Bucket List Experiences for All Types of UK Travelers
Scottsdale abounds in experiences for all types of travelers. Existing as a playground for foodies, families, wellness travelers and adventure seekers alike, the fun to be had on vacation in Arizona is as big as the sky above and as vibrant as our famous Southwestern cotton candy sunsets. Traveling to our Southwestern haven from across the pond has never been easier; myriad direct flights to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport have been added from London Heathrow Airport, boasting just an 11 hour direct flight time.
Calling all travelers with any inkling of wanderlust to step into the Sonoran Desert and cross a few things off their travel bucket list! It’s time to gather your loved ones, adorn your face with your favorite sunglasses, and prepare to make memories you’ll never forget.
Here Comes the Sun
Scottsdale enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine each year – making it one of the most reliable warm weather destinations there is. Contrast this to the bleak 59 sunny day average in the UK! Swap your cloudy skies for soaring saguaros because no matter what time of year you plan a visit, it’s likely to fall on a day where you’ll need sunscreen instead of an umbrella. Yes, the summers can be toasty with temperatures reaching 46 degrees Celsius (115 for our Fahrenheit friends), but the majority of the year enjoys moderate days perfect for lounging poolside or hitting the links. There are six stunning pools here at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess alone that are perfect for soaking up the sun, including one pool with two 200-foot waterslides to race your loved ones down, and two adult-only pools to enjoy an afternoon under swaying palm trees. Yes – the Scots invented golf, but stateside the sport has become as American as Apple Pie. Enjoy your best 18 holes on two of the most famous courses in all of Arizona at TPC Scottsdale, located just steps from the resort. With 200+ courses in Scottsdale and weather that’s playable year-round, it’s a haven for fans of the fairway.
Spice up your Scottsdale Stay with Authentically Local Activities
Craving a little adventure? Look no further than the Celebration Concierges at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Whatever your inner thrill seeker hopes to find, our dedicated team of experts can make it happen. Touch the clouds as you soar 900 meters over the Valley of the Sun in a sunrise hot air balloon. Traverse through the sandy desert and buckle up for an off-road ATV adventure that ends with stargazing and night vision goggles. Become one with nature while hiking one of the many the trails of the majestic peaks of the McDowell Mountains and stop to smell the blooming Sonoran flora and fauna. Giddy up and take in the best views of the Tonto National Forrest from atop a trusty steed and learn how to lasso, tomahawk throw, and skeet shoot like a true cowboy or cowgirl.
A Dining Destination
Undeniably, one of our favorite ways to discover any destination is through cuisine, and the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess offers five signature restaurants that bring destination dining to you! While in the Southwest, Mexican food is simply a must, and La Hacienda – rated Arizona’s #1 Mexican restaurant – offers a taste of history and heritage in every bite. From the tableside guacamole to the signature Filet a la Parilla (grilled beef tenderloin served over Oaxaca cheese enchiladas), each bite is bursting with bold, authentic flavors. The resident Tequila Goddess stands by to help pair your meal with the perfect tequila for a match made in heaven.
Bourbon Steak by James Beard Award-winning chef, Michael Mina, brings the classic American Steakhouse experience to you. Serving melt-in-your-mouth cuts of the best American, Japanese and Australian beef and succulent selections of fresh fish. The 930 selection Wine Spectator Award-winning wine list ensures no wine glass goes empty beside your mouthwatering dinner.
Tucked away at the end of the 18th green at TPC Scottsdale’s famous Stadium Course, a Pan-Latin paradise awaits. Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar brings a culinary adventure with unexpected Japanese and Chinese-Peruvian influences thoughtfully woven into every dish and cocktail. Toro is a celebration for the taste buds and serves up the freshest sushi, sashimi and nigiri in the valley alongside Scottsdale’s largest rum collection.
Dining alfresco is one of the great pleasures Arizona is able to indulge in throughout the year, and all five of our restaurants host stunning patios to set the backdrop to unforgettable meals. Even the pools offer creative culinary and craft cocktails delivered to the comfort of your cabana or sun chair. All you need do is ask, and we are happy to prove why the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is continually rated Arizona’s best dining resort.
Rest, Relaxation, and Retail Therapy
A Scottsdale escape wouldn’t be complete without a little R&R, and where better to find an oasis in the Sonoran Desert than at the spa? Well renowned as a wellness destination, sunny Scottsdale’s spas offer a restoration of the mind, body and soul. Well & Being Spa within the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess invites the spa-goer to discover a wellness journey that features a personalized palette of spa experiences to color your relaxation with. Transcendent signature treatments for the whole body and perfectly Parisian Sisley-Paris Spa facials and massages nourish and soothe, resulting in sensorial serenity all within 44,000 square feet of tranquility.
Once you emerge from the spa anew, you’ll need a fresh wardrobe to complete your transformation. Shopping in Scottsdale is plentiful, featuring niche boutiques and luxury designer goods in spades. While days can be spent hauling shopping bags to and fro, that retail-itch can be scratched on the way to dinner or returning from the pool at our resort. Featuring sought-after brands like Lilly Pulitzer, Travis Matthews, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tom Ford, Lululemon and more, the five shopping stops at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess can provide stylish outfitting for leisure, business and everything in between. No need to shop till you drop – just shop until you need a bellman to help return your spoils to your room. And if you don’t have any more room in your suitcase and find yourself sitting on your luggage attempting to get the zippers to meet, we’ll ship your items home to you!
The Whole Family
Whether you seek a romantic respite to rekindle your romance, a fair-weather family vacation, or a solo spell in serenity, activities abound in Scottsdale for every type of traveler. Locally, it’s well known that if it’s happening in Scottsdale, it’s happening at the Princess – and we’re especially known for our holiday legacy events.
Happening now through September 5th, enjoy a retro recess that celebrates all the retro nostalgia from the ‘80s & ‘90s at Let’s Roll Summer at the Princess. You and the kiddos can get your game on and relive the glory days of the golden era for arcade games. Lace up a pair of quads and get groovy while skating in our outdoor roller disco oasis. Get glowing and play 9 holes at the glow-in-the-dark mini golf course and partake in a Ghost Blasterz themed laser tag adventure.
After Labor Day, the property transforms into a winter wonderland for Christmas at the Princess, showcasing more than 6.5 million twinkling lights, a 95 foot Ferris wheel, a 6,000 square foot outdoor ice rink, and 65 acres of true Christmas magic. A tradition for many locals and travelers alike, our annual Christmas celebration has to be seen to be believed (much like Mr. Claus himself!). Believe in the magic and experience Christmas like never before.
Scottsdale’s Seductive Bounty
Treat yourself to the desert chic lifestyle, where palms, cacti and flitting birds abound. A bucket-list worthy destination, Scottsdale’s many mouthwatering menus, jaw-dropping views, thrilling adventures and luxurious spas deserve a place in your travel docket. Swap your cloudy skies and cold temps for endless sunshine and life in living color. What are you waiting for?