Why guide?
You gained’t want (or need) to go away this upscale resort, a stunning property with expansive, hacienda-style grounds, a number of wonderful eating places, a number of swimming pools, loads of house to roam, a top-notch spa, and entry to a number of world-class golf programs.
Set the scene
The property is an homage to Southwestern class with its grand Mexican Colonial structure stretching throughout 65 acres of the Sonoran Desert. Think stone and stucco, wooden beams, wrought-iron chandeliers, tiled plazas, and courtyards stuffed with fountains, towering palms, and native desert flora. Such a large resort—with such a mess of choices—lends itself to a cross part of visitors, together with a superb chunk of enterprise vacationers due to a whopping 300,000 sq. toes of occasion house and a calendar full of conferences. Its location adjoining to the TPC Scottsdale advanced—dwelling to the PGA Tour’s famend WM Phoenix Open—brings severe golfers to the property. Families come to benefit from the a number of swimming pools, particularly the kid-centric Sonoran Splash pool with twisting water slides, and loads of visitors are right here merely for the luxe spa, one of the spectacular within the area.
The backstory
The authentic Scottsdale Princess opened in 1987, one of many first large-scale resorts to usher in a brand new era of upscale properties drawing guests to the vacation spot. It grew to become the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in 2000, ultimately present process a $60 million renovation and including greater than 100 visitor rooms to the resort. And in 2022, the property unveiled 119 Privado Villas—residential-style studios and one-bedroom suites with separate swimming pools, unique facilities, and devoted concierges.
The rooms
Renovations over the past a number of years have given rooms and suites a extra fashionable design really feel, with geometric-patterned carpets, modern wooden paneling, and glass-enclosed walk-in showers. The shade palette highlights desert hues with darkish wooden furnishings, sand-colored partitions, and caramel leather-based headboards. All characteristic massive sliding glass doorways to patios or balconies, with views various relying on the constructing you select.
Food and drink
Prolific Mexican chef and restaurateur Richard Sandoval is behind two of the 5 eating places on the property. At Toro, situated within the clubhouse of the TPC course with a patio overlooking each the golf green and the McDowell Mountain Range, Sandoval focuses on Latin American fare blended with Japanese choices. Think Peruvian-inspired ceviche, sushi rolls, and a choice of grilled steaks. His dinner-only Mexican eatery La Hacienda sits on the resort’s plaza with a number of patios outdoors, plus beehive fireplaces, wood-beamed ceilings, and a devoted tequila bar (replete with an on-staff “tequila goddess” to assist information your seek for the proper agave spirit). In addition to quite a lot of tacos (don’t miss the lobster), enchiladas, and wood-grilled specialties, the place prides itself on dramatic shows—suppose tableside guacamole, smoldering fajitas, and flaming, booze-spiked coffees. You’ll additionally discover the all-day Ironwood, informal Plaza Bar, and Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak on the property.
The spa
The spa was hands-down my favourite expertise on the Princess. The luxe, multi-level facility is provided with sufficient facilities to maintain you luxuriating all day. You’ll discover steam rooms, dry saunas, scorching tubs, and chilly plunges within the locker rooms, in addition to a tranquil rooftop pool, essentially the most stress-free on the property. Spa visitors additionally acquire entry to the property’s non-public health club and health courses. For a skincare splurge, guide a therapy on the Sisley-Paris Spa, the Fairmont’s spa inside a spa, and one of many few Sisley outposts within the nation. Specially-trained therapists carry out the remedies—from gua sha facials to “phyto-energzing” physique scrubs—all of which characteristic Sisley’s prestigious (and famously expensive) plant-based merchandise.
The neighborhood/space
Located within the ever-growing neighborhood of North Scottsdale, an upscale suburban space with numerous massive estates and gated communities, the Princess is a couple of miles from clusters of high-end procuring and eating complexes, in addition to wonderful climbing within the McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
The service
With a resort of this dimension servicing 1000’s of visitors on any given day, you’re not going to get intimate, know-your-name service—however service is attentive and immediate. It additionally varies relying on the place you might be on the property, from my expertise. Valet and bellhop staffers had been particularly keen to help, and pool service was completely good however felt extra low-touch. (The weekday I visited the primary pool, there have been no attendants accessible to help with towel-and-chair set-ups, and after I requested for water when ordering lunch, I used to be directed to a serve-yourself water station throughout the pool, which feels uncommon for a Fairmont). The spa service, nonetheless, was white-glove all the best way.
For households
The aforementioned Sonoran Splash pool is geared towards children, and the Sunset Beach pool—with sand imported from Florida—is a enjoyable spot for little ones to play, too. There’s additionally a supervised children membership (for ages 5 by way of 12) accessible for an additional price, and afternoon entry to the rec middle is included within the resort price.
Accessibility
The resort options 16 ADA-compliant rooms.