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Scottsdale AZ :: High/Low

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Scottsdale Civic Plaza / Museum of Contemporary Art[trip style = high/low]

One trip. Two experiences. How to do Scottsdale high, low or BOTH! (Pics coming Monday)

Low

  • Stay
    • 3 Palms.  A refurbished motel with a modern flair.  In high season we paid $84 usd/night for a deluxe king room.  With contemporary design throughout, a fitness room, pool, nice restaurant and grocery store across the street, how can you go wrong?
  • Eat
    • Buy snacks and/or breakfasts and lunches at a grocery store
    • Share plates at restaurants offering huge portions like Cheesecake Factory, P.F. Chang's, California Pizza Kitchen (all in Scottsdale)
    • Splurge
      • Eat at The Avalon, a funky new restaurant at the 3 Palms.
      • Eat at La Hacienda, the Fairmont Scottsdale's newest addition, offering happy hour pricing from 5 - 7pm. $4 margaritas and appies...which I tested, and are good!  We went in thinking we'd have drinks and appies, then move onto dinner, and got too full with the appies!
  • Shop
    • Norstrom's Rack is located in North Scottsdale
    • Other outlets stores near Scottsdale can be found in Tempe (Arizona Mills featuring Neiman Marcus Last Call and Off Sacks) and Anthem (Outlets at Anthem featuring Nike, Banana, J. Crew)
  • Do (see below)

High

  • Stay
    • Fairmont Scottsdale.  The lobby doesn't do this hotel justice.  Sun-drenched by day and lantern-laden by night, the hotel sparkles and sprawls over the rocky red landscape.  Sitting beside the TPC golf course, this Fairmont Scottsdale could keep you busy all day long with its multiple pools, spa, restaurants/bars and a dedicated Golf Concierge.
  • Eat
    • Well, the Fairmont has successfully offered enough varied eating/drinking options to make me want to stay on-site.  With eating and drinking choices to fit every age and budget, there's Hacienda, serving excellent mexi food, Bourbon Steak House, I think this one's offering is obvious:) and to top it all off, sit beside an open fire or order a bevvie from the lounge-inspired, desert-modern Stone Rose.
  • Shop
    • Fashion Square is a shopping mecca.  You could walk 10,000 steps just going from one part of the mall to the other. Featuring stores like Barney's, Burberry, Macy's, Nordstrom, etc...
    • Kierland Commons.  An exquisite outdoor shopping experience with a over 14 restaurants and coffee shops.
  • Do:

Hints

  • Most 3 or 3.5 stars tend to offer free parking
  • If you have a hybird you can park at the Fairmont for free