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, procuring, outside actions, and even a vibrant wine-growing neighborhood. 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 definitely acquired a full blast of the Arizona solar, with temps as much as 108°F (and the next real-feel temperature.) There have been occasions after I felt as if my flip-flops have been melting into the pavement, and I didn’t go wherever with out guzzling much more water than common. But so long as I acquired air-con breaks, we managed it simply nice.
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 few sweater — now that was good. And I additionally recognize 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 highway 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, you’ll want to try these issues to do in Scottsdale with children. Or, try these different romantic getaways within the US.
Weekend Getaway to Scottsdale, Arizona
Note: Our go to was hosted by Experience Scottsdale. We acquired complimentary lodging, entrance tickets, and a few meals. All opinions are my very own. This submit comprises affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I could 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 provides a variety of choices. If you might be searching for a resort and spa, we completely beloved every 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 recognize 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 go away except I’m on an island in the course of nowhere.
If you like extra of a classy, boutique resort nearer to city, we additionally spent one night time 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 really a resort property. In addition to the resort’s 493 rooms and suites, there’s additionally a 2.5 acre “water playground”, 4 tennis courts, miles of biking and jogging trails, the wonderful Spa Avania, Camp Hyatt Kachina child’s membership, 5 totally different eating places, and even a Native American Learning Center. Guests also can take pleasure in 27-holes of championship golf on the award-winning Gainey Ranch Golf Club. The solely draw back of all that is the potential for an extended stroll from the elevator to your room.
My room was very spacious, with an enormous balcony giant sufficient for 2 lounge chairs and area to spare. The view neglected the pool space with out being loud, however nonetheless felt personal. We have been in a King room, which additionally featured a really giant lavatory with a walk-in bathe.
I discovered all of the facilities I have to luxuriate in my environment together with a cushty 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 contemporary), an in-room protected, and a fridge.
The resort additionally supplied me with a Club Access room, which means that I used to be free to utilize the Regency Club, which provides a European-style breakfast, night hors d’oeuvres & cocktail service, in addition to printers, and a handy place to work if wanted.
I actually needed to take the time to discover Scottsdale (extra on these suggestions later), so I solely spent one night eating on the resort. But that have was fabulous. We headed all the way down to SWB, the resort’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 isn’t 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 contemporary inexperienced salad with peeled heirloom tomatoes and fruit. For our entree, we had halibut. Each dish utilized southwestern flavors, together with chilis, however none have been particularly spicy. The elements complemented reasonably than overwhelmed. The complete expertise was so gratifying that I barely bear in mind the desert, besides to recall that it had a ravishing presentation and appeared like a contemporary tackle dulce de leche.
The Hyatt pool isn’t just one pool, it’s truly 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 means of a sequence of 20 fountains and 45 waterfalls that create a refreshing atmosphere. The household pool contains a 30-foot, three-story waterslide, in addition to a small sand seaside and 0 entry pool. There is even a pool arrange for an aquatic volleyball sport.
All the swimming pools are serviced by the H2Oasis, which provides gentle fare, drinks, and tropical cocktails. The small store is ideal for company which will have forgotten their sunscreen, hat, goggles, coverup, and even swimsuit. My private favourite characteristic is the water bottle refilling station, making it inexpensive to remain hydrated in that intense solar.
Long earlier than I arrived in Scottsdale, associates had informed me about their wonderful experiences at Spa Avania on the Hyatt. I’ve seen loads of nice resort spas, however Spa Avania positively deserves to be on that record. This is certainly the kind of spa the place you need to e book a therapy (or two or three) and plan on spending your entire day there stress-free.
Spa Avania has 19 therapy rooms, together with three for {couples}, and 5 garden-side therapy rooms with personal entrances. The girls’s and males’s locker rooms each characteristic rest rooms, a steam room, a dry sauna, and outside cold and warm 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 can too take pleasure in a mineral pool, obtainable to spa company solely, and an outside rest space. Drinks and meals are served exterior so you actually received’t need to go away!
