We don’t have a big trip planned yet for 2024 so still dreaming about this past summer getaway! It was easily one of my favorites. Whenever someone says they are looking for somewhere to go for a couples or friends trip, I IMMEDIATELY chime in “have you been to Scottsdale?!”. Our travel party (affectionately known as the Tipsy Travelers) includes three teachers in desperate need for break to start the summer. The wish list was simple: food, pool, golf, spa. Scottsdale was the perfect choice! Use the links in the titles below for more information on all the fun stops and yummy food we enjoyed on our trip.
Where We Stayed
hotel valley ho
My day job is working in hotels, so I was put in charge of finding a great place to stay. I’m naturally drawn to places and things that tell a story. The Hotel Valley Ho opened in 1956 during the heyday of Hollywood. Designed by Edward Varney, who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright, this mid-century desert oasis provided an escape from from paparazzi for celebrities like Bing Crosby, Humphrey Bogart, Marylin Monroe, and Zsa Zsa Gabor.
A major renovation in 2005 preserved all the great mid-century modern details from the original hotel while adding bold, vibrant modern flair and amenities. For lack of a better word, this hotel is just fun! I wouldn’t say it would be my first Scottsdale choice for a romantic trip for two, but this was designed as a summer friends’ trip and the vibe couldn’t have been more spot on.
What We Did
Day #1
OEB Breakfast Company
We took the first direct flight of they day which put us in Scottsdale mid-morning. The only right thing to do was brunch. OEB Breakfast Company serves up artistically inspired dishes with a true farm-to-table commitment. The result is an amazing menu that is hard to choose from! I came for the Mimosa Flight and stayed for the Lobster Scramble. Lobster & shrimp scramble, duck fat fried herb potatoes, shallots, green onions, American Asiago cheese, brown butter hollandaise…yum is an understatement!
Old Town Scottsdale
After checking into the hotel and taking a glorious vacation nap, we went exploring. The hotel is walking distance from Old Town Scottsdale. This vibrant entertainment district is home to high-end designers, boutiques, art galleries, boutique hotels, world class eateries and more. Being from Texas, we thought we understood heat. We were not prepared for Arizona summer afternoon heat so took advantage of the Bird Scooters available in Old Town to move around and take in more of this area. Old Town is a pretty large area, so the scooters helped us get around easily to explore some fun shops and head to Diego Pops for dinner.
DIEGO POPS
Diego Pops offers a playful interpretation of Mexican favorites. Easily makes the list as a must try! Our table shared the Coconut Lemongrass Ceviche, Street Corn Queso and Brussels Sprout Nachos. If you asked me to pick a favorite, I could not! They were all so good. For my entrée, I sampled several of their house street tacos. If the amazing food weren’t enough to tempt you, the atmosphere will. A mix of mid-century modern with bold colors and a southwest flair. We were happy to sit inside in the June heat but the large, outdoor patio was full for happy hour and seemed a fun place to be. Will definitely go back on my next trip to the desert!
DAY #2
The Scott
This was the day our group split up for morning activities. Us girls traveled over to The Scott Resort & Spa for brunch and massages. Simply put, it was the most beautiful hotel I have walked into. Self-touted as “an ode to discovery, a love letter to life lived on the borderlands.” Breathtaking architecture with inspired design offers a true personality, sense of place and luxury while at the same time being comfortable and welcoming. Oversized furnishings in the lobby create the perfect location to sit and take in every little from cane backed chairs to wallpaper, art and lighting. You could walk into this lobby every day and find something new, interesting, and photo worthy.
The Canal Club
You will not search for “must eat places in Scottsdale” without seeing The Canal Club mentioned. Located inside The Scott, this restaurant has a casual elegance that infuses a spirit of Havana with a mid-century vibe. Since opening in 2017, it has become a not-to be-missed spot on your Scottsdale culinary (and Instagram) tour. We decided on brunch ahead of our massages at the onsite La Vidorra Spa. Our table shared the Churro Doughnut Holes served with white chocolate anglaise and guava jam. Don’t leave without trying these! For my main course, I had the Peruvian Hash with jalapeno hollandaise and green chile chicken. The menus for lunch and dinner are just as good. Plus check out the calendar of events on their website for specialty dinner experiences, game nights and evenings with local musicians.
La Vidorra Day Spa
After breakfast, we ladies took the scenic walk down a side path of The Scott to the La Vidorra Day Spa. I could have happily sat in the reception area and boutique all day. Sun washed with low beamed ceilings and seating you sink into. The treatment rooms were equally cozy and delightful. If the atmosphere wasn’t enough, it was easily the best massage I have ever had! Scottsdale is known as a spa destination but I have to say this is a place I would gladly revisit every trip.
