Royal Palms Resort and Spa

Meh. A pretty sleepy, tired spot. Not bad exactly, just kinda sagging around the edges, so to speak. It felt very sleepy, and kinda lifeless. Room and bed were comfortable, staff very nice and welcoming. Just felt like this place was past it's prime a decade ago. Also, as somebody who likes to walk, this place is terrible. The road outside is almost like a highway, and lacks a sidewalk, and there's no crosswalks or anything, so you kinda stuck there unless you wanna drive. These hotels need a walking score like they have in real estate listings.

We stayed here again to give it a second chance. The property itself is absolutely stunning—beautiful architecture and lush. I loved the yoga class and the cocktail-making class. That said, AGAIN the smoking situation was a major disappointment. People were openly chain-smoking in the courtyard, which is one of the hotel’s main gathering spaces. The smoke drifted into the bar and lingered heavily in the air—it was impossible to avoid. Even the restaurant’s outdoor seating seemed smoker-friendly, which really surprised me given the otherwise upscale and wellness-focused vibe of the resort. It’s time for this property to align with modern standards and create designated smoking areas that don’t interfere with shared guest spaces. Until then, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who’s sensitive to smoke or simply wants to enjoy the outdoors or your own patio even. Smokers everywhere... there was no escape. A beautiful place, but the lack of smoke-free outdoor areas seriously detracts from the luxury

Most beautiful resort I've ever been too. Had a casita that was private with views of Camelback. Impeciple service and gorgeous restaurant. Tip, take the on-site history tour, free for guests, for amazing history of the almost 100 year old resort. I will be going back again and again for sure.

This property is gorgeous and quaint. The property is lush with beautiful plants and flowers which truly make this hotel feel so magical. The food was outstanding; ate breakfast, lunch by the pool and dinner in the courtyard. The hotel staff were all so attentive to my every need. I can't wait to stay here again!

The Royal Palms Resort & Spa is undeniably beautiful—lush grounds, charming architecture, and a setting that feels like a 4.5-star escape. Unfortunately, the service and overall experience don’t match the setting or the price point. The rooms are a bit dated, but the biggest letdown is the lack of consistent, attentive service—especially when the resort markets itself as a luxury, white-glove experience. Several issues stood out: Poor guest enforcement: Multiple guests openly smoked marijuana in the pool and montevista areas, including one woman blowing smoke near a baby. Staff said nothing. With so many quiet corners around the resort, it was baffling this behavior was allowed so publicly. Not family-friendly—but families take over: The resort feels designed for adults or romantic getaways, yet beware young children are allowed to run and scream through courtyards at 6:30 a.m. while the parents slept in (they woke me up!) A fellow guest told me he called the front desk twice to get it addressed. At the pool, kids were yelling, getting thrown around the pool and hottub, and playing on the handicap lift with zero intervention. People regularly left the pool or hottub due to the chaos (it is a small pool, do you want a kid thrown a foot away from you?) should kids over 16 be in the hottub? Should infants be in the pool? Should kids be thrown around in such a small pool? I know you have to allow kids but there should be some guidelines to allow people coming for a romantic getaway or a girls weekend to co-exist with the families. Lack of amenities and poor attitude: There weren’t enough umbrellas at the pool—even when the pool had very few people. When I asked why, I was told, “the events team takes them and doesn’t bring them back,” with no offer to assist or remedy the issue. That summed up the service experience: passive, not proactive. In short, the resort has the bones of something special, but it’s currently being undermined by poor management, lackluster service, and a complete disregard for the guest experience. Until they decide whether they’re truly a luxury retreat or a family-friendly free-for-all, I wouldn’t return—and I wouldn’t recommend it for those seeking a peaceful, high-end getaway.