Where to Stay in Scottsdale in 2023 | Best Areas

There are a lot of answers to the question of where to stay in Scottsdale, and this guide will give you no less than five of them. This small city in Arizona, in close proximity to Phoenix, has been a tourist destination for years.

One thing is for sure: wherever you stay, you’ll enjoy the light weather, the fancy hotels, and the tasty restaurant menus.

Why You Should Visit Scottsdale

Part of the wider Phoenix metropolitan area, Scottsdale is one of the fastest-growing cities in America for a reason.

Founded at the end of the 19th century and named after a US army chaplain (nothing in relation with Scotland), today it’s one of the most famous and popular destinations for tourists from all around America.

The geographical setting of Scottsdale is a strong number one reason why it sees so many tourists. The weather in Arizona is warm and sunny, and Scottsdale in particular has more than 300 sunny days a year!

If you come from a gloomier and cloudier part of America or the world, this city will prove quite a refreshment. It’s neither big nor small, the city of Scottsdale: its population amounts to little more than 200,000 people.

That being said, it has the perks of both a small and a big town — the urbanity and the development of the first kind and the tranquility and the relaxed atmosphere of the second.

In terms of culture and vibe, Scottsdale again holds a middle ground. On the one hand, it is hailed as “The most Western town in the West,” mainly because of the distinctive appearance of its Old Town.

On the other hand, it’s a fairly developed and modern city, with fabulous hotels and restaurants, good infrastructure, and clean and refreshing parks.

Lastly, there’s not a bullet point in the world that would completely encapsulate all the things you could do in Scottsdale. There’s golf, shopping on the famous Fashion Square, museums and galleries in the Old Town, fine dining, hiking, and more.

All in all, Scottsdale is a perfect place to spend a weekend and relax or even spend a week or two while exploring every nook of this jewel of the American West.

The 5 Best Parts of Scottsdale

Your choice of stay should mostly depend on whether you want to stay in the city proper or on its outskirts. The further away you are from downtown, the more relaxed and quiet it becomes.

1. Old Town: Located in downtown Scottsdale, it’s the perfect place for first-time visitors who want to visit galleries and museums.
2. Fashion Square: The second part of downtown, famous for the biggest shopping mall in Arizona, full of high-end boutiques and restaurants.
3. McCormick Ranch: Located to the north of downtown, it’s great for golfing, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
4. North Scottsdale: Further up north, close to the Scottsdale Airport, you’ll find even more golf courses, museums, ranches, and galleries.
5. Scottsdale Road: Probably the most relaxed district in Scottsdale, located in close proximity to the marvelous Papago Park and the Phoenix Zoo.

The Best Areas & Hotels in Scottsdale

The number of hotels in Scottsdale and its area is simply amazing. In this guide, you’ll see a limited choice of the best and most suitable budget, mid-range, and luxurious hotels, but there are much, much more. Feel free to search and discover for yourself.

One thing that you should know upfront is that Scottsdale is not cheap. Also, there’s not a huge difference between the particular areas or districts in terms of accommodation prices.

But, as is usually the case, the general Downtown area — the Old Town and the Fashion Square —- are the most expensive districts. If you prefer more budget accommodation, you should stay in the other three neighborhoods.

McCormick Ranch is the most family-friendly area, and North Scottsdale probably has the cheapest accommodation. Scottsdale Road’s accommodation pallet, on the other hand, mostly consists of three-star midrange hotels and is somewhat in between.

1. Old Town

If you’ve just arrived in Scottsdale for the first time, staying in the Old Town is probably the best and most logical choice for you.

Around 150 years old, this part of the city is actually its historical, cultural, and artistic kernel, full of historical buildings, galleries, and museums. On top of that, it’s lovely, lively, dynamic, and full of street decorations — a place where you can shop or eat until you can’t move.

All in all, a great place if you want to get the best first impression of Scottsdale and feel motivated and encouraged to explore every nook and corner of the city in the future.

Let’s start with the galleries since there are a ton of them. They’re mainly located on Main Street and Marshall Way, where they basically stretch — each next to the other — to eternity.

Here are some of the best ones:

• Paul Scott Gallery
• On The Edge Gallery
• Altamira Fine Art
• The Legacy Gallery

If you’re more interested in history and want to find out as much as you can about Scottsdale, we recommend that you join a historical tour. The whole tour rarely extends for more than 90 minutes.

