Photo Courtesy of Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
The exquisite Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a five-diamond resort destination. Located in Scottsdale, Arizona where the sun shines an amazing 330 days of the year, the 750 room Fairmont Scottsdale Princess offers guests the choice of four top-ranked restaurants, 6 swimming pools, the opulent Well & Being Spa and two 18-hole championship golf courses.
At the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess you can enjoy the property’s man made lagoons, lush landscaping with colorful desert plants, palm trees, fountains and an architecture that takes its cue from the charm of old Spanish settlements. This oasis in the desert takes some time to fully explore. Night time can be enjoyed around outdoor fire pits and garden alcoves where you can experience the dynamic show provided by the desert sunset.
The elegant rooms feature large windows, overstuffed beds, modern furnishings and desert friendly colors. We were fortunate to be able experience the famous 600 square foot Fairmont Gold Junior Suite which featured sitting areas both out on the patio and in the room, a luxury bathroom/dressing area, wireless high-speed Internet access, a wet bar, Keurig machine, If that was not enough we also had Alexa!
With the fabulous Gold Junior Suite we also received access to the 2,100 square foot Fairmont Gold Lounge which is exclusive to the 69 Fairmont Gold rooms on property. Here at the lounge you can enjoy daily continental breakfast and nightly hors d’oeuvres plus an honor bar. Also available is private check-in, exclusive concierge service, complimentary self-parking, complimentary access to Well & Being Spa and much more.
The newest pool addition at the luxurious Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is Sunset Beach, a 7,000 square foot pool featuring 830 tons of soft white sand and surrounded by a 26,000 square foot pool deck with lounge chairs, seating tables and umbrellas. If you thought there wasn’t a beach in Arizona, you’re wrong. The beach is at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Children will enjoy Sunset Beach as well as the other 5 pools, each with a different theme. Pool varieties include a pool with water slides, and a pool with a lazy river.
You may never venture off the property once you discover the 5 Star Dining adventures within the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. On site Dining experiences include Scottsdale’s number one rated Mexican Restaurant, La Hacienda by Richard Sandoval. Here you can enjoy fire pit seating and a selection of over 240 artisan tequila selections. Executive Chef Forest Hamrick is executing Sandoval’s concept of classic Mexican dishes with fresh ingredients made lighter and more contemporary. We enjoyed a wide variety of classic La Hacienda dishes. A big Thank You to Julio who made our dinner very special.
Guacamole Sampler Platter
Squash Blossom Quesadillas
Chorizo & Potato Empanadas
Seafood Special - this was a fabulous mix of seafood in a wonderful sauce.
Tampiquena
Snake Bite Flight
After dinner desserts
Organic Beef is prepared over a wood burning grill at Bourbon Steak, which features American fare by Chef Michael Mina.
Also featuring classic American Dining is Ironwood American Kitchen, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Main Dining Room, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring wood-fired specialties in a casual setting. In Room dining is also available if you just can’t leave your room with the spectacular view.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess features The Plaza Bar with an indoor, outdoor seating choice and signature cocktails. Four full service bars are also located at four of the adult orientated swimming pools.
You can’t say Scottsdale, Arizona without saying golf. While staying at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess resort in the desert, you can play their two championship TPC golf courses, home to the PGA Phoenix Open.
After going under par on the championship golf courses, you’ll need to unwind at Toro, located in the Clubhouse of TPC Scottsdale. Here you can enjoy Pan Latin cuisine, a Suviche bar (sushi and ceviche), and an impressive bar featuring over 150 rums. The views of the 18th hole and McDowell Mountains is stunning. Mr. Sandoval has opened a second concept dining destination on premises, Toro Latin Restaurant and Rum Bar.
The shuttle van takes you from the Hotel Lobby to Toro.
Surf and Turf Roll
Breakfast Chaufa
Filet Mignon “Oscar”
La Bomba! This was just as yummy as it looks. Even after eating a full lunch we had no problem devouring this wonderful mix of ice cream, fruit, nuts and chocolate. Thank you to Clayton for dropping La Bomba! on our table.
Beyond golf course greens, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess offers over 300,000 square feet of event space, both indoor and out. Featuring two separate conference centers the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has the flexibility to host both large and small events. This desert resort can accommodate all your business needs from seminars and workshops to conferences and conventions.
Don’t worry about the kids at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, they are prepared to entertain and keep children busy at the Trailblazers Family Adventure Center. The center provides supervised activities for children with swimming, games, arts and crafts a full schedule of fun while you attend business seminars, play golf or enjoy the Spa. Other activities on premise for children include basketball, catch and release fishing, and animal discovery.
Just in case you have time to leave the desert resort of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, did someone say baseball? Scottsdale has a rich baseball tradition that dates to the post World War II formation of the Cactus League in 1947 and is now the home to major league sports teams. Also nearby you will find Spring training baseball, the Phoenix Open and Arabian horse shows.
Touring in Scottsdale includes sightseeing the Grand Canyon, Indian Reservations and visiting the Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum. Attractions abound in and around Scottsdale, the world’s foremost classic car auction house by Barrett-Jackson, and the Bondurant Racing School are two for car lovers.
The list of things to do in Scottsdale includes Museums, including the Heard Museum, Theaters, including the iPic Theaters, and Conservatories, including the McDowell Conservatory. When travelling with children, it will be hard, but you must pry yourself away from the luxury of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and take them to OdySea Aquarium featuring an amusement theme park with an aquatic educational experience.
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a fabulous resort but what really makes the resort special are the people. Some stand outs from our brief time there – Mikayla at the front desk, Marty in the Gold Room Lounge, Julio at La Hacienda, Adrian at the Sunset Beach pool, Cheyanne and Clayton and Jake at Toro and John who stopped us while we were taking pictures outside with the question “Did you see the tortoise?”. Special thanks also to Valerie and Erin for organizing our stay. See you again soon!
Story by Daniel Dachille and Laine Page