Aloft Scottsdale

The Aloft is a modern hotel that was renovated and re-branded from a Hotel Indigo in mid-2016. Its fresh lobby is bright and colorful, with white walls and floors plus bold accents like teal, crimson, and pumpkin on contemporary furniture, rugs, and art. The semi-circular front desk resembles an oversize kiosk that’s decorated in neon colors, while the white marble bar top at the W XYZ lobby lounge glows a soft blue from a back-lit panel behind the bar.

The property has a completely different ambiance depending on what time of the week it is. During the week, it’s sedate and quiet, with a clientele dominated by business travelers. On weekends it attracts a more party-oriented clientele who frequent the popular nightclubs adjacent to the hotel --  the hotel recognizes that the rooms can get loud and ear plugs are provided to arriving guests. But, that’s not to say the hotel is completely dead during the week, and W XYZ features live music on Wednesdays. 

The Aloft is located in a popular entertainment district in Scottsdale near plenty of trendy nightclubs. Numerous shops, art galleries, and restaurants are within easy walking distance, and Scottsdale Stadium, where the San Francisco Giants play during spring training, is a five-minute drive away.

• Three-minute walk to several popular nightclubs and bars
• 15-minute walk to Old Town Scottsdale
• Five-minute drive to Fashion Square shopping mall 
• Five-minute drive to Scottsdale Stadium
• 23-minute drive to Scottsdale Airport
• 25-minute drive to Chase Field in Phoenix
• 20- to 30-minute drive to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Rooms are fresh, well-maintained, and trendy but sparsely decorated in a modern fashion that borders on minimalist. Shades of light brown and gray from textiles and laminate furniture are accented by a hint of teal in office chairs and benches. The rooms are big and bright enough, but the lack of artwork makes them feel a bit sterile. Rooms have one king bed or two queens, and suites are available with sleeper sofas and -- in some --balconies with mountain/pool views. Bathrooms are cheerfully illuminated, with an additional glow from circular mirrors framed by fluorescent lighting. They're outfitted with exceptionally large, white-acrylic vanities, walk-in showers, and wall-mounted toiletry dispensers. Standard amenities include coffeemakers, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, safes, and free bottled water. Mini-fridges are available upon request. Rooms not facing the street tend to be quieter, but guests should still expect to hear plenty of ambient noise from the adjacent nightclubs and neighboring rooms, especially on weekends. The hotel provides earplugs. 

Much of the Aloft's amenities are geared toward socializing and entertaining guests that want to cut loose, starting with its lounge bar, W XYZ. It also regularly features live entertainment and provides bar service to guests at the hotel's small pool along with serving happy hour specials and a bar menu with light meals. The modest pool doesn't give a lot of square footage for swimming, but it's a nice place for a dip, and the colored lights at night make for a festive backdrop. But there is a limit to the property's party scene -- the hotel has a policy against guests bringing in outside alcohol.

On the flip side, Aloft also provides features with its business clientele in mind. While there's no proper conference center, the hotel's business center has multiple PCs, and there is a small space for meetings. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. 

All travelers can appreciate the free coffee, and newspapers are offered each morning in the lobby, plus a continental breakfast is available for a fee. The 24/7 Re:fuel market sells sundries and snacks. Other perks include a well-equipped fitness center, laundry service, and free parking in both the underground garage and in an outdoor parking lot. Pets are welcome, free of charge.