Day-cation in The Desert at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch

The heat is dry and comfortable in Arizona at this time of year. It is the desert, and April through June is a lovely time to visit some of this state’s most beautiful cities. I got a chance to enjoy some time in the Southwest sunshine while taking a weekend trip to Scottsdale. I had a wonderful day at the luxurious Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort at Gainey Ranch.

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch is set amidst flowering cacti and the picturesque McDowell Mountains. This destination offers travellers and locals a breathtaking setting for dining, spa treatments, and overnight stays. It is also within driving distance to Camelback Mountain, the Grand Canyon, and Sedona, all spectacular tourist destinations to add to the good old bucket list.

Upon arriving for my day-cation, I immediately grabbed a lounger at the 2.5-acre water park, consisting of ten swimming pools (including an adult only zone), man-made beach, three-story water slide, and whirlpool spa. The pool grounds are adorned with a bounty of greenery, blooming flowers and songbirds happily chirping away.

The landscaping is incredible here and I could tell a lot of work went into grooming this resort to give guests the sense of botanical bliss. This is the perfect spot for complete and total relaxation and to see a real desert oasis.

After cooling off in the water, I made my way to the hotel spa for an afternoon appointment at Spa Avania, which is ideal for those who wish to indulge in even more peace and seclusion. Spa Avania offers a long list of various massages, facials, decadent body therapies, and salon services.

The Himalayan Salt Spa is a must-try; takes approximately 30 minutes and can accommodate one or two people. I really liked trying this treatment before my massage as it allowed me to rest and unwind while lounging amongst the dimly lit salt rocks. The negatively charged ions in salt are said to improve health and mood, and that inhaling the finely ground salt particles reduces inflammation in the body. I could taste the salty, flavoured air and felt rejuvenated upon leaving this quaint space. I would definitely recommend adding this little slice of zen to any of the spa treatments beforehand or after.

Dinner at SWB Scottsdale Hyatt was a real treat, and I was fortunate to attend the Wine Me Dine Me culinary journey there with Chef Juan. At just $80 per person, the Chef prepares a four-course menu complete with tequila and wine pairings. Guests can watch as everything is arranged and plated for them in the open-concept kitchen. I enjoyed how we could interact, observe, and ask the Chef questions as we went through each course.

After dinner, I walked just next door to the indoor/outdoor lobby lounge, where live music was in full swing over cocktails and nightcaps. This is the perfect area to chill while taking in the sunset and conversing over the day’s activities. There is so much to see and do in the area, from Jeep tours, to rock climbing, to hot air balloon rides and golf. The options are endless and Scottsdale Hyatt is the perfect spot to take delight in all this beautiful city has to offer.