If you’re more of a loner and prefer to build your opinions on your own, without curation, we recommend that you visit some key sites.

The Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is a good place to start; then take a look at the oldest religious building in the city, the Old Adobe Mission; finish with the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Those three should do the trick.

The Old Town is full of hotels and restaurants. There’s not a lot of budget accommodation, though — only two two-star hotels in the whole area — and if you prefer cheaper options, you should look at another area.

The same holds with the restaurants: if you want to eat well and don’t mind that the menu is a bit pricey, the Old Town has a lot to offer.

Things to Do

• History buffs have a lot to see in Scottsdale’s Old Town. There’s no better way to learn about the city and its history than joining the tour organized by the city. We recommend this tour to every first-time visitor to Scottsdale since the best way to enjoy a new city is to learn what it’s all about. And the rest is history (pun intended).
• Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is probably one of the most famous institutions of the city. Enclosed within its 43,000 square meters is the history of 19 USA states — including Arizona and Texas — but it also has artifacts from Canada and Mexico. Plenty of stories about the indigenous peoples, Mexicans, and early pioneers intermingle through its corridors, including a lot of material monuments and artifacts.
• Scottsdale’s Old Town is strong on art galleries, mainly concentrated around Main Street and Marshall Way. The best thing you can do is to visit as many of them as you can, and remember — you don’t have to buy anything if you don’t want to. Also, every Thursday evening, the city organizes the Scottsdale ArtWalk, where the galleries organize special expositions, demos, along with live music and refreshments.
• In the past, every small city like Scotsdale was organized around one central institution — in most cases, the church. Scottsdale is no exception, and that’s why we wholeheartedly recommend that you visit the Colonial Revival Church of The Old Adobe Mission. It’s been there since 1933. You can also join a tour organized by the church itself.

Where to Eat

• Citizen Public House is an elite gastropub famous for its cocktails and comfort food. We recommend the barrel-aged cocktails, which are quite popular, the roasted brussels sproutsm and the pork belly pastrami. There’s a social hour from 4 PM to 6 PM with a lot of discounts.
• Fat Ox is a restaurant that offers traditional Italian food prepared with a modern twist. Led by Chef Matt Carter, it offers a wide range of salumi, antipasto, and formaggio, but also different kinds of roasted meat and innovative pasta.  
• The Mission Old Town is a relatively new but very popular restaurant in Old Town Scottsdale, which is all about Latin cuisine. The restaurant’s menu is mostly fitting for lunch and dinner, but it also serves brunch. It has a great variety of starters and main dishes and a lot of different cocktails.

Old Town Budget Hotels

• Extended Stay America Suites is a two-star hotel, particularly suitable for a longer stay. The hotel has free parking and is pet-friendly, while the rooms are furnished, have free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a fully equipped kitchen — microwave, refrigerator, and a stovetop included.
• Comfort Suites Old Town is another very nice two-star hotel that is especially suitable for couples. It has an indoor pool and a fitness center on the premises, and the rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi. The hotel also offers free parking, as well as breakfast every morning.

Old Town Mid-Range Hotels

• Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale Old Town is a great three-star hotel with an even greater location, right in the heart of Scottsdale’s Old Town. The hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, a bar, and a restaurant. The rooms are spacious and equipped with microwaves and refrigerators.
• Hyatt Place Scottsdale/Old Town is another three-star hotel with a great location. There’s an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and a bar on the premises of the hotel. Each room has free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, sitting space, and flat-screen cable TV.

Old Town Luxury Hotels

• Hotel Valley Ho is a very luxurious four-star hotel located just five minutes from the Old Town of Scottsdale. There’s an outdoor swimming pool, a spa and wellness center, and a fitness center on the premises. The hotel mainly serves American cuisine for lunch and dinner and offers cocktails that you can sip by the pool.
• Canopy By Hilton Scottsdale Old Town is another four-star hotel located in the heart of Scottsdale’s Old Town. Each room has free Wi-Fi ,air-conditioning, and all the necessary and luxurious amenities. There’s also a swimming pool, a fitness center, a bar, and a restaurant on the premises.

