Black Tomato's Guide to Scottsdale, Arizona

Scot tsdale A rustic desert escape

W

YOU SHO

Nevada

Utah

Colarado

California Arizona New Mexico

Texas

Now, if we asked you to point out Scottsdale on a map, would you be able to? As an off the beaten track destination that few people have been lucky enough to discover, we’d hazard a guess at no.

Surely though, the mystery surrounding this destination only adds to its charm? A small town in the heart of Arizona, you’re most definitely heading in the right direction for unique and little known experiences when you take a trip here (and we all know that digging out the best, off the radar destinations is what we love to do here at Black Tomato).

Why

OULD GO So, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to shine the spotlight on Scottsdale in a campaign that will formally present the very best of this enchanting town to the wider world. We want to highlight our favourite aspects of Scottsdale through a brand new itinerary and a series of guides to the towns exciting nightlife, gourmet cuisine and top activities, amongst many others. Once you’ve had a read through, you’ll probably wonder why you didn’t know about Scottsdale sooner.

Welcome to Scot tsdale

Discover Scottsdale a 6 night itinerary

Scottsdale, Arizona is one of the USA’s hidden gems. A hot bed for the arts, authentic cowboy culture and delicious cuisine, this exclusive new itinerary will have you discovering the very best of this south western delight.

the downtown To re a l l y g e t t o g r i p s w i t h t h e c u l t u r a l s i d e o f t h e c i t y, w e ’ l l a r r a n g e f o r y o u t o b e g i n y o u r t i m e i n S c o t t sdal e w i t h a v i s i t t o t h e 600 a c re c o m p l e x o f Ta l i e s i n We st , bu i l t by t h e a rc h i t e c t u r a l g e n i u s t h a t w a s F r a n k L l o y d Wr i gh t . Tak e a t o u r a n d a p p re c i a t e t h e C a b a re t T h e a t re , t h e Mu s i c P av i l i o n , Wr i g h t ’s p r i v a t e o ff i c e a n d Ta l i e s i n We s t ’s g arde n s an d b re a t h - t a k i n g t e r r a c e s . Al l o f t h e a rc h i t e c t u re he re bl e n ds s e a m l e s s l y w i t h t h e d e s e r t s u r ro u n d i n g s a n d t h e st o r y o f t h i s f a m o u s a rc h i t e c t i s a t r u l y f a s c i n a t i n g o n e . On c e bac k i n t o w n , w e ’ l l h a v e a t a b l e w a i t i n g f o r y o u a t Ol i v e + Iv y w h e re y o u ’ l l e x p e r i e n c e re f i n e d c u i s i n e i n a b e a u t i f u l se t t i n g. A re l a x e d b e g i n n i n g t o y o u r s o u t h e r n a d v e n t u re , re st u p t o n i g h t t o p re p a re f o r w h a t ’s n e x t …

Ride

em cowboy N o t r i p t o S c o t t s d a l e w o u l d b e c o m p l e t e w i t h ou t a bi t o f c o w b o y c u l t u re , s o d o n t h o s e b o o t s a n d S t e t s o n s an d mak e y o u r w a y t o t h e Ar i z o n a C o w b o y C o l l e g e . A f a mi l y o w n e d r i d i n g s t a b l e s , h e re y o u ’ l l b e t a u g h t a l l t h e b e st r i d i n g t e c h n i q u e s a n d e s s e n t i a l r a n c h s k i l l s . W i t h t h e oppo r t u n i t y t o s p e n d u p t o a w e e k t r a i n i n g t o b e t h e p e r f e c t co w bo y, w e c a n e x t e n d y o u r t r i p t o S c o t t s d a l e i n o rd e r t o a c c o mmo dat e t h i s w e s t e r n i n t e r l u d e . Yo u ’ l l n o d o u b t b e c r a v in g a go o d m e a l a f t e r g e t t i n g s t u c k i n a t t h e r a n c h , s o w h e n y o u ’re re a d y, w e ’ l l h a v e y o u t a k e n o v e r t o t h e P i n n a c l e P e ak P at i o S t e a k h o u s e . I n c o n t r a s t t o y o u r Me d i t e r r a n e a n e x pe r i e n c e a t Ol i v e + I v y, t h i s s t e a k h o u s e w i l l c o n t i n u e t h e We st e r n t h e m e o f y o u r r a n c h e x p e r i e n c e a s y o u i n d u l g e in me squ i t e b ro i l e d s t e a k s a n d l i v e c o u n t r y m u s i c u n d e r t h e s t ar s.

