Don’t be jealous – I love Scottsdale more than…

It is not hard to understand why many who live in the Scottsdale/Phoenix corridor are not anxious to leave.

It is not hard to understand why many who live in the Scottsdale/Phoenix corridor are not anxious to leave. While locals expressed interest in visiting New York, or taking a holiday in Montana, the thought of living somewhere else was an anathema.

Scottsdale is not a suburb and does not have a suburban personality; it is a small city with up-market resorts, gourmet restaurants, high-end shopping, live entertainment and a large art market (Frank Lloyd Wright spent winter holidays here).

Besotted

Although my introduction to Arizona was limited in scope, I can give witness that what I did see makes for a beautiful destination. It is likely that you will become as smitten as I am with Scottsdale and start to look at the real estate listings as soon as you get home, unpack and do the laundry.

Flying from New York to Phoenix is easy on US Airways. I was surprised to note that airline personnel have been replaced with robots. While a little off-putting initially, I think this is a great improvement. I expect that the engineers will find a way to put a bit more personality into the robots programming – and onboard service will be better than ever.

The Phoenix airport does not reflect the charm of the locale – so dash through the complex and get on with your trip. Public transportation is not part of the Phoenix/Scottsdale infrastructure, so call Tai (480 593-2408) to arrange for ground transportation.

Why Affection

Once I was out of the airport and off the highway and actually got a look at the landscape at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in the Phoenix Mountain Reserve, the initial impression was, to this city-slicker – austere and stern. The in-your-face red-toned peaks of the mountains are astonishing and off-putting. The evenings are chilly and damp and mornings are cool –bordering on cold. As the day progresses, however, the temperature becomes toasty enough for pool swimming and sun-bathing. This changing environment is really quite pleasant and while originally startling, it became quite appealing. Now that I am back in Manhattan, I actually miss the morning chill, the afternoon heat and the frosty bite of evening.

The considerable variation in the vegetation and wildlife in southwestern Arizona and the area encompassed by the Sonoran Desert causes the differences in temperature, elevation, and rainfall. The City of Scottsdale determined, in their wisdom, that the presence of these unique natural resources should be preserved; in 1981 they legislated the Native Plant Ordinance (City Code, Chapter 46, Article V). This forward-thinking set of regulations was established as a way to preserve the unique native character of the Sonoran desert under a system of responsible community development.

Ok. So the landscape is wild and wonderful and the weather is always changing – there has to be other attributes to make me fall in love.

For a New Yorker, safety is always at the top of my list for viable locations. In a study of the 20 Safest Cities in America the FBI report on crime in America (2011), Scottsdale placed 6th; Irvine, California scored first place for the 9th consecutive year.

The cost of housing comes in second on my list. Again the comparison is always against Manhattan. Scottsdale appears to be on sale as homes with thousands of square feet that are chock-full of modern designed and fully equipped kitchens, bathrooms and laundries can be found below $500,000 (median home price $375,000).

My third consideration includes a review of things to see and do. Scottsdale is ranked as one of the best golf and resort destinations on the planet. A significant percentage of the tax-base is sustained by such tourist packed events as the Phoenix Open Golf Tournament and the Barrett-Jackson car show.

The weather is seductive as Scottsdale enjoys more sunshine than any other area in the United States. Low humidity year-round makes even high temperatures comfortable. Most of the yearly rainfall occurs July through September and December through March.

Scottsdale is clean: the streets are clean, the hotels are clean and the air is clean. I do not know how they do it and where the garbage goes – but I did not see a gum wrapper or an empty can – anywhere! The entire scene is very Disney-like with the infrastructure out-of-sight.

In addition, MSN Money determined that Scottsdale is the number 1 spot for retirement and the city was selected by 24/7 Wall Street as one of the best-run cities in the nation; Bloomberg BusinessWeek (2013) placed Scottsdale number 4 among the Top 50 US Cities.

Arrive anxious and leave rested

Before calling a real estate broker, come to Scottsdale as a tourist. Against an awesome backdrop of the McDowell Mountains the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch is better than any pill or hours with a psychoanalyst.

Step out of the cab; quickly stride up the steps leading to the elegant lobby, head left to the front desk where the efficient staff quickly checks room availability and in a moment you are heading to the elevator bank. A short ride and a brief walk down a well-lit corridor leads to a supersized room with a large bathroom and outdoor terrace.