See the Best Scottsdale Hotels

2. Fashion Square

If you are a huge fan of shopping, especially for luxurious items and expensive things, Fashion Square is the perfect place for you.

The luxury doesn’t pertain to shopping only: some of the best accommodations in the city are located here, as well as a lot of high-end (and even Michelin-starred) restaurants too.

You just have to keep in mind that this is the most expensive district in all of Scottsdale in terms of shopping, accommodation, and food.

Fashion Square (as the name suggests) is one of America’s top shopping destinations, full of names such as Prada, Versace, Gucci, and other retailers like Nordstrom, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, and Dillard’s.

It’s hard to pin a precise number, but we can confidently claim that there are more than 240 exclusive shops in Fashion Square. That makes it the largest shopping center in the whole state of Arizona.

Luxury shops usually go in pairs with high-end restaurants, and Scottsdale’s Fashion Square is not an exception to this rule. Some of the most expensive, luxurious, elite restaurants in the city are located near the shops.

The Maple & Ash is one such example of a two-star Michelin restaurant with a world-renowned chef. There are other things to visit and see in this area that are not shops or restaurants.

For example, you can have a stroll along the Soleri Bridge, which is simultaneously a pedestrian bridge and a solar calendar.

The Fiesta Bowl Museum is also a great choice for college football fans: here, they’ll find a lot of memorabilia and exhibits from the Fiesta Bowl events.

Finally, enjoy the unique experience provided by the kaleidoscopic lights of the Wonderspaces Arizona Art Organization. You surely won’t regret it.

Things to Do

• If you’ve decided to stay in this neighborhood, it means that you’re primarily interested in shopping. The Fashion Square itself — by which the whole neighborhood is called — is the biggest and probably the most elite shopping center in Arizona, with more than 240 shops.
• The Soleri Bridge is one of the biggest attractions in Fashion Square for a reason. Named after its creator, Paolo Soleri. It’s an architectural marvel which serves three different functions: a solar calendar, a pedestrian bridge, and a gathering place for the Waterfront of Scottsdale.
• You can also go to the museum or museum-related institutions. We recommend that you first visit the Fiesta Bowl Museum, especially if you’re a fan of college football. It offers a great variety of exhibits and memorabilia related to that.
• Visit some of the great restaurants of Scottsdale’s Fashion Square. Most of them are high and expensive, but there are also some affordable options too. The Culinary Dropout is a trendy, hip place with a lot of food options and drinks, and it’s one of the most representative places for experiencing the nightlife of the city.

Where to Eat

• Pita Jungle – Fashion Square specializes in healthy Mediterranean cuisine, with a lot of vegetarian and vegan options. They also have a great location, right in the middle of the fashionable Fashion Square.
• Maple & Ash is a high-end elite steakhouse with an extensive and very rich list of expensive wines. The menu was constructed by Chef Danny Grant, who’s been awarded two Michelin stars.
• Ocean 44 is another high-end restaurant in one of the most expensive areas of Scottsdale. This one specializes in meat, seafood, and cocktails. With an elegant exterior and fresh seafood, it’s the perfect place to go out when you want to celebrate a special occasion.  

Fashion Square Budget Hotels

• Motel 6 Old town Scottsdale Fashion Square is literally the only two-star accommodation in the whole of Fashion Square. Located just outside the area, it offers free Wi-Fi, free air conditioning, and rooms with cable TV. There’s even a small but decent outdoor pool.

Fashion Square Mid-Range Hotels

• Scottsdale Camelback Resort is a great three-star hotel located just outside of Fashion Square. It’s a family-friendly resort that offers tennis courts and tennis lessons, a movie theater, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a wellness and spa center. There’s also a restaurant on the premises and a kitchen in every room.
• Luxury Villa min walk to Scottsdale W Hotel & City Center is a three-star accommodation. The vacation home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sitting room, and a fully equipped kitchen, as well as free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and free parking.

Fashion Square Luxury Hotels

• Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows is a very luxurious five-star hotel with a great mountain view located just outside of Scottsdale’s Fashion Square. It offers an outdoor pool with a hot tub, a fitness center, a spa and wellness center, and a restaurant on the premises. The rooms are spacious and furnished with a lot of luxurious amenities.
• The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale is another very luxurious five-star hotel, a perfect example of Scottsdale’s great hotels and famous hospitality. It offers no less than nine swimming pools, a golf course, eight restaurants, a wellness and spa center, and a bar. The food is especially great since every restaurant offers something different.

