We got away for a quick one-night trip to Sedona this past Labor Day weekend. Even though it’s only a two-hour drive from Phoenix, we had never stayed at the Hyatt Vacation Club at Piñon Pointe before. Truthfully, I’ve never been the biggest Sedona fan—the red rocks just haven’t wowed me the way they do for most people (I know, I know 😅). But this trip changed my mind a bit, and I think the resort had something to do with it.

The property itself was lovely, though our room felt a little snug—I’d definitely use more points to book a one-bedroom next time. It ended up being a perfect use of an expiring Hyatt category 1–4 free night award. The only downside? Sedona was almost as hot as Phoenix at 92 degrees, so not exactly the “cool mountain escape” I was hoping for. We had also planned some Jeep off-roading on the trails, but since our Jeep was totaled a couple of weeks ago, that adventure will have to wait until we get a replacement.

When we’re not using a Hyatt free night certificate, we always transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points to Hyatt®. They transfer at a 1:1 ratio, which is how we’re able to keep enjoying stays at Hyatt properties.

Related: Complete Guide to Earning Hyatt Points

Here’s my honest scoop on this resort.

The Welcome at the Sedona Hyatt Vacation Club at Piñon Pointe

Our arrival at the Hyatt Vacation Club Pinon Pointe in Sedona wasn’t the smoothest. While the staff was friendly enough, there was no recognition of my Globalist status—which I wasn’t too surprised by, since Hyatt Vacation Club properties in Sedona generally don’t offer standard Globalist benefits. Our room also wasn’t ready until about 4:15 p.m., even though we arrived around 3:30. On the plus side, they did provide a pool key so we could relax and explore the property while we waited. I didn’t bother emailing ahead to request an upgrade, since the resort was completely full and Globalists rarely receive upgrades at Hyatt Vacation Club locations. With check-out at 10 a.m. and no late checkout for Globalists, our stay ended up being quite short.

The Room & Suite at the Hyatt Vacation Club at Piñon Pointe

By using a Category 1–4 Hyatt free night certificate, we were only able to book a studio at the Hyatt Vacation Club Pinon Pointe in Sedona. The studio is cozy, but it definitely feels small for a family of five. It comes with a queen bed, a sofa sleeper, and a kitchenette. To make it work, we brought along an air mattress for our youngest. Since this was just a quick one-night stay and I wanted to use my certificate before it expired, the smaller space was fine. However, for a longer visit, I would absolutely recommend using Hyatt points to book a one-bedroom suite instead—it’s worth the extra space and comfort.

Our studio was located on the bottom floor across from the pool, which was convenient—but unfortunately, it was also right next to what appeared to be the trash area. Even though the bins were locked up, the smell was overwhelming every time we walked in or out of the room. Thankfully, it wasn’t noticeable inside, but it definitely took away from the experience.

The room itself looked like it had been somewhat remodeled, but it still had a lingering smoke smell. Since our stay at the Hyatt Vacation Club Pinon Pointe in Sedona was only one night, I didn’t bother requesting a move, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind if you’re booking here. Luckily, we still enjoyed the property even with these small inconveniences.

The Pools and Hot Tubs

One of the biggest highlights of the Hyatt Vacation Club Pinon Pointe in Sedona is the pool area with its stunning red rock views. The resort has one large pool, a smaller kids’ pool, and two hot tubs. During our stay, one of the hot tubs was closed, but with the hot weather, we didn’t really feel the need to use it anyway.

The pool is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is a great spot to relax while taking in the iconic red rock scenery of Sedona. The water is heated, so it works well year-round. We also enjoyed sitting by the fire pits in the evening—another chance to soak up those epic views.

This resort, set on a hill with sweeping views, reminded me of our recent stay at Hyatt Carmel Highlands. I always love it when a property is positioned on a hill—it adds so much to the scenery and overall experience.

Related: Review of the Carmel Hyatt Highlands: A Hidden Gem

The Amenities at the Hyatt Vacation Club at Piñon Pointe in Sedona

We’ve always loved Vacation Club properties for their Airbnb-style rooms and included activities. In the past, many of these activities were free, but at this Hyatt Vacation Club Pinon Pointe in Sedona, most activities come with an additional cost.

Our younger kids tried the sand bottle activity for $5 each, which was a reasonable price and a fun way to pass the time while waiting for our room. There was also a movie night, which was free and came with complimentary popcorn and brownies—perfect for families.

The resort offers s’mores every night, but at $22, we decided to skip it.

