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| Hyatt Gainey Adults Pool |
I love any reason to get away so I was super stoked to be going to Lisa's bachelorette party weekend in Scottsdale, Arizona. Everyone thought we were nuts, "I'ts going to be soooo hot!", "You guys are crazy!" "What are you going to do in 100 degree weather?!!" Despite all the doubt, we continued on with the plan and settled on Scottsdale in mid July weather. Plus, all the hotels in Scottsdale were running specials, we got the third night free at the Hyatt.
The 5 hours 40 minute flight from Boston to Phoenix goes by pretty quick when one is occupied watching passengers greet a service dog on board. I still don't think it was a legit service dog but oh well! We arrive at the airport and got our cool Hyundai hatchback rentals.
(BTW, I will never think less of a Hyundai ever again) The drive to Hyatt Gainey Resort and Spa was a mere 20 minutes commute and we were there in no time.
Although it was already dark, the grounds of the property was beautiful. There was a cobblestone entrance with palm trees lined up on each side.
We checked into three rooms for the nine of us. The rooms were comfortable. My only caution to future groups is that the shower is see through so if someone is showering the rest of the bathroom can't be occupied
unless its some other kind of party going on.
We wanted to start the weekend right so we headed downstairs to the Center bar for a round of drinks. The watermelon basil cooler was absolutely amazing!
(Be warned, you will see this drink make an appearance throughout the weekend and possibly all summer long at our other social events) It's that DAMN GOOD!
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| Center Bar at Hyatt (Daytime view) |
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| Famous Watermelon Basil Cooler |
When we returned back to our quarters, we were surprised with a bachelorette party survival kit. it was so cute and filled with fun things like wet wipes, pain killers, mints and CHOCOLATE! I no longer wondered why the MOD felt the need to check in a huge suit case full of "shoes."
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| Bachelorette Party Survival Kit |
It was alsmost 3 AM Eastern time when we all went to bed. Some of us had an early
spa appointment at the Fairmont Princess so we hit the sheets. The girls were excited that the hotel's market served Starbuck's coffee so they were able to get their morning fix. We skipped breakfast and that was probably the WORST idea ever!
There was some time to kill so we walked around and explored the grounds (
and took lots of selfies).
The resort sits on 27 acres of land in the Sonoran Desert. The hotel features a 2.5 acre water playground, tennis courts, event space, championship golf and Spa Avania (
currently #4 on Tripadvisor, we went with #3 at the Fairmont princess because we had a Travelxoo deal). They EVEN have their own GONDOLA ride!
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
Some of the girls opted out of the spa session and started the party early with Bloody Mary's and hug out poolside.
Everyday, there was a sign in the lobby with the resort's weekend activities and offerings. It was great to know what was going on but we had our own agenda and didn't have time to partake in any of it. Also, another thing to note is that the hotel is VERY POPULAR with locals taking a "Stay-cation". To discourage locals for just coming by without a reservation, there was an employee that gave out wristbands to hotel guests.
This was kind of a nuisance.
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
The next day, the MOH set up a nice poolside luncheon for the group.
A poolside cabana was rented out and it was adorned with hand crafted banners, fresh flowers and tissue lanterns. It was so pretty!
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
The private cabana's waterfront location overlooked the hotel's very own 7 acre lake where the gondolas are docked and used. The cabanas came with a spritzing fan to cool off guests, an LCD TV and outlets to charge all the phones! Fresh fruit, unlimited bottled water and a round of chips and guac was included.
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
Our poolside butler was very friendly and efficient. He made sure we got our drinks quickly and anything else we needed.
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More Watermelon Cooler please!
Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
Before the meal, our own residential photographer, Ailley Berry snapped a few shots of the girls being silly and modeling for the camera.
After a delicious lunch spread, we spent the afternoon sprawled all over the water playground. Some of us napped in the cabana, some frolicked in the pool and for some of us. the inner child in us tested out the water slide.
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
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| Photography Credit: Ailley Berry |
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| Pina Coloda |
When Sunday rolled around, I didn't want to leave. I woke up extra early so I had a coupe of extra hours to enjoy the pool and soak up the sun. Call me crazy, that it was worth the effort to wake up and enjoy the pool to myself. It wasn't long before we had to check out and head to
Valley Ho Hotel for brunch at Zuzu's.
I had so much fun and it was a such an awesome girls getaway. Until next time Scottsdale, I'll definitely be back again!
I leave you with our "Wanna be" model photo shoot on the grounds of the Hyatt on "White Dress Night"
