There are so many issues to do in Scottsdale, Arizona that make it an ideal romantic weekend getaway vacation spot — lovely resorts, fantastic spas, over 800 eating places, museums, artwork galleries, purchasing, outside actions, and even a vibrant wine-growing group. Since our daughter was at an astronomy camp down in Tucson, my husband and I made a decision to show this uncommon time to ourselves right into a weekend getaway to Scottsdale.
During our lengthy weekend getaway to Scottsdale in June, we actually received a full blast of the Arizona solar, with temps as much as 108°F (and the next real-feel temperature.) There had been occasions after I felt as if my flip-flops had been melting into the pavement, and I didn’t go wherever with out guzzling much more water than ordinary. But so long as I received air-con breaks, we managed it simply positive.
Being in a position to sit exterior within the evenings and benefit from the heat air on my pores and skin with out worrying a couple of sweater — now that was good. And I additionally respect that eating places and outlets don’t blast AC to simulate a northeastern winter inside like I usually discover in Florida.
If you might be contemplating a romantic weekend getaway in Scottsdale, whether or not it’s a stand-alone go to or a part of a southwest street journey itinerary, learn on. I’ll share the place to remain in Scottsdale, issues to do on a weekend getaway to Scottsdale, and the place to eat in downtown Scottsdale.
If you might be visiting Scottsdale with your loved ones, make sure to take a look at these issues to do in Scottsdale with youngsters. Or, take a look at these different romantic getaways within the US.
Weekend Getaway to Scottsdale, Arizona
Note: Our go to was hosted by Experience Scottsdale. We obtained complimentary lodging, entrance tickets, and a few meals. All opinions are my very own. This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I’ll obtain a small fee.
Where to Stay in Scottsdale
The first step in planning a romantic getaway is determining the place to remain. Luckily Scottsdale gives a variety of choices. If you might be in search of a resort and spa, we completely cherished every little thing about our keep on the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch. Not solely did we get the total resort expertise (full with the welcome cocktail), however I respect that it is just a 15-minute drive from downtown.
After coming from Tucson, the place most of the resorts are positioned 30-45 minutes from downtown or different native points of interest, this comfort is essential as a result of I don’t wish to solely keep on a resort and never depart until I’m on an island in the midst of nowhere.
If you like extra of an elegant, boutique lodge nearer to city, we additionally spent one evening on the hip Hotel Adeline. Two totally different properties, each with their very own charms. Let me break it down for you.
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch
The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale is actually a resort property. In addition to the lodge’s 493 rooms and suites, there may be additionally a 2.5 acre “water playground”, 4 tennis courts, miles of biking and jogging trails, the superb Spa Avania, Camp Hyatt Kachina child’s membership, 5 totally different eating places, and even a Native American Learning Center. Guests may get pleasure from 27-holes of championship golf on the award-winning Gainey Ranch Golf Club. The solely draw back of all that is the opportunity of a protracted stroll from the elevator to your room.
My room was very spacious, with an enormous balcony massive sufficient for 2 lounge chairs and house to spare. The view missed the pool space with out being loud, however nonetheless felt personal. We had been in a King room, which additionally featured a really massive rest room with a walk-in bathe.
I discovered all of the facilities I must luxuriate in my environment together with a snug plush Hyatt Grand Bed, a really large-screen TV, iPod docking stations (and really conveniently positioned USB charging!), and even a fridge (if solely I had used it to maintain my charcuterie board welcome amenity recent), an in-room secure, and a fridge.
The lodge additionally supplied me with a Club Access room, that means that I used to be free to utilize the Regency Club, which gives a European-style breakfast, night hors d’oeuvres & cocktail service, in addition to printers, and a handy place to work if wanted.
I actually wished to take the time to discover Scottsdale (extra on these suggestions later), so I solely spent one night eating on the lodge. But that have was fabulous. We headed all the way down to SWB, the lodge’s Southwestern restaurant for the “Wine Me Dine Me” chef’s tasting dinner. But simply because it’s Southwestern, don’t assume that is informal Mexican fare, it’s not in any respect. However, Chef Juan brings genuine southwestern flavors to all of his dishes.
For the Wine Me, Dine Me expertise, you sit on the bar in entrance of the kitchen in order that the sous chef can simply clarify every dish and its elements. The expertise features a four-course menu, together with a tequila and wine pairing.
