Scottsdale Resorts

[BigManSlim]

Taking family (wife & 2 teenage daughters) to Phoenix/Scottsdale area for 5 or 6 nights over Xmas vacation. Need easy golf access (on site preferable), good pool facilities, good gym, etc. Pretty normal needs...girls will want shopping, etc. We will likely drive up to Sedona one day. 

 

Wife and I are definitely travel snobs being honest. Like nice hotels with top notch facilities. The golf needs to be good but I can ride to TPC Scottsdale or whatever one day so on-site doesn't need to necessarily be the absolute best in Scottsdale.

 

Looking at:

 

Boulders

Troon North

Kierland

JW Marriott Camelback

Phoenician

 

Anything I should stay away from. Is Boulders too far from Scottsdale or does it even matter?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

[Abh159]

Funny enough I was just in Scottsdale a few week back. We stayed at the Phoenician and everything was top notch. Granted we don't have children, but we saw plenty of families and kids around the property. 

 

They have a few pools (one adults only and two family friendly) and they had a waterslide area for kids to play in. They also had a full spa and "athletic club" which is their term for the fitness facility. I didn't make it over there so I can't comment on it. 

 

The do also have a course on site and we played one round there. It was about what you would expect in a resort course. Short, relatively easy, and I'd give the conditioning a 6.5-7 out of 10. I believe it was $70-80 for a resort guest so very reasonable pricing. If we go back, I wouldn't play the course again just because there wasn't anything special about it, but if your main goal is convenience it's a good option to have. 

[Thunder Dan]

you  will want to stay at Westin Kierland as it's great on many levels. My wife and 2 young kids go every year to Scottsdale and we've tried other spots but the Westin is the best for these reasons

 

1. It's family friendly. I know your kids are older but everyone there has kids. 

2. It's next to two shopping centers you can walk to nightly for dinner/shopping. We live in Chicago and are used to walking anywhere, this is always challenging when traveling, piling into the car and going somewhere. Not here, you walk across the street to get dinner and shop.

3. The food across the street are top notch

4. It's close to most all of your golf and has a couple of courses you can play right on the gounds

5. The golf center is right next to the pool. For me this was the best part. There is a range that is free, plus a putting green and short game area right next to the pool. When I'd get bored sitting by the pool I'd simply walk 200 yards and hit some balls, or practice my putting. In the mornings I'd wake up early and work on my swing then be back as people are waking up since it's literally right outside my room. 

[BigManSlim]

1 hour ago, Thunder Dan said:

you  will want to stay at Westin Kierland as it's great on many levels. My wife and 2 young kids go every year to Scottsdale and we've tried other spots but the Westin is the best for these reasons

 

1. It's family friendly. I know your kids are older but everyone there has kids. 

2. It's next to two shopping centers you can walk to nightly for dinner/shopping. We live in Chicago and are used to walking anywhere, this is always challenging when traveling, piling into the car and going somewhere. Not here, you walk across the street to get dinner and shop.

3. The food across the street are top notch

4. It's close to most all of your golf and has a couple of courses you can play right on the gounds

5. The golf center is right next to the pool. For me this was the best part. There is a range that is free, plus a putting green and short game area right next to the pool. When I'd get bored sitting by the pool I'd simply walk 200 yards and hit some balls, or practice my putting. In the mornings I'd wake up early and work on my swing then be back as people are waking up since it's literally right outside my room. 

How are the rooms and the facilities? All sounds like what we are looking for otherwise.

 

Also I assume the Villas are on the same  property as the "main"  resort?

Edited June 30, 2021 by BigManSlim

[puttnforthe8]

1 hour ago, BigManSlim said:

Taking family (wife & 2 teenage daughters) to Phoenix/Scottsdale area for 5 or 6 nights over Xmas vacation. Need easy golf access (on site preferable), good pool facilities, good gym, etc. Pretty normal needs...girls will want shopping, etc. We will likely drive up to Sedona one day. 

 

Wife and I are definitely travel snobs being honest. Like nice hotels with top notch facilities. The golf needs to be good but I can ride to TPC Scottsdale or whatever one day so on-site doesn't need to necessarily be the absolute best in Scottsdale.

