Fabulous Four Seasons in Scottsdale, AZ

It was way back in 1940 when cosmetics mogul Elizabeth Arden opened the doors to Maine Chance Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, which set the stage for the city east of Phoenix to become well-known for its high-end spas, resorts and retreats. The Maine Chance Spa was a sanctuary for local society mavens, celebrities, and royalty from around the world—which hasn’t changed to this day.

Scottsdale has grown dramatically since those early days, and the city continues to expand north. What was once considered north Scottsdale, is now known as the central part of town. North Scottsdale now begins around the iconic Pinnacle Peak area, which is home to the stunning Four Seasons Resort. Nestled among a hilly sea of giant granite boulders, painted with a natural desert landscape so well manicured you feel like you’re at a Sonoran botanical garden, is where I would spend the 4^th of July weekend.

As soon as we entered the Four Seasons property, we were awe-struck by the scenery. Uniquely shaped granite boulders were everywhere, littering the landscape as if dropped from the sky. To break up the granite monotony, towering, multi-armed, centuries old, saguaro cactus sporadically dot the setting.

While checking-in, our eyes scanned the expansive lobby, which made us conjure memories from Scottsdale’s frontier days…with its vibrant Southwestern décor woven throughout. The textures, materials and colors are a cornucopia of design elements…rustic, yet highly refined in its Southwestern style. My girlfriend Terri and I remarked at how intricate the décor is and that many of the design combinations were so unique, that we would never have thought to put them together—yet they work with perfect synergy.

We made our way to the east side of the property, up three flights of stairs to the door of the room that would be our sanctuary for the holiday weekend. At first we were not thrilled by the three flights of stairs, but once we entered and saw our view, the labor was a small price for the exhibition before us. Our view was that of the highest butte on the property, something you’d see in a desert painting. The patio with its teak chaise lounge chairs would see plenty of use in the cooler evening hours. With wine glasses in hand we often toasted the quiet, natural desert setting.

All the rooms are terraced in a way to maximize privacy. Each room is built in adobe fashion, which provides a relaxing cocoon-like environment, so well insulated that we did not hear a single sound from the rooms on either side or below us.

We found our accommodations to be smartly decorated with high-end furnishings and a palate reminiscent of materials the desert might provide. The beehive-shaped fireplace in the room was a tribute to the Native American design palate, which has a modern flair to the southwestern look and feel. The rooms embody the desert’s magic through thoughtful design and accents, utilizing regional artists and craftspeople.

The room was spacious at nearly 500sf, with a beautiful bathroom that included a separate spa-like tub and shower, with a private area for the loo. The large walk-in closet was a welcome sight as we were able to stow and organize our belongings without having items strewn all over the room.

The focal point of the accommodations is the king-sized bed—which was without question one of the best this well-traveled blogger has ever slept in. It was so comfortable that Terri forced me to lift the linens to find out the maker. Come to find out that 50 years of Four Seasons research has gone into the making of this exclusive mattress by Simmons. To make the bed a perfect night’s rest, were the amazingly perfect down pillows. Terri and I have searched high and low for the perfect pillow, and we finally found them at the Four Seasons Scottsdale. They too are exclusively made for Four Seasons Resorts by a company out of New Jersey called, (interestingly enough) Phoenix Down Company.

Around every corner of the property, and at every staff member level, we were continually greeted and attended to—something I have come to expect from any Four Seasons hotel. The attention to detail is also noticeable, from strawberry & citrus infused herb water containers throughout the lobby and pool areas, along with complementary sunscreen and pin-rolled facial towels soaked in ice water—which were very welcome on the hot summer days during our visit.

The resort has a few restaurant options for guests. The first night we opted to dine at Talavera, which typifies fine-dining. The seasonally-inspired dishes are artfully presented, along with a world-class setting that summons the gastronomic enthusiast.

Dining at Talavera is really an experience…in addition to having many wonderful entrée to choose from, they also have creative tasting menus and pairings to explore. You can dine both inside or out on the patio to take in the extraordinary views.

We thought it would be a bit warm to dine outside, so we opted to stay in. In hindsight, we wish we had chosen the patio as the weather soon cooled off and was quite comfortable outside. After dinner, Terri and I checked out the lounge patio where some excellent acoustic music was being performed. We then strolled the grounds and sat next to a mesmerizing water and fire feature—as we gazed out at the twinkle of the city lights below.

The next day we lounged poolside…or should I say near the outdoor oasis of pools. The picturesque mountain and desert views are stunning. The pool area is surrounded by foliage, chaise lounge chairs and cabanas…to further accentuate the oasis theme.

That evening we ate at Proof, a family friendly and more casual dining atmosphere. The décor is themed off the old Route 66…complete with Soda fountain, train tracks and vintage train parts used in the construction of some of the tables. Two of the train tables on opposite ends of the restaurant even roll down a track through a sliding glass garage door for outside dining. Speaking of which, the terraced outdoor patio at Proof is quite impressive, with little alcoves for a more intimate experience. It’s really a fun and lively place.

Interesting to note, Proof is the most successful restaurant within the Four Seasons U.S. system. Proof can be summed up like this…it’s where classic rock and roll meets shuffleboard. Where older folks nostalgically listen to Don McLean’s American Pie, while eating their peach and bourbon pie. The kids suck on chocolate malts from the soda fountain and nostalgia has no boundaries…kids young and old will enjoy.

After dinner we headed to the lounge area, where, once again we were treated to some great acoustic music. We ordered a cocktail and enjoy the sight of 6-7 firework shows lighting up the night sky around the Phoenix area cities below. It was a wonderful ending to a fantastic stay at the Four Seasons Resort in Scottsdale.

If you’ve ever stayed that the Scottsdale Four Seasons, please leave a comment below and share your experience. Click the following link to see more photos of the Four Seasons Resort in Scottsdale.

By the way, the summer months in Scottsdale is a fantastic time to experience the luxurious resorts, as rates are significantly reduce due to the off-season.

Four Seasons Scottsdale Information:

Phone: (480) 515-5700
Address: 10600 East Crescent Moon Drive – Scottsdale, Arizona 85262
Website: FourSeasons.com/Scottsdale
Amenities: Golf, Spa, Restaurants, Pool, Fitness Center, Tennis Courts, Family Activities, Wedding & Meeting venues and more.