The Phoenician is a sprawling luxury resort and conference center set on 250 acres, situated at the foot of Camelback Mountain, 25 minutes from Phoenix and 10 minutes from Old Town Scottsdale. A three-year $90 million renovation brought this Arizona icon a lavish overhaul throughout its grand common areas, 643 rooms (including casitas and suites), and state-of-the-art facilities set around a huge, show-stopping three-tiered pool complex. Highlights include an 18-hole golf course, five restaurants and bars, cutting edge Athletic Club, seven tennis courts, and an exquisite spa center with a rooftop pool. Between the splash pad, waterslide, kids’ club, and game room, there’s plenty for kids without compromising the grown-up vibe. The Phoenician is worth the splurge (and the resort fee), though the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa offers smaller scale upscale amenities for lower rates.
The Phoenician is a sprawling luxury resort and conference center set on 250 acres, situated at the foot of Camelback Mountain, 25 minutes from Phoenix and 10 minutes from Old Town Scottsdale. A three-year $90 million renovation brought this Arizona icon a lavish overhaul throughout its grand common areas, 643 rooms (including casitas and suites), and state-of-the-art facilities set around a huge, show-stopping three-tiered pool complex. Highlights include an 18-hole golf course, five restaurants and bars, cutting edge Athletic Club, seven tennis courts, and an exquisite spa center with a rooftop pool. Between the splash pad, waterslide, kids’ club, and game room, there’s plenty for kids without compromising the grown-up vibe. The Phoenician is worth the splurge (and the resort fee), though the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa offers smaller scale upscale amenities for lower rates.
The 311-room Chaparral Suites Scottsdale is under new management in 2015 and expected to undergo major renovations. This mid-range property, located in downtown Scottsdale, is a popular pick for both leisure and business travelers. Rooms are clean with separate living space, but the style is currently quite dated. Amenities are plentiful, including two big outdoor pools, a tennis court, free made-to-order breakfasts, and a free airport shuttle. The location is convenient for shopping and entertainment. Nearby alternatives with unique design include the Hotel Valley Ho and the Saguaro-Scottsdale. THIS HOTEL RE-OPENED AS THE EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON SCOTTSDALE RESORT ON JULY 6 2016 FOLLOWING A $22 MILLION RENOVATION. WE WILL UPDATE OUR REVIEW AND PHOTOS AS SOON AS WE CAN.
The 311-room Chaparral Suites Scottsdale is under new management in 2015 and expected to undergo major renovations. This mid-range property, located in downtown Scottsdale, is a popular pick for both leisure and business travelers. Rooms are clean with separate living space, but the style is currently quite dated. Amenities are plentiful, including two big outdoor pools, a tennis court, free made-to-order breakfasts, and a free airport shuttle. The location is convenient for shopping and entertainment. Nearby alternatives with unique design include the Hotel Valley Ho and the Saguaro-Scottsdale. THIS HOTEL RE-OPENED AS THE EMBASSY SUITES BY HILTON SCOTTSDALE RESORT ON JULY 6 2016 FOLLOWING A $22 MILLION RENOVATION. WE WILL UPDATE OUR REVIEW AND PHOTOS AS SOON AS WE CAN.
The Hyatt Place Scottsdale is a mid-range hotel in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. The 126 rooms are large and contemporary and are especially suited for those on extended stays who want to make use of the wet bars, work desks, and living rooms with sofa beds. There are also an outdoor pool and a 24-hour cafe, with free breakfast included. If staying right in Old Town isn't a priority, it's worth checking out the Clarion Hotel Scottsdale for much lower rates.
The Hyatt Place Scottsdale is a mid-range hotel in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. The 126 rooms are large and contemporary and are especially suited for those on extended stays who want to make use of the wet bars, work desks, and living rooms with sofa beds. There are also an outdoor pool and a 24-hour cafe, with free breakfast included. If staying right in Old Town isn't a priority, it's worth checking out the Clarion Hotel Scottsdale for much lower rates.
Though it looks like a motel from the outside, the affordable 3 Palms has colorful, contemporary decor inside, as well as an impressive pool area, solid freebies (including self-parking and Wi-Fi), and friendly service. The 130 rooms come with pillow-topped beds, flat-screen TVs with surround sound, microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers; Deluxe Spa Rooms come with big open jetted tubs. Its pool deck is a highlight, with a striking main pool, large hot tub, sun patio, and pool bar equipped with water misters. On-site perks include business and fitness centers, plus laundry machines. The Clarendon Hotel and Spa is a similar mid-range boutique hotel with a retro vibe, but with a full-service restaurant and bar -- complete with nightly free wine hours.
Though it looks like a motel from the outside, the affordable 3 Palms has colorful, contemporary decor inside, as well as an impressive pool area, solid freebies (including self-parking and Wi-Fi), and friendly service. The 130 rooms come with pillow-topped beds, flat-screen TVs with surround sound, microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers; Deluxe Spa Rooms come with big open jetted tubs. Its pool deck is a highlight, with a striking main pool, large hot tub, sun patio, and pool bar equipped with water misters. On-site perks include business and fitness centers, plus laundry machines. The Clarendon Hotel and Spa is a similar mid-range boutique hotel with a retro vibe, but with a full-service restaurant and bar -- complete with nightly free wine hours.