Soronan desert

Yo u ’ re i n d e s e r t t e r r i t o r y w h e n i n y o u ’ re i n S c o t t sdal e , so a d a y ( o r m o re ) e x p l o r i n g t h e Mc D o w e l l P re s e r v e i s a mu st .

C h a r a c t e r i z e d b y a n a s t o u n d i n g v a r i e t y o f f l o r a an d fau n a, t h e p re s e r v e o ff e r s a n a r r a y o f a d v e n t u ro u s a c t i v i t i e s. H i k e o r b i k e a l o n g T h e L o s t D o g Wa s h Tr a i l a n d k e e p an e y e o u t f o r t h e a re a ’s d i ff e re n t s p e c i e s o f re p t i l e s a n d mammal s a s y o u g o . T h e l a n d s c a p e w i l l l e a v e y o u m e s m e r i ze d an d y o u c o u l d s p e n d d a y s d i s c o v e r i n g t h e d i ff e re n t t r ai l s an d s t u m b l i n g u p o n s o m e o f t h e m o s t f a n t a s t i c d e s er t v i e w s i n t h e w h o l e o f N o r t h Am e r i c a .

Now y ou’ l l no doubt need a bi t of down t i m e a f t e r y o u r s t i n t on t h e ra nch a nd your des er t expl or a t i o n s , s o o n a n o t h e r of yo ur d a ys we’l l a r r a nge f or you t o e n j o y s o m e e x c l u s i v e treatmen t s a t Sa nct ua r y Spa . Trea t yo u r s e l f t o a S w e d i s h bo dy mas s a ge bef ore rel a xi ng pool s i d e w i t h t h e s t u n n i n g Camel bac k M ount a i n a s your ba ckdro p . F e e l i n g h u n g r y af ter yo ur s pa s es s i on? Then a mea l a t t h e f a n t a s t i c o n s i t e restau rant wi l l l ea ve you s a t i s f i ed.

Sco t tsdal e i s a n ecl ect i c des t i na t i on t h a t re a l l y d o e s c a t e r to e ve ryo ne. W het her you’re l ooki ng f o r a re l a x i n g b re a k in t he be a ut i f ul a nd hi s t or i c s et t i ng o r a re a f t e r a b i t o f excite me nt out i n t he des er t or on a n a u t h e n t i c c o w b o y ranch , Sc ot t s da l e i s s ure t o provi de y o u w i t h t h e t r i p o f a l if et ime . Thi s i t i ner a r y i s j us t a n exa m p l e o f t h e s o r t o f experie nc es you ca n enj oy i n Scot t s d a l e , s o g e t i n t o u c h today to l ea r n m ore a bout wha t t hi s en t h r a l l i n g d e s t i n a t i o n can provi de.

Where

TO stay

our edit to which bolt holes and why

Four Seasons Scottsdale

at Troon North A s a Fo ur Se asons res i dence, we were cer t a i n t h e h o t e l w ould be in cred ibly luxur i ous , a nd we weren’t d i s a p p o i n t e d .

N ot hin g co uld prepare us , however, f or t he i ncred i bl e b e a u t y of t he h otel ’s set t in g. Sur rounded by expa ns i ve des e r t , t h e view s f ro m o ur ro oms a l one ha d us hooked.

Location Lying be twe en t h e lu sh Sonor a n des er t a nd t he m ou n t a i n o u s Tonto Nat ional F ores t , t he Four Sea s ons r i s es ou t o f t h e rocks an d cact i and s t a nds proud l y a s a bea con o f l u x u r y l iving . A me re 45-minut e dr i ve f rom Scot t s da l e ci t y c e n t re and P ho en ix S ky Ha r bor Int er na t i ona l A i r por t , y o u ’ l l b e relaxin g po olside wit hi n no t i m e. E nj oy pa nor a m i c v i e w s of t he lan dscape wh il s t s i t t i ng ba ck a nd s i ppi ng o n a c o o l marg ar ita. We lcome to t he good l i f e.