See the Best Scottsdale Hotels

3. McCormick Ranch

As you go further to the north of Scottsdale’s Old Town and Fashion Square for about eight kilometers, you’ll reach the area called McCormick Ranch.

Here you’ll discover the other side of Scottsdale, further away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

You’ll find yourself surrounded by beautiful and relaxing nature, magnificent mountain views, large golf courses, and soothing parks. That’s why we think that this district is the most family-friendly in the whole area.

McCormick ranch is mostly famous for the golf courses surrounded by mountain views. And, as any golfer would confirm, the view is the key selling point on a quality golf course.

Here’s a list of the best golf clubs in the area, listed in no particular order:

• McCormick Ranch Golf Club
• Camelback Golf Club
• Paradise Valley Country Club
• Phoenician Golf Club (located between Fashion Square and McCormick Ranch)
• Scottsdale Silverado Golf Club
• Talking Stick Golf Club
• Gainey Ranch Golf Club

Most of the other available activities in this area are also connected with the outdoors. You can visit the Scottsdale Ranch Park & Tennis Center, Stonegate Equestrian Park, Chaparral Park, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, or Mountain View Park.

Or you can enjoy something completely different and more challenging, like skydiving at iFLY Phoenix, Arizona.

Finally, also completely in touch with the general outdoor atmosphere, you can either rent a bike and drive around the area because it has a lot of bike tracks, or you can go hiking. There are seven man-made lakes in McCormick Ranch that offer unforgettable scenic views as well.

The accommodation situation is quite refreshing too. There are many hotels of every type and size in this area. Additionally, almost every two-star hotel in Scottsdale has a pool and a fitness center.

Things to Do

• There’s no better thing to do in McCormick Ranch than to have a couple of games of golf. There’s a large number of golf courses in this area — probably around ten — and all of them offer both unforgettable mountain views and lush green surfaces.
• McCormick Ranch offers the highest concentration of parks around Scottsdale. They offer a great place for different kinds of outdoor activities, such as having a picnic, driving a bike, or just relaxing or walking around. Some of the parks — like the Scottsdale Ranch Park & Tennis Center —- have a sports pitch next to them. They’re a great choice if you’re a fan of sports, too.
• The area around McCormick Ranch is not only about the outdoors, hiking, biking, and parks. There are other quite interesting things to do here, which can be magnetizing for future tourists. If you love adrenaline, you can go skydiving at iFLY Phoenix, Arizona. If you love learning about history in an interactive way, visit Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, which offers a medieval-themed experience you won’t forget.

Where to Eat

• Hiro Sushi is an Asian and Sushi restaurant, going strong since 1997. We can recommend a lot of different dishes from a lot of different traditions, like the chirashi bento boxes, sushi rolls, the Arizona Roll, the tuna, the octopus, and the salmon.
• Roka Akor is a traditional Japanese restaurant that has quite an interesting thing to offer, and by that, we mean not only sushi. The meats are especially great, like the prime steaks served with dressings and sauces — the Australian Wagyu beef is a particularly popular choice.
• Grassroots Kitchen & Tap is a traditional laid-back restaurant serving fresh farm food. Going strong since 2011, it serves seemingly simple dishes in a new and creative way, like the prosciutto-wrapped asparagus, the vegetable platter, as well as a lot of salads, sandwiches, and seafood.  

McCormick Ranch Budget Hotels

• Tru By Hilton Scottsdale Salt River is a two-star hotel located on the east side of the McCormick Ranch area. It offers free parking, free Wi-Fi throughout the premises, barbeque facilities, a fitness center, and a shared lounge. Every morning there is an American or a Continental breakfast, depending on your preferences.
• Comfort Suites Scottsdale Talking Stick Entertainment District is another decent two-star hotel located in the south-east parts of McCormick Ranch. A particularly suitable choice for couples, it offers an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center. Like most of the hotels in Scottsdale, it doesn’t let go of its guests without a complimentary breakfast.

