimming pools and close proximity to Old Town Scottsdale, I was eager to see how the Hyatt Regency fared.

Keep reading to learn about the resort and everything it has to offer!

Hotel Location

The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch is located at the Gainey Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale, a high-end neighborhood that boasts epic views of the McDowell Mountains.

The property is centered on outdoor activities. Whether you’re looking to golf, relax by the pool, or enjoy an afternoon cocktail on the patio, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the sunny Scottsdale weather.

While the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch is just 10 minutes away from the local Scottsdale Airport (SCF), the vast majority of people will likely fly into the much larger Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). With the recent PHX Sky Train improvements, I arrived at the rental car center from my gate in minutes.

From there, it’s only about a 25-minute drive to the hotel, making the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch an excellent getaway in the greater Phoenix area.

You could skip the rental car altogether and take a rideshare service or a taxi from the airport. An on-site shuttle service (with advance reservations) is available at the resort Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., taking you around nearby attractions, such as various golf courses and Scottsdale Fashion Square.

No matter how you get there, the property is tucked away on East Doubletree Ranch Road. But you can’t miss the sign and winding driveway leading up to the resort!

Booking

The hotel will be renovated in the coming year, rebranding to a Grand Hyatt by late 2024. Therefore, we can expect points pricing to be slightly higher.

For now, the rates for this hotel will fluctuate according to the busy season (spring and fall in Scottsdale). As a World of Hyatt Category 5 property, you can book the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch for 17,000 (off-peak), 20,000 (standard), or 23,000 (peak) points per night.

During my late March 2023 weekend stay, I faced peak prices at 23,000 points per night for a 1 King Bed room. I’ll take that any day over cash rates, which surged to over $600 per night. As such, I bagged a value of 2.6 cents per point — well above our valuations of World of Hyatt points at 1.5 cents apiece.

Hot Tip: It’s worth noting that there’s a considerable number of properties in Scottsdale proper bookable with points from practically every hotel chain. The JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa or the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows are both great options, to name a few.

If I had paid cash for my stay, I would’ve wanted to use a card to maximize this hefty expense. The Chase Sapphire Reserve^® earns 3x points on travel purchases, while the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card offers 2x points. If you’re a World of Hyatt loyalist with The World of Hyatt Credit Card or World of Hyatt Business Credit Card, you can’t beat up to 9x points total for Hyatt stays: 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualifying purchases at Hyatt hotels and up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member.

Elite Benefits

I’m working toward reaching Hyatt elite status, thanks to Bilt Rewards’ April Rent Day 2023 fast-track to top-tier Globalist status. I’ll need to stay 20 nights between April 17 and July 16 to get upgraded to Globalist until February 2025.

In the meantime, I reached out to my colleague, Juan Ruiz, who’s already a Globalist. He graciously booked my stay through World of Hyatt’s unique Guest of Honor program, which shares his great benefits with me. Then, I transferred him the points needed for the reservation using the point combining request form.

It took a few extra steps to book my stay in this roundabout fashion. However, the elite benefits are incredibly worthwhile:

• Room upgrades to standard suites, subject to availability
• 4 p.m. late checkout, subject to availability
• Free breakfast and Regency Club lounge access
• Waived resort fees and parking fees

The resort fees alone were $45 per night, so I was grateful to have this charge taken off my plate. Keep reading to find out what the Globalist treatment was like at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch.

Checking In

As I was pulling up the palm tree- and cacti-lined driveway, I was already blown away. There’s no other way to put it — the resort is gorgeous, and the photos speak for themselves.

When you first arrive, you’ll walk through the main hotel atrium. It’s truly the centerpiece of the entire property, with floor-to-ceiling views of the resort and mountains in the background. On the floor below, you’ll see various seating areas with access to the restaurants on-site.

Once you walk past the entrance, you’ll find the check-in desk to the left, with a marked area for elite members. Upon arriving just minutes after check-in at 4 p.m., I was eager to get settled into my room as I was in a rush to get to a concert that evening.

The front desk agent was friendly, acknowledging that my room was booked through the Guest of Honor program. While I was fresh out of luck with a room-type upgrade, it wasn’t surprising as the parking lot was seemingly full.

While I still had a 1 King Bed room, I was given a mountain view. She also briefed me on the property’s offerings, details on the Globalist elite breakfast, and a well-outlined map.

Despite arriving after official check-in time, my room hadn’t been cleaned yet. She invited me to stow my bags with the bellhop and enjoy the property, and I would receive a text once it was ready.

I used this time to take pictures of the property, but it was approaching 5 p.m. Once I checked back in with the front desk, she was surprised I had not received a text yet — the room had been ready for 30+ minutes at that point!

Despite the slight snag, I was given my room key and settled into my room from there.

Amenities

The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch is a fantastic family destination. With so many amenities designed with kids in mind, the resort is like a sprawling playground, from Camp Hyatt (more on this later) to the 2.5-acre swimming pools.

Even as a solo traveler, I found that there were still plenty of things to do that weren’t family-focused. From the tennis courts to the spacious gym to the close proximity to McDowell Sonoran Preserve, you’re paying a premium for the jam-packed amenities.

