Thank you, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa for sponsoring this post. All opinions are my own.

For my birthday, I wanted to do something special. I was hoping to do something super tropical or exotic, but time and resources didn’t allow anything as grand as I envisioned. But, the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa agreed to host me, and everything about this resort gave me the exact vacation vibe I’d been searching for.

Scottsdale will always hold a special place in my heart. I lived in the Phoenix metro area for nearly 9 years. Most of my 20s were spent there, so it really is the place I feel I grew up the most. I still have many dear friends who live there so I was excited to celebrate my big birthday with them.

{Look 1: Dress, Heels; Look 2: Cover-Up, Swim Suit, Sunglasses; Look 3: Dress, Sandals (similar)}

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa

The Hyatt Regency also holds fond memories from my time in Phoenix, although I hadn’t been there in more than 15 years. Honestly, with so much time passing, I wasn’t sure if the resort would be as grand as I remembered. Well, it was.

The thing I love the most about this resort is the lush landscapes and the glorious pools. As you can tell from my photo, it is truly picturesque. The landscaping is phenomenal throughout the grounds. The entire property is quite large and there are at least two giant pools I found during my weekend stay.

Beyond the pools, the entire property is filled with different housing options – like individual casitas, as well as more traditional hotel rooms. There are areas with fire pits, outdoor seating areas, and several dining options (both indoors and outdoors) throughout the resort.

A Bit About Scottsdale

If you haven’t been to Scottsdale before, the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale is located in Gainey Ranch, which I would consider mid to north Scottsdale. This resort is about 20 minutes from Sky Harbor airport or 25-30 minutes from downtown Phoenix without traffic.

There is so much to do in Scottsdale, especially great shopping, amazing restaurants, and tons of recreational options – including hiking and world-class golf. I also love to visit in March so I can go to spring training games. This article explains everything you need to know about spring training.

Although I loved cruising around Scottsdale during my trip, I mostly enjoyed hanging out at the resort. The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale has a Regency club that offers yummy meals and snacks throughout the day. They also have several great restaurants on site.

My friends and I were lucky enough to participate in the Wine Me Dine Me at SWB restaurant. It is a culinary journey where you get to interact with the chef and his staff. It was a delicious four-course meal that was paired with wine and tequila. We had so much fun trying all the different Southwest-inspired foods. Plus, we sat right by the kitchen so we got to see a lot of the preparation, which was really fun.

Overall, I really enjoyed my stay at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale. Even since the 15 years I’d been there last, the resort is as gorgeous as ever. The pools and grounds alone make this hotel a top choice if you’re in the Scottsdale area. Plus, the staff and the rooms are also amazing – I mean, they gave me a margarita at check-in; it doesn’t get better than that.

If you’re curious to see more, make sure to head over to my Instagram and check out my Scottsdale story highlight.

All Photos via Ali Hohn Photography.