Scottsdale hotel recs

March 7, 2007 7:10 AM

Scottsdale hotel recommendations sought - urban, hip, preferably near boutiques, etc...

I'm specifically looking for something not 'resort-y', i.e. mega-pool, etc., but rather something more hip, with a nice bar, near restaurants, etc. Price not an issue.

I know little of the area. My wife and I will be spending the day at the Camelback spa, but I'm not too interested in their $600/night rooms if there's not much else at the resort besides pools and mediocre food.

Thanks.

posted by docpops to travel & transportation (6 comments total)

The two "urban and hip" places I know of in Scottsdale are the Mondrian and the newly renovated Hotel Valley Ho. Both are right near downtown Scottsdale.

Here's a sorta amusing piece on the Mondrian from the Phoenix New Times.
posted by mullacc at 7:44 AM on March 7, 2007

Another option is Sanctuary--it's in Paradise Valley, which is a short drive from Scottsdale. I actually don't know too much about this hotel, but it has one of the hottest restaurants in town, elements. You'd give up a little on location, but the views at this place will blow away the other two.

The Arizona Biltmore is also worth considering. It is a big resort, but I think the Frank Lloyd Wright inspired design is really gorgeous and they recently renovated their restaurant (called, surprise, Wrights) and have received strong reviews. This place is an Arizona institution, but without the cowboy-vibe. Again, not in Scottsdale but in Phoenix--though it's a straight shot down Camelback from Scottsdale, about a 10 minute drive. And also right next to the Biltmore Fashion Square, the secondary high-end shopping district. It's basically the western end of the "Camelback Corridor" (the eastern end being downtown Scottsdale), which is the location of most of the best resorts/restaurants in town.

Sorry for two comments in a row.
posted by mullacc at 7:57 AM on March 7, 2007

I've never stayed at this specific hotel, but I'm devoted to Kimpton properties and they have Caleo Resort and Spa (caleoresort.com) which is apparently located "in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale."

I've never been anything but delighted with the numerous Kimptons I've stayed at, so I imagine it's worth checking out.
posted by mostlymartha at 10:39 AM on March 7, 2007

When I'm looking for urban, hip in a new city I usually use Tablet Hotels.

In this case, they bring up the Mondrian.
posted by vacapinta at 12:43 PM on March 7, 2007

Thanks all. Hugely helpful.
posted by docpops at 2:19 PM on March 7, 2007

I'd stay close to downtown Scottsdale, if you want any sort of hip night activities without driving 20 minutes. There are plenty of gorgeous resort hotels in Scottsdale (The Princess, Desert Canyon, Biltmore), but the town is so sprawled that nothing but strip malls, golf courses and suburbs surround them.
posted by blastrid at 4:09 PM on March 7, 2007