In Scottsdale, luxury comes naturally. From secluded desert resorts and serene spa retreats to stylish boutique stays, the city’s hotels make the most of their Sonoran Desert setting. Wake to mountain views, spend the afternoon beside a sparkling pool, and settle into beautifully designed spaces that invite you to take in Scottsdale’s desert landscape and to slow down.
Here are four unique properties that offer their own take on a desert escape.
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale
Luxury meets the spirit of the Sonoran Desert at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. This Five-Diamond property combines Old West Heritage with scenic beauty across 210 luxurious guestrooms and twenty-two suites. The casitas open to private outdoor spaces framed by towering saguaros, dramatic desert valleys and views of the iconic Pinnacle Peak. The secret outdoor showers are a lush treat offering a refreshing escape. The property boasts a modern fitness center while golf enthusiasts can enjoy two championship courses of Troon North. Hiking and horseback riding are nearby along with a championship tennis court or cool off and unwind by the spectacular bi-level pool.
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale
As evening arrives, Onyx Bar & Lounge is where the setting is as memorable as the cocktails. From the terrace, watch the sun sink behind Pinnacle Peak as nighthawks sweep across the sky. Inside, a sandstone-inspired bar sets the stage for sophisticated small plates and handcrafted cocktails.
It’s a new day to step out and explore the desert. Venture into the world of Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin West, his iconic winter home, studio and architectural laboratory. Built by Wright and his apprentices in the 1930s using materials gathered from the surrounding desert, this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site seamlessly blends architecture with its landscape.
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Less than an hour from Scottsdale, Gilbert is a town that grew around the Arizona Eastern Railway and earned its early reputation as the “Hay Shipping Capital of the World.” Today, Gilbert’s Heritage District is a lively gathering place with more than 30 restaurants, live theater, a farmers’ market and a plethora of public art.
For those who prefer to explore on two wheels SanTan Shredders offers guided rides through the cactus-studded landscape of nearby San Tan Regional Park. The Sonoran Desert Excursion Mountain Bike Trail Ride winds through the desert as the sun slips toward the horizon. With more than 135 miles of bike paths throughout the community, Gilbert is well suited to explore by bike.
Foskett Creative
Once you’ve had your fill of adventure, return to rejuvenation at the Four Seasons 12,000-square-foot, full-service Spa. Designed to blend flawlessly with the surrounding environment, the spa offers an extensive array of seasonal, indigenous and innovative skin and body treatments, scrubs, clay wraps, facials and massages.
Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort
Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and framed by the McDowell Mountains, the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort feels distinctly rooted in the Sonoran Desert. Palm trees, towering cacti and bursts of wildflowers set the scene for a resort where Southwestern style meets an easy sense of luxury.
There are plenty of outdoor adventures to be had, from the sprawling 2.5-acre water playground—with 10 pools, a three-story waterslide and sandy beach—to 27 holes of championship golf, tennis and miles of trails for walking and cycling. At the heart of the wellness experience is Spa Avania, a thoughtful retreat designed around the body’s natural rhythms, with personalized treatments, mineral water therapy and spaces made for rest. Offerings include Cryo Sculpt Facials, Desert Essence Wraps and CBD Trigger Point Therapy Massage.
Come evening, dinner at La Zozzona brings a lively Italian-American spirit to the resort. Chef Richard Blais—a Top Chef winner and TV Personality—puts his spin on handmade pastas, charcoal-grilled steaks and daily specials, with Italian wines and prosecco served from the chic bar.
Hotel Valley Ho
Hotel Valley Ho has been a Scottsdale staple since 1956—and it still knows how to make an entrance. Recently restored to its mid-century glory, this downtown icon is one of the country’s best-preserved examples of modernist design, with a storied past that once drew Hollywood names including Bing Crosby, Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh and Zsa Zsa Gabor.
Today, the 241-room hotel balances that vintage cool with a distinctly modern energy. Guests can settle into stylish rooms and Tower suites, unwind at VH Spa for Vitality + Health, or spend the day poolside at the serene OHasis Pool. Come summer, the OH Pool turns up the volume with cabanas, cocktails, food and lively entertainment. At ZuZu and ZuZu Lounge, seasonal American fare and creative drinks round out the experience. Locally owned and independently operated, Hotel Valley Ho remains one of Scottsdale’s most effortlessly cool stays.
Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale
Tucked beneath the dramatic silhouettes of Camelback and Mummy mountains—the very shadows that inspired its name—Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale has been part of the Paradise Valley scene since 1959. Sister property to Hotel Valley Ho, the resort has welcomed stars such as John Wayne and Elizabeth Taylor and even served as the backdrop for the 1960s detective series The Brothers Brannagan.
The property blends mid-century pedigree with a relaxed desert-modern aesthetic. Its 183 rooms, along with forty-two condominium-style suites, offer a stylish base for exploring the Valley. There are two pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center and a revitalized 18-hole short course complete with its own golf grill and lounge.
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At Hearth ’61, seasonal American cooking takes center stage, with an emphasis on honest, ingredient-driven dishes inspired by the flavors of Arizona. The open exhibition kitchen gives the restaurant a lively, welcoming ideal spot to settle in for dinner after a day in the desert.