Resort Fee

There was a daily resort fee of $45 (plus tax) charged per room. However, Hyatt waives the resort fee on award bookings.

This upcharge offered a long list of benefits. Still, the most notable ones included chipping and putting access and storage on the Gainey Ranch Golf course, free dessert in SWB or Alto restaurants, free electric bike rentals, and all amenities.

Here’s what the hotel includes in the resort fee:

Parking

You can either pull up to the main circle for valet parking or self-parking in the side lot, which is complimentary for the first 3 hours. After that, you’ll pay upwards of $25 per day, but my Guest of Honor benefits waived parking fees entirely.

Because I was in a rush to get in and out of my car to the concert, I opted for self-parking. There was also an electric car charging station right next to the valet.

Wi-Fi

Whether down by the pool, in my room, or by the tennis courts, the Wi-Fi was speedy in all areas of the resort.

Pet-friendly

The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch welcomes furry friends. The price is reasonable, with a flat fee of $150 per stay (up to 6 nights) and a $150 additional “Deep Cleaning” fee from days 7 to 30.

Hot Tip: Pets receive a welcome letter with complimentary amenities, including toys, a pillow bed, and clean-up bags.

Pools

Rather than housing just 1 pool, the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch went all out with a “water playground.” This 2.5-acre-large space encompasses 10 swimming pools, a twisting-and-turning water slide (open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with a 42-inch height requirement), and even a small area with a real sand beach that’s ideal for little ones!

Within the pools were fountains, waterfalls, and a beach volleyball net. There was also a towel bar open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Better yet, I didn’t have to worry about finding a pool chair, as every corner seemed lined with seating areas and private cabanas.

Even as I was walking around in the early morning — chilly for Scottsdale standards — the water was heated when the temperature dipped below less-than-ideal pool temperatures.

The adults-only pool is a gated-off, zen-like area part of the resort, and the entire pool complex was open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. The Grotto Bar is conveniently located, and waiters walked around, so I could order food and beverages without leaving my pool chair.

Regency Club

While I didn’t have time to visit the Regency Club, Globalist guests (and those staying in Regency Club suites) are free to enter. In the mornings, the Regency Club offered a “European-style breakfast,” as well as small bites and snacks throughout the afternoon and evening.

Golf Course

With the golf course on-site, hotel guests can access the private 27-hole Gainey Ranch Golf Club.

There are 3 distinct 9-hole courses named Lakes, Dunes, and Arroyo that are open daily from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Golfers can also call the golf concierge to learn more about preferred tee times and access even more courses in the greater Phoenix area.

Fitness Center

Right next to the tennis courts were a couple of outdoor spin bikes. I could access the fitness center courtside or through the spa, and there were group classes such as yoga or HIIT available daily.

The 24/7 gym had basic cardio and strength training equipment. There was a Peloton bike, but it was out of order during my stay. A small area to stretch or do yoga was tucked away on the right.

Tennis Court

Guests can access the tennis courts on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want to brush up on your tennis skills and take a private lesson, you can even arrange a clinic with the concierge.

Spa

Spa Avania is conveniently located in the same building as the fitness center. While I didn’t have time to book a service, the spa offered a library of treatments, including massages, facials, haircuts, and manicures — with 19 treatment rooms.

The spa also gave guests access to the Himalayan salt room and a private French Celtic mineral pool. It was open from Thursdays to Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Kids’ Activities

Kids could truly run free on the property grounds, and there was even a unique amenity offered by the hotel called “Camp Hyatt.” Various outdoor activities were offered daily, with registration for kids ages 3 to 12 up to a year in advance for all programming.

For non-water activities, kids could access the “Fun Zone” by the pool to play Giant Jenga, cornhole, and more.

Native American Learning Center

The hotel pays homage to the indigenous people of Arizona with a Native American Learning Center. Next to the concierge desk, there was a small collection of artifacts and photos to walk through.

The Room

The huge property has nearly 500 guest rooms facing the courtyard or the mountains. While the rest of the resort was stunning and offered endless activities, the room left much to be desired.

Bedroom

At first glance, I noticed the old, stained carpet and outdated fixtures throughout the guest room. The bathroom was immediately to my left, which then opened up to the rest of the bedroom.

The room felt drab, largely due to its uninspired decor. Still, at roughly 400 square feet, it was decently spacious.

While all guest rooms don’t necessarily need to be modern and new, I hoped there would be more functional amenities. There weren’t enough outlets — only on 1 side of the bed — and the air conditioner was loud at night.

In front of the bed was a long marble console table with a TV and a desk. I appreciated the 2 complimentary water bottles, as I felt dehydrated under the desert sun.

The room had a mini fridge, a Nespresso machine, various storage compartments, and a safe, which felt like a practical use of the space.

The bed, which the hotel touts as a “plush Hyatt Grand Bed,” truly delivered comfort. I enjoyed a restful sleep without fully sinking into the mattress, and the pillows felt just as luxurious.

