The Boulders Resort & Spa

We arrived on a night when it was raining buckets, and cold as hell; and even in the dark we could tell there was something about the Boulders that was different. The next day after a good nights sleep on the most comfortable hotel bed I've ever had, with the sun up, and the rain a distant memory the true grandeur of the resort sank in. I've included some pictures of the scenery that greeted us, and I can say the pictures do not capture the true beauty on display. It really has to be experienced. Surrounded by nature on all sides you feel as if you have travelled to some far-away exotic locale, and it is very easy to forget the world for a time. Now onto the resort proper. The first thing we encountered were the incredible staff of the resort. We'd come to them after our flight out to visit family was cancelled, and we were wet and cold; Shirley at the front desk took one look at us and jumped into action. She booked us into a room, her favorite, and I have to say she has excellent taste. From there the bell staff drove us to our room, and carried our bags upstairs to our room. They took the time to walk us through the room's amenities, and left us to decompress. The room we were in was a single king, with a fireplace (non-functioning) but still nice, a comfortable area to sit and relax, a bathroom bigger than my spare bedrooms back home, and sliding shutter doors that offered a breathtaking panoramic view of the boulders outside, 4 door widths wide. As I mentioned the bed was the most comfortable I've had at any hotel. That first day we walked to the spa for a couples massage, and Kasha, and Jasmine proceeded to massage the previous days' tension away. The massage was amazing, they were very focused on us, and our preferences, adapting their massages on the fly. At every point our comfort was their sole focus. We don't get massages often, but this was something special. In the gender specific facilities they have a Ofuro tub, kept at 98º, a dry, and wet sauna, lockers, and showers. On the grounds they have different areas offering serene surroundings to unwind. There is also a quiet pool and spa on the premises. That leads me to the single greatest part of our experience, the staff. From the moment we checked in, Shirley made it her mission to ensure we had an amazing experience. Justin and Susan the concierge were able to help us with any reservations, or questions we had. At the Discovery lounge the first night, Perla and Etkin, two lovely ladies, served us dinner and drinks with kindness, and great conversation. At the pools Marcella mixed us the perfect Pina coladas each to our tastes. Mia at Palo Verde served us an amazing breakfast the next morning. We had a single negative experience at a restaurant, and when we politely made them aware of it, management listened; the food and drink manager Hridesh quite literally went way above and beyond anything we expected given the situation. This resort understands that excellent customer service will be recognized, and appreciated. If it seems to you, the reader, that I am heaping praise upon this resort, it's because I am. My father raised me to remember that it is easy to complain, but that it is better to be the person who recognizes excellence. To call it out in a world that doesn't often take the time it should to lift others up.

Was good for the first night and then the next morning we found two cockroaches in the room(342) and we reported this to them. When me and my family went to breakfast while we were waiting for them to “exterminate” them. When we came back after breakfast we saw one dead one still on the floor. But after that when we went to play pickleball it was fun and the pool was good. So the inside of the rooms at the boulders are bad but the outside, like the amenities and the attractions like the golf fields

I stayed here in the past when it was a Waldorf 'high end' property and things have definitely declined in my opinion! To start, I was not recognized as a Life Time Diamond when I checked in. Things only got worse form there. First day the absolute worst stay I have ever had at a hotel; and I am a LifeTime Hilton Diamond. Booked spa treatment today(first day) so I arrived early at hotel. Room was not ready, but acceptable given my early arrival, but I was told they would call after room was ready; of which they did not. I arrived early at spa so as to enjoy the spa amenities prior to therapy as I was paying $360(with mandatory 20% gratuity) for the 80 minute massage; not the mention the fact free spa access is the primary reason they charge you a daily resort amenity fee. Well, the steam room door does not close from the interior so there is no chance of getting an adequate steam, the sauna simply did not work, and to make matters worse the jacuzzi as drained and supposedly under mechanical diagnostics. What am I paying for? But, it gets better, as I check into my room and go to shave and take shower and there is zero hot water. I was told that the front desk would call me in five minutes to change rooms, but they did not, so I called them and ultimately got a different room after spending 30 minutes un-packing and another 20 re--packing. Not so much as an 'I am sorry from the staff.' Well, it does not end there as I just finished my meal at Palo Verde; the resort's supposed #1 restaurant. I booked an outdoor seating as the setting is a main part of why people stay at the Boulders; only to find that they were not seating outside even though the weather was fantastic. While my server was exceptional, and the food quality was as expected, half-way through my entree I bit into a large piece of jagged plastic that was inside of the dish I was eating. Unacceptable! This property, in my opinion, appears lack management direction relative to providing and exceptional and extraordinary experience but yet it is at the 'high end' of Phoenix/Scottsdale resorts relative to pricing. This place needs a paradigm shift in many things, in my opinion, if they wish to capitalize on what is an exceptional infrastructure. Definitely not what it was when it was a Waldorf!

Loved Boulders. I was worried with some of the reviews that I wouldn't like it, but it was amazing. The grounds are gorgeous, the staff was great, and the golf course was simply amazing. I also loved the architecture and room decor. Would come again!

Check-in: Showed up at 3:30pm. Check in time is 4pm. Was told I’d get a text when the room was ready. Didn’t hear anything so I went back at 4:20pm and they said they texted me but I didn’t get anything. At 4:24pm (after I already got the card) the text came through. There must be a glitch or my room was just ready later. I asked about late checkout but they said I could ask for an extra hour the following day but there are no guarantees. Funny how they can be late but you can’t. The guy who took us to our room was helpful and as friendly as he could be. There is a bait and switch with the photos you see when you book and the room you actually get. I booked through AMEX and was under the impression there was a view based on photos when booking but there is not a view and the chairs are dirty (dusty and had bird poop on them). They also had a layer of dust and raindrops and it looks like the last time it rained was several days ago. When I called the front desk they said they’d send someone to switch it out but never did. The water bottle was even dusty so they’ve been sitting there a while. They take really good photos because it shows better online than in real life. In photos, the room appears larger with the wide angle lenses. In person the room is smaller and is showing signs of wear (slider door difficult to open due to being off track and handle coming loose making it hard to slide the doors open and closed). It’s still spacious, just not what you expect based on photos. The room also has a strong scent. The grounds are beautiful. We walked around and saw beautiful cacti, ground birds, peccary and rabbits. A few times employees would breeze by so quickly in the golf carts which would kick up dust when you’re walking. At night, someone drove by so quickly we had to move out of the way. I wouldn’t return to this hotel in the future. We just stayed three days at a Red Lion for my daughter’s volleyball tournament before coming out here to relax and I noticed they use the same Kleenex. For a five star hotel there is a lot left to be desired everywhere.