For the few that know it, Scottsdale is one of the most desirable locations on the west coast of the United States, and for everyone else its most likely to be a totally unknown quantity. Located just over six hours drive from Los Angles and just north of the boarder of Mexico, Scottsdale in West Arizona brings a wonderful mix of luxury living for residents and guests. Home to stunning resorts, expensive restaurants, designer golf courses and country club living, Scottsdale is the best kept secret of the west coast elite.
With around 299 sunny days each year, Scottsdale is the perfect location for winter sun and a dose of luxury any time of the year, it even has its own fashion week. Here’s your guide to getting the luxury experience and the best of what ‘The West’s Most Western Town’ has to offer.
Retail royalty
The city is blessed with premium retail outlets and independent boutiques catering for its affluent population. Most notable is the Scottsdale Fashion Square, ranked in the top 25 most visited malls in the United States. Soon to be rivalled by One Scottsdale, the next luxury retail centre planned for the area, shopping and Scottsdale go hand in hand. The area around the forthcoming development has a higher average household earning than both Aspen and The Hamptons.
Art and artisans
Money follows art, and so it’s no surprise that Scottsdale is home to an arts and culture mini empire. The highest concentration of galleries, studios and museums that are open to the public can be found in Downtown Scottsdale, but the Scottsdale Arts District is so central to city that it can be segmented into three zones, and there’s even an annual Scottsdale Art Festival. Cultural events are also important to Scottsdale’s fame in this field, and The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, which first took place in 1955 and attracts thousands of prize horses, trainers and of course their owners. The show brings in approximately $50m each year to the Scottsdale economy.
Rest and relaxation
Scottsdale is famous for the world-class luxurious spas. There are so many deluxe resorts, and each one has its own vibe and appeal – from the Waldorf Astoria Spa which is oriented towards nature and serenity to the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess that has breath-taking views over their endless golf courses. The Omni Scottsdale Resort and Spa has a warm Moroccan vibe along with unique spa experiences. For those spiritual souls, they offer private meditation and astrology readings.
Party people
Like anywhere with an abundance of wealthy residents and affluent guests, there’s always a plethora of high-end clubs, exclusive restaurants and in vogue bars, and Scottsdale is no different. The majority of the nightlife is located in Downtown Scottsdale, and there’s enough variety so that no night out in this city is ever the same. Top hangouts are The Mint, a favourite for VIP watching and one of the more swish locations, Dakota in the heart of the city, famous for its four sided white marble bar. If you want to create a really special occasion in a unique venue in the Old Town then consider Riot House who can accommodate private events, whether it is a corporate event or fine dining for you and your friends.
A night at the casino
Head to the best casino experience in Scottsdale at Talking Stick Resort for a wide selection of table games, slots and poker tournaments. Whether you fancy getting involved in a poker contest at Arizona’s largest poker room, the Arena Poker Room, trying your hand at Blackjack, Keno or spending a little time on some of the latest slot machines there are big prizes to be won. Though it’s difficult to get anywhere at the moment you can replicate some of these great experiences online – check out the best US poker holdem sites on HoldemRealMoney.com for their top picks.
Explore the Grand Canyon
One of the most incredible natural wonders of the world, you can now enjoy a helicopter ride from Scottsdale over the Grand Canyon. With rides from 25-45 minutes, this experience of a lifetime allows you to see this remarkable piece of nature and experience breath-taking views from above.
So, next time you’re booking a trip to the USA, be sure to add Scottsdale to your itinerary, it’s bursting with activities, wonderful restaurants to dine at, resorts to enjoy and shopping that gives Rodeo Drive a run for its money.