 

Looking at:

 

Boulders

Troon North

Kierland

JW Marriott Camelback

Phoenician

 

Anything I should stay away from. Is Boulders too far from Scottsdale or does it even matter?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

 

2 minutes ago, BigManSlim said:

How are the rooms and the facilities? All sounds like what we are looking for otherwise.

 

Facilities, rooms etc are  good.  The only thing is the golf is meh/bad!  You will want to play elsewhere.  Boring resort golf.

 

You should look at the Fairmont (TPC courses) and JW (Camelback courses) to see if that is what would suit you.  Plus they are close enough to great restaurants, shopping and other activities.   In general, you would want to drive to get the best experiences anyways.  

[Soloman1]

All courses are a little rough now. It's just the time of year. They'll be great in December... and they'll make you pay for them.

 

Yeah, plenty of shopping and restaurants you can walk to from Kierland. They have 3 nines. They're not bad, but I agree the golf is pedestrian. However, you're:

 

5 minutes from TPC, TPC Champions

10 minutes from the two courses at JW Marriot

20 minutes from The Boulders

20 minutes from The phoenician

10 minutes from GrayHawk (you need them on your list)

 

I'd much rather be at Kierland than the Marriot or Princess, or the Phoenician.

 

I live right next to Kierland. 

 

 

Edited June 30, 2021 by Soloman1

[Argonne69]

Are those pools heated? I've spent two winters in Phoenix, and it's in the low 40s at night. Pools are a no go in December unless they're heated.

 

[flushem]

4 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Are those pools heated? I've spent two winters in Phoenix, and it's in the low 40s at night. Pools are a no go in December unless they're heated.

 

do you rent a house in Phoenix during your winter retreat?

[Argonne69]

4 hours ago, flushem said:

do you rent a house in Phoenix during your winter retreat?

 

No, I stay with family. 

 

[Chanceman]

We stayed in a condo in Scottsdale North but fwiw Troon North and Boulders would be your best golf in the shortlist but both are a little drive out of Scottsdale. No clue on facilities there. Another possibility is WeKoPa where you will find the best golf and a resort which others might better comment on. Btw Phoenician is closer to the Old Town than Kierland which is nearer North Scottsdale.

[BigManSlim]

17 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Are those pools heated? I've spent two winters in Phoenix, and it's in the low 40s at night. Pools are a no go in December unless they're heated.

 

According to the websites all resorts listed above have heated pools

[Thunder Dan]

Rooms at Westin a very good. I'm actually going there this weekend and staying through next week. Staying in a Villa for the first time so I don't know. I'm playing golf at TPC Scottsdale and Wekopa.. maybe another if my wife doesn't mind. 6am tee times both days 

[sabram]

If you like upscale, my three favorites are the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, which is next to TPC Scottsdale, The Phoenician, which has its own course and the Boulders, which has two courses. The facilities and service at these three are first class.

[Soloman1]

Unless the wife and daughters are going to play golf, there's no shopping, people watching or interesting restaurants for lunch at either The Boulders or The Phoenician. They can look at the rocks, rattlesnakes and rabbits. I'll bet you a dollar they get in the car and drive to Kierland anyway...

 

The Boulders or Kierland? 🙂

 

But, everyone has their own tastes and wants...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 1, 2021 by Soloman1

[BigManSlim]

52 minutes ago, Thunder Dan said:

Rooms at Westin a very good. I'm actually going there this weekend and staying through next week. Staying in a Villa for the first time so I don't know. I'm playing golf at TPC Scottsdale and Wekopa.. maybe another if my wife doesn't mind. 6am tee times both days 

Love to hear your experience Villa vs. resort rooms. Thanks

[Thunder Dan]

Soloman... totally agree. You will be able to play more golf staying at the Westin vs. out in the middle of nowhere because your family will have so much to entertain themselves they will forget about you. If you stay away and take the rental car to golf, you are coming back to a bored, unhappy wife and kids which ain't no fun. 