We began off with deliciously-prepared lamb chops (and that is from somebody that doesn’t historically eat lamb), adopted by a recent inexperienced salad with peeled heirloom tomatoes and fruit. For our entree, we had halibut. Each dish utilized southwestern flavors, together with chilis, however none had been particularly spicy. The elements complemented relatively than overwhelmed. The total expertise was so fulfilling that I barely keep in mind the desert, besides to recall that it had an exquisite presentation and appeared like a recent tackle dulce de leche.
The Hyatt pool isn’t just one pool, it’s really a sequence of 10 totally different swimming pools that collectively make up the water playground. You can enter the assortment of adult-only swimming pools, that are linked to the household swimming pools by a sequence of 20 fountains and 45 waterfalls that create a refreshing surroundings. The household pool contains a 30-foot, three-story waterslide, in addition to a small sand seashore and nil entry pool. There is even a pool arrange for an aquatic volleyball sport.
All the swimming pools are serviced by the H2Oasis, which gives mild fare, drinks, and tropical cocktails. The small store is ideal for visitors that will have forgotten their sunscreen, hat, goggles, coverup, and even swimsuit. My private favourite function is the water bottle refilling station, making it inexpensive to remain hydrated in that intense solar.
Long earlier than I arrived in Scottsdale, pals had advised me about their superb experiences at Spa Avania on the Hyatt. I’ve seen lots of nice lodge spas, however Spa Avania positively deserves to be on that record. This is unquestionably the kind of spa the place you wish to guide a remedy (or two or three) and plan on spending the complete day there stress-free.
Spa Avania has 19 remedy rooms, together with three for {couples}, and 5 garden-side remedy rooms with personal entrances. The ladies’s and males’s locker rooms each function leisure rooms, a steam room, a dry sauna, and outside cold and hot plunge swimming pools. Even the showers are a deal with, with 10 bathe heads for a full-body expertise.
Before or after your remedies, you too can get pleasure from a mineral pool, out there to spa visitors solely, and an out of doors leisure space. Drinks and meals are served exterior so you actually gained’t wish to depart!
I began off with half-hour of leisure within the Himalayan Salt Room. They present an iPad and headphones with music or guided meditation to cross the time. This was adopted up with a Citrus Drench Wrap, which was a mixture of physique scrub and wrap, which left my pores and skin glowing and ultra-soft.
Check charges and opinions on the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch!
Hotel Adeline
Something about this boutique Scottsdale lodge spoke to me, possibly it was the “Wanderers Welcome” signal over the archway into the pool space. Or maybe it was the Tiffany blue accents within the room and bathtub merchandise. Either method, the hip, retro vibe would appear as at dwelling on South Beach because it does within the desert.
This Nineteen Seventies-style renovated motel goes all in on the cool issue to beat a number of the different apparent drawbacks, resembling room dimension and luxurious finishings. The important attraction is actually the pool. Lined with cabanas and lounge chairs, it’s trendy whereas not feeling like a “scene” (no less than not whereas we had been there). They provide each a pool bar and chair service, and there are leisure areas for chilling out within the night after the solar goes down.
The rooms at Hotel Adeline are cozy and cozy, though the lavatory is a bit small for consolation (and I’ve a pet peeve about sinks positioned exterior of the lavatory.) My favourite factor about Hotel Adeline is the design. The foyer, restaurant, and rooms are all fashionable and enjoyable. While I didn’t get to eat on the restaurant, I did find out about a secret “guests only” speakeasy/whisky bar — taking the cool issue up one other couple of notches.
While the lodge doesn’t scream “romantic”, it does shout “cool” and if that doesn’t enchantment to your important different, reserve it for a ladies’ journey as a substitute.
Check charges and opinions on the Hotel Adeline!
Things to do on a Weekend getaway To SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA
There are loads of enjoyable methods to have couple time in Scottsdale. As dad and mom, we love doing the sorts of issues which might be more difficult with youngsters in tow — like wine tasting, shopping artwork galleries, having fun with a romantic dinner, and taking lengthy walks outdoor.
Desert Botanical Gardens
There are tons of locations to go mountaineering within the Scottsdale and better Phoenix space. From simpler hikes within the McDowell Sonoran Preserve to the way more difficult Camelback Mountain. You may take desert jeep excursions, segway excursions, and scorching air balloon rides. However, given the warmth, I opted for a better stroll by the Desert Botanical Gardens. I’ve visited botanical gardens in Montreal, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, NC to call just a few. But none of these featured a desert panorama.
