There’s a three-day holiday weekend coming up and you’ve run out of getaway ideas. Vegas, Palm Springs, Cabo, South Beach—you’ve been there, done that. You’re ready to explore somewhere new that doesn’t require too much effort. If you want sunshine, decent hotel rates, a touch of romance, and plenty of outdoor activities, I’ve got just the destination for you—Scottsdale, Arizona. Grab your sunglasses, bikini, and sports bra and get ready to explore the natural beauty of the serene Sonoran desert …
Where to Stay
On my most recent trip, my husband and I stayed at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, just twenty minutes from the Phoenix airport. To get the most from your experience, be sure to stay in one of the Fairmont Gold rooms so that you have access to the all of the complimentary amenities and luxuries, including: deluxe breakfast buffet, hors d’oeuvres, fitness center access, full concierge, late check-out, and private computer workstations. Bliss is found at one of the resort’s five pools, where you can soak in the 80-degree weather, look out over the adjacent bright green golf course, and be served lunch at your lounge chair.
What to See
Pinnacle Peak Park is a public area where you can hike, rock climb, picnic, take photos, and learn about the surrounding desert vegetation. The hiking trail is an easy 3.5-mile roundtrip path that offers stunning views of the nearby mountain ranges, the Troon golf course, and million-dollar homes. Be sure to go before 11 a.m. or else you’ll have to fight for a parking spot. Or if you aren’t feeling energetic, you can visit the Desert Botanical Gardens to see the world’s largest collection of arid-land plants from numerous deserts around the world. You’ll find that the wildflower and cactus displays, beautiful trees, shrubs, and natural wildlife of Arizona are truly unique.
Where to Play
If your man is dying to play golf, he can check out Troon, Grayhawk, and TPC—the three best golf courses in the area. Be prepared to pay around $250 per person, unless you can get a twilight rate. (My husband and I played the Troon north course in under three and a half hours. Now that’s my kind of golf!) To really “blow him away” with a cool gift, make a reservation for a custom golf club fitting for your man at Hot Stix, the nation’s premier and most sophisticated fitting service. In just two hours, a Hot Stix expert can match any golfer’s unique swing to the perfect equipment for generating maximum results. If you prefer the sport of tennis, the Fairmont Scottsdale has a huge tennis complex with talented teaching professionals. Or if your body needs some R&R, try the spa experiences at Willow Stream, the JW Marriott Golf & Spa Resort, or the Four Seasons.
Where to Eat
My favorite restaurants in Scottsdale are Bobby’s, The Capital Grille, and Bistro 24 in the Ritz-Carlton. I didn’t get a chance to try Bourbon Steak, the new Michael Minna hotspot inside the Fairmont Resort, but I heard great things about it.
Annual Events
According to my husband—a golf fanatic—the rowdiest and largest crowd on the PGA TOUR can be found at the FBR Open that takes place each February in Scottsdale. My suggestion is to buy a $25 day pass for your man so you can head out to shop on your own for the day. Another popular event that attracts people from across the nation is the Barrett-Jackson collector car show and auction held every January. This year the auction featured an eclectic offering, including a 1929 Ford 4-AT-E Tri-Motor airplane that sold for $1.21 million and the “first production” 1955 Ford Thunderbird that fetched $660,000. As if our country weren’t in a recession, numerous Barrett-Jackson event records were set, including $220,000 for a 1959 Chevrolet Corvette convertible, $250,000 for a 50th Anniversary Hurst Performance 2008 Dodge Viper and $137,500 for a 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302 fastback.