Your room W it h dé cor in spire d by t he l a nds ca pe a nd a s er i o u s l y l a i d b ack vibe, y our t ime a t The Four Sea s ons wi l l be n o t h i n g b ut rel axing. Wal k out ont o your pr i va t e ba l cony a n d b e confronted wit h t he over whel mi ng bea ut y of Sco t t s d a l e ’s Sonoran Dese rt. We l i ke t he l i t t l e t ouches he re t o o ; L’ O c cataine pro du cts , your own conci erge a nd s o f t b a t h rob es, we n ev er want ed t o l ea ve. Pl us , i f you opt f o r t h e P innac le Su ite yo u’l l get your ver y own pl unge p o o l a n d outd oor lo g burn er. There’s no bet t er wa y t o enj oy a s t a r r y Sc ot tsdale n igh t.

Why

we like it Af t e r a b u s y d a y e x p l o r i n g t h e a re a, t h e t re a t m e n t s a t t h e h o t e l ’s s p a are c e r t a i n l y v e r y i n v i t i n g . T h e p e r fe c t w a y t o e a s e o u t t h o s e a c h e s a ft e r a morning out horse-riding like a cowboy is to indulge in a hot stone t re a t m e n t o r a f u l l b o d y m a s s age .

Go on, you’ve earned it.

The Phoenican

D ecad e nt and regal; The Phoeni ci a n i s t he per f ec t re s o r t for t ho se of y ou see ki ng a t r ul y l uxur i ous exper i enc e . Wa t c h t he Arizonan sun set from t he va s t out door pa t i o a n d s t a y w arm f ro m t h ose plu ngi ng t emper a t ures by s nuggl i n g u p t o t he open wo od f ire pi t s . From put t i ng a per f ect ro u n d t o esc ap ing into t h e wilder nes s , you’l l f i nd t he l oca t i o n o f T h e P hoeni cian pe rf ect f o r get t i ng under t he s ki n of Sco t t s d a l e .

Location

Why

we like it The hotel pool wraps itself around the luxury suites, so all you need to do is slip out from your room and swim out to the sun loungers. We’re not exactly lazy, but this beautiful touch made waking up a real treat.

J u s t f i f t e e n m i n u t e s f ro m P h o e n i x S k y H a r b o r I n t e r n at i o n al Ai r p o r t y o u ’ l l f i n d y o u r s e l f s u b m e rg e d i n t h e fi n e s u r ro u n d i n g s o f y o u r s u i t e w i t h i n m o m e n t s o f l an d i n g. We s u g g e s t y o u g e t a c a r a n d a l l o w y o u r s e l f t h e f l e x i bi l i t y o f re a c h i n g S c o t t s d a l e c i t y. Wh e t h e r y o u w a n t t o h i k e , r i v e r r a f t , p l a y g o l f o r s i m p l y s l i p i n t o t h e S c o t t s d a l e w ay o f l i fe , y o u c o u l d n ’t b e m o re p e r f e c t l y l o c a t e d .

YOUR ROOM Bl e n d i n g m o d e r n a n d t r a d i t i o n a l s t y l e s , T h e P h o e n i c i an i s a b a s t i o n a m o n g s t t h e r u g g e d S o n o r a n D e s e r t . C l e a n , e l e gan t c o l o u r s a re u s e d t h ro u g h o u t a n d a re a c c e n t e d w i t h be spo k e p i e c e s o f f u r n i t u re , m a r b l e b a t h ro o m s a n d l u x u r i o u s a m e n i t i e s m a k i n g y o u r t i m e i n S c o t t s d a l e o ne o f pu re i n d u l g e n c e a n d s o p h i s t i c a t i o n . F o r a re a l t re a t , b o o k a su i t e a n d t a k e i n t h e n e v e r e n d i n g s i g h t o f t re e l i n e d fai r w ay s, m o u n t a i n s a n d t h e c i t y b e y o n d . Yo u ’ l l a l s o f i n d y o u r v e r y o w n g r a n d p i a n o s o , s h o u l d y o u f e e l t h e n e e d t o se re n ade y o u r l o v e d o n e s , y o u re a l l y c a n l i v e o u t t h e d re a m .

