For many years now, I’ve been trying to book a weekend stay at Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa.
However, nearly every weekend I tried to stay there, I found there was zero availability in terms of staying on points.
The Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa frequently goes for upwards of $550 per night on the weekend, and that’s before taxes and fees.
Well, during the holidays, I finally found the availability I was looking for and booked a stay on points.
Was it worth it?
Review: Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa (Palm Springs, CA)
Click here for a walkthrough of the Penthouse Suite at Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
Image: hyatt.com
About
Spread out over a very large footprint, this Hyatt Regency boasts 530 rooms, 43 villas, and 35 suites. It features several restaurants, a full-service spa, and even its own water park.
Image: hyatt.com
Image: hyatt.com
Location
Located in the greater Palm Springs area, Hyatt Regency Indian Wells is located about 40 minutes from Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), and about 2 and a half hours from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Parking
Both valet parking and self-parking were available for $23.50 per night.
World Of Hyatt Redemption
During our stay, the Hyatt Regency went for a rate of $342 per night (before taxes and fees).
As a Hyatt Category 5 hotel, the property was redeemable for 20,000 points per night for a [pre-taxes and fees] CPP of 1.7, which was great for a Hyatt redemption.
Lobby
As we entered the hotel lobby, we were greeted by a large Christmas tree and other holiday decorations.
Our first impression of the hotel was that it seemed much larger than I expected – and – much more high-end than I expected.
Front Desk & Check-In
The front desk was very busy, and there didn’t seem to be a noticeable dedicated World of Hyatt line.
But it didn’t matter, because the line went fast, and we were quickly helped.
We were warmly greeted, and thanked for our Hyatt Globalist status, as well as informed on the spot that we had been upgraded to a Penthouse Suite.
Welcome Package
We were handed a welcome package with a map and shown where to park and how to get to our suite (which we needed because the place was huge and a little confusing to navigate for our first time there).
Elevator Area
Captive advertising (inside elevator door), but man does that look fun
Hallway
Penthouse Suite (Globalist Room Upgrade)
As we arrived at our room on the top floor, we were pleased to find we’d been given a “true upgrade” to a large Penthouse Suite (with pool & mountain views).
Surprisingly, our Penthouse Suite looked mostly identical to the official suite photos on hyatt.com. I believe we had the exact same configuration, only with a different view.
Click here for a walkthrough of the Penthouse Suite at Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
Image: hyatt.com
Room Entrance
The room was large, very large, so large in fact, that the thought briefly crossed our minds if we should invite any friends over at the last-minute.
Globalist Welcome Gift
A box of Brandini cashew almond toffee popcorn was waiting for us on the coffee table as our Globalist welcome gift.
Living Area
The living area was a great space, the kind of place you just wanna kick off your shoes and hang out. It was warmly lit, clean and comfortable.
Flatscreen TV Area
Dining Area
There was a small dining table near the windows (next to the balcony), which seated four, and had nice views when the window shades were open.
Room Amenities / Wet Bar
Just inside the entrance to the room, was a small wet bar and Keurig coffee station that also housed a [medium-sized] mini-fridge.
Uhh…Thirster?
Suite Bathroom
Beyond the wet bar, there was a small suite half-bathroom.
Master Bedroom Area
The master bedroom area, like the rest of the room, was large, warmly lit, and clean. We found the bed to be comfortable and the pillows to have the exact right minimum amount of firmness.
Closet
Moving into the master bathroom, we found the room’s closet, which came with two pairs of slippers and two bathrobes.
Master Bathroom
The master bathroom was huge, not only did it house the room’s closet, but it had a “his and hers” sink vanity, a large bathtub, a shower with a rain shower head, and of course a toilet hidden behind a wall.
Pharmacopia’s Argan Oil Collection (Hyatt Regency’s standard) was the toiletry brand of choice (a brand I would rate as “just OK”).
Balcony
The balcony, like the rest of the suite, was large and well furnished with a small table and chairs, two loungers, and a single “smoker’s chair”.
View From The Room
The view from the balcony was awesome. We had a direct view of the HyTides Waterpark and Mt. San Jacinto beyond that.
Mt. San Jacinto
Hyatt Regency Dining Options
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells had several restaurants on property, including Roadrunner Café (pool dining), Agave Sunset (dinner bar & lounge), Oasis Pool Bar (self-explanatory), Citrus marketplace (to-go food), and Citrus Café (breakfast and lunch).
Agave Sunset & Menus
Citrus Marketplace (To-Go Menus)
Citrus Cafe Lunch Menu
Citrus Cafe Breakfast Menu
Breakfast At Citrus Cafe
We opted to eat at the Weekend breakfast buffet at Citrus Café, where breakfast was complimentary courtesy of our Globalist benefit.
The buffet spread was larger than I expected, with all kinds of breakfast options.
I of course went with the French toast and eggs, and sides of chocolate chip pancakes and smoked salmon.
The Property Interior
As I mentioned earlier, the hotel was huge, so I was surprised to find some interesting and artsy decorations throughout the hotel.
Near the entrance to HyTides Waterpark, was a CVS vending machine (which makes sense, cuz, why go to CVS when CVS can come to you?).
A CVS vending machine, yes, but where are the Takis?
The Property Exterior
The exterior of the property was handsome and well-manicured, perfectly evoking the spirit of the Palm Desert with an overabundance of palm trees from the Middle East, fire pits galore, the requisite championship golf course, and sweeping mountain views.
What a mighty big chair you have.
Image: hyatt.com
Out on the tiles
Indian Wells Golf Course
One of the 43 villas
HyTides Waterpark (Swimming Pool Area)
However, I believe the main attraction at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells was – dare I say – the HyTides Waterpark (which was actually just a name for the swimming pool area).
Don’t worry, there were no admission fees to get into this water park.
HyTides had quite the setup, with two giant water slides, a long meandering lazy river, and nine temperature-controlled swimming pools.
This was the place to hang out, and from the looks of it, the adults were having just as much fun as the kids.
Image: hyatt.com
Image: hyatt.com
And this is why you bring the family here
The lazy river
Sun(burn) chairs
Fitness Center
Image: hyatt.com
Agua Serena Spa
Image: hyatt.com
Image: hyatt.com
The Bottom-Line Review: Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa (Palm Springs, CA)
The bottom-line was: What a great property! We really enjoyed our stay at Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa.
First and foremost, I think it’s safe to say that Hyatt Regency Indian Wells punches way above its weight; I would compare it to a property like the Waldorf Astoria at La Quinta in terms of service, upscale desert luxury, and treatment of elites.
Additionally, we were really impressed by the large suite upgrade we received and the variety of fun things to do on the property. I mean, this hotel literally has its own waterpark and a neighboring golf course.
The only negative I could think of was the lack of availability for point redemptions (especially on the weekend).
However, this property is also a member of American Express’ Fine Hotels and Resorts (FHR) program, so if you find yourself booking with cash, I’d recommend booking with FHR.
I would highly recommend Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa for families, golfers, wedding parties, and couples looking for a romantic getaway.
Final Rating: 9 out of 10