[aloha b.]

We've stayed a couple of times at Four Seasons Scottsdale @ Troon North and loved our stay. The rooms are Casitas and are really nice and the food and the service was really good! There's a free shuttle to the Troon golf courses if you don't want to drive.

 

 

 

 

Edited July 5, 2021 by aloha b.

[azgolfer44]

On 6/30/2021 at 9:50 AM, BigManSlim said:

Taking family (wife & 2 teenage daughters) to Phoenix/Scottsdale area for 5 or 6 nights over Xmas vacation. Need easy golf access (on site preferable), good pool facilities, good gym, etc. Pretty normal needs...girls will want shopping, etc. We will likely drive up to Sedona one day. 

 

Wife and I are definitely travel snobs being honest. Like nice hotels with top notch facilities. The golf needs to be good but I can ride to TPC Scottsdale or whatever one day so on-site doesn't need to necessarily be the absolute best in Scottsdale.

 

Looking at:

 

Boulders

Troon North

Kierland

JW Marriott Camelback

Phoenician

 

Anything I should stay away from. Is Boulders too far from Scottsdale or does it even matter?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

I’d definitely go with Phoenician. It’s pretty new, has great amenities on site, and straddles old town Scottsdale and Arcadia.  Close to tons of great restaurants (happy to send recs) and the best shopping in Arizona is Scottsdale Fashion Square, which you could walk to from Phoenician. The other spots are either too far out (Troon, boulders) or not quite as nice. Kierland would probably be my second choice but not as new as Phoenician. Golf course at Phoenician is okay, but you are very centrally located to many nice courses.

 

If you’d consider non-golf properties, Montelucia and The Sanctuary are on the other side of Camelback Mountain and both are awesome resorts.

[BigManSlim]

On 7/1/2021 at 5:24 PM, Thunder Dan said:

Soloman... totally agree. You will be able to play more golf staying at the Westin vs. out in the middle of nowhere because your family will have so much to entertain themselves they will forget about you. If you stay away and take the rental car to golf, you are coming back to a bored, unhappy wife and kids which ain't no fun. 

Thoughts on Villa vs. rooms? We will need 2 rooms and/or 2 villas so just curious about the quality comparison, location, less crowded, etc.

 

Thanks

[gr8blueheronbird]

Try to get building 5 and higher up in the villas. They have villas that connect to each other. Very spacious with washer/dryer and nice showers and beds. Bldng 5 overlooks one of the fairways and has views north towards the mountains.

[Thunder Dan]

On 7/7/2021 at 10:32 AM, BigManSlim said:

Thoughts on Villa vs. rooms? We will need 2 rooms and/or 2 villas so just curious about the quality comparison, location, less crowded, etc.

 

Thanks

 

Just got back. Villas were more spacious, had a washer and dryer plus a kitchen which made it better for me and the small family. You can get two that join together. 

 

There wasn't much in terms of dining options on the villas side like there is the main resort, but that was fine with us since we ordered in most nights. The distance between the golf is about the same as it's between the Villas and the main resort. We spent most of our evenings putting and chipping over at the golf course. We will do the Villas again

 

Never travel there in July. It's ungoldy hold. It was like stepping into an oven even at 6pm at night.  

[vallygolf]

2 hours ago, Thunder Dan said:

 

Just got back. Villas were more spacious, had a washer and dryer plus a kitchen which made it better for me and the small family. You can get two that join together. 

 

There wasn't much in terms of dining options on the villas side like there is the main resort, but that was fine with us since we ordered in most nights. The distance between the golf is about the same as it's between the Villas and the main resort. We spent most of our evenings putting and chipping over at the golf course. We will do the Villas again

 

Never travel there in July. It's ungoldy hold. It was like stepping into an oven even at 6pm at night.  

Desert dwellers quickly learn evening is great pool time.  Morning is golf time.  Frankly I prefer to play golf around noon in the summers.  Courses are far less busy and rarely is it over 110 before 2-3 pm.  Golf IMO in the desert is comfortable up until about 110 without drastic measures.  115 requires wet towels and lots of fluid.