Lydia Pert

(Updated on 2/2/2024 to reflect a more recent trip)

I love Scottsdale because everything about it is so extra. If Vegas is where the high rollers go on vacation, Scottsdale is where those high rollers live. You can’t stroll half a block without seeing a rare supercar speed by, and even trips to the supermarket call for red soles. It’s a magical, lux land, and I adore spending time there.

Best Times to Visit:

1. Late autumn, preferably around Halloween. Scottsdale goes all out for holidays, and Halloween is a particularly fun time to visit. Not to mention the weather is absolutely perfect in late October. Warm and sunny so you can be outside running and hiking and swimming and sunbathing, but not so hot that you feel like your lungs are on fire.
2. Any time it’s cold where you live. Like anywhere, Scottsdale can get chilly. But chilly in Scottsdale is still a heck of a lot warmer than other places. When temperatures drop the Scottsdale locals bundle up in heavy winter gear, while the rest of us might toss on a light jacket. It’s a really nice escape, and, of course, the city has some stunning Christmas lights.

Best Hotels:

1. The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. For the ultimate upper class experience, I can’t recommend the Princess enough. It’s the longest running AAA 5 Diamond resort in Arizona, and it’s like being in a miniature city. Even the smallest rooms are massive, there are six amazing pools (including a rooftop pool), a really luxurious spa, a half dozen restaurants, and really impressive seasonal events. This place cannot be beat.
2. The W Scottsdale. We were really, really impressed by this hotel. It helps that we got upgraded to a spa suite, so our massive suite (complete with a stone soaker tub) opened up to a beautiful, tranquil balcony garden with cacti and reflecting pools. The vibe there was very hip and chic, like you’d expect in Scottsdale. The rooftop pool was beautiful, the main restaurant was *fantastic,* and the staff could rival any Disney cast member with their aggressive hospitality skills. Not to mention the free spa passes they gave us for Veterans Day. Not. Too. Shabby.
3. The Arizona Biltmore – A Waldorf Astoria Resort. The Biltmore is technically in Phoenix and not Scottsdale, but it’s just as close as the Fairmont and W. If the W could be equated to a modern Polynesian Village Resort, then the Biltmore would definitely be The Grand Floridian’s rich older sister (Disney people will understand this reference). We got upgraded to a fire pit balcony suite which was a nice little treat, and we spent a ton of time at the pools, in the hot tubs, and hanging out around the property and eating the delicious food. Their raw seafood towers were second to none.

Best Restaurants:

1. Donabe at the W was one of our best meals of 2023. In recent years I’ve shifted more towards a pescatarian diet, and the fish and veggies at Donabe were amazing. I ordered multiple rounds of the edamame appetizer because it was so good…honestly one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. We also went nuts with different sashimi like Otoro and Maguro. They have legitimate Japanese A5 wagyu on the menu for a fraction of the price you’d find in Vegas, so of course Dave got that and I tried a bite. It was amazing and on par with what you’d get at Cut. But the real winners in my book that night were the edamame and Otoro.
2. Dominick’s Steakhouse. My boss treated the team to an all expense paid dinner here, and it was beyond delicious. They have so many incredible protein options, and unlike other steakhouses, their sides are actually really good too. Plus the desserts are beyond decadent. They have a few options to rent spaces for private parties, and the wine room is a really cool spot for a fancy business dinner.
3. Culinary Dropout. CD is one of my favorite restaurants in Scottsdale. I love that their waterfront location has patio dining so you can enjoy the beautiful Arizona weather. Plus they have a build your own charcuterie board which is an instant winner in my book. And of course their butternut squash lasagna is fantastic (although it’s not always on the menu).
4. In-N-Out. So, this isn’t one of the BEST restaurants by far. But, as a solid East Coaster, In-N-Out is very novel to me so of course I have to recommend it for my other Easties. It’s really just a decent burger for a stupid low price — and yes, it’s really the price that wows me because a hamburger with fries for under $5 is just…such a thing of the past. I think the quality is good for the price, but price aside I prefer 5 Guys. But In-N-Out is still really cool, so it remains on my list. But I definitely recommend skipping the Animal Fries. Ew.

Best Activities:

1. Cars and Coffee. My friend Dasha and her husband Georgi met us at Scottsdale Cars and Coffee, and let me just say, if you have a “car-guy” in your family, this is a must. Dave is a huge car guy and this meet knocked his socks off. I’ve never seen so many Rolls Royces, Ferraris, Lamborghini’s, McClarens, Bentley’s, Porsche’s, and Aston Martin’s in one place. Most of the cars there cost more than my mortgage (and probably more than all my mortgages, past and present, combined).
2. Scottsdale Old Town. Old Town is really cool, and there is so much to do there. Tons of galleries, restaurants, boutiques, and random little storefronts to check out. Plus there’s plenty historic spots to check out, and there are seasonal events like farmers markets and art displays. It’s one of the places I like to go back to again and again because there is always something new and interesting to get involved with. 
3. Test driving luxury cars. So this one might be more of an “inside” thing, since my boss is the one that got me the hookup. But it was really cool getting to get behind the wheel and drive around Scottsdale in a Rolls Royce Wraith, and feel out a Lamborghini Huracan, plus other ridiculous cars. I have never considered myself a car person, but getting to drive supercars like that definitely brought me over to the dark side.
4. Desert Botanical Garden. This spot is actually in Phoenix, but it’s a super short drive so I still count it. I’m a total sucker for cacti, and being surrounded by essentially forests of all different cactus varieties is pretty darn awesome. Plus there’s some cool wildlife to be seen, and it’s an easy way to get steps in.

Anything Overrated:

1. I really don’t dislike much (anything) about Scottsdale. I guess if I had to pick something I’d say the golf scene seems a little overrated, but that’s probably more because I don’t care for golf rather than there being anything wrong with it. For all I know golf lovers might rejoice at getting the chance to golf in Scottsdale.