Now OUT
JUST CHILL
The hottest ways to stay cool during the scorching Scottsdale summer
BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ
As the dog days of summer approach, bringing extreme weather with them, it gets more difficult to find ways to have fun. Venture out of the house to enjoy these activities – without getting overheated. JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa Pool Suites In recent years, JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge upgraded its pool complex, which includes five pools, two whirlpools, a 1,600foot lazy river, an 89-foot serpentine water slide, and a kids splash pad. The complex now also contains 12 Pool Suites. Located adjacent to the lazy river, the Pool Suites not only feature ceiling misters, a flat-screen TV, plush all-weather furniture, a dedicated wait staff, and ample shade to cool the outdoor space, but a fully enclosed, air-conditioned indoor space as well. Inside, guests will find a halfbath as well as ample lounge space, a second flat-screen TV and small lockers for valuables. www.jwdesertridge.com. The Nemesis Club At The Nemesis Club, which is hidden behind a door at The Soda Jerk on High Street, guests partake in 60-minute fully immersive escape games, which are not to be confused with escape rooms. Rather than having the goal to literally escape the room, guests are given the opportunity to escape to a different time and place – as well as from the heat – through clever design and sensory activities while solving missions as a team. Working together, teams discover clues, solve puzzles, crack codes and unravel mysteries. Currently, The Nemesis Club has one game where teams must defeat evil robots and another coming soon that involves finding Bigfoot. The space is open most days of the week and can be reserved for private parties. www.thenemesisclub.com. ZuZu Chef + Co. Series This newly launched pop-up series is a great way to check out Hotel Valley Ho’s midcentury modern vibe while savoring dishes from multiple talented chefs at the same time. During each of these events, ZuZu executive chef Russell LaCasce teams up with one or more of his best culinary buddies on a night of epic culinary proportions. The evening kicks off with passed bites in the Rosie Room, a hidden dining space named for the matriarch of the family that owns the hotel, with the chefs themselves. Guests are then seated in the dining room for hors d’oeuvre and the main course, each paired with a beer, wine or specialty cocktail. Finally, guests will enjoy stations with copious dessert bites before being sent home with a bonus treat from the pastry shop. www.hotelvalleyho.com. OdySea Aquarium SeaTrek OdySea – the largest aquarium in the Southwest – features more than 65 exhibits, 500 species and over 30,000 animals across
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So Scottsdale! August ‘21