Other amenities we enjoyed at the Hyatt Vacation Club Pinon Pointe in Sedona included the grilling stations, tennis courts, and fitness center. There’s also an indoor pool table and an outdoor ping pong table, so there’s plenty to do during your stay.

The Food at the Sedona Hyatt

There are no on-site restaurants at the Hyatt Vacation Club Pinon Pointe in Sedona, but you can easily walk to nearby options. Just steps from the property, you’ll find Wildflower and a few other restaurants, and of course, the popular downtown Sedona strip is also within easy walking distance.

The Parking 

Self-parking is free for everyone.

The Resort Fee at the Sedona Hyatt Vacation Club at Piñon Pointe

There is a $35 resort fee per room per night. If you booked with points or a free night certificate, the fee is waived.

Resort Fee Inclusions:

• Premium high-speed wireless internet
• 24 Hour Fitness Center
• In-room Coffee & Tea
• Concierge Service
• Select Resort activities
• Gas Grilling Area
• Guest Laundry Facilities
• Movie, Books, and Games lending library
• Business center access/service,s including fax
• Tennis Court, Pickle Ball / Equipment Rental
• Self-parking for one vehicl,e excluding trailers

Hotel Status

Unfortunately, Hyatt Globalist status is not recognized at Vacation Club properties. It would have been great to use a free night certificate and receive an upgrade to a one-bedroom, but that wasn’t the case for us. That said, I’ve read online reports of some successful Globalist upgrades. There is no on-site restaurant, so free breakfast is not included, and amenities like bottled water and late checkout are also not offered. We were aware of this going in, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind when planning your stay.

Location of the Sedona Vacation Club

I would argue that this is one of the best locations for a resort property in Sedona. Being within walking distance to downtown means you don’t have to worry about parking—a huge perk. The views here are absolutely unbeatable, and the combination of location and scenery is what truly makes this property stand out.

Booking on Hyatt Points

This Hyatt Vacation Club Pinon Pointe in Sedona is a Category 4 property, which means a standard award stay costs between 12,000 and 18,000 points per night. You can also use a Hyatt Category 1–4 free night certificate here, though this is only valid for a Studio. To book a one-bedroom unit, you’ll need 21,000 points per night on off-peak dates. It may also be worth asking about a cash upgrade to a one-bedroom, with rates typically ranging from $200 to $400 per night depending on the season. For our stay over Labor Day weekend, we used a free night certificate to book a Studio, and it ended up being a great deal.

Keep in mind that the only way we earned Hyatt points for this stay was by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which transfer to Hyatt at a 1:1 ratio. Any credit card that earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points can be used to transfer points to Hyatt, making it easy to book award stays like this one.

Since this is a Vacation Club property, you also have the option to pay for a discounted stay in exchange for attending a timeshare presentation. This can be a good value for some travelers, and it’s something we’ve done many times in the past. Typically, you can find these online if you google Hyatt Vacation Club.

Family Rooms

This is a great property for families, especially if you have a larger family and book into the one or two bedrooms.

Good Eats Nearby

For this stay, we decided to get takeout from Jay Bird’s since we had expiring Uber Eats credits, and my husband didn’t want to miss a must-see football game. Jay Bird’s is known for its fried chicken sandwiches—they’re really good, but fair warning, they’re huge and could easily be shared between two people.

We also tried a new coffee and breakfast spot that we can’t believe we hadn’t visited before. Indian Gardens Cafe & Market was the perfect place for breakfast. The outdoor garden seating area is beautiful and relaxing, the coffee was fantastic, and the food was solid—some dishes were better than others, but it’s quickly become my new favorite spot for coffee in Sedona.

Must-Do’s in Sedona

If you’re visiting Sedona, there are a few must-do activities to add to your itinerary. Popular options include hiking the West Fork Trail, exploring Slide Rock State Park, visiting Devil’s Bridge, and checking out Subway Cave. These spots showcase the natural beauty of Sedona and are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts.

Would we return to the Hyatt Vacation Club at Piñon Pointe in Sedona?

We would definitely return to the Hyatt Vacation Club Pinon Pointe in Sedona. My favorite times to visit are fall and winter—Sedona offers fall colors we don’t get in Phoenix, and the snow-covered red rocks are always stunning.

As mentioned earlier, I’d love to book a one-bedroom for my next stay, but if I have an expiring Hyatt free night certificate, I wouldn’t hesitate to use it here.

Related Posts:

Review of the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beachfront Resort

Review of the Newly Rebranded Grand Hyatt Scottsdale

Review of the Seabird Resort vs the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach

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