The Westin Kierland

From pro gol f course t o rel a xi ng s pa , The Wes t i n K i e r l a n d has every t h ing y ou ne ed f or t he per f ect get a wa y. F o r a n i n d ivid ua l twist only The Wes t i n Ki er l a nd ca n off er, t h e h o t e l hark s back to t he are a ’s Scot t i s h root s by s t a r t i ng e a c h e v e ning w it h trad it ional Scot t i s h ba gpi pi ng a round t he l o g f i re p its. Jump in an d e xper i ence a t r ul y A r i z ona n wa y o f l i f e .

Location C ontempo rary design a nd a per s ona l s er vi ce l i ke n o o t h e r ; you w il l f ind y ourse lves i n t he bes t of ha nds s ho u l d y o u c hoose to stay at The Wes t i n Ki er l a nd. The rooms f e a t u re d ark w oo d f u rnitu re, m a r bl e ba t hroom s a nd E gypt i a n c o t t o n b ed l inen ; t h e u l t im a t e i n com f or t a nd l uxur y. Ta k e t h e P resid e nt ial Su ite an d enj oy not one but t hree l u x u r i o u s b at h tu bs an d a wet room , pl us envi a bl e vi ews out o n t o t h e unfurl ing landscape . You m a y never wa nt t o l ea ve.

YOUR ROOM Loc ate d in t he h eart of ‘new’ Scot t s da l e, exper i ence a b l e n d of old Arizona wit h t h e r i s e of moder n Scot t s da l e. P e r f e c t l y p osit ion ed to al low im mer s i on i n t he cos mopol i t a n l i f e s t y l e of t he city wh ilst only bei ng a s t one’s t hrow a wa y f ro m t h e anc ient So no ran Dese r t l a nds ca pe, t he l oca t i on of t h i s h o t e l is hard to be at.

Why

we like it I n a n o d o f re c o g n i t i o n t o t h e a re a’s S c o t t i s h ro o t s , T h e We s t i n K i e r l a n d has a Scotch Library featuring over 150 s c o t c h e s t h a t b o t h s c o t c h c o n n o i s s e u r a n d n o v i c e a l i k e wi l l e n j o y s a m p l i n g . K i c k b a c k a n d si p one of these unique blends with the d r a m a t i c v i e w s o f t h e S c o t t s d al e s u n s e t a s y o u r b a c k d ro p ; q u i t e an u n f o rg e t t a b l e e x p e r i e n c e .

Our top 5

experiences Scottsdale, Arizona is an eclectic destination brimming with a range of unique experiences.

W ith an enviable position in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, a great health and wellness scene and a history of cowboy culture, you’re bound to find plenty of ways to while away your days in this North American jewel. Whether you’re looking to relax or head out on an intrepid adventure, Scottsdale won’t disappoint. Here are our top five experiences to suit each and every one of you.

One

SPEND AN EVENING AT THE RUSTY SPUR SALOON As t h e f i r s t a n d t h e re f o re o l d e s t s a l o o n i n S c o t tsdal e , y o u c a n b a s k i n a b i t o f h i s t o r y a s y o u d o w n t h a t m a rgar i t a. T h e b u i l d i n g i t s e l f h a s b e e n re g i s t e re d a s a h i s t o r i c l an dmar k a n d w a s o n c e t h e F a r m e r ’s Ba n k o f S c o t t s d a l e . Hav i n g si n c e re p l a c e d i t s p i l e s o f m o n e y w i t h k e g s o f a l c o h o l , t h e bar y o u ’ l l e x p e r i e n c e t o d a y o ff e r s a u n i q u e i n s i g h t i n t o au t h e n t i c c o w b o y c u l t u re . W i t h l i v e m u s i c , a n e x t e n s i v e d r i n k s me n u a n d s o m e g re a t f o o d o n o ff e r a t l u n c h t i m e , y o u sh o u l dn ’t g i v e u p a c h a n c e t o v i s i t t h e R u s t y S p u r S a l o o n . Wh i l st i t i s p o p u l a r w i t h t o u r i s t s , t h i s p l a c e i s a l s o a h i t w i t h t h e l o c al s a n d y o u ’ l l m o s t l i k e l y b e l i s t e n i n g t o t h e s o u n d s of t h e We st w i t h s o m e re a l c o w b o y s t w o - s t e p p i n g n e a r b y.

