Our first two nights were spent at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch. Upon arrival, I was amazed by the amazing landscaping (so many cactuses and palm trees). The resort is set up against the McDowell Mountains, the architecture is very Frank Lloyd Wright inspired, there are tons of pool areas, a golf course, spa, and lots of restaurants on-site. We also really loved getting to go to the Recency club, which is a lounge you can get breakfast, snacks, drinks and more throughout the day. It reminded me of being in Mexico without the water. The main areas are all open-air, they had live music, very large and comfortable guest rooms (all have great views) and so many things to do right on-property. We barely left those first two nights! So, if you’re the kind of person that likes to stay where you don’t really have to leave – this place is it. We were so relaxed! I would also recommend the Hyatt for families, as well. They have a lot of kid-friendly and family-friendly activities along with the amazing pools.
Our first two nights were spent at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch. Upon arrival, I was amazed by the amazing landscaping (so many cactuses and palm trees). The resort is set up against the McDowell Mountains, the architecture is very Frank Lloyd Wright inspired, there are tons of pool areas, a golf course, spa, and lots of restaurants on-site. We also really loved getting to go to the Recency club, which is a lounge you can get breakfast, snacks, drinks and more throughout the day. It reminded me of being in Mexico without the water. The main areas are all open-air, they had live music, very large and comfortable guest rooms (all have great views) and so many things to do right on-property. We barely left those first two nights! So, if you’re the kind of person that likes to stay where you don’t really have to leave – this place is it. We were so relaxed! I would also recommend the Hyatt for families, as well. They have a lot of kid-friendly and family-friendly activities along with the amazing pools.
After two nights, we ventured over to Hotel Adeline. It had a much different vibe and pace that we were immediately smitten with. It is a brand new property in Scottsdale, having only been open just a few months. It underwent a $12-millon renovation which resulted in the most Instagrammable boutique hotel ever. I’ve never been to Palm Springs, but in my head this is what Palm Springs looks like. Hotel Adeline has such a beautiful mid-century modern boho vibe. It’s a small, boutique property with 213 guest rooms. The hotel also has two restaurants – Selfmade and Good & Proper, both of which we enjoyed. It’s really close to Old Town Scottsdale, which is a fun place to explore (more on that in a minute). There is one pool area that is gorgeous, with cabanas, games, and a full bar. I definitely recommend this hotel for girlfriends and couples, as it’s geared more towards adults.
The Vig McCormick Ranch has a modern chill vibe with a menu that will satisfy anyone in your party. You can get anything from a steak to a poke bowl. The cheese board and edamame were amazing appetizers, and I got a poke bowl. My friend Katie loved her street tacos. Everyone loved their meals!
Chef Juan takes you through a four-course meal with wine pairings and a special Patron Reposado tequila made exclusively for the Hyatt Scottsdale. This experience is a foodie’s dream! It was so fun to be able to sit right at the counter to see the chef’s team prepare our meals and get a great education on the flavors along with the wine pairings.
Fortunately, the food was just as amazing as the interior design. Pretty sure all of us ate way too much this meal. We had three appetizers, entrees, and one dessert per person. My favorites from the menu were the chicken skewers and my creme brulee. They also make a mean cocktail! There is definitely something for everyone on the Selfmade menu. My friends also loved their pizzas!
Postino is an Arizona staple that has now made its way into other cities and states. It is a casual, yet high-quality and unique wine cafe that specializes in bruschetta boards and other dishes made for sharing. We hosted a small baby shower for Bethanie at Postino East in Gilbert. The food, mimosas, atmosphere, and company was wonderful.
Sugar Bowl in Old Town Scottsdale is a favorite between tourists and locals. It’s been around since 1958 and it has that vintage soda shop feel. The walls and booths are pink, and their hot fudge sundaes are delectable! So much fun for anyone, especially when it’s hot and you want a cool sweet treat.
Our last dinner in Scottsdale was at Diego Pops. I’d describe it as a trendy Mexican place. Not the Tex Mex I’m accustomed to. It’s like if Torchy’s went to Palm Springs. Haha, I really am grasping here with trying to describe it. It was such a fun atmosphere with unique and cool flavors. The brussel sprout nachos were out of this world (they even had a fried egg on top), and the Mexican street corn queso was delicious.
We spent the majority of our first day at the Hyatt just hanging around the resort, mostly at the pool and spa. All of the Scottsdale hotels have great pools because it’s the desert and warm year-round. We gotta have a great place to cool off! In fact, I hear a lot of locals get passes to resort pools so they can go have fun and relax.
Our experience at Spa Avania at the Hyatt was first-class. The whole facility is stunning, with private pools, plunge pools, sauna, steam room, relaxation areas, and much more. We all got to experience the Himalayan Salt Room and everyone got a massage. It was heavenly! Seriously the best way for a bunch of moms on vacation to relax.
Nothing like crossing off a bucket list item while on vacation. If you haven’t ridden in a hot air balloon before, you must! Hot Air Expeditions really gave us the most unforgettable morning. I actually have ridden in a hot air balloon before while in Napa Valley, so I knew going in I would love it, and I absolutely did! The Arizona ride was a completely different experience from Napa, so I highly recommend doing it, even if you have gone somewhere else.
Old Town Scottsdale is a must-visit! It’s a fun area with shops, restaurants, and sights. Lots of cool photo spots, like this cactus mural.
On our last day, we headed out early to do some “legit” hiking on Camelback mountain. I say “legit” because didn’t quite know what we were getting ourselves into because we chose a pretty difficult trail called Cholla Trail. Luckily the park ranger advised us on the difficulty and about where to stop, etc.