Excellence is non-negotiable. Summer tourism in Scottsdale

There are not many travel destinations that keep their secrets! They usually shout and run television commercials, pop-ups and sliders cross our webpages making us truly wonder “what on earth were they thinking?”

One city that quietly goes about providing excellent hotels, delicious dining, fabulous shopping (with really nice staff and unique options) – is Scottsdale.

Feeling like an explorer, I have discovered a few of the many wonderful opportunities available to visitors. I do hope you will enjoy my 4-Part “Scottsdale Gems.”

PART ONE: Excellence is Non-Negotiable. Summer in Scottsdale

Some head to the Hamptons while others select Vermont for a summer holiday. While there are many places in the USA to visit there are few that offer consistently good weather, an eclectic array of outdoor adventures, gourmet dining, sommelier selected wine options, excellent shopping in a safe and friendly community; for these reasons, I am on a Delta flight to Scottsdale!

When Only the Best is Acceptable

With crime and violence topping news headlines, vacation planners must know that Scottsdale is rated the No. 6 safest city in America (2014) by Movoto.com and Law Street Media placed Scottsdale as the fifth safest city based on officer to resident ratio and a vibrant economy.

24/7 Wall St. found Scottsdale to be among the Best Run Cities in America (No. 6). This decision was based on a review of the US 100 largest cities by population, economy, job market, crime level and welfare of population. Scottsdale’s median income is among the highest of any large US city and more than 95 percent of adults have a high school diploma. The city’s credit rating is AAA by Moody and the agency lists the city’s wealth and strong fiscal management as reasons for the perfect score.

In 2012, Scottsdale ranked eighth in TripAdvisor’s top 15 U.S. destinations on the rise and was recognized for “more than 200 golf courses in the area, ample spas and wellness resorts, and cultural attractions such as master architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter studio,” making the destination “the perfect weekend antidote for life’s stresses.”

Other BEST OF include:

• Hiking trail. Taliesin Overlook, Lost Dog Wash Trailhead
• Rock climbing. West Corner of Tom’s Thumb, McDowell Mountains
• Arts Festival. Scottsdale Arts Festival
• Culinary Festival. Scottsdale Culinary Festival
• Architecture Legend. Frank Lloyd Wright

This city must have a rare combination of air and water for it has attracted talented residents including:

• Alice Cooper (Musician)
• Andy Devine (Actor)
• Barry Goldwater (Former US Senator; 1964 Presidential Candidate)
• Dennis Farina (Law and Order. Actor)
• Dick Van Dyke (Actor)
• Elisabeth Kubler-Ross (Author)
• Frank Lloyd Wright (Architect)
• Joan Ganz Cooney (Children’s Television Network. Founder/Producer)
• John McCain (US Senator; 2008 Presidential Candidate)
• Joseph Adam Jonas (Musician. Jonas Brothers)
• Lynda Carter (WonderWoman. Film)
• Meadowlark Lemon (Harlem Globe Trotters. Basketball)
• Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson (Boxing)
• Sandra Day O’Connor (US Supreme Court Justice)
• Stephen Spielberg (Film Director. Oscar Award Recipient)

Hotel with a History

After reserving a Delta flight, the next task – find a place to stay. A small unscientific survey among people who have lived in and/or visited Scottsdale yielded The Phoenician (a Starwood property). The website certainly makes the hotel look terrific and I was ready to pack a bathing suit and sandals.

The hotel has a very unusual heritage. Located on the southern slope of Camelback Mountain covering 250 acres of the Sonoran desert, the Phoenician was built at a cost of $300 million (1988). Even today it is among the most expensive hotels ever built. Money was lavishly spent on the art collection and High Tea is served in a space that displays works valued at millions of dollars. Swimmers and floaters will be amazed to find part of the pool lined with mother-of-pearl tile.

The hotel was built by Charles Keating with money he swindled (?) from nefarious business deals that included the Lincoln Savings and Loan Association and American Continental Corporation. In 1991 Keating was convicted of 17 counts of fraud, racketeering and conspiracy. Even Mother Teresa could not get Keating leniency which she requested in light of the large contributions he made to her charitable organizations.

In 1994 ITT Sheraton Corp. bought the Phoenician (580 rooms), 63 acres surrounding the hotel along with other properties for approximately $250 million from the Kuwaiti government.

Today @ The Phoenician

Target Markets

This resort appears to have three specific target markets: families with children; corporate executives attending conferences and friends attending special events. Children dominate the space (from the swimming pools to the lobby, from the take-out ice cream/coffee café to High Tea time) – children are never out of sight (or out of mind). They can be seen jumping on the lobby furniture, running through the halls and splashing in the pools.

Corporate types may take over pool space with unquenchable drinking and endless eating – leaving little room for guests who select to swim. While there is one section (among the miles of pools) zoned for the grown-ups, this space is small and lounges fill up quickly. Best advice: Get up at dawn, grab a foam noodle and a towel, reserve the lounge, go back to bed.

The hotel appears to be a preferred destination for groups of women. Whether it is “girls’ day at the spa,” “girls’ afternoon at Tea,” or “girls’ getting ready for the wedding, birthday party or anniversary – this appears to be a “go to” place for women traveling together.

The Spa and Health Club

The spa services are delightful. Massages and dim lights, controlled air temperature, and I quickly morphed on the massage table from a wound-up tightly strung mass of cable wire to a puddle of Jell-O. I also scheduled a Tarot reading (not a usual spa service). The experience was mind-altering and my time was well – invested as I got an interesting peek into my future.

Let’s Get Physical

At the Health Club guests find all the usual machines with many offering an electronic tour of national parks and other scenic destinations, or television sitcoms while pounding off the calories. Do not worry if you forget your earbuds; there is a box of them to borrow (remember to return them before you leave). There are very limited free weights, balls, and body bars so planning an exercise time can be challenging. The room temperature gets very high (think of hot sun pouring through glass walls) – so try to schedule a routine very early in the morning (before 9AM) or at the end of the day (after 5 PM). Bring your own music. The background entertainment is elevator chic and no amount of pleading will change the selection or the room temperature – so, time your workout and music based on reality and not a wish list.

If you are into outdoor sports, reserve t-time at the USGA 27-hole golf course and/or the 11 tennis courts.

Dining

My selection for Phoenician eating:

1. Thirsty Camel. Order the Seafood Pizza (make sure it is HOT).

2. Room Service (Yes! Room Service can be better than good). Order the Burger and Crispy Fries. Ask for extra catsup…necessary for the fries.

3. Il Terrazzo. Cobb Salad for lunch. The dressing is delicious – but order it on the side. I have a feeling that the calorie count has 6 zeroes.

4. High Tea Time. The space is gussied up with Villeroy and Boch tea service. Select your favorite tea and then wait for teeny tiny sandwiches and pastries to be presented at your table. While they look tempting and taste delicious, make sure to ask for toast-points for no one should miss the whipped butter and Wilkin & Sons TipTree Lemon Curd.

Sleeping

Sadly the day does have to end and the large rooms and terraces make it very comfortable for reading (get on the terrace at 6AM as the sun starts to rise) and in the early evening. Showers are deliciously powerful and there is lots of hot water, plus huge bath towels that make clean-up time an important part of the visit. A makeup mirror, double sinks, a huge bathtub and lots of walking-around space make bathing something more than a necessity.

Next Day

• After a good sleep under a fluffy quilt, I am ready to start exploring Scottsdale.