McCormick Ranch Mid-Range Hotels

• Great Wolf Lodge Arizona is a great boutique hotel, especially nice for couples who want to get out on a romantic retreat. It offers an indoor swimming pool, a water park, a fitness center, and a bar.
• WorldMark Scottsdale is a three-star resort with a beautiful mountain view and free parking. Every room has a TV with Blueray, a coffee machine, and a private bathroom (some of them have sitting areas too). Also, there’s an outdoor pool and a fitness center on the premises.  

McCormick Ranch Luxury Hotels

• The Scottsdale Plaza Resort & Villas is a huge four-star hotel,located right under Camelback Mountain. It spreads over roughly 40 acres of land and presents a magnificent mountain view. It also has five swimming pools, a fitness center, a spa and wellness center, a bar, and a restaurant on the premises.
• Luxury Condos by Meridian CondoResorts- Scottsdale is another not-so-big and luxurious four-star hotel that nonetheless has to offer a lot to the potential guest. It has a swimming pool, a water park and fitness center, rooms with a seating area, and a fully equipped kitchen. 

See the Best Scottsdale Hotels

4. North Scottsdale

North Scottsdale is located around 15 kilometers from the Old Town and the Fashion Square. Aside from the distance from the crowds and the beautiful nature that surrounds it, North Scottsdale offers one big perk — it’s very close to the Scottsdale Airport.

If you prefer to travel by plane on a regular basis but still want to stick to the city, North Scottsdale is the right area for you. But that’s not all! Don’t let its distance and proximity to the airport fool you.

North Scottsdale is one of the most versatile areas near this small Arizona city and offers a lot of things for its potential visitors. Here you’ll find golf courses, museums, galleries, and amusement parks.

Again, some of the city’s best golf courses are located here. We recommend the TPC Scottsdale – The Stadium Course with its sublime view of the McDowell Mountains, the equally stunning Grayhawk Golf Club, and the challenging McDowell Mountain Golf Club.

Let’s talk about some museums since we haven’t mentioned anything of that kind since the first district. North Scottsdale offers two which are quite unique and exceptional.

First, the sweet Candytopia Museum with its Alice in Wonderland vibe. Second is the more rugged American Penske Racing Museum with its archives and collections of cars, races, and trophies. Finally, let’s talk about the Wild Wild West stuff in this area.

We recommend you tour Taliesin West and explore the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. While you are there, visit MacDonald’s Ranch and have an old-school authentic cowboy experience. The accommodation situation is similar.

North Scottsdale is very versatile in terms of hotels, and here you’ll find some of each. For those who want luxury, there are great four or five-star hotels; and people who travel on a budget will find great two-star hotels with pools.

Things to Do

• Again we have golf. Some of the best golf courses in Scottsdale are located in this area. All of them are mostly famous for beautiful surroundings and sublime mountain vistas. There are not as many of them as in McCormick Ranch, but these three are more than up to the task: TPC Scottsdale – The Stadium Course, Grayhawk Golf Club, and McDowell Mountain Golf Club.
• We also recommend visiting some museums in North Scottsdale. Candytopia Museum is quite an interesting and unusual museum, mainly about candy and candy-inspired structures. It’s particularly interesting for kids.
• Penske Racing Museum is a car-racing museum, full of trophies, cars, artifacts, and memorabilia connected to one of the most loved sports in America.
• If you don’t mind spending a couple of extra kilometers (and especially if you have a car), go to the McDowell Mountain Regional Park Hunting Area. The nature — both flora and fauna — is quite stunning. Also, as the name suggests, the park is perfect for potential hunters and fishers. But, have one thing in mind: hunting with firearms is prohibited — you can only hunt the old way, using a bow and arrow.

Where to Eat

• La Hacienda is a combination of Mexican, Latin, and Southwestern restaurant that was selected as the 2022 Travellers’ Choice. It’s suitable for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and welcomes its vegan and vegetarian customers with great choices. We recommend the guac and the shrimp enchiladas.
• Mastro’s Steakhouse is an upscale and elite American Steakhouse famous for its meat and wine. But there is seafood too, and we particularly recommend the shrimp and lobster cocktail. Just have in mind that there’s a strict dress code in the restaurant, so no hoodies, shorts, or flip-flops.
• Flo’s is a hybrid restaurant, combining Chinese, Thai, and general Asian cuisine in its menu. The premises of the restaurants are very clean and tastefully decorated, and the ingredients are always fresh. We recommend you try something unusual, like Mongolian beef, which is quite famous in this restaurant.

