The Boulders Resort & Spa

We stayed here about a year and a half ago and decided to give it another try because of its proximity to somewhere we needed to be. I'd say that this experience was very similar to the last. Overall, it felt middle‑of‑the‑road. A few areas stood out: Service & Staff We didn’t find most team members to be particularly friendly, with the exception of the golf cart drivers and servers (both tipped positions). This was a concern during our previous stay as well. The front desk team, the Discovery Lounge bar attendant, the hostesses at the breakfast restaurant off the main lobby, and the spa desk staff all came across as disengaged or stressed out/unfriendly. Room & Balcony The casita-style room design is charming, private, and cozy, but the space is showing its age. The balcony was large, but the view was completely blocked by a tree- something we noticed on many casitas. We also had several bees going in and out of the balcony’s wood frame. Inside, the fireplace is only operational in winter, which was disappointing since we hoped to enjoy a nighttime fire. The room needs refurbishment: black stains on the bathroom floor, paint issues on the ceiling, and general wear. We also encountered a large spider, though someone did come quickly to remove it from near the ceiling. The beds and pillows were quite comfortable. Location & Transportation The resort is about 25 minutes from local attractions, so we relied on Uber. It would be a great improvement if the resort offered transportation to nearby spots like the rodeo, but we were told the van doesn’t go offsite. Allowing short-distance transport would really enhance the guest experience. Additionally, the official website states that the resort offers bike rentals. This is not the case. You have to call an outside agency and they will bring the bikes over to you at the tune of $40/hour, although she lowered the price when it sounded like I wasn't going to bite at the cost. A suggestion would be to have a few bikes available near the front lobby for guests to enjoy free of charge. Because the property is so expansive, golf cart transportation is essential unless you enjoy long walks. The golf course looks beautiful and well maintained, though we aren’t golfers. Trails & Grounds One area that needs significant attention is the trail up the mountain near the main pool. The pathways were unclear, poorly maintained, and we even encountered a snake. I suggested last year that perhaps a local group (Boy Scouts, Rotary, etc.) could help restore it, and I still think that would be beneficial. Pool & Spa Pool towels were often unavailable, and dirty towels weren’t picked up regularly-another repeat issue from our last visit. The spa and pool closing at 6 pm feels very early, especially for a resort of this size. On a positive note, the spa café team was fantastic, and we loved the healthy fruit smoothies on multiple occasions. It would be wonderful to see more co‑ed spa options for couples, such as shared steam/sauna areas or even an indoor hot tub for relief from the outdoor heat. The main pool was lovely at night-quieter, cooler, and the view of the waterfall with the moon and stars was stunning. The hot tub, however, is very small and felt crowded, and the jets were overly strong. The pool temperature itself was perfect. Overall There are several newer spa resorts in the area that have surpassed this one in terms of offerings and co‑ed amenities. While The Boulders has a unique charm, it’s clear that many areas need attention. For now, we’ll likely continue visiting the newer resorts, but we hope to see improvements here in the future.

We have been to the boulders for the last six years. I had different times of the year. We absolutely love it. But one of the reasonswe keep going back is the friendly staff in the discovery lounge specifically Jaclyn. She actually remembers us from year to year. Her service is impeccable, she’s an amazing mixologist, and she makes our experience so much better. We try to go to the bar every night that we’re here and it truly is because of Jaclyn .

Our bartender Etkin, was a wonderful host and a great addition to the team. She was friendly, attentive and always had a smile. We are planning another staycation soon.

We had a very nice experience at the pool. London and it was another young lady that worked hard. They were both nice, pleasant, and helpful! Despite the heat, they kept it pleasant! They acknowledged our anniversary!! Thank you ladies!!

OK. Nothing is all bad on any trip. So in fairness to some of the great employees of the Boulders, I need to first recognize a couple of superstars: Jelena was Awesome! She waited on us several times at various restaurants on property. And she was the bright spot. Kathy and Chris were also great & waited on us at Palo Verde and The spotted Donkey. Bill (bellman) was great as well as Chris in the golf shop and David at the Tennis Center. So let me explain where things went wrong… Our flight arrived very early into Phoenix so we opted to go to the hotel for breakfast. Our weight to be seated was longer than it should’ve been. No big deal. But,Toni K. came to seat us and my wife asked about sitting outside. She asked Toni if it was hot outside to which Toni said “well, you just came in from outside” in a very rude manner. What my wife was asking, was whether or not they had areas that were not in the sun. So, we opted to go outdoors and there were two tables that had shaded but had not been cleared yet. We asked if it was possible to be seated at one those two tables. Toni again with attitude sad “well, it will be a while”. , We sat down at a table in full sun and later move in that table. It was awful Customer Service. We later that Toniis the manager the restaurant. In my opinion she is wearing the wrong hat. We encountered her multiple times during our day and she always had a sour demeanor. Jelena on the other hand was so kind and so focused on us. Since we had mini meals on site, we started asking for her. She was amazing! We had two other issues both involving the front desk. One night we had reservations at the spotted donkey one of the on site restaurant. Wetexted the front desk for a shuttle. They kept telling us it would be 3 to 8 minutes. After 20 minutes, I fixed it again and the same message. After 40 minutes I texted it again. Finally, after 45 minutes waiting for the shuttle, we were picked up. The shuttle driver had no idea we needed a shuttle. So I don’t fault them. The next day, my wife and were at the main lodge swimming pool. Our friends at the Villa and called for a shuttle. After 20 minutes of waiting, they started walking to main lodge and were picked up by a lady who lives inside the Boulders. Apparently, the communication between front desk and the shuttle drivers needs some work. It’s very frustrating when getting the same message over and over that they are on their way when they are not. My last issue also involves the front desk. Our rate included breakfast every day for people. What that really means is each person has a $25 credit for breakfast. When I checked out, I noticed we were not getting full credit, I reached out to the front desk to let them know that we were missing credits. The people at the front desk refused to issue the remaining credit. So, I asked to speak the general manager. Her name is Maria, but she was not in. I called for Maria and left a voicemail the next day. A little later, Maria texted me to let me know she had issued the remaining credit. It was something that never should have gotten to that point. Because, it was just another source of frustration. Here’s my take. The last time we were in Scottsdale, we stayed at The Four Seasons. Both properties are a bit older and a little tired.But, the people make a difference. Key people in key positions can make or break a trip. The people at The Four Seasons treated us so well. We never had to open a door. People were always asking if there was anything we needed. It’s just a classy place. Granted, their facilities were probably a bit nicer than the Boulders. But, it’s easy to overlook a few things when you are treated like a valued guest. That is what was missing (from the start) at the Boulders. Toni set the stage from the time we walked in. Her comments were snarky and rude. Even her countenance was bad. I saw her interacting with several people and she never smiled. She seems to be wearing the wrong hat. Will I go back to the Boulders? No. There are so many places to stay in Scottsdale. I have stayed at several upscale properties that are much more welcoming. And, as a Travel Agent, I certainly can’t recommend this to anyone that I book for. Do better, Boulders.!