W Scottsdale

If you haven’t been paying attention to Scottsdale you might be surprised to find its demographics have shifted a bit. What was once a haven for upscale golf resorts and Southwestern art galleries is now a nightlife and entertainment mecca, with a new breed of hotels to match — including the W Scottsdale, an outpost of the Starwood-owned boutique-style luxury chain.

It’s the full W treatment from top to bottom, including the slightly precious room categories (Wonderful and Fabulous instead of Standard and Superior, for example) and the bar, which is no cozy little lounge — it’s a poolside debauch called Sunset Beach, and comes complete with daybeds, “lounging pods,” and TV-equipped private cabanas, as well as a guest list and a tightly controlled door. Welcome to the new Scottsdale.

Business travelers will find the W well equipped, but they’ll need to bring their patience — the bathrooms are a bit too intimate for traveling with someone you don’t know extremely well, and the poolside scene doesn’t exactly knock off early. It’s perhaps at its best when you’ve come for leisure, and you can make the most of the Bliss spa, the excellent gym, and the stylish, upscale Sushi Roku restaurant.


How to get there:
W Scottsdale is approximately a 20-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).