Editor’s Note: The following is a review of American Express’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program as utilized at Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows. This post is NOT a complete review of Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows.
Review: Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) – Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows (Arizona)
Image: hyatt.com
During our recent stay at Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows, we utilized the benefits of the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts program (FHR).
Did FHR really enhance our stay? Read on to find out.
Review: Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) – Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows
Click here to read about the American Express Platinum card adding a new $200 FHR annual perk
About The Fine Hotels & Resorts Program
First, a quick refresher on the Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) program.
Click here to read more on Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts Program
Click here for reviews on Chase’s Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
How To Use FHR
You’ll need a premium American Express Platinum credit card to gain access to the FHR program.
Both the American Express Platinum card and the American Express Business Platinum card will grant access to FHR .
The Benefits Of The Fine Hotels & Resorts Program
American Express’s FHR program is an under-utilized benefit for many Platinum users, but it provides tremendous value when used at the right hotels at the right time.
The standard perks of the FHR program include the following 6 benefits:
The Benefits Vary By Property
The “unique amenity” at Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows was a $100 food and beverage credit.
Additionally, the “daily breakfast for two people” benefit was a $60 per room credit for use at the Weft & Warp restaurant.
About Andaz Scottsdale
The Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows boasts a rich history dating back to the 1930s. Originally known as Cottonwoods, the resort underwent a transformation while retaining the original footprint of the bungalows. The resort now features a modern adobe aesthetic, which blends seamlessly with the artistic culture of the desert.
Image: hyatt.com
At A Glance:
- Average Nightly Cost During Stay: $477 + $50.93
- Loyalty Program: World of Hyatt
- Loyalty Category: Category 6
- Discount Applied: Amex Platinum $200 Fine Hotels & Resorts Credit + Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts ($160 in credits)
- Room Type as Booked: Eames Room, 2 Queen Beds
- Room Upgrade: (?) The Retreat Eames Room (?)
- Resort Fee: $45
- Parking Fee: $23 (Self) / $35 (Valet)
Booking/Redemption
Location & Parking
The resort is conveniently located in Scottsdale, Arizona (in the Phoenix area), a region known for its sunny weather and beautiful desert landscapes. It’s situated just 3 miles from OdySea Aquarium and 4 miles from the popular Desert Botanical Gardens.
The resort offers both self-parking and valet parking options, with nightly rates of $23 for self-parking and $35 for valet parking.
Valet Circle
Self-Parking Lot
FHOP Tip: Don’t bother trying to find street parking – there isn’t any.Â
Lobby
Upon entering the resort, we were greeted by the modern lobby area. The exhibition kitchen and floor-to-ceiling windows really let the light in and and set the vibe.
Image: hyatt.com
Image: hyatt.com
Front Desk & Check-In
Check-in at this Andaz was done in standard Andaz fashion, via a laptop on an island desk.
We were served delicious welome drink, which I believe was something like a prickly-pear vodka cocktail.
FHR Upgrade? Nope, we didn’t get one. Although they may have counted it as a “better located” bungalow.
Welcome drink
FHR Letter
Welcome Package
Room Key
The Walk To The Room
Room Walkthrough Tour
Room Entrance
The Eames 2 Queens Room was located in a bungalow area known as The Retreat.
The room was clean and well-lit and even came with a back patio, although it was clearly not an FHR upgrade.
They did provide us a welcome gift of some cookies and some Purely Sedona still water.
Bedroom
Living Area
Room Amenities
Mini Bar
Closet
Bathroom
The Andaz featured Palo Verde Spa branded products, which smelled great and seemed to be a high quality.
Back Patio
Dining Options
The resort offered a variety of dining options. Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen served modern Mediterranean cuisine, curated wines, and artfully crafted cocktails, while the Turquoise Pool Bar & Grille offered casual dining by the pool.
Breakfast At Weft & Warp ($60 FHR Credit)
We used our $60 breakfast credit at Weft & Warp, and we were not disappointed. The food and service were amazing – we even got comped a plate of the not-to-miss Strawberries’n’Cream Doughnuts!
Duck Fat Latte
Strawberries’n’Cream Doughnuts
FHOP Tip: Learning About Owls At Breakfast
This Andaz apparently invites falconers from Liberty Wildlife to hang out during breakfast. On the morning we were there, this awesome owl was doing an educational meet and greet (tips were welcomed).
Owl & Falconer at Breakfast
Dinner At Weft & Warp ($100 FHR Credit)
We ate dinner at Weft & Warp – and boy is it a popular place. With good reason.
The drinks were amazing, and the food was really good as well. There were familiar items, with a modern twist.
Image: hyatt.com
Old Fashioned
Pork Chop
Hamachi
Lumache
The Property Interior
The Property Exterior
Quail
Swimming Pool
The resort boasted a year-round outdoor pool – a popular necessity for Phoenix. The only weird thing was that it was directly visible from the restaurant’s patio – but then again “pool culture” is a real thing in Arizona.
Image: hyatt.com
Image: hyatt.com
Fitness Center
Image: hyatt.com
THE BOTTOM-LINE FHR RATINGS
- Room upgrade: I don’t believe we were given an upgrade, maybe to a different building (? )– 4/10
- Daily Breakfast for 2 (we used it at Weft & Warp) – 10/10
- Guaranteed 4pm checkout – 9/10
- Noon Check-in – N/A (we didn’t use this)
- Complimentary Wi-fi – 10/10
- Unique Amenity: $100 property credit (we used it at Weft & Warp) – 9/10
FHOP BOTTOM-LINE RATINGS
| Location: | 8 |
| Service/Elite Treatment: | 7 |
| Overall Room: | 8 |
| Property/Amenities: | 9 |
| Luxury Factor: | 8 |
| Coolness Factor: | 9 |
| Non-Grime Factor: | 9 |
| Correct Billing/No Issues Factor: | 9 |
| Cash Bang-For-The-Buck: | 8 |
| Points Bang-For-The-Buck: | 9 |
| FINAL RATING | 8.5 |
The Bottom-Line Review: Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) – Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows (Arizona)
We really enjoyed our stay at the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows. The Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts program greatly enhanced our experience, especially with the amazing breakfast (I mean, duck fat lattes and strawberries’n’cream doughnuts – excellent!) and dinner at Weft & Warp (those old fashioneds!). I do bristle a bit over the lack of the FHR benefit room upgrade (Andaz, you are better than this). All in all, I’d say booking with FHR is still the way to go for the added benefits and dining credits, especially if you have the $200 Amex Platinum FHR credit to use off the top.
FINAL FHR RATING: 8.5 out of 10
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