Sonesta Suites Scottsdale Gainey Ranch

This off-the-beaten-path three-story hotel allows for a quiet and intimate atmosphere. It also makes a striking first impression with its lush green lawns, palms set against a rugged backdrop, and beautiful grounds that blend with the surrounding landscape (picture tall cacti, flowering shrubs, and natural stone formations), creating a feeling of peaceful seclusion. The hotel, completely renovated in 2008, has a southwestern ambience with lots of wood and earthy beige and brown tones. The styling is evident throughout the hotel, starting in the striking, high-ceiling lobby, which has clusters of warm brown leather chairs, dark wood floors, and caramel-colored wood paneling. The Hearth Room, a common space used as an informal dining area, features comfy, russet-colored club chairs, with some set next to a fireplace. The Terrace Bar has an indoor area as well as an outside patio finished in rich, teak woods and with a vibrant mosaic tile back wall. The tranquil vibe is geared toward adults and couples.

The Gainey, in the heart of Scottsdale, is near a variety of attractions. It’s a seven-minute walk to the exclusive Scottsdale neighborhood of Gainey Ranch, a mix of luxury homes and boutique shops in a resort-style atmosphere. A collection of restaurants in the Shops at Gainey Village  -- all around a four-minute walk -- feature the Village Tavern, a local favorite, SOI 4 Bangkok Eatery -- named "Best Thai Restaurant" by the Arizona Republic --  and Chez Vous, a French bistro. McCormick Ranch Golf Club, a four-minute walk away, is the closest golf course to the hotel, although there are many nearby to choose from.  The hotel offers a free shuttle to areas within a 10-minute distance from morning to early evening. The Scottsdale Airport is a 15-minute drive from the hotel while the Sky Harbor International Airport is a 22-minute drive away. There is no free shuttle to the airport.

The 162-room hotel has surprisingly spacious suites, some with decks, separate bedrooms, and seating areas. Many rooms look out to the pool, like the first-floor suites that have outdoor living spaces -- with resort-style cabanas and chocolate-colored rattan chairs and couches -- while others overlook the parking lot. In keeping with the hotel’s earth tones, bedrooms have sepia-colored feature walls and caramel-colored faux-leather headboards.The real gem is the hand-crafted mattresses from North Carolina that provide superior comfort. Full kitchens lend a modern vibe to the space, accented by granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, small islands with bar-stool seating, and all the equipment needed to cook a full meal. All rooms feature 32-inch flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi throughout, and i-Home stereo clock radios with iPhone and iPad docks. Elegant marble bathrooms feel like spa-like with Bath & Body Works toiletries, robes, and contemporary showers with adjustable shower heads. Some rooms have shower/tub combos.

Free hot breakfasts with Starbucks Coffee and free happy hour receptions featuring beer, wine, and hot and cold appetizers are served daily. There’s no in-house restaurant, but to many guests, it’s not needed as the happy hour includes so much food that it negates having dinner. There's also an indoor and outdoor bar. A year-round heated pool is surrounded by travertine stone floors and chic tangerine-colored chaise lounge chairs and umbrellas; there's also a whirlpool. The 24-hour gym includes weights, treadmills, and step masters. There’s free parking and dogs under 25 pounds are welcome. A meeting space includes a ballroom and two boardrooms. The main drawback is that guests have to leave the grounds for activities like golf and spa treatments, whereas many neighboring hotels have them on-site.