The Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows is a posh property with cute bungalows, easy parking, great amenities, and a nice breakfast.
Andaz Scottsdale Review
We spent one night here on our road trip from Los Angeles to Chicago.
Booking
This is a Category 6 property in the World of Hyatt program and I used 29,000 points versus a cash rate of $768. Points prices range from 21,000 (low) to 25,000 (standard) to 29,000 (peak) points per night. 29K is a lot of points, but we stil netted more than two cents per point, which is what I value Hyatt points at.
Service
I’ll start with the negative, which was the check-in experience. Unlike the couple being checked in nearby, we were not offered a welcome beverage or thanked for our Globalist status. There was also no room upgrade even though there were suites available (though I find that is often because we reserve two beds instead of a single bed when traveling with our kids). That (lack of) recognition aside, the staff were kind and very responsive.
Although our room was registered for four people (two adults, and two kids) there were only two towels and two water bottles in the room. However, I texted the front desk (480.568.2704) and more water bottles and towels were immediately brought to the room.
If there was a happy hour at this hotel, it was not mentioned to me.
Parking
Parking is easy at this resort…there’s a main parking lot, but also a ring road around the property with ample parking so you can park near your bungalow. Self-parking is complimentary.
Resort Fee
A daily resort fee of $50.00/room is mandatory (but waived for World of Hyatt Globalist members):
- Artist Meet and Greet at Cattle Track Arts Coumpound (sic)
- Admission to Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
- Seasonal Welcome Beverage (did not receive)
- Welcome Cookies at check in (did not receive)
- Morning Coffee Service
- House Car Drop-off within a three mile radius, based upon availability
- Water refill stations
- Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, including Tesla
- Live Entertainment
- Access to the 24-Hour Gym and Exclusive Fitness Classes
- Resort Bicycles
- Access to Recreational Activities and equipment including croquet, corn hole, bocce ball
- S’mores Kits
- Daily Delighters at the Turquoise Pool
- Poolside Sunscreen
- Notary Services (how odd…)
- 24hr Text Messaging Concierge Service
Room
The grounds of this hotel are lush and well-manicured (like much of Scottsdale) and I really like the Palm Springs feel of the hotel (my point of reference).
Our bungalow, 12E, was located near the rear of the property and included an outdoor seating area.
The room itself was fairly drab, with two beds (great bedding) and a window overlooking cactus.
A Keurig coffee machine and minibar were present, with the snacks free and most soft drinks free (not the Pierrer sparkling water), but alcohol for purchase.
The bathroom included a walk-in shower with a skylight, a separate water closet, and an open closet (with two robes and slippers).
Pools
The highlight of this hotel for my children was the pool. Although we only stayed one night, they went swimming three times…twice the first day and once before we left the following morning. The pool was not only warm, but hot…like the entire pool was a hot tub (there was an even warmer hot tub as well that was quite crowded).
The main pool is open from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm.
Near the spa and fitness center, there’s an adults-only pool called the Palo Verde Spa Pool.
There’s also a separate pool for certain suite guests that I did not see.
Fire Pits
After our (regrettable) dinner, we sought refuge from the winter cold at one of the fire pits…greatly appreciated on a chilly night when temperatures dropped to near-freezing.
Fitness Center
A 24/7 fitness center included a great selection of equipment from TechnoGym. I appreciated the extended hours and found it empty both in the late afternoon and late morning when I used it. My wife, however, found it packed at 7:30 am.
Spa
Palo Verde, a full-service spa, is available and offers a wide range of skincare and massage treatments.
The locker rooms have a steam room and jacuzzi. Locker room ccess is included for spa clients or available for $25.
Spa lounge area:
Free Coffee Each Morning
I love that the hotel offers free coffee from 6:00 am to 10:00 am each morning…it was good coffee and a nice way to start my day (versus the nasty Keurig in the room).
Dining
The resort offers a restaurant, pool bar, and room service.
Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen
We enjoyed a nice breakfast at Weft & Warp and I loved that brunch hours extend to 1:30 pm, so there was no rush to eat before we were ready.
Brunch menu:
I had an “Arizona Hot Pastrami Hash” with peppers, potatoes, onions, poached eggs, swiss cheese, and hollandaise…it was good, though I would have preferred more pastrami and fewer potatoes.
Heidi had an omelet, Augustine had buttermilk pancakes, and Claire Marie had a “Super Bowl” with Greek yogurt, roasted red grapes, figs, evoo, cardamom honey, granola, pistachio, and coconut. We shared a bowl of berries. The coffee and juice (orange for me and Claire Marie, grapefruit for Augustine) were also good. A very nice breakfast here.