Furthermore, the bedroom closet was spacious to tuck away my belongings. I also found an iron and ironing board and a laundry bag to send clothes to be washed and folded.

Patio

Every room had a private patio or balcony. And in the case of my mountain-view room, it was the main attraction. I always left the curtains open to soak in all the natural light possible.

Not only was the patio spacious, but there was also a set of a table and chairs, 2 lounge chairs, and freshly potted flowers. I ordered breakfast takeout to enjoy on the patio rather than dine in the hotel restaurant.

No matter where I turned, the views of this resort were terrific. If you can snag an upgrade to a mountain view or book this room type in advance, I’d highly recommend it.

Beyond the palm trees and the golf course was a peek (yes, pun intended) at the mountains further afield. Waking up to this view and spending time outside made up for the unremarkable guest room.

Bathroom

Like much of the bedroom, the bathroom was unfussy with bare-bones amenities. It didn’t necessarily feel up to par with other Hyatt Regency hotels I’ve previously stayed at, which tend to offer thoughtful touches like cotton swabs or makeup remover.

The fresh towels were placed under the main sink, and the gold deep basin sink was the only stylistic element to note here.

The glass shower provided a built-in shelf to store products, the water got hot quickly, and the pressure was excellent. The Pharmacopia products were bolted into the wall and refilled by housekeeping to remain eco-friendly, so there were no free travel-size products.

While the bathroom was perfectly fine as a solo traveler, I could see couples and families bumping elbows in the tight space.

Food and Beverage

There were 5 restaurants and bars available at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch. While some venues weren’t open every day of the week, there were plenty of options. Of course, you’ll likely want to venture out for some meals, as Scottsdale offers spectacular restaurants to discover.

SWB, a southwest bistro

SWB is the hotel’s main restaurant and is a casual joint that serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of the week. The American cuisine offers classic dishes with Southwest flair, and you can expect menu items such as a chorizo hash, a pork belly taco, and a short rib adobado.

Top-tier Globalists get to enjoy a whopping $150 credit for à-la-carte breakfast daily. This is one of the most generous complimentary breakfast offerings I’ve ever seen. Truthfully, it’s nearly impossible to get even close to the maximum spending limit. The menu items were all reasonable, as most breakfast entrées cost under $20.

While you can’t order room service with this breakfast credit, you can dine in the restaurant or order items to-go — I chose the latter option. I thoroughly enjoyed my breakfast so much that I forgot to take a picture — but my avocado toast, a green smoothie, and lemon pancakes came in just under $50 and made for a great start to my day.

The restaurant was open for breakfast from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Noh

Noh Sushi is a fast-casual sushi spot that serves up rolls and sashimi to go. Alternatively, you can sit down at the 6-seat counter for an omakase-style dinner.

It’s open for dinner Tuesdays to Saturdays, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Alto ristorante e bar

Alto ristorante e bar is a high-end Italian restaurant with menu items such as Spanish octopus, baked burrata and focaccia, caprese salad, bolognese pasta, and cacio e pepe. The entrées ranged from $29 to $46, so the prices weren’t necessarily exorbitant.

The restaurant was only open for dinners from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Wednesdays to Saturdays.

Center Stage Bar

If you fancy a cocktail (or 2), Center Stage Bar is the perfect place to unwind with a full bar menu with inventive mixed drinks and a wide selection of beers on tap, including locally-brewed options. How does a grapefruit basil martini or a Gainey Ranch sangria sound?

Entertainment from local performers is also on offer most nights from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The bar is around the corner to the right of the main lobby and opens from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Food service ends at 10 p.m. if you want to get some light bites.

H2Oasis + The Grotto

Located at the adult pool, The Grotto is a go-to spot for enjoying cocktails outdoors. Meanwhile, H2Oasis is located nearby the family pool and offers up finger foods such as loaded nachos or hummus and veggies.

Both are open practically all day from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Canyon Market

At Canyon Market, you can pick out locally handcrafted souvenirs and gifts for your loved ones. Additionally, the market houses an on-site Starbucks and even gelato. Through the Guest of Honor program, I received a $25 credit at Canyon Market.

It’s open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, while the market closes later at 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Service

For a hotel of this caliber, the service was quite attentive. All of the hotel employees greeted me and I was even remembered by name whenever I passed by the front desk.

On the flip side, the popularity was such that I could only get a 1 p.m. late checkout. However, the $150 Globalist breakfast and $25 market credits were nice additions to make elite members feel even more special when staying at this resort.

Hot Tip: Read all about the best luxury properties to redeem your World of Hyatt points … and the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch is on this list!

Final Thoughts

My stay at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch made for another successful Scottsdale visit. It’s no wonder this resort is a popular choice for families due to its sheer array of activities available. Still, it also draws in golfers or anyone who wants to unplug and enjoy the outdoors.

Although the rooms were outdated, you won’t (and shouldn’t) be spending much time there besides to sleep. The rest of the property offers impressive amenities that you can take advantage of in true Scottsdale charm.

I’m excited to see the property go through a full renovation — primarily for the guest rooms — which should eventually take the resort to a whole new level when it reopens as a Grand Hyatt.