Residents of Scottsdale,
Arizona, love to
tell you how beautiful their home is in the spring — and they are not lying.
With mild weather, stunning landscapes, and a range of activities, there are
many reasons to visit this upscale enclave within the greater Phoenix region. And,
in spring, perfect sunny days and comfortable nights (ideal for sitting around
a firepit) call visitors from around the country.
Here are tips for your clients who
are looking for an upscale spring getaway in Scottsdale.
What to Do
Spring in the Phoenix area means
spring training baseball. Fifteen Major League Baseball teams make up the Cactus League, holding near-daily practices and
games at 10 fields across the region. Fans can get close to their favorite
players in cozy stadiums or by watching teams work out on the practice fields.
Scottsdale, in particular, is home to the Giants and Rockies.
Another popular spring option in
Scottsdale is world-class golf. Courses such as Troon
North Golf Club, TPC
Scottsdale, and Grayhawk
Golf Club are
bucket-list destinations for golfers and are well worth the price of playing.
But there’s a wide variety of courses for all budgets and handicaps across the
city.
Families and less serious golfers
might want to check out PopStroke
Golf, Scottsdale’s
mini-golf oasis. Between an elaborate mini-golf course, a fan-favorite ice
cream parlor and food and cocktails served on the links, PopStroke has
something for everyone.
Princess Pool at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. (Photo Credit: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess)
Finally, hiking is the unofficial
sport of Scottsdale in spring. The city is surrounded by miles of amazing
trails and a range of canyons and parks, often featuring incredible valley
views. Just tell clients to do their research and pick a trail that is not too
strenuous, and be sure to bring lots of water.
For clients who enjoy high-end
shopping, Scottsdale offers some of the best luxury retail in the Southwest. Scottsdale
Fashion Square is
the crown jewel, featuring designer boutiques such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton,
Cartier, and Saint Laurent, alongside upscale department stores like Neiman
Marcus and Nordstrom. Just a short drive away, Old Town Scottsdale blends art
galleries, Southwestern jewelry shops, and curated boutiques for a more
eclectic — yet still refined — retail experience. Whether clients are looking
for couture fashion or one-of-a-kind artisanal finds, Scottsdale delivers a
stylish shopping scene in a distinctly desert setting.
For a dose of culture and history,
suggest visiting Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum
of the West.
Located in the heart of Old Town, this Smithsonian Affiliate showcases the art,
history, and culture of the American West through rotating exhibitions of fine
art, rare artifacts, and Native American craftsmanship.
Enjoy tranquil massage treatments at the Well & Being Spa within the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. (Photo Credit: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.)
Where to Stay
For clients looking for a desert
oasis ambiance, send them to the Four
Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. Located on the north edge of Scottsdale, the vibes
here are classic Southwestern style, with low casita-style buildings spread out
across a desert landscape. Many rooms have fireplaces and a balcony for
enjoying the tranquility and Scottsdale’s vibrant sunsets. The resort is close
to hiking at Pinnacle Peak Park and world-class golf at Troon
North Golf Club and Grayhawk Golf Club.
For visitors who prefer to be
closer to the action, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a great option. Centrally
located near shops and spring-training stadiums, the Fairmont has 750 rooms and
suites, including 66 Fairmont Gold rooms (with their lounge that serves
breakfast) and 122 ultra-luxe Privado Villas (featuring their reception area,
lounge, entrance, and amenities). There are also four restaurants on the
property (for clients who are there on the weekend, tell them to check out the
“donut wall” during brunch at Ironwood American Kitchen), as well as
six swimming pools (plus a splash pad, water slides and a sand beach) and a
great outside lounge area with firepits.
Woman in pool. (Photo Credit: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess)
Where to Eat
Scottsdale offers both gourmet dining
and a quietly vibrant local food scene. Instead of the usual chain steakhouses,
check out Talavera at the Four Seasons Resort
Scottsdale at Troon North. In addition to great steaks, this Spanish eatery
features a variety of tapas and a delicious seafood paella. If your clients are
coming with a group, book the restaurant’s charming private room for family
dining.
At the Fairmont Scottsdale
Princess, there are two excellent Richard Sandoval restaurants. Toro is located off the 18th green of
TPC Scottsdale — home of the wildly popular PGA Tour Waste Management Phoenix
Open — specializing in Latin-Asian fusion dishes. Be sure to suggest that
clients try the Cuban sandwich and the sushi. La Hacienda, the other Sandoval option, is a
fine-dining spot notable for its upscale Mexican cuisine paired with a vast
menu of Tequilas and mezcals. A sommelier, the Tequila Goddess, can help you pick
the perfect brand for your meal.
Send clients to Citizen
Public House in
Old Town Scottsdale if they want something local. The chopped salad here is
legendary. Another option is Postino Kierland, in the Kierland Commons,
featuring $6 pitchers of beer and glasses of wine every day until 5 p.m., which
can be paired with a wide selection of bruschetta boards and other snacks.
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