The 9 Best Scottsdale, Arizona Hotels of 2020

Best Overall: Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch

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Located in the center of Scottsdale, the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch is a stylish modern property that offers a complete resort experience. The 2.5-acre pool complex includes an artificial sandy beach, a massive three-story waterslide and dozens of fountains and waterfalls. A dedicated adults-only pool is a space where guests can sip cocktails from the Grotto Bar and relax in private cabanas.

In the Aviana Spa, there is a sunny courtyard with another swimming pool, a freshwater pond, and sun loungers, while inside there are saunas, steam rooms, and hot and cold plunge pools.

Many of the pools have infinity edges that overlook the Gainey Ranch Lake towards the fairways and sand traps of the 27-hole golf course, which is exclusive to resort guests.

Other resort activities include gondola rides, tennis courts, and a climbing wall, and guests can participate in Native American cultural experiences and watch nightly entertainments.

At the three resort restaurants, guests can dine on Southwestern fare, Asian delicacies, and Italian cuisine. There is also a market that provides healthy on-the-go snacks and a poolside bar that serves light meals and beverages, as well as several other bars with a wide range of drinks and live music.

Best for Families: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

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A large sprawling resort on the outskirts of Scottsdale, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has a wide array of family-friendly amenities. Kids get a welcome gift upon check-in and cribs and highchairs can be provided upon request. The five hotel pools include a dedicated family-fun pool with twisting water slides for older children and a zero-entry pool with a play sandbox for younger kids.

The resort fee covers services such as bicycle rentals, fishing gear to use at the three catch-and-release lagoons and access to the Trailblazers Family Activity Center, where children can enjoy basketball, ping pong, air hockey, board games, arts and crafts and s’mores toasting in a solar oven. The resort fee also includes a $25 credit at the award-winning Well & Being Spa, with facilities including a co-ed waterfall treatment pool, sauna, steam room, aromatherapy lounge, and a private rooftop pool.

Treatments range from aromatherapy wraps and detoxifying scrubs to reflexology, Himalayan salt stone, and magnesium salt massages. The hotel also overlooks the greens of the TCP golf course and can arrange visits to any of the many nearby courses.

The four hotel restaurants offer Mexican, contemporary American and Latin fare and dedicated children’s menus at each provide kid-friendly options.

Best for Couples: Hotel Valley Ho

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In the 1950s and 60s, it did not get any cooler than this hotel, which hosted stars like Ingrid Bergman, Janet Leigh, Tony Curtis, and Bing Crosby. Back in its heyday, the place to see and be seen was having cocktails in the Arabian Lounge at this Edward Varney-designed celeb hideaway. In 2002, this mid-century modern classic closed for some much-needed renovations. Since the arrival of new owners in 2006, it’s back and better than ever, attracting stars like Hugh Jackman and Katy Perry.

The 239 rooms are retro-hip and are the modern upgrade of 1950s design, toying confidently with vibrant colors and geometric shapes. All rooms are flooded with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows that lead to a private patio or balcony. Couples have a Cuisinart coffee maker for coffee at any time and a separate bathtub and shower in the terrazzo-tiled bathroom. 

Days here can be spent leisurely lounging on chaise chairs poolside or sipping cocktails from the OH pool bar. For those with a larger budget, a poolside daybed in a private cabana can be reserved, complete with bottle service. The VH Spa offers heavy discounts on services midweek, making it easier for couples to bliss out together before finishing out a lovely evening with American fare at the celebrated restaurant Zuzu, managed by the famed Russell LaCasce. 

Best Location: Sanctuary Resort

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Nestled directly into the inspiring landscapes of Camelback Mountain, Sanctuary Resort invites guests to discover 53 acres of their own private paradise where rigid formalities are replaced by light-heartedness, with reconnection to nature being at the center of any stay here. 

There is a dizzying selection of room types, from suites to cozier casitas to massive stunning villas spanning well upwards of 5000 square feet. All casitas have a spacious seating area and metallic tiled bathrooms with an oversized soaking tub and a separate shower lit by a skylight. Notable villas are the Villa Montana, a 4,800-square-foot retreat within the Sanctuary, which comes with its own separate guest casita, a 360-degree, infinity-edge hot tub and pool, and a gas-burning fireplace and seating area from which to take in the jaw-dropping views of the surrounding desert valley. 

Villa Luna was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright associate Christopher Yager and offers a luxurious private outdoor shower and tub for ultimate relaxation with a view. The secluded master suite within the villa has floor-to-ceiling windows to seamlessly blend indoors and out. 

The restaurant Element is overseen by Food Network star chef Beau MacMillan, who loves to use organic, seasonal, and hormone-free foods. He enthusiastically caters to vegetarian and gluten-free needs. The Jade Bar shines every Sunday with live music and heavy discounts on bottles of wine and specialty cocktails.

Do note that the Camelback Mountain infinity-edge pool is exclusively adult-only (16 years and older) on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. 

Best for Luxury: Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale

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Surrounded by sand dunes, rocky outcrops, and saguaro cacti, the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale is an upscale five-star resort tucked into the stark landscapes of the Arizona desert. Set on the site of the former Crescent Moon Ranch, a finishing school for wealthy debutantes run by a member of the Kellogg family, the adobe walls of the hotel buildings and the native plants in the gardens complements the setting. Hotel activities are designed to enhance the human connection to nature.