F ancy tryi ng your ha nd a t t he cowboy l i f e s t y l e ? T h e n s i g n y ourse l f up f or a s t i nt a t t he A r i z ona C o w b o y C o l l e g e a n d y ou’re su re t o enj oy one of t he m os t u n i q u e e x p e r i e n c e s i n t he world. St a r t ed by a l oca l r a ncher i n t h e l a t e 80’s , t h e co l le ge now off er s a nyt hi ng f rom one o ff l e s s o n s t o w e e k lo ng imm er s i ve s t a ys . You’l l per f ect you r r i d i n g s k i l l s a s w e l l as learn a s pot of ropi ng, penni ng a nd m a n y o t h e r c o w b o y e ssen t ials .

Two

Get your cowboy education at the arizona cowboy college

T he Sono ran Dese rt i s n’t t he expa ns e of a r i d l a n d y o u ’ d assume it was. In stea d, i t boa s t s one of t he m os t d i v e r s e environmen ts on e art h . Hom e t o over 2 0 0 0 s peci es o f p l a n t s , 6 0 sp ecie s of rept ile s a nd 1 0 0 s peci es of m a mma l s , n o t w o trip s into t h is stun ni ng na t ur a l wonder wi l l be t h e s a m e .

Sc ot tsdale’s M cDowe l l Pres er ve i n pa r t i cul a r ha s a p l e t h o r a of hik in g an d biking t r a i l s t o d i s cover. If you’re a f t e r v i e w s over P in nacle Pe ak and t he s ur round i ng boul der f o r m a t i o n s t hen Brown ’s Ranch Tr a i l hea d a nd Fr a es f i el d Tr a i l h e a d w i l l lead you to t h e perf e ct s pot . If you’re l ooki ng f or a ch a l l e n g e t hat w il l take yo u int o t he hea r t of t he res er ve, t h e n t h e Tom’s Th umb trail is t he r i ght choi ce f or you. A gre a t p l a c e for b ird watchin g and ea s y wa l ks , t oo, t he des er t o ff e r s a q uiet re treat as wel l a s a n exci t i ng a dvent ure.

Three

Explore the sonoran desert

Th e s e t t i n g o f S a n c t u a r y R e s o r t a l o n e i s e n o u g h t o h a v e y o u f e e l i n g re l a x e d a n d re f re s h e d . P e rc h e d u p o n C a m e l b a c k Mo u n t a i n w i t h i n 53 u n t o u c h e d a c re s , t h i s re s o r t b o a s t s o n e of t h e b e s t s p a s w e ’ v e e v e r s t u m b l e d a c ro s s . P e r f e c t f o r a s p o t o f re p l e n i s h i n g a f t e r a c o u p l e o f d a y s e x p l o r i n g t h e de s e r t a n d t h e c i t y, T h e S a n c t u a r y a l s o h a s a n i n c re d i b l e re s t a u r a n t , o u t d o o r p o o l a re a a n d a c c e s s t o h i k i n g t r a i l s o n Ca m e l b a c k Mo u n t a i n . I t w o u l d b e e a s y t o s p e n d a w h o l e da y ( o r m o re ) h e re , t re a t i n g y o u r s e l f t o w o r l d c l a s s s p a t re a t m e n t s , w a l k s i n t h e g ro u n d s a n d g o u r m e t c u i s i n e . W i t h 1 2 i n d o o r a n d o u t d o o r ro o m s i n w h i c h y o u c a n i n d u l g e i n t h e As i a n - i n s p i re d t re a t m e n t s , w e ’ d re c o m m e n d a s e s s i o n o f To k S e n , a s p e c i a l t re a t m e n t f ro m T h a i l a n d t h a t i n c o r p o r a t e s yo g a s t re t c h i n g a n d v i b r a t i o n t h e r a p y. F o l l o w t h i s u p w i t h ha l f a n h o u r i n t h e s p a ’s Z e n m e d i a t i o n g a rd e n b e f o re a de l i c i o u s m e a l a n d y o u ’ re g o o d t o g o .