The Scott Resort Pools
One of the things that drew us to La Vidorra was the complimentary use of The Scott resort pools Monday – Thursday. The resort is home to two sprawling outdoor pools with plenty of lounge chairs and private cabanas. We set up on a grouping of lounge chairs at the edge of the zero entry pool. The Canal Club Poolside offers a fantastic pool menu with light bites and classic pool cocktails with a Canal Club twist. You can even get any cocktail or punch served in a fresh coconut! This was the perfect way to truly relax for the day and we all agreed was one of the highlights of the trip. With so many amazing resorts in Scottsdale, I would highly recommend looking for opportunities like this to experience more than one.
TROON NORTH GOLF CLUB
If you are going to play golf in Scottsdale, you might as well do it right! The guys decided to play Troon North Golf Club while we enjoyed our time at The Scott. Regarded as the hallmark of the desert golf experience, this club is home to two 18-hole courses, Troon North’s Monument and Pinnacle courses. What truly sets this already amazing golf experience apart is the atmosphere. Situated in the middle of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, giant granite boulders, views in every direction, even the tee cactus as you finish the course all create the ultimate Scottsdale golf experience.
SUMOmaya
Sumo Maya was our “fancy” dinner night. It was definitely one of those dining experiences I will not soon forget! Far enough from Old Town, you get a much different vibe than other eateries. The large tree in the center of the dining area, swanky furnishings and moody dinner lighting give this a downtown, big city feel. The restaurant touts itself as having a free-form dining style that celebrates a unique fusion of Mexican and Asian flavors. Guests are encouraged to order multiple small plates to share with the table for the best dining experience. That is exactly what we did!. We sampled several of the signature rolls (the dragon roll was my favorite!), the shaking beef, sashimi, pad thai noodles and the avocado fried rice. When you see the menu, the avocado fried rice may not catch your attention right away but DO NOT SLEEP ON THE AVOCADO FRIED RICE!! Definitely a highlight of the night. The drink menu was extensive and imaginative. I’m a sucker for a good presentation and cool garnish. By the time you add everything up, this meal can get a little pricey but, again, was one of our favorite nights of the trip. #worthit
DAY #3
Desert Botanical Garden
Another must do item that kept popping up in our search was the Desert Botanical Garden, just a short drive away in Phoenix. By this point we had learned our lesson about the Arizona heat so headed out early to enjoy the cooler morning. At over 55 acres, the gardens are home five trails and numerous other exhibits featuring thousands of species of flowers, trees and cactus. Everywhere you look, is something else beautiful and unique. It is an obvious hot spot for photographers. We saw many families out enjoying the trails as the sun was coming up over the desert. The way the trails are configured, this is easy to make as long or short of a stop as you like.
Papago Park Hole-in-the-rock
I certainly wouldn’t say we are the most outdoorsy group collectively. But, again, if you want to have the quintessential Scottsdale weekend it has to include some form of hiking. We took the easy approach and went to Papago Park to hike to the Hole-in-the-Rock trail. A simple dirt and step path takes you up to the hole that provides amazing views and photo ops of the surrounding area. A great second stop after touring the Desert Botanical Garden!
Hash kitchen
As a reward to ourselves for “hiking”, our next stop was brunch. Hash Kitchen is home to the original Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar. This thing is out of control! You start by choosing your favorite infused vodka combined with their house mary mix. Then you are set loose down a counter that spans the entire front of the restaurant and contains over 50 craft toppings to create your ultimate morning beverage. You could make an argument of going just for the bloodies, but the food is equally impressive. The brunch menu matches the atmosphere – big, bright and bold. A live DJ at brunch is certainly a first for me. Definitely a stop you want on your itinerary!
OH Pool at Hotel Valley Ho
We spent the afternoon hanging out at the OH Pool on property. Live music and festive drinks set the mood for this spot. There was a large bachelorette party having the time of their lives! The frozen cocktails available by the pitcher were the perfect way to cool off and enjoy the afternoon.
The short course at mountain shadows
The boys decided that they had just enough time left in the afternoon for The Short Course at Mountain Shadows Resort. Known as the “Best Par-3 Course in America”, this 18-hole course is quicker to play while still offering amazing views and experience. The guys loved it!
Day #4
PREP & pASTRY
Prep & Pastry was our last stop before heading to the airport to make our way back to Texas. It was the perfect punctuation mark for our trip. A quaint little breakfast spot that was so cute it had me wanting to go home and redecorate my kitchen. Classic brunch menu with fresh local ingredients.
This was easily one of my favorite trips I have ever been on! So relaxing and full of some amazing food and experiences. While I normally leave a place ready to look for something new, I genuinely look forward to coming back to Scottsdale.
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