Scottsdale, Arizona has been called many things—”one of the snobbiest cities in America,” “The Beverly Hills of Arizona” and so on, and with reason: this luxe city is a luxury-lovers paradise, from its plethora of high-end shopping, to its numerous golf courses, country clubs and fine dining establishments. If you don’t live in Scottsdale, however, like its California counterpart, you can at least stay in the lap of luxury at the aptly titled Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, a resort that’s within its own bubble with everything you could possibly need, from a spa, to a golf course, to haute cuisine. Here, check out seven ways that you can fully indulge and feel like royalty when you stay at the Princess.
- ROOMS AND SUITES FIT FOR A KING. You’ll love the spacious suites at the Fairmont Princess, all of which are styled in desert tones of taupe, beige and rust. Our top picks would be (naturally) the Presidential Suite, which features features dark hard wood flooring, modern furnishings and a variety of upscale amenities. The master bedroom showcases a wooden four-poster bed, dressing area with full-length mirror and additional seating, while the master bath boasts an oversized, soaker tub and walk-in shower. The large parlor offers a 50” flat screen television, separate conference / dining area that seats up to six, and a large wet bar with separate refrigerator and microwave. The Center Master Suite, which overlooks the Princess Pool, is also a great option for those who want (or need) more room.
2. PLAY GOLF LIKE A PRO. This is a golfers paradise. The resort offers two 18-hole Championship-level TPC golf courses, including the newly renovated TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course – home of the PGA Tour’s Waste Management Phoenix Open. The golf concierge here is on point and can not only arrange preferred tee times, but can facilitate private lessons with the Tour Academy; create personalized itineraries; coordinate transportation; and club cleaning.
3. FABULOUS FITNESS CLASSES. If health and wellness is your jam, you’re in luck: the Fairmont Princess has pretty much every cool class you could possibly ask for. There are two fitness centers on site, though the gym at the Well & Being spa blows the other out of the water thanks to all new-equipment and the true luxury vibe you want from a fitness facility. If you’re more of a class person, you absolutely need to try aerial yoga, which will not only get you relaxed, but looks super cool in Instagram photos (yes, that’s a thing). There’s also TRX, Krank Fusion and Rip Surfer, along with more traditional classes like yoga, meditation, Pilates and body sculpting. There is also assisted stretching available, and a series of truly cool body diagnostics—technologically accurate assessments that provide reliable and user friendly insight into your overall physical health. Thses include the BodPod, which measures the percentage of your total weight that is fat versus lean muscle tissue; The Body Gem, a Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) test that measures how many calories your body burns a day; and Fit Mate Pro SubMaxV02, a machine which tests your oxygen consumption in order to provide you with a personalized report detailing maximum oxygen uptake, anaerobic threshold predictions, individual training zones, cardiovascular stamina and strength. Innovative, and cool.
4. THE BEST IN SPA. We should have referred to this section as the “best in show.” This spa is incredible, and offers some of the best treatments—both eastern and western inspired—possible. You’ll find acupressure, acupuncture and acupuncture facial, cupping (prepare to bruise, which is standard), healing therapies like craniosacral therapy and reiki, body wraps, facials (including the popular Hydrafacial), manicures and pedicures, including a few featuring aromatherapy, and a few that are specifically for men. Our must-try is the Havasupai Falls Rejuventation, a 120-minute indulgence from the Southwest. Your therapist will use desert salts from Utah infused with indigenous essential oils to give you a purifying scrub. Next, you’ll sink into a warm bath filled with herbal foaming salts. Afterwards, a massage with jojoba body butter prepares your skin for hot riverbed stones that release and soothe tired muscles. You’re then cocooned in a warm wrap while the therapist streams warm herbal-infused oil over your forehead and into your hair. The service finishes with a soothing scalp massage.
5. GO FOR THE GOLD. The Gold Members lounge here is perfect for VIPs. You’ll find a private check-in/check-out lounge with exclusive concierge service, complimentary breakfasts, entrees, hors d’oeuvres, coffee, a 3 pm checkout (awesome) and more at this extremely private enclave with its own driveway entrance.
6. HAUTE CUISINE. The Fairmont has a plethora of dining options, from its cozy Ironwood American Kitchen to Toro, which offers Pan-Latin cuisine with ingredients rooted in the Japanese and Chinese Peruvian cultures. You must try La Hacienda by Richard Sandoval, where you’ll find modern Mexican cuisine complemented by an awesome tequila bar. Presentation is king here: one tequila tasting is served up with a rattler head on a plate (yes, it’s real). Flaming coffees are another must: they’re served tableside, so guests can enjoy the dramatic presentation and aromas as well as the delicious flavors. Our favorite is the Café Caballo: Bailey’s, crème de cacao and Frangelico. Then, there’s the big daddy of the restaurants, Michael Mina’s elegantly appointed Bourbon Steak. Executive Chef Jeremy McMillan lives up to Mina’s gold standards by tempering steaks in butter, then firing them to perfection over wood flame. You’ll also find a superb wine list, wonderful seafood offerings and classic steaks such as a bone-in rib eye, dry-aged porterhouse and New York Strip cuts.
7. HAVE A POOL PARTY. There are six—count ’em, six—pools on site at the Princess. Our favorite for sheer relaxation is the Well & Being rooftop pool, which is a tranquil air oasis perched atop the resort’s spa. The newest addition, Sunset Beach, is pretty cool as well. This 9,000 square-foot party spot opened over Memorial Day weekend and has been a hit for adults and kids alike thanks to its white sandy beaches, beach balls galore and oceanfront simulation. We recommend you rent a cabana if you’re hitting the Beach as privacy isn’t anticipated otherwise at this popular pool. Cabanas include a flat screen TV, bottled water a fruit plate and more.
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