Scottsdale Camelback Resort

The Scottsdale Camelback Resort sits on busy Camelback Road and is surrounded by a mixed residential and business area. Streets are well lit at night and it's safe to walk around anytime. Turning into the hotel property, guests will notice expansive grounds with well manicured lawns between buildings, a sandy children’s playground, several BBQ grills, pools, tennis courts, and a walking path -- all of which create an inviting environment outside the rooms. This resort has casita or villa style architecture with Spanish red clay roof tiles and white stone walls. Inside, past the grand entrance, the lobby is less of a spectacle but is clean and subtly decorated in muted beige tones and hanging wooden silhouettes of cave drawings. The Grille Restaurant sidles the pool area and is a nice place to relax. Between the restaurant entrance and the rail guarding around the pool, there’s an outdoor bar area and a section for tables, which would be great for a big group. The atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly.

The Scottsdale Camelback Resort has a convenient location near shopping and dining in downtown Scottsdale, which is only about five to 10 minutes away. Notable spots for shopping, dining, and strolling -- including Sprouts Farmers Market, Fashion Square, the Arizona Canal Trail, and the hip gastropub Culinary Dropout -- are about 20 minutes away on foot. For golfers, the Phoenician Golf Club is just next door. If staying for a conference or event, travelers are most likely attending one that will be hosted on-site at the hotel’s conference space. The Phoenix Airport is 20 minutes away by car.

All the rooms are villa style with studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom options. The configuration of the resort allows guests to drive their cars directly to their villas and park right out front. Inside, the units are spacious with fireplaces, patios/balconies, living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens. Kitchens are fully equipped with fridges, sinks, electric stoves, and microwaves. Studio units sleep up to four people and are very spacious with loft bedrooms, downstairs bed areas with sliding partitions, and dining areas. Two-bedroom condos have beautiful cathedral ceilings, soft lighting, and more character than the studios. Decor varies between villas, as these spaces are technically timeshares and thus are individually decorated. There are also two bathrooms in each of these villas, one with a standing shower and another with a jetted bathtub. For large parties looking to stay together, the three-bedroom villas sleep up to eight people, and have two-story floor plans, two baths, and many beds -- one king bed, one queen bed, two twin beds, and one pullout -- in each.

There are numerous outdoor and indoor activities for both adults and kids, including three fenced-in, blue-clay tennis courts and bocce ball, basketball, volleyball, and indoor racquetball courts. There is a business center and a computer station. Scottsdale Camelback Resort also has a full-service spa, Running Water Spa, with a sauna, two treatment rooms for facials and massages, and spa tubs. Casual dining is available at The Grille, which serves traditional American cuisine and has a poolside bar. The pool itself is quite large; to one side is the restaurant’s bar, and to the other surrounding sides are sun loungers and patio chairs (there is also a separate kids' pool). Other amenities are spread throughout the property, including the small sandy children’s play area, the BBQ grills, and the mini-golf course.