Five

test your swing at the phoenican golf course

N o w w e c o u l d n ’t g o w i t h o u t m e n t i o n i n g t h e g o l f sc e n e i n S c o t t s d a l e . I t ’s a h u g e p a r t o f l i f e h e re a n d t he are a h as s o m e o f t h e m o s t i m p re s s i v e g o l f c o u r s e s i n t h e U S A. Ou r f a v o u r i t e w a s t h e c o u r s e a t T h e P h o e n i c i a n . I t ’s a be au t i fu l c o u r s e s c u l p t e d f ro m t h e b e a u t y o f t h e S o n o r a n De se r t an d w i t h 27 h o l e s , b e s u re t o p e n c i l i n e n o u g h t i m e fo r a go o d f e w ro u n d s . Wo r r i e d y o u r s w i n g i s a b i t r u s t y ? Do n ’t w o r r y ; T h e P h o e n i c i a n o ff e r s p r i v a t e a n d s e m i - p r i v a t e go l f l e sso n s s o y o u ’ l l b e g e t t i n g t h o s e h o l e s i n o n e i n n o t i m e.

Four

Kick back at sanctuary resort

The mission

Let ’s begin wit h t h e obvi ous f ood of choi ce here ; N u e v o Lat ino So ut h Ame rica f us i on, or s i m pl y M exi ca n cu i s i n e t o you an d me . No we ’re not t a l ki ng a bout a bucket of c h i c k e n w ing s; in stead, le t u s i nt roduce you t o a s omewha t t a s t i e r version. W it h a strong l ea ni ng t owa rds Per uvi a n a n d Me x i can c ui sine , t h e aim of The M i s s i on i s t o rei nvent d i s h e s y o u know wit h f lavo urs yo u don’t . It ’s been a compl et e s u c c e s s ; just t he t h ought o f t he res t a ur a nt ’s gr i l l ed chi cke n t a c o s w it h aj i rocoto, oregano, l i me, whi t e bea n puree, ca b b a g e & avocado h as o ur mo ut hs wa t er i ng. A l l of t hi s wa s h e d d o w n w it h an agav e sy rup M a rga r i t a a nd you’ve j us t expe r i e n c e d one of t h e best S out her n d i ni ng exper i ences a round .

Citizen Public House

For comf o rt f o ot wit h a s er i ous gour met t wi s t , t he re ’s n o w here be t te r t h an Cit i z en Publ i c Hous e. A moder n t a k e o n t he tra d it io nal pu bl ic hous e, t hi s es t a bl i s hment w i l l w o w you w i t h its bu rratas s a t a l ongs i de l oca l l y grown a r u g u l a .

T hen t here ’s t he pork bel l y pa s t r a mi a nd ba con f a t h e i r l o o m p op cor n t hat go es gre a t wi t h t he cr a f t beer s a nd i n n o v a t i v e c oc ktails on off er at t he ba r. The f l a vour s a re s i m p l e , d e l icious and comf o rt in g a nd you’l l l ea ve wi s hi ng ev e r y p u b b ac k home was l ike t hi s one.

FnB

I f y o u ’ re l o o k i n g f o r a t a s t e s e n s a t i o n ( a n d w h o i sn ’t ? ) t h e n h e a d d o w n t o F n B, t h e h o m e o f u n i q u e f l a v o u r s . We re c o mm e n d y o u t r y t h e i r s i g n a t u re d i s h ; ro a s t e d l e e k s c o v e re d i n m u s t a rd b re a d c r u m b s , m o z z a re l l a a n d t o p p e d wi t h a fr i e d e g g . Yo u ’ l l n o d o u b t b e a d d i c t e d t o t h i s p l a c e f rom t h at fi r st b i t e . Wh a t ’s m o re , t h e l o c a l s l o v e i t , a n d w e a l l kn o w t h at ’s a g o o d a n a c c o l a d e a s a n y.

