Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Penthouse Suite Review
The Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa, formerly known as the [Hyatt] Grand Champions Resort, opened in 1986 and has been managed by Hyatt since 1987. The branding was changed to a Regency in 2013. The property has undergone various renovations and additions over the years and sold for $120 million on 2018. The latest renovation, completed in 2020 during the pandemic, added a small water park with two waterslides and a lazy river. It is solidly a family friendly resort and has a conference center and golf course in the same resort development.
Location
The property is located in the city of Indian Wells; southeast of Palm Springs and about a 35 minute drive from the airport. Being a large resort, there isn’t really anything within walking distance. My Lyft from the airport was only $35.
I didn’t drive but they do have both paid self park and valet parking. Free self parking for Globalists using points.
Previously I have stayed at the Hyatt Palm Springs which is much more central to Palm Springs. Hyatt Regency Indian Well is located in a more suburban sprawling area where golf courses and hotel properties take up large portions of land.
Check In
I arrived around 1:30 and not surprisingly my room was not yet available. It was the Saturday of President’s Day Weekend and the hotel was sold out. Given that this is a resort property, late check out is not guaranteed for elites. You are able to use the pools before check in (and I would assume for some hours after check out as well).
I was told I would receive a text when my room was ready, but I headed back at 4pm (check in time) and after some consultation with the manager, the front desk agent was able to check me in.
I had used points (20,000 per night) and a Tier Suite Upgrade. The website isn’t super clear on what a standard suite is at the property, but I was assigned a Penthouse Suite. I was also given a $50 resort credit due to the wait for the room.
At check in I was also given wrist band that have a chip on them that must be worn at the pool and can also be used to open the room door.
There is a $40 daily resort fee but it is not charged for Globalists or those using points for their stay.
The hotel is laid out in a “Y” shape with the pools in the middle. In the map above, the hotel building is the light orange in the center. Additionally there are separate villa clusters with four villas per building (far left).
Penthouse Suite
The Penthouse Suites are on the 5th (top) floor and are actually designed as suites rather than two adjoining rooms. I was assigned room 5205 with a pool view.
As you enter, a wet bar with small fridge and half bath are immediately to your right.
The living room area has a large sectional couch that folds out to a bed. There is solid hardwood-type flooring throughout the suite.
The couch faces a wall mounted TV.
A dining table with four chairs is against the windows in a small alcove.
A sliding door goes out on to the balcony. The large balcony has a bistro table with two chairs, two sun lounge chairs and one arm chair.
The balcony overlooks the pool complex with the mountains in the distance.
The bedroom is separated from the living room with a sliding door. However, the sliding door has a glass panel. Given that the living room doesn’t have blackout curtains, the bedroom gets light as soon as the sun rises. It is my only complaint about the suite.
The bedroom has a king bed that faces a second wall mounted TV. A desk is next to the bed. There are plenty of outlets and USB ports on each side of the bed.
A second sliding door opens to the balcony that runs the full length of the suite.
Bathroom
The main bathroom in the suite is off of the bedroom. As you enter, to the left is an open closet space.
A large dual vanity is against he back wall. All bath products are the standard, individual bottles of Pharmacopia.
Against the side wall is a separate bath and glass enclosed shower. The shower has a rain shower head.
The toilet is in a nook that faces the shower. It takes a while for the water to warm up for the sinks and shower. The shower pressure is average.
Pool Complex
The property advertises having seven pools, plus the waterslides, lazy river and splash pad. There is also a cafe and bar. It really is an enormous area. With that said, over President’s Day weekend it was packed and difficult to find a seat.
Fortunately there is an adults only pool that had plenty of seats and was much more peaceful than the rest of the pools.
Cabanas are available to rent at a price of $200 per day. Most of the pools are open from 7am to 10pm, while the HyTides Waterpark (slides and lazy river) are only open from 10am to 5pm. Lifeguards are on duty around the slides and lazy river.
Spa and Fitness Center
The spa and fitness center are located in their own building on the property. The gym is open 24 hours.
Restaurants
The restaurant situation is a bit strange at the hotel; I think partially because my visit was at the end of Covid. I wouldn’t be surprised if their dining options evolve in the next year or two.
For all day fast service and grab and go items, there is the Citrus Marketplace just inside the main entrance. It also serves coffee beverages.
Breakfast is served in Citrus next door. During my visit it was buffet only (plus made to order omelets) but during less busy times I believe it is á la carte.
There is both indoor and outdoor seating. This is where Globalists receive their complimentary breakfast.
In the evening during my visit, the only restaurant open was Agave Sunset. Typically it is in a space opposite of Citrus, but during the busy weekend the set up in the Agave Sunset and Citrus space.
Agave Sunset and Citrus both have an annoying 4% surprise fee on top of the listed prices to “help offset the cost of state minimum wage increases”.
There is also the Roadrunner Cafe (essentially a snack bar) and Oasis Bar by the pools.
A short walk away is the golf course clubhouse that has a restaurant (Vue) as well. There are other resorts in the area and if you have a car, Palm Desert is a 10 minute drive and has a ton of dining options.
Service
I visited during one of the busiest weekends since the start of Covid; the hotel was sold out. Unlike other hotels and restaurants I’ve visited, it is clear that the the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells has staffed up properly. I received daily housekeeping. Restaurant service was quick. The hotel was full of young families and the staff navigated all guests well.
Overall
Hyatt Regency Indian Wells is a family oriented resort property. The huge pool complex offers a good amount of entertainment. There needs to be some additional dining options. There is nothing within walking distance, so most guests will want a car. The suites are true suites and offer a great use of a Tier Suite Upgrade.
The Thompson Palm Springs is set to open in December 2022 just a block down from the Hyatt Palm Springs. However the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells will remain the family resort in the Palm Springs area.
