Recently, Arizona Health & Living had the opportunity to experience the charm and hospitality of the AAA Five Diamond Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. While many locals may be familiar with the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess due to its amazing holiday festivities, the local resort is a wonderful getaway to experience all year round.

What impressed us most about the resort was the grounds and the hospitality of the staff. “From the moment you arrive on the grounds of the AAA/CAA Five Diamond Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, you are surrounded by a mystical landscape of lagoons, colorful desert plants, fire pits, fountains and expansive green spaces – all set amid the sun-drenched Sonoran Desert and the majestic McDowell Mountains of Arizona,” describes the resort’s website. “Blending exquisite pampering and warm, personalized service with alluring Spanish-style architecture and outdoor adventure, the best resort in Scottsdale offers all of the superb amenities you expect from a world-class destination resort.”

Perfect for a staycation for locals or a place to stay for out of town guests, the resort features many amenities:

• A lavish Well & Being Spa, featuring a variety of spa, wellness and fitness services
• Two championship-level TPC golf courses, home to the Annual PGA Tour Waste Management Phoenix Open
• Six sparkling heated pools, featuring waterslides, cabanas, poolside service and a 9,000 sq. ft. white sand beach
• Five award-winning restaurants and lounges
• 316,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space in Scottsdale with two conference centers
• Trailblazers Family Adventure Center, offering a wide range of onsite activities to keep kids happy and engaged
• Personalized concierge services

This summer is an ideal time for families to try out the resort because of their Superhero Summer vacation package, which starts from $189 per night. Guests who book this package will also receive a $50 daily resort credit available for use toward dining or spa, a superhero backpack with two superhero water bottles and superhero power boosts provided by Pedialyte. This package also includes a $10 donation to Cox Charities benefiting the local organizations LoveUp, Boys and Girls Club, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and more. This package is booking now and is available May 24 through September 2.
In addition to the beautiful scenery and quality amenities, the dining at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is superb no matter what your taste.

While there, we had a chance to experience dinner at La Hacienda. The restaurant features fine Mexican dining with a notable modern edge—something you’d expect from a restaurant associated with Chef Richard Sandoval, known as the “father of modern Mexican cuisine.” “La Hacienda’s Chef de Cuisine Forest Hamrick reflects Sandoval’s signature style of vibrant flavors and ingredients, combining the bold taste of classic Mexican food with timeless European cooking techniques in a lighter, healthier way,” according to the resort. With fire pit patio seating with gorgeous views, the flavors of Mexican cuisine were topped off by delicious churros for dessert.

Another collaboration with celebrity chef Richard Sandoval is Toro, located at the Clubhouse of TPC Scottsdale. We experienced brunch there and it was delicious. “The menu features Pan Latin cuisine, which artfully combines the distinct flavors of South and Central America with ingredients rooted in the Japanese and Chinese Peruvian cultures. A signature experience at Toro is the suviche bar (sushi and ceviche), a raw bar combining Asian and Latin influences in seafood preparation and flavor,” according to the resort. The food was enjoyable and the views of the course’s 18th hole was spectacular.

For those looking to relax, the resort’s Well & Being Spa was just awarded four stars from the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide. “The 44,000 square foot facility includes 27 treatment rooms, waterfall grotto, rooftop pool, state of the art gym with expert instruction, and many more amenities,” according to the resort. “An exclusive rating, Well & Being is one of only ten Four Star spas in Arizona.”

The resort was also recently awarded AAA Five Diamond status for the 28th consecutive year. “I could not be more proud of our colleagues for earning this prestigious designation,” says Jack Miller, regional vice president and general manager of the Princess. “For 28 consecutive years, this hotel has been the standard of luxury for our valued guests, and this achievement could not have happened without the hard work and dedication of our staff.”

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is located at 7575 East Princess Drive in Scottsdale. To learn more, visit http://www.scottsdaleprincess.com or call 480.585.4848.

By Michelle Talsma Everson
Photo Courtesy of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and Michelle Talsma Everson