Shinbay

Wh e n y o u ’ v e h a d y o u r f i l l o f Me x i c a n f o o d ( i f t h at ’s e v e n p o s s i b l e ) w e ’ d re c o m m e n d y o u v i s i t S h i n b a y f o r a t ast e o f e x q u i s i t e J a p a n e s e c u i s i n e . T h e c h e f h e re i m p l e me n t s t h e f i n e s t l o c a l i n g re d i e n t s a n d l a y s a n e m p h a s i s o n se aso n al i n g re d i e n t s , s o n o t w o v i s i t s a re t h e s a m e . E n t e r t h e re st au r a n t ’s c a v e r n o u s s e t t i n g a n d e n j o y a t a s t i n g m e n u fro m h e ad c h e f S h i n j i K u r i t a . I t m a y b e a c o m p l e t e l y d i ff e ren t st y l e o f c u i s i n e t o w h a t y o u ’ v e h a d i n S c o t t s d a l e t h u s f a r, bu t S h i n b a y i s y e t a n o t h e r e x a m p l e o f t h e m o m e n t u m S co t t sdal e i s g a i n i n g i n t h e f o o d i e a re n a .

Culinary Guide

top foodie spots Despite Scottsdale’s undeniable Western roots, there’s no need to assume this is a city of themed steakhouses and a vague ‘South Western’ cuisine.

Instead, Scottsdale is fast becoming a hot bed for innovative food, passionate chefs and young energetic talent. You see, there’s somewhat of a foodie renaissance occurring in Scottsdale right now, largely due to the fact that the city is home to a campus of the Le Cordon Bleu culinary arts programme. Team the graduates from this programme with the already established chefs in the area and you’ve got a destination packed full of refreshing and exciting eateries. Here’s a guide to some of our favourites.

Olive & Ivy

Yo u m a y w e l l f e e l a s t h o u g h y o u ’ v e b e e n t r a n s p o r t e d t o a d i ff e re n t c o u n t r y w h e n y o u a r r i v e a t O l i v e + I v y ; i t f e e l s m o re S o u t h e r n F r a n c e t h a n S o u t h e r n S c o t t s d a l e w i t h i t s s h a d y t e r r a c e s e a t i n g a n d t re e l i n e d f a ç a d e . E l e g a n t a n d j u s t a l i t t l e ro m a n t i c , t h i s i s a m u s t i f y o u w a n t t o b re a k a w a y f ro m S c o t t s d a l e t r a d i t i o n . S e r v i n g a r a n g e o f d e l i c i o u s d i s h e s , w e ’ d re c o m m e n d y o u t r y t h e S e a S c a l l o p s with sweet corn polenta, asparagus and bacon gastrique.

Ye t a n o t h e r i n c re d i b l e e s t a b l i s h m e n t t h a t o o z e s p a s s i o n f o r f i n e f o o d a n d g re a t s e r v i c e .

Desert Nights

the best watering holes No, this isn’t a guide to camping in the wilds of Maricopa County, or to the best hoedown saloons in Scottsdale (in fact it doesn’t feature any, although we definitely think they are worth a visit). You see, this town actually has a rather sophisticated night life. Brimming with bars boasting unbelievable views over the stunning Arizona landscape, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding where to spend your evening. We’ve got a few favourites, however, so take a look at this list and the decision might be that bit easier.

Orange Sky Restaurant

Af t e r a ro m a n t i c e v e n i n g w i t h a l o v e d o n e ? T h e n h e ad t o t h e 15t h f l o o r o f Ta l k i n g S t i c k Re s o r t a n d t a k e i n t h e pan o r ami c v i e w s o f t h e Mc D o w e l l Mo u n t a i n s . T h e v i e w re a l l y i s u n be at a b l e a n d w i t h t h e d i s t a n t h u m o f t h e re s i d e n t pi an i st an d j a z z t r i o , y o u ’ l l h a p p i l y s i p o n t h e e x p e r t l y c h o s en r an ge o f wines for hours.

