Scottsdale Resorts

[Phireside]

Heading back this August after a nice trip last year at the same time. Last year we stayed at the Fairmont Princess. This year we are considering the following:

 

- The Boulders

- The Phoenician

- Westin Kierland

- Four Seasons Troon North

- Fairmont (again)

- The Sanctuary

 

Will be there 5-7 days and am more concerned with proximity to dining and shopping rather than to golf. I will happily drive for golf but not the other two. Also nice pools, pool area and spa would be preferred.Thought the Fairmont was in a nice location.

 

If any locals or people with experience care to offer opinions it would be greatly appreciated.

 

thanks

[gotj1]

Highly recommend Kierland. Its about a mile south of the Princess and close to Kierland Commons, which has a couple of really good restaurants plus a really nice outdoor mall. Everything you need is close by. Plus good golf is close there. They also have a bagpiper at sundown. Although the others are probably nice as well, I am just speaking in my experience. Enjoy.

[Thrillhouse]

I have stayed at the boulders, phoenician, four seasons and the princess. Four seasons and the boulders are a little out of the way, princess is nice but you are probably wanting something new and different. The Phoenician is really nice (on par with the princess if not better) and is really close to restaurants and shopping. If you are looking for another option my mom and my sister (who go there two or three times a year and don't play golf, just like to shop and hang out that sort of thing) really like the sanctuary. Its in a good location for restaurants and shopping too.

[Phireside]

Thanks for that so far. I have add the Sanctuary to the list. it looks beautiful. I think the Fairmont and the Phoenician are at the top right now.

[YMark]

There is also the JW Marriott at Desert Ridge. While technically it is in Phoenix, it is very close the the Boulder's and a par 5 from Kierland and Grayhawk (another great place with two courses, one the host of the ProAm for the FBR open). Plus it has two very nice golf courses, one by Faldo, one by Palmer. This is a stop on the LPGA tour. There are some very good restaurants at the Marriott, and a bunch across the street at Desert Ridge. This hotel usually houses one of the Fiesta Bowl teams in January.

[drake47]

Stay at The Phoenician, you mentioned the pool area is important, their pool area is the best in town.

[jabrch]

I love Kierland. Pool is awesome. Very family friendly (waterslide and lazy river), but has an adult section also. Very resort friendly golf course that is priced reasonably. Walking distance to 25 great places to eat and tons of shopping. This is a wonderful place.

I have stayed at the Phoencian several times - and won't do it again on my own $. Just not a great location as far as entertainment/dining and a terribly overrated/overpriced golf course.

[Thrillhouse]

[quote name='jabrch' timestamp='1337666966' post='4956466']
I love Kierland. Pool is awesome. Very family friendly (waterslide and lazy river), but has an adult section also. Very resort friendly golf course that is priced reasonably. Walking distance to 25 great places to eat and tons of shopping. This is a wonderful place.

I have stayed at the Phoencian several times - and won't do it again on my own $. Just not a great location as far as entertainment/dining and a terribly overrated/overpriced golf course.
[/quote]

In the Phoenician's defense it is close to old town, fashion square etc, so the proximity to restaurants and dining is pretty good.

[pearls24]

Stayed at The Sanctuary this past April. Very nice resort. Very close to all the great restaurants. You have to go to Cowboy Ciao. It was amazing! The hotel rooms/suites are huge. The pool area is a bit small but service was top notch. Food at the resort was AMAZING! The head chef is on The Food Network and his restaurant for dinner is rated as one of the tops in the city. We never had a bad meal the entire trip. We stayed at the Four Seasons about 7 years ago and it was nice but the rooms at The Sanctuary are more modern. We booked via AMEX Fine Hotels/Resorts Program for Platinum card members and got a room upgrade, breakfast daily, $100 resort credit, and late checkout.

[natural_one]

^ I agree with Sanctuary of all you listed (assuming you're not taking kids). The pool is more adult friendly than kid friendly, quiet and still like a spa, not a fun pool with slides and stuff. Funny thing is Cowboy Ciao is also one of my favorite restaurants in the valley as well, but Elements on site there can't be beat, especially with the view.

Just stayed at Kierland about 3 weeks ago. Pool is more fun with a lazy river and slide (slide is not that cool for anyone over 10yrs old though haha). I'd grab a couple drinks and the wife and I would just float around a bunch of times around the lazy river sipping away. It is much more affordable than Sanctuary (at least it was 3 weeks ago.) They have a nice outdoor bar with TVs where I watched Duffner drain a 35 footer for my fantasy points to boost up. I was definitely the only one yelling for golf and not hockey that was on the other screen!
Kierland is also nearing completion on a Flow Rider system (stationary wave for surfing) so that should be done by your trip out if you want to end your golf career early and crack your head open

Stayed at Phoenician a year ago- more large feel resort with a nice pool as well. I don't mind the golf course....it's usually decent. (27 holes). great hiking, huge upper scale mall close by and Old Town Scottsdale a cheap cab away for dining and nightlife.

[TML]

Dining - what types of food do you like?

Kierland has a fabulous (and one of top Phoenix area) restaurants IMO - Deseo. There is also a Mastro's Ocean club as well.