Turquoise Pool Bar
The poolside bar offers a menu of food as well and is open daily from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm (with the kitchen closed at 5:00 pm). Menu here.
Room Service
24/7 room service is available.
Activities
Several activities are included in the resort fee:
The current list here.
CONCLUSION
My family loved our stay here and would return. Talking to our fellow guests around the pool, it seems that many Angelenos make weekend trips to Scottsdale and I suspect we will too. That may be a bit far for a weekend trip, but we had a nice stay overall.
That resort fee is absolutely outrageous. This place would never see my money (or points). Now, let’s dissect some of the things that are include din this scam. Let’s assume they were not part of a scam fee and had to be offered or charged by the hotel.
Water refill stations: I am assuming these are water fountains so it should always be free
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, including Tesla: Would they not allow you to charge your car or would they charge you to use their stations?
Access to the 24-Hour Gym and Exclusive Fitness Classes: They might want to charge you for classes but I would be surprised by a hotel that charges guests to use their gym
Notary Services (how odd…): This takes the cake
24hr Text Messaging Concierge Service: So could you cal or ask a question if not paying for text or they would charge for concierge?
I agree with all of your points…would love to know what the entertainment is for the resort fee??
Sadly that is typical of hotels in Scottsdale. $40+. I agree it makes no sense. Parking is not a problem unlike somewhere like NYC.
It just needs to be factored in with the cost of the room.
Most things now are price gouging.
It’s a great hotel, no doubt. The shortcomings at check-in should be expected. You’re at a hotel in the USA, you can’t reasonably expect good service and hospitality.
As for the Happy Hour, it isn’t a free food and drinks happy hour, it’s a discounted food and drinks happy hour at the restaurant. It’s pretty good value though; I enjoy it.
As a Globalist, you should have been given two coupons to have a personalized sleep serum made for you and Heidi at the spa. I did it with my partner, and while I’m not really in to that stuff, it was fun and only took a few minutes.
Did you feel like in a fishbowl? The room looks exposed to the walking path.
I was warned that the rooms have little privacy, but there are sheer and blackout shades.
I was there on Labor Day weekend 2018 and while I dont remember the water temperature I do remember them passing out complimentary Ice pops every few hours. I’m sure those things are less than $1 each but it was a nice touch in >100 degree Fahrenheit heat.
Nice hotel, though the in season cash rates often fully reflect that.
Matthew, your estimated value of 2c/point assumes you’d happily pay $768 for one night in a motel on a road trip? Plus $137 for breakfast? Not to mention the “resort fee” ? Sorry, your writing is normally of the highest integrity but this looks awfully like a paid puff piece with planted favourable comments?
I don’t understand your comment. 29K points at 2K each is $580 which I would have been willing to pay (all-in) if breakfast was included for the four of us (as a Globalist). $780 plus tax is too steep.
You know, I have actually needed a notary a few times while traveling for work. I imagine that they have one person on staff with a notary license so figured they would throw it in there. However, like the local car service, I imagine this person and the service is only available at certain hours and never when you need it. It’s a fluff line item to beef up the resort fee offerings that few will ever use and some will never actually be available if you need.
“Adults Only 18 Years and Older” at the pool made me laugh. Probably needs to change to 35+ to adjust for average maturity levels– especially if a group of 19-22 year olds take over the space!
What kind of view from a first floor bungalow in the desert?? You said poor dinner?? Did you review it??
If you knew about free drink and cookies did you ask for them at any point?
Poor dinner offsite:
https://liveandletsfly.com/route-66-road-trip-day-one/
In the past I lived in Scottsdale for a decade and before/after have stayed in a variety of hotels and/or visited them to people watch, etc. Currently living NW of Phoenix.
Can’t say I ever had any interest in staying at the Andaz. I used to stay at one of the two Hiltons on Scottsdale Road. The Hyatt Regency, and the Scottsdale Plaza. Saw a fun Christmas festival at the Fairmont Hotel.
Personally while I would get a drink at the hotel, I would prefer to go to one of the many good to excellent restaurants in Scottsdale. A large number of quality restaurants are in the area from mid price to high end. $100+ for breakfast is crazy to me.
Based on the pics of the minibar and you mentioning sparkling water wasn’t included as a free soft drink… did you just get water and a can of Cactus Cooler for free?
We didn’t take anything.
Yeah, That’s great time I spent there. The main point i loved the most is, the breakfast. Smoothie was really nice and refreshing. I highly recommended you to visit there.