Royal Palms Resort and Spa Review: Scottsdale Arizona

The Royal Palms Resort and Spa is a 119-room boutique property in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix, about 20 minutes from downtown Scottsdale.

We’ve stayed here multiple times over the years because my son attended Arizona State University, and the Royal Palms became our go-to spot when we visited him. Most of those stays were booked on Hyatt points, as a Globalist, which made the repeat visits easier to justify. The location worked well—close enough to campus without being in the middle of Tempe, and the resort itself gave us a reason to actually enjoy being in Scottsdale rather than just passing through.

The property opened in 1929 as a private estate and was converted into a resort in the 1940s. It’s now part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, which means you can earn and redeem World of Hyatt points and use elite status benefits here. The Spanish Colonial design and the original estate buildings remain intact, giving it a different feel from the newer resorts along Scottsdale’s resort corridor.

Location

The Royal Palms sits in the Arcadia neighborhood of Phoenix, right at the base of Camelback Mountain. This puts you about 10 minutes from downtown Scottsdale and 15 minutes from ASU’s Tempe campus, which made it work well for our visits. Arcadia is a residential area with good restaurants and local coffee shops within a few miles, but you’re not in the middle of the Scottsdale resort corridor, where everything feels designed for tourists.

You’ll need a car to get anywhere—there’s no real walkable downtown district as you’d find in downtown Scottsdale. But that’s part of why the resort feels more secluded and less crowded than properties on Scottsdale Road.

Rooms and Suites

We’ve stayed in the king suite with Camelback Mountain views multiple times over the years, and it’s consistently been a good room. The suite is around 500-600 square feet with a separate living area, bedroom, and bathroom.

The Camelback Mountain view is what you’re paying for here. Both the living room and bedroom have big windows facing the mountain, and if you’re there in the morning, the light on the rock formations is really impressive. The private patio gives you somewhere to sit outside without being down at the pool.

One thing to note: the rooms feel a bit dated and dark compared to newer Scottsdale properties. The Spanish Colonial aesthetic leans into dark wood and heavier decor, which fits the 1929 estate vibe but also means you’re not getting the bright, airy feel of a modern resort. It’s clean and well-maintained, but the finishes show their age.

The bathroom has a soaking tub, separate shower, and double vanities. It’s clean and functional, but you can tell the finishes are older—this isn’t a newly renovated property. It’s well-maintained, just not cutting-edge modern like the newer Scottsdale resorts.

Restaurants and Bars

T. Cook’s is the main restaurant in one of the original 1929 estate buildings. The menu leans Mediterranean, with a focus on local ingredients, and the dining room features Spanish Colonial architecture and an open kitchen. We’ve eaten here several times over the years, and it’s consistently good—not groundbreaking, but a solid option when you don’t feel like leaving the property.

Breakfast at T. Cook’s is excellent, and as a Hyatt Globalist, it’s included. The setup is a la carte rather than buffet, which works better—you order from the menu, and everything comes out fresh.

The bar inside T. Cook’s is a nice spot for a pre-dinner drink or a nightcap. It’s small and quiet—feels more like a neighborhood restaurant bar than a resort scene. Good cocktails, decent wine list, and the Spanish Colonial setting makes it feel intimate rather than stuffy.

Amenities

The pool area is one of the property’s better features. It’s set against the backdrop of Camelback Mountain with plenty of lounge chairs, cabanas for rent, and landscaping that fits the Spanish Colonial aesthetic. The pool itself isn’t huge, and during our visits it never felt crowded—but I’d imagine that changes during high season when Scottsdale is packed. The pool is on the smaller side, and seating is limited, so if you’re there in peak season you’ll probably want to claim chairs early.

The fitness center is small and functional—cardio equipment, free weights, and enough space to get a workout in without feeling cramped. It’s not a destination gym, but it covers the basics if you need to exercise during your stay.

The Alvadora Spa is on the property and offers the usual range of treatments—massages, facials, body treatments. We haven’t used it during our stays, but it’s supposed to be good and has outdoor treatment cabanas if you want to book something during your visit.

The grounds are beautiful—mature palm trees, walking paths, and quiet corners where you can sit and read without being right on top of other guests. It feels more secluded than the big Scottsdale resorts where you’re sharing pool space with 500+ other guests.

Final Thoughts

We keep coming back to the Royal Palms because it consistently delivers on what matters most for our Scottsdale visits—good location near ASU, excellent breakfast, and beautiful grounds with Camelback Mountain views. The Spanish Colonial aesthetic and mature landscaping make it feel more intimate than the big resort corridor properties.

The downsides are real though. The rooms feel dated and dark compared to newer Scottsdale resorts, and the lack of walkability means you’re driving everywhere. If you want a bright, modern property or prefer to walk to restaurants and shops, this isn’t the right pick. The pool is also on the smaller side, so high season could be an issue if you’re planning to spend significant time there.

If you’re coming to Scottsdale for a luxury resort experience with cutting-edge design and walkable dining, you’ll probably be disappointed. But if you want a quieter property with good service, beautiful grounds, and solid breakfast—and you’re fine driving everywhere—the Royal Palms delivers.

Booking Options

The Royal Palms is part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection (similar to La Zambra in Mijas, Spain), so you have several booking options depending on whether you’re using points or paying cash.

World of Hyatt Points: Award nights typically run 25,000-30,000 points per night, depending on dates. As a Category 6 property, this is a reasonable value for a boutique resort.

Hyatt Privé: One thing to note—Royal Palms does NOT participate in Hyatt Privé, Hyatt’s luxury travel advisor program that typically adds free breakfast, property credits, and priority upgrades at participating properties. If you’re used to booking Park Hyatt or Andaz properties through Privé, you won’t have that option here. The Royal Palms is excluded from the program.

Corporate Codes: If you have access to Hyatt corporate rates through your employer, they may offer 10-20% off the standard rate. Worth checking if you’re traveling for business.

Direct Flexible Rates: Standard rates on Hyatt.com typically range from $350-600 per night depending on season. You’ll earn World of Hyatt points and elite benefits apply.