5 Scottsdale Resorts with Southwestern Flair

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess: Grab a beer from the beer donkey or beverage burro that can play host at events held at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. The live donkey (or burro in Spanish) holds a carrier of beer and creates a festive photo-op with attendees—a perfect addition to a welcome reception to get in the Scottsdale spirit. The 648-room property also plays out the Southwestern theme in its La Hacienda by Richard Sandoval restaurant, where meeting planners can arrange for the Tequila Goddess (yes, that’s her actual title) to lead the group in a tequila tasting. With more than 150,000 sf of event space, the property offers lots of options for events, including pool parties at the East Pool and Crown P Corral, where lit-up palm trees provide an almost Hollywood-like backdrop.

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch: A 200-year-old saguaro cactus stands in the center of the Hyatt Regency’s Fountain Court—one of the many only-in-Arizona touches this property offers groups. The 493-room property also partners with The Destination Manager to bring groups experiences such as a capture-your-boss team building activity, themed after an Old West shootout. Salsa and margarita making are other ways to add a little Southwestern flair to an event in the resort’s 70,000 sf of indoor and outdoor event space.

Groups staying at FireSky will get a sense of all-natural Scottsdale. The 204-room property’s design plays on the elements—fire, water, earth and air—especially in the Jurlique Spa, which uses plant-based products to help attendees restore energy. If there isn’t time for attendees to visit the spa, the property can arrange masseuses to come to the 14,000sf of meeting space to do hand and chair massages during a meeting break. At night, fire pits light up the outdoor event space where attendees can network over making s’mores.

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North: Located in the foothills of Pinnacle Peak, this Four Seasons Resort gives attendees an away-from-it-all feel in any one of its 210 adobe casitas. Each room features a patio or balcony as well as wooden furnishings—many of which are sourced from Mexican artisans—and handmade art by Huichol Indians. Those same Southwestern interior details are seen throughout the restaurants and 35,920 sf of indoor and outdoor event spaces. Boardrooms feature large wooden tables that set off adistinct, mesquite smell, while Talavera, the onsite steakhouse, features leather chairs and rod-iron chandeliers.

Just finishing up a $9 million makeover, The Scottsdale Resort features a new design inspired by Mexican haciendas (Spanish forestate), Argentinean estancias (working ranches) and Brazilian fazendas (farms that feature ancient stone walls, arcaded portals and cobbled courtyards.The resort’s new lobby bar creates a more open feel, while Sangria’s Lounge now features communal dining, an open-air kitchen and fresh furnishings. The 326-room property also updated its landscaping—ideal for groups hosting outdoor events in the resort’s more than 60,000 sf of event space.