Review: Royal Palms Resort & Spa (Phoenix, Arizona)

We recently had the chance to stay at the Royal Palms Resort & Spa, a member of the Hyatt Unbound Collection, in Phoenix Arizona.

What did we think? Here’s our review.

Review: Royal Palms Resort & Spa (Phoenix, Arizona)

About Royal Palms Resort & Spa

Nestled within the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, the Royal Palms Resort & Spa was originally built in 1929 as a private winter residence. Renovated in the 1940s by the owner, Delos Cooke, the property evolved into a hotel, preserving its historic ambiance while incorporating modern amenities. The resort exudes a distinctive Mediterranean charm with its Spanish Colonial architecture, lush gardens, and serene courtyards.

Today, the Royal Palms Resort & Spa boasts unique features such as its Alvadora Spa, the romantic Camelback Casitas, and the serene views of Camelback Mountain.

Photo: hyatt.com

At A Glance:

• Average Nightly Cost During Stay: $467 ($575.89 all-in)
• Loyalty Program: World of Hyatt
• Loyalty Category: Category 6
• Discount Applied: 21,000 Points
• Room Type as Booked: 1 King bed
• Room Upgrade: 1 King Bed Casita
• Resort Fee: $45 Per Night
• Parking Fee: $38 Per Night (Plus Tax)

Booking/Redemption

Room Upgrade

Room Upgrade: 1 King Bed Casita

We received a room upgrade to a 1 King Bed Casita, which I value about $100.

Photo: hyatt.com

Resort Fee

The property came with a Resort Fee of $45 per night which included the following:

Location & Parking

Situated just a short drive from downtown Phoenix, the resort enjoys a prime location in the upscale neighborhood of Camelback Corridor. Guests can easily access popular attractions like the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Art Museum. The proximity to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport makes the resort a convenient choice for travelers.

Parking options at the Royal Palms Resort & Spa include valet service (for $38 per night); self-parking is not available for guests.

FHOP Tip: Don’t even think about trying to find self-parking in the street – there is none. Your best (and only) bet is the valet service.

Valet Parking Area

Turns out, there are a lot of Palms at the Royal Palms

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Lobby

Room Key

Video Walkthrough Tour

Casita Entrance

Bedroom Area

The room featured a [very] spacious bedroom/living area, a cozy fireplace, and a patio offering with views of the meticulously landscaped gardens.

The bed was comfortable and had plush bedding, although it appeared nobody had stayed in this unit for some time.

Living Area

Room Amenities

Closet

Bathroom

The bathroom was clean and well-lit and came with the in-house Alvadora Spa brand of Arcadia Groves toiletry products, which appeared to be high-quality and smelled great.

Breakfast & Lunch Menu At T. Cook’s

The signature T. Cook’s restaurant, renowned for its Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, served up the Globalist breakfast benefit.

Menu At The Cabana Cafe

Walking The Property

Photo: hyatt.com

Photo: hyatt.com

Photo: hyatt.com

Photo: hyatt.com

Swimming Pool

The resort’s swimming pool, surrounded by desert greenery and comfortable loungers, provided a semi-secluded oasis for basking in the Arizona sun.

Photo: hyatt.com

Fitness Center

FHOP Tip: What’s Nearby: Beyond the resort, guests can explore a myriad of activities in the surrounding area including dining options at nearby restaurants, shopping at the upscale boutiques of Scottsdale, or hiking at the picturesque – and popular – Camelback Mountain.

The Bottom-Line Review: Royal Palms Resort & Spa (Phoenix, Arizona)

I’d rate our stay at the Royal Palms Resort & Spa as “very good”.

We weren’t exactly blown away by anything in the way we’d come to expect from the California Unbound Collection properties (see Carmel Valley Ranch and Mar Monte Hotel), but it was a very nice historic hotel.

The 1 King Bed Casita Room was a nice upgrade, and the location, service, and dining options did give the impression of the  Royal Palms Resort & Spa being a true quiet and relaxing oasis in the heart of Phoenix, although I’m not sure I’d classify it as a “luxury hotel”.

Did we like it? Yes. Would we stay there again. Maybe. I’d recommend this hotel to couples looking for a staycation or a romantic and secluded getaway.

Final Rating: 8 out of 10.