Jade Bar @ Sanctuary Resort

T h e re ’s a re a s o n P a r a d i s e Va l l e y w a s n a m e d P a r a d i se Val l e y, a n d f ro m t h e J a d e Ba r a t S a n c t u a r y Re s o r t y o u ’ l l u n de r st an d t h i s re a s o n i n g . W i t h s w e e p i n g p a n o r a m i c v i e ws o n t o t h e ro c k y l a n d s c a p e y o u ’ l l e n j o y i n s p i re d c o c k t a i l s an d c h amp a g n e s i n o n e o f t h e m o s t d r a m a t i c l o c a t i o n s i n t h e w e st .

We c a n ’t h e l p b u t t h i n k t h i s w a s a l o c a l h a u n t f o r t h e c o w boys’ way back when.

Citizen R&D

Ever he ard of a shipwrecked i ns pi red cockt a i l m enu? N e i t h e r d id w e, but Cit izen R + D ha ve f i xed t hi s f i r m l y i nt o o u r m i x olog y vo cabu lary. At t hi s uni que ba r, cockt a i l s a re c re a t e d from sa l t water cu red ba r rel s t ha t a re a gi t a t ed s ever a l t i m e s a d ay to simulate t he m ovement of t he ocea n. The re s u l t i s a soft, complex and b r i ny ver s i on of ol d cl a s s i cs . I f y o u ’ re anyt hin g l ike u s, yo u’l l be hooked f rom t ha t f i r s t s i p .

W Scottsdale

For a bar wit h a vie w, l ook no f ur t her. From t he We t D e c k and Sh ade Loun ge at op t he roof t op, s i p on l ong c o c k t a i l s and enjo y t he incre d i bl e ba ckdrop of Scot t s da l e ’s b r i g h t l ig hts; it real ly is qu it e s omet hi ng. The a mbi a nce i s s o p h i s t ic ated an d ch ic and m a t ches t he qua l i t y of dr i nks o n o ff e r.

Hermosa Inn

Much l ike o ur de sire f or a n off t he bea t en t r a ck exp e r i e n c e , w e are also f ans o f own m a de l i quor s a nd bever a ges . At H e rmosa I nn yo u wo n’t f in d a ny l a bel s , i ns t ea d you’l l be t re a t e d to b espo ke drinks an d a n el ect r i c a t mos phere. O n Mo n d a y s t he b ar is turn ed into a per s ona l l a bor a t or y a nd a l l k i n d s of p ot i o ns are mixe d up. We r a t her l i ke t he s ound o f D u c k L’ O range Te qu ila Old Fa s hi oned a nd a re s om ewha t c u r i o u s ab out Bit te r Pig. You’ l l j us t HAV E t o t r y i t out .

The Facts

When to go

JANUARY TO APRIL

Price

FRom £4280 Pp from uk From $5950 PP from nyc

Ideal length 6 nights

Flight time

10 hrs 15 mins from uk 4hrs 50 mins from nyc

Fun facts about Scottsdale and the Sonoran Desert

Scottsdale was originally called "Orangedale'' because it was considered an ideal place to grow citrus fruit.

Scottsdale has been the backdrop of several Hollywood b l o c k b u s t e r s ; R a i s i n g A r i z o n a , Wa y n e ’s W o r l d a n d B i l l a n d Te d ’s E x c e l l e n t A d v e n t u r e w e r e a l l f i l m e d h e r e .

The official food of Scottsdale is Chili.

The Sonoran Desert is 120,000 square miles in size; England would fit in that space twice.

D e s p i t e o n l y g e t t i n g a f e w i n c h e s o f r a i n e a c h y e a r, Scottsdale still has lots of plants. One of our favourites is the Saguaro (suh-WAR-oh) cactus, which look like they h a v e l o n g a r m s t o s t o r e w a t e r, a n d c a n o f t e n r e a c h 2 5 f e e t t a l l . T h e n a t i v e I r o n w o o d Tr e e s i n A r i z o n a c a n l i v e u p t o 800 years.

There are lots of interesting animals in the Sonoran desert; c o y o t e s , b o b c a t s , j a v e l i n a , d e e r, j a c k r a b b i t s , c o t t o n t a i l s , squirrels, kangaroo rats, hummingbirds, owls, quail and cactus wren.

Hummingbirds eat two to three times their body weight e a c h d a y.

Scottsdale has more spas per capita than any other city i n t h e U . S .