I began off with half-hour of rest 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 mix 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 resort 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 tub merchandise. Either manner, the hip, retro vibe would appear as at house on South Beach because it does within the desert.
This Seventies-style renovated motel goes all in on the cool issue to beat a few of the different apparent drawbacks, resembling room measurement and luxurious finishings. The major attraction is really the pool. Lined with cabanas and lounge chairs, it’s trendy whereas not feeling like a “scene” (at the very least not whereas we have been there). They provide each a pool bar and chair service, and there are rest areas for chilling out within the night after the solar goes down.
The rooms at Hotel Adeline are cozy and comfy, 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 trendy and enjoyable. While I didn’t get to eat on the restaurant, I did study a secret “guests only” speakeasy/whisky bar — taking the cool issue up one other couple of notches.
While the resort doesn’t scream “romantic”, it does shout “cool” and if that doesn’t enchantment to your vital different, reserve it for a women’ journey as an alternative.
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 tougher with children in tow — like wine tasting, looking artwork galleries, having fun with a romantic dinner, and taking lengthy walks outdoor.
Desert Botanical Gardens
There are tons of locations to go climbing within the Scottsdale and better Phoenix space. From simpler hikes within the McDowell Sonoran Preserve to the far more difficult Camelback Mountain. You also can take desert jeep excursions, segway excursions, and sizzling air balloon rides. However, given the warmth, I opted for a neater stroll by means of the Desert Botanical Gardens. I’ve visited botanical gardens in Montreal, Pennsylvania, and Wilmington, NC to call a number of. But none of these featured a desert panorama.
Sometimes I consider botanical gardens as a spot my mother would take pleasure in (and she or he 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 feel what did it for me was that it’s such a vastly totally different panorama than what I’m used to.
I discover desert wildlife fascinating. But additionally as a result of it wasn’t simply vegetation, I noticed fairly a number of creatures too (however fortunately no snakes). I noticed rabbits, lizards, floor squirrels, common squirrels, hummingbirds, doves, quail, and these lovable little creatures that seem like mini prairie canine. From the e book I consulted on creatures of the Sonoran desert, the closest I might decide was that it could be a kangaroo rat, however I can’t make certain, so I’ll stick 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, however it actually represented southwestern tradition by means of collections of artwork and memorabilia.
There was the Rennard Strickland Collection of Western Film History, which, by means of film posters, actually made you consider 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 a ravishing area that’s enjoyable to take pleasure in.
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 up to date 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 beloved the constructing as a lot because the exhibit.
Wine Tasting in Scottsdale
Even although the oldsters at Experience Scottsdale organized for us to have a wine tasting at Carlson Creek Vineyard, we actually 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 aspect. Not solely have been the wines wonderful, however we each completely loved interacting with the workers and studying the backstory of the vineyard’s proprietor.
I absolutely consider that a lot of a wine-tasting expertise has to do with the ambiance — the ambiance of the tasting room and the information and character of the workers. Carlson Creek ticks all of those packing containers with a ravishing tasting room and welcoming however very educated workers. And the superb wine doesn’t damage! I notably 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 tons of 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 momentary artworks 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, you’ll want to stroll alongside the downtown canal and the Soleri pedestrian bridge.
SHopping in Scottsdale
Of course, strolling round Old Town Scottsdale can also be enjoyable, though I choose the outlets and galleries alongside Fifth or Marshall, versus the touristy outlets of Old Town. Getting round Scottsdale can also be a breeze, as there’s ample avenue parking, free trolley service, and loads of easy-to-use Lime Bikes round.
Dining in Scottsdale
Of course, considered one of my favourite issues to do in Scottsdale is to pattern a number of of its many eating places. I’ve detailed all my suggestions for our favourite downtown Scottsdale eating places in one other submit. But listed below 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 recent Cheeto avenue corn!
- Farm & Craft is concentrated on wholesome and sustainable meals. In a metropolis the place warmth dominates, it’s so refreshing to seek out gentle and wholesome choices.
- The Mission is positioned in Old Town Scottsdale and provides 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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