North Scottsdale Budget Hotels

• Luxury Mountain View 2BR with balcony located in Scottsdale is a two-star accommodation with an outdoor pool. There’s also a fitness center and a restaurant on the premises, which is quite a big deal since we’re talking about a relatively cheap two-star place. The accommodation offers two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and a large living room.  
• Extended Stay America Suites – North is probably the cheapest accommodation in the area. It’s a two-star hotel, specially designed to accommodate longer stays. There’s a private bathroom and a kitchen in every room, as well as a tasty breakfast every morning.

North Scottsdale Mid-Range Hotels

• Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale North/Perimeter Center is a more than decent three-star hotel with an on-site outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, and a bar.The hotel also has a fitness center and offers room service and a tasty breakfast. Some of the rooms have a spa, bath, and a sitting area.  
• Sleep Inn at North Scottsdale Road is another three-star hotel with an outdoor pool and all the regular amenities. The rooms have free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning, private bathrooms, cable TVs, and coffee makers. Every morning, there’s a tasty breakfast to prepare you for the day.

North Scottsdale Luxury Hotels

• Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a super luxurious and very big five-star hotel that has a lot to offer. It has a huge year-round pool and no less than four award-winning restaurants on the premises. It also has a fitness center, a spa and wellness center, and a bar. The hotel is particularly suitable for couples.
• Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains is another of those hotels which function as a world of their own. This four-star giant from the Marriott chain of hotels offers free private parking, a fitness center, a spa and wellness center, a bar, and a restaurant on the premises. The restaurant offers Mediterranean food, and the bar has a pool table.

See the Best Scottsdale Hotels

5. Scottsdale Road

Located to the south of Scottsdale’s Old Town, just before you reach Tempe, lies the last neighborhood on our guide —- Scottsdale Road. It’s probably the calmest district in Scottsdale, and we recommend it to those who look for tranquility before anything.

Taking that into account, Scottsdale Road is not boring: there’s a bunch of interesting things to do on the southern side of this small Arizona city.

First of all, Scottsdale Road is just a couple of kilometers from the Downtown (both Old Town and Fashion Square) of Scottsdale.

That means that you can enjoy all the perks of the city center without experiencing the noise and the crowds that usually accompany the urban areas. Visit the central attractions of the Old Town or go shopping at Fashion Square.

Then go back to the peace and quiet of your accommodation. Golf is unavoidable in the area around Scottsdale, and the situation is no different in this district.

There’s a bunch of them south of Scottsdale, and we recommend the following courts:

• Continental Golf Club
• Arizona Country Club 
• Coronado Golf Course and Lighted Driving Range
• Rolling Hills Golf Course 

Probably the biggest attraction in this area is Papago Park. It offers one of the most beautiful places for recreation, hiking, strolling, picnicking, and relaxing.

Here you’ll also find the Hole in the Rock, which is the best viewpoint in the area and a perfect place for taking pictures.

At Papago Park, you’ll find two more things that are worth your time: the Desert Botanical Garden offers more than 140 acres of space, around 50,000 plants, a library, and a shop.

Right next to it is the famous Phoenix Zoo. It boasts a lot of activities, like animal petting, a narrated tram ride, shops, etc. Scottsdale Road — like the general Scottsdale area —- has plenty of accommodation options.

Most of all, it has three-star hotels and holiday homes, which generally are considered mid-range options. But, some of them are less expensive and can be of use to budget travelers.

Things to Do

• Yet again, if you want to play golf, Scottsdale Road is another perfect place for you. Continental Golf Club also has a shop; Coronado Golf Course and Lighted Driving Range is perfect for beginners; Rolling Hills Golf Course is a public place, available to anybody at all times.
• Papago Park is simply a great place to spend your day. A huge open space, it serves as the unofficial center of the whole area and a meeting place — because of its location — for the people from Scottsdale, Phoenix, and Tempe. It’s a great place for hiking, strolling, and picnicking. Hike to Hole in the Rock and take a picture of the surrounding area, including the Phoenix Zoo.
• Visit the Desert Botanical Garden, which houses more than 50,000 plants, arranged along 140 acres of scenic land. Then, there’s the Phoenix Zoo, which is also a fun and dynamic place.
• Some people have specific tastes and interests. If, by any chance, you’re one of them, and you are interested in fire engines from 1725 to 1969, you should definitely visit the Hall of Flame Fire Museum located on the edges of Papago Park. It’s also a touching monument to a number of unnamed, fallen heroes in a multi-gallery museum.

