Embassy Suites by Hilton Scottsdale Resort

The Chaparral Suites Scottsdale first opened in the 1950s and was last renovated in the early 1980s; the property is dated, though a full round of renovations is scheduled for 2015. The hotel grounds are spacious, open, and well kept with a mix of succulents, bright flowers, and manicured bushes. The hacienda-style lobby has dome ceilings, red Spanish tile floors, and red brick ceilings with a delicate hanging chandelier. The lobby has an elegant foundation, but the furniture is on the generic side. This property has good bones, but is in need of its scheduled renovation.

The hotel is located on busy Scottsdale Road across the street from several businesses and hotels. The area is clean and safe. The Arizona Canal Trail -- an attraction for runners, bikers, and strollers -- is less than a 10-minute walk from the property. The central location is within 10 minutes of the Fashion Square Mall, with a variety of other shopping and dining options nearby. There is a Safeway less than a mile away on Chaparral Road. Golfers may want to look elsewhere since this location does not have its own course, but there are several courses within a 30-minute drive such as The Phoenician Golf Club (10 minutes), The Boulders (30 minutes), Troon North (30 minutes), and TPC Scottsdale (20 minutes). Both the Phoenix and Scottsdale airports are approximately 20 minutes away by car.

This four-floor hotel is home to a total of 311 spacious suites. Rooms start at 500 square feet and are available in four categories: Standard, Executive, VIP 1, and VIP 2. Each has a spacious living area, a bedroom, flat-screen TVs in each room, ironing equipment, and a kitchenette. The kitchenette has a wet bar setup with wall mirror, sink, and mini-fridge; a microwave is tucked below the laminate countertop. Style is plain, with simple furniture that includes a round dining table and sofa sleeper along with dark carpeting. The sleeping area is roomy, with a work desk and wardrobe. Bathrooms have hairdryers, towels, shower/tub combos (except ADA accessible rooms), and Pantene shampoo/conditioner. The Executive has a bathroom with a whirlpool tub and separate shower, while VIP 1 and 2 have living rooms with conference tables and a half bath. Some guests have complained about slightly musty odors and traffic noise in rooms facing Scottsdale Road and the pools.

A free breakfast is cooked-to-order in the Clubhouse dining room. It includes the typical breakfast fare of eggs, bacon, sausages, pancakes, French toast, fresh fruit, bagels, toast, cereals, and beverages. The alternative dining option is the 4th Floor Grille, which serves American fare. In the evenings, the hotel hosts a reception with free drinks and snacks. There are two huge pools on-site, allowing for good crowd control and plenty of seating and sunbathing space. There is a tennis court, fitness center, and game room on-site, too. Business travelers may appreciate the conference center or business center with two computer stations and there is a ballroom that could host presentations and large-scale events. Other amenities include free shuttle to the Phoenix airport, ample free parking, Dollar car rental desk, and self-serve laundry room.