To add to my happiness in this tastefully furnished space – my favorite amenity appeared on a bathroom hook – a large white fluffy robe (I do not know where the slippers were hidden). Oh what a treat it was to use the glass cage that houses the multiple shower heads and rid myself of road dust. As soon as the shower task was mastered I was ready for the robe.

A brief exploration of the in-room amenities (including a sniff of the shampoo, a peek at the outdoor garden/patio space, a happy dance at the size of the glass topped work desk, a big flop into the oversize chair where I could read my novel – should I ever find a free moment – and I was ready to get dressed for the evening events.

In Scottsdale, when the dress code says casual – take the information seriously. The folks in this part of the world do not know from silk and sequence. Tights, shirts, footwear (anything from flip flops to stilettos) a tank top, sweater or scarf for the cool evenings – and you are dressed for success. A quick jog down a few flights of steps and I was on my way to one of the many restaurants and bars that populate the hotels multilevel lobby.

When drinking and dining obligations were over, I was delighted to get back to my room so that I could dive under the fluffy quilt in the King Hyatt Grand Bed™ – which is huge (and made to be shared). It is worth the time and effort to reserve space in Regency Club area of the hotel as these reservations include access to the private club where complimentary light drinks and snacks are available through the day and into the early evening.

Another reason that I would like to spend the next 8 or 9 years of my life at the Hyatt – is that they have a cordoned section of the multiple pools that are for adults only! To make me even happier, the pool-side menu lists sandwiches and salads that are perfect for light afternoon snacking.

Go Here and There

If you are able to pull yourself away from the Hyatt, go to the Desert Botanical Garden- Phoenix. Between now and May 18, 2014 the visit includes a Dale Chihuly’s exhibit. Chihuly’s world-famous glass sculptures are tucked between the cacti – forcing visitors to search for the sculptures among the breathtaking plants.

Chihuly is one of the most famous glass blowers on the planet. His works can be seen around the world; in the lobbies of important hotels, restaurants and other public spaces. While overwhelming to see inside buildings – it is beyond words to experience his work in the outdoor gardens, surrounded by amazing cactus and other plants unique to the desert.

Chihuly has 21 installations that are large and cleverly integrated into the landscape. The sculptures were created in the Chihuly Studio (Tacoma, Washington), packed in six 53-foot long containers, and shipped to Phoenix where they were reassembled on-location by studio workers. Conceptually the project remains authentic; however it is also organic as it is recreated on-location.

It is important to view the gardens and Chihuly works in the daytime (around 4 PM when the crowds have thinned) and again in the evening (think 8 PM). Bring a sweater, gloves and hat for the evening stroll as the night air gets very chilly. Make a reservation online via dbg.org.

Another evening event that must be included on the itinerary is a sunset trot on horseback through the desert. A short ride east of Scottsdale, the horses at Fort McDowell Adventures are available for dudes and equestrians.

I am assuming that the “wild west” office and the dearth of spotless helmets is part of the marketing strategy of the Fort; the objective is to present the tourist with a real western experience. The casual attitude of the owner/manager who registered our arrival and assigned horses was, I hope, part of the staging for the ride. Putting aside the lassitude of the welcome and the dusty office – the actual riding experience through the Verde River, up and down the hilly desert terrain, and the incredible beauty of the sunset – forces me to dismiss the unusual ambiance of the ranch and go with the fact that the ride itself was memorable. For reservations: http://www.fortmcdowelladventures.com/#

What else should you do before leaving the Hyatt? Treat yourself to a Spa Avania treatment. While a spa moment is always a delight, it is the spa section of the hotel that is positively entertaining. With its own swimming pool, multi-headed showers, and a variety of in and out-door lounge areas, the opportunity to spend a few hours absorbing the quiet is a delight. While dining is available in this venue, save your appetite for the pool or the take-out dining spot off the hotel lobby where Starbucks Coffee makes it the perfect place to start the day. For additional information: http://scottsdale.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

Goodbye

Unfortunately escapes always come to an end. The hotel is about 5 minutes from downtown Scottsdale, where there are many restaurants, bar and shopping opportunities. Next time I plan to squeeze in these as part of my things to see/do list – if I can be lured away from the Spa. For additional information on Scottsdale www.experiencescottsdale.com/‎

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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