The Four Seasons is one of the top luxury resorts in Scottsdale, with a gorgeous bi-level pool, an intimate setting in the Sonoran Desert, and beautiful grounds that blend with the surrounding landscape (expect tall cacti, flowering shrubs, and natural stone formations). The property comprises a cluster of low adobe-style buildings; the 210 rooms and suites are housed in 25 casitas, giving the Four Seasons the feel of a small village. The lobby is stunning and high-design, with colorful, modern Southwestern decor, wrought-iron light fixtures, and wood-beamed ceilings. Rooms aren't quite as stylish, but are still elegant and feature gas-burning fireplaces, L’Occitane toiletries, iHome alarm clocks, and plush beds. Solid dining options, a wonderful spa, a huge fitness center, and an on-site art gallery round out the experience. But there are fees for Wi-Fi and parking, and the parking lot is a bit far from the main building -- though staff can escort guests to and from in golf carts.
The Four Seasons is one of the top luxury resorts in Scottsdale, with a gorgeous bi-level pool, an intimate setting in the Sonoran Desert, and beautiful grounds that blend with the surrounding landscape (expect tall cacti, flowering shrubs, and natural stone formations). The property comprises a cluster of low adobe-style buildings; the 210 rooms and suites are housed in 25 casitas, giving the Four Seasons the feel of a small village. The lobby is stunning and high-design, with colorful, modern Southwestern decor, wrought-iron light fixtures, and wood-beamed ceilings. Rooms aren't quite as stylish, but are still elegant and feature gas-burning fireplaces, L’Occitane toiletries, iHome alarm clocks, and plush beds. Solid dining options, a wonderful spa, a huge fitness center, and an on-site art gallery round out the experience. But there are fees for Wi-Fi and parking, and the parking lot is a bit far from the main building -- though staff can escort guests to and from in golf carts.
This mid-range condominium resort is geared toward golfers vacationing with friends or family, with numerous packages for local courses on offer. The condos are large enough to sleep four to 12, but they're dated, with motel-quality bedding and old tube TVs in some rooms. For more modern rooms, try the chicer (and pricier) Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, which has three 18-hole golf courses on-site.
This mid-range condominium resort is geared toward golfers vacationing with friends or family, with numerous packages for local courses on offer. The condos are large enough to sleep four to 12, but they're dated, with motel-quality bedding and old tube TVs in some rooms. For more modern rooms, try the chicer (and pricier) Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, which has three 18-hole golf courses on-site.
The Scottsdale Thunderbird Suites is an unexceptional mid-range hotel next to the Scottsdale Airport, near a popular shopping and dining area. The freebies are numerous and the clean two-room suites have kitchenettes. But the bathrooms are small and narrow, and the rooms are dated and showing wear and tear. For the price, the Hotel Indigo offers more style and a more central location -- but it's not as quiet and rooms aren't as large.
The Scottsdale Thunderbird Suites is an unexceptional mid-range hotel next to the Scottsdale Airport, near a popular shopping and dining area. The freebies are numerous and the clean two-room suites have kitchenettes. But the bathrooms are small and narrow, and the rooms are dated and showing wear and tear. For the price, the Hotel Indigo offers more style and a more central location -- but it's not as quiet and rooms aren't as large.
Talking Stick Resort is a luxury high-rise offering the Vegas experience -- a big casino, two golf courses, three pools, live music, restaurants, a nightclub and theater -- on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation near Scottsdale. Rooms are stylish and modern. But you’ll need to walk through the smoky casino to reach your room, unlike at the Radisson Ft. McDowell Resort, where the casino and hotel buildings are separate.
Talking Stick Resort is a luxury high-rise offering the Vegas experience -- a big casino, two golf courses, three pools, live music, restaurants, a nightclub and theater -- on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation near Scottsdale. Rooms are stylish and modern. But you’ll need to walk through the smoky casino to reach your room, unlike at the Radisson Ft. McDowell Resort, where the casino and hotel buildings are separate.
The McCormick Scottsdale isn't as spiffy or as modern as its competitors, but it's the only hotel in Scottsdale with lake views. The three-and-a-half-pearl property's 125 guest rooms have bland decor, but all units feature furnished balconies, and are equipped with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and Keurig machines. The resort's amenities include boating and fishing, plus there's an outdoor pool, tennis courts, and two on-site restaurants, but guests pay for it all, as there's a daily resort fee. Travelers looking for a stay that's a bit more upscale and has a spa can check out The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, with rates that are only slightly higher on average.
The McCormick Scottsdale isn't as spiffy or as modern as its competitors, but it's the only hotel in Scottsdale with lake views. The three-and-a-half-pearl property's 125 guest rooms have bland decor, but all units feature furnished balconies, and are equipped with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and Keurig machines. The resort's amenities include boating and fishing, plus there's an outdoor pool, tennis courts, and two on-site restaurants, but guests pay for it all, as there's a daily resort fee. Travelers looking for a stay that's a bit more upscale and has a spa can check out The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, with rates that are only slightly higher on average.
If your priorities are affordable rates and proximity to Old Town Scottsdale, the Clarion is a fine -- if unremarkable -- choice. The basic, clean rooms have motel-style entrances and are cramped by large furniture, but at least there are iPod docks and free Wi-Fi. The spacious pool area is also a highlight. If you'd rather be within walking distance of the Old Town district, consider the Scottsdale Marriott Suites.
If your priorities are affordable rates and proximity to Old Town Scottsdale, the Clarion is a fine -- if unremarkable -- choice. The basic, clean rooms have motel-style entrances and are cramped by large furniture, but at least there are iPod docks and free Wi-Fi. The spacious pool area is also a highlight. If you'd rather be within walking distance of the Old Town district, consider the Scottsdale Marriott Suites.