Sometimes I consider botanical gardens as a spot my mother would get pleasure from (and he or she would) however that I might be bored at. Either I’m getting older (true), or I’ve grown to understand them extra, however I spent a enjoyable hour plus exploring the Desert Botanical Gardens. I believe what did it for me was that it’s such a vastly totally different panorama than what I’m used to.
I discover desert natural world fascinating. But additionally as a result of it wasn’t simply vegetation, I noticed fairly just a few creatures too (however fortunately no snakes). I noticed rabbits, lizards, floor squirrels, common squirrels, hummingbirds, doves, quail, and these cute little creatures that appear like mini prairie canine. From the guide I consulted on creatures of the Sonoran desert, the closest I may decide was that it could be a kangaroo rat, however I can’t be certain, so I’ll persist with considering of them as mini prairie canine.
Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West
Maybe I used to be meant to reside within the Southwest as a result of I’ve additionally at all times had an curiosity in Native American tradition and artwork. I anticipated the Museum of the West to be a historic account of the Southwest, nevertheless it actually represented southwestern tradition by collections of artwork and memorabilia.
There was the Rennard Strickland Collection of Western Film History, which, by film posters, actually made you concentrate on how our perceptions of Native American tradition have been formed by the film business, usually fairly inaccurately. I actually benefit from the artwork of Joe Beeler, a founding member of the Cowboy Artists of America who helped outline western artwork.
The museum additionally options reveals with collections of saddles, belt buckles, spurs, and different cowboy gear. Altogether, it homes a major quantity of western artwork in an exquisite house that’s enjoyable to get pleasure from.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
If you might be an artwork aficionado, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art is a brief however fascinating cease in downtown Old Town Scottsdale. I’m a fan of huge modern reveals like I discovered on the Dia: Beacon so I loved the Museum of Contemporary Art. As with the Museum of the West, I additionally cherished the constructing as a lot because the exhibit.
Wine Tasting in Scottsdale
Even although the parents at Experience Scottsdale organized for us to have a wine tasting at Carlson Creek Vineyard, we truthfully didn’t anticipate to benefit from the wine. From our expertise with different wines within the southwest in Texas and New Mexico, we anticipated the wines to be on the sweeter facet. Not solely had been the wines wonderful, however we each completely loved interacting with the workers and studying the backstory of the vineyard’s proprietor.
I absolutely imagine that a lot of a wine-tasting expertise has to do with the environment — the ambiance of the tasting room and the information and persona of the workers. Carlson Creek ticks all of those containers with an exquisite tasting room and welcoming however very educated workers. And the wonderful wine doesn’t harm! I significantly loved the award-winning Rule of Three, the Sangiovese, and the Chenin Blanc.
Scottsdale’s Art Scene
In addition to the Downtown Arts District, that includes a whole bunch of retailers and galleries, Scottsdale additionally has a formidable assortment of public artwork. The Scottsdale Public Art Program features a assortment of 70 everlasting and 30 non permanent artistic endeavors which might be scattered all through the city. If you might be actually into it, you’ll be able to even obtain an interactive map and plan a self-guided strolling tour of the artwork. Also, make sure to stroll alongside the downtown canal and the Soleri pedestrian bridge.
SHopping in Scottsdale
Of course, strolling round Old Town Scottsdale can be enjoyable, though I want the outlets and galleries alongside Fifth or Marshall, versus the touristy outlets of Old Town. Getting round Scottsdale can be a breeze, as there may be ample road parking, free trolley service, and loads of easy-to-use Lime Bikes round.
Dining in Scottsdale
Of course, one in all my favourite issues to do in Scottsdale is to pattern just a few of its many eating places. I’ve detailed all my suggestions for our favourite downtown Scottsdale eating places in one other put up. But listed here are the highlights:
- Diego Pop’s – Inspired by taco and tequila-fueled conversations on the seashores of the Yucatan, Diego Pops takes a contemporary and playful twist on genuine Mexican favorites. Try the new Cheeto road corn!
- Farm & Craft is targeted on wholesome and sustainable meals. In a metropolis the place warmth dominates, it’s so refreshing to seek out mild and wholesome choices.
- The Mission is positioned in Old Town Scottsdale and gives up a mixture of conventional and trendy Latin flavors.
- Fat OX serves up trendy takes on the genuine recipes of rural Italy.
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