Where to stay in Scottsdale, Arizona

In the past year I’ve been lucky to explore one of my new favorite States, Arizona! In fact, I enjoyed it so much I stopped by on three separate trips this Summer! I spent much of my time there in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. Just 20 mins from the Phoenix Airport, Scottdale is sunny and sophisticated. With plenty of options for boutique shopping, adventurous hikes, Golf outings, and catching beautiful sunsets, Scottsdale has it all. During this trip to Arizona I stayed at two stunning luxury hotels; Hotel Valley Ho and Mountain Shadows Resort!

The first hotel for this trip was Hotel Valley Ho. Located in Scottsdale’s Art District, Hotel Valley Ho is walking distance from plenty of restaurants and local shops. The decor of the hotel holds onto its retro origins, but has a new modern feel. The mid century design is funky and fun! After a long day of exploring the beautiful desert, hopping in one of the hotel’s two pools really hit the spot! If you’re looking for some serious relaxation, the VH Spa is perfect for a day of pampering and rejuvenation!

Luckily I didn’t have to leave the hotel to find delicious food. ZuZu restaurant, inside of the Hotel Valley Ho, was my favorite spot to refuel for a day of adventures. I was able to enjoy their brunch and dinner experience, both flavorful and fantastic! The real show stopper of the menu is appropriately named “The Showstopper Shake!”. These creatively constructed creamy concoctions are overflowing with color and flavor. Each month a new flavor is created!

Tasting menu:

JUMBO SHRIMP COCKTAIL: cocktail sauce, sesame remoulade + lemon.

HAWAIIAN AHI TUNA POKE BOWL: pickled veggies, scallion, avocado, furikake, soy sesame sauce + creamy chili sauce, served over white rice | substitute cauliflower rice.

THE JOHN BERRY: three jumbo shrimp, spaghetti squash, cherry tomatoes, spinach, pesto, pine nuts + parmesan.

VH CHOPPED SALAD: cherry tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, cheddar, marcona almonds, candied bacon + creamy green goddess dressing.

After a lovely stay in Scottsdale, I went right next door, to the beautiful town of Paradise Valley. The name for the town is immediately apparent after a stay! In the midst of the arid Arizona desert, Paradise Valley feels like a lush oasis, that’s too good to be real. Lucky for me it is! The host for my stay was the famous Mountain Shadows Resort. Once a favorite destination of classic Hollywood stars like Lucille Ball and The Rat Pack, Mountain Shadows has maintained its prestige and charm to this day. With its own private golf course, beautifully maintained grounds, and endless mountain views, the resort is stunning and sophisticated. In between adventures Pina Colada breaks by the pool were a welcome relief to beat the heat. 

The hotel’s restaurant Hearth’ 61 was our spot for brunch.

Tasting menu:

Sliced Fruit Plate.

Avocado Toast: poached egg · noble bread · roasted poblano · queso fresco · pickled onion · radish.

Eggs Benedict: niman ranch ham · english muffin · hollandaise.

It’s no accident that I’ve traveled to Arizona three times this year! It has become one of my very favorite States, and is truly an unique experience to visit. Scottsdale and Paradise Valley are a big part of what makes Arizona so incredible. If you’re looking for some new ground to cover and new places to discover, I can’t recommend enough Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.

Happy traveling!