The pool courtyard has a bi-level freeform pool, private cabanas, and a separate children’s pool. Other fitness amenities include tennis courts, mountain bike hire, and a gym. At the spa, traditional treatments such as Thai and hot stone massages and honey body polishes are offered alongside signature treatments such as gold-infused facial therapies and jojoba/prickly pear exfoliations.

The spa also offers Zen hikes, which combine sunrise walks to a mountaintop with yoga exercises. The hotel has a complimentary shuttle service to two nearby golf courses (the Monument and the Pinnacle), which provide a challenging playing experience on immaculate greens set in a harsh yet beautiful desert setting.

Three restaurants include a scenic and sophisticated Spanish steakhouse, contemporary American fare on an alfresco terrace, and poolside dining with healthy burgers and snacks. A bar lounge serves small plates and handcrafted cocktails.

Best for Golf: The JW Marriot Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort and Spa

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Located at the base of Camelback Mountain in Paradise Valley, the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa is a luxury hotel that prides itself on offering guests warm service, large casitas, a massive spa, heated outdoor pools, garden terraces and trails in the Sonoran Desert. Bill Marriott, responsible for making Marriott International one of the world’s most respected hotel companies, has often said that this, the oldest resort in the brand’s portfolio, is his favorite.

For guests who golf, it’s easy to see why. Both of the 18-holers—Ambiente and Padre—are par 72 courses and offer challenges for golfers at all levels. Ambiente, designed by the well-known golf architect Jason Straka, embodies what a true desert course should look and feel like. Wild grasses and flowers span the landscape and sandpits everywhere capture the desert vibe. Padre offers contrast as a verdant course with towering trees and multiple lakes.

Designed by Arthur Hills, the 18th hole at Padre was voted the best water hole in the state by Arizona Golf Magazine. Camelback Inn shuttles guests to and from their chosen course for the day. Onsite, they’ll find the Camelback Clubhouse which has a well-equipped pro shop and the Acacia restaurant. Kids golf for free, and to further support those traveling as a family, there is a miniature golf course back at the pet-friendly hotel.

Best Boutique: The Hermosa Inn

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Celebrated artist Lon Megargee enjoyed The Hermosa Inn in the 1930s as his private escape before opening to guests. Ownership may have changed since then, but this luxury boutique inn just 15 minutes from the airport retains its original intimate feel, complete with Lon’s original artwork adorning the walls, a flourishing garden, and upscale furnishings throughout.

The 43 hacienda-style guestrooms and casitas are individually decorated in warm, Southwestern style. There are four room categories, from smaller Rancho rooms to a Deluxe Casita Suite that is 600-700 square feet. Fireplaces, secluded patios, and vaulted ceilings add to the relaxed appeal. 

The AAA Four-Diamond Lon’s Restaurant is open year-round but is known for its special spring and fall harvest celebration dinners and an annual champagne dinner. A rustic Wine Cellar is available for intimate gatherings of up to 12 people, offering a memorable, candle-lit dining experience. 

Most ADA Accessible: The Saguaro

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Known more for its pool parties and Taco Tuesdays complete with tequila at its La Senora restaurant, the Saguaro has quietly yet proudly made a name for itself as one of the most disability-friendly hotels in the Southwest. It all starts with location — over 109 restaurants, shops, and art galleries are within three 3 blocks of the hotel and golf carts are available for hire to help facilitate getting all guests out and about.

Not only are there wheelchair-accessible routes from the entrance to the accessible guestrooms with extra-wide doorways, but also to the restaurant, meeting/ballroom area, fitness center, swimming pool, and spa. The Saguaro goes above and beyond by having a TTY on hand for guest use, provides assistive listening devices for meetings upon request, and warmly welcomes service animals of all kinds.

Guest room TVs have closed captioning or closed caption decoders provided, and Braille and tactile signage is provided for permanent rooms and spaces. Hotel employees will happily read menus and other printed/visual information to guests who are blind/low vision. 

Best for Business: Canyon Suites at the Phoenician

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Canyon Suites is the ultra-luxe, 60-room boutique hotel found within The Phoenician’s hotel grounds. It’s the more elegant cousin to the much larger resort.

The private building has a discreet entrance that leads to the quiet lobby before opening to The Canyon Lounge, where many a business deal has happened over fine whiskeys from the U.S., Scotland, Ireland, and Japan. For those who prefer cocktails, the 2704 is created from the hotel’s custom bourbon, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, house-made rosemary-infused mesquite honey, lemon juice, lemon bitters, and a rosemary sprig to top it off. This cocktail is then smoked under glass before being presented in a swirl of smoke and burning wood. 

Guests at the Canyon Suites can take advantage of the Phoenician’s 250-acres at the base of Camelback Mountain, its nine swimming pools, a wellness spa, and eight restaurants. An 18-hole championship golf course, driving range, chipping and putting greens are located on-site to further entice casual business meetings. 

Rooms are both spacious and stylish, with Bali beds on the private terraces that look out over the hotel’s pool or grounds and lagoon. A 40-inch flat-screen cable TV, iHome docking station, premium Italian linens, and modern Southwestern artwork are featured in each guest room. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is only eight miles away from the Canyon Suites.