Where to Eat

• Bei Sushi, Bar, Asian Cuisine is one of Scottsdale’s best sushi places. Famous for their quality ingredients, we recommend the sushi rolls, different kinds of Japanese main dishes such as teriyaki, but also other dishes like noodles and rice plates. The cocktails are also nice.
• Los Sombreros is a casual Mexican restaurant, mostly serving regular Mexican dishes in combination with tasty Margaritas. The interior and the exterior of the restaurant are quite nice, offering both a great atmosphere and a cozy patio. “Fresh food” and “positive vibes” — that’s their motto.
• GYRO 101 is a Mediterranean restaurant named after the world-famous Greek meat dish made from spicy beef and lamb (or chicken), tzatziki, ketchup, mustard, and french fries. It’s cozy, down to earth, and has a perfect patio. They offer their gyro in as many ways as you’ll think possible.

Scottsdale Road Budget Hotels

• Element Scottsdale at SkySong is a not-so-expensive but nice three-star hotel with an outdoor pool. It has air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi and private bathrooms. The hotel is also pet-friendly and has a restaurant that mostly serves classic American cuisine.
• Chuparosa by AvantStay Phoenix Home Backyard Pool is an accommodation offering private parking, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning throughout the premises, and a swimming pool. Four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a fully equipped kitchen are at your disposal.

Scottsdale Road Mid-Range Hotels

• 3 Palms Hotel is a nice three-star hotel located just two and a half kilometers from Scottsdale’s Old Town. There’s an outdoor pool and a fitness center on the premises. And all of the rooms are furnished with 50-inch TVs, microwaves, refrigerators, and private bathrooms.
• Desert Paradise is a three-star private home with a private parking, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. There’s also an outdoor pool on the premises. There are four bedrooms in the house, two bathrooms with baths and showers, and a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and a refrigerator.  

Scottsdale Road Luxury Hotels

• FRONTDESK Mandarina Apts Phoenix is a great four-star accommodation that has a lot to offer. It has an outdoor pool and a fitness center on the premises. The rooms have free Wi-Fi and free air-conditioning, a balcony, a kitchen, a private bathroom, and a living room with a TV.
• AC Hotel by Marriott Phoenix Tempe/Downtown is a luxurious four-star hotel, actually located in Tempe. Again, it boasts an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center on the premises. It also has a bar with lovely breakfast served every morning. All of the rooms are furnished with desks and flat-screen TVs.

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So, Where Should You Stay in Scottsdale?

Writing a guide about Scottsdale and giving suggestions about activities and accommodations to potential visitors was not an easy task. Scottsdale is so rich, interesting, and one of a kind that the only way to really find out about it is to go there and feel the atmosphere.

Nonetheless, let’s do a quick recap and once again summarize our findings. Scottsdale’s Old Town is the obvious choice for those who are visiting this town for the first time.

Most of the culture and history of the city are concentrated here, as you can see by the number of galleries and museums. Either way, it’s a great place to start your trip. Fashion Square is the most expensive and elite part of the city.

It’s the obvious choice for enthusiastic shoppers, housing the biggest shopping mall in Arizona. But, if you don’t want to spend a lot of money, you shouldn’t stay in this particular district.

McCormick Ranch is an outdoor paradise. Full of parks, it offers the best chance you’ll have in this area for hiking, biking, and relaxing. It’s probably the most family-friendly area in all of Scottsdale. Also, here you’ll find the largest concentration of golf courses in the city.

Further up north from Downtown and the McCormick Ranch lies North Scottsdale. An interesting and relaxed neighborhood, with another bunch of galleries and golf courses it’s the closest area on our list to Scottsdale’s airport.

Finally, Scottsdale road is the calmest neighborhood on our list. Here you’ll find two things: more golf courses on the one hand, and the biggest park in the area, with an adjunct botanical garden and a zoo. Both of them are worth visiting.

So, with so much to see and do, and amazing places to eat, sleep, and visit, what are you waiting for — book your trip to Scottsdale today!