Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows

As weekend destinations in the American southwest go, Scottsdale has a conservative reputation. It’s a place for golf and galleries and Lilly Pulitzer prints – like Palm Springs without the hipsters. Sure, it’s drop-dead gorgeous. The dark silhouette of Camelback Mountain at sunset is indescribably lovely. But what it needs is a breath of fresh air and a bit of youthful energy — and the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows is a step in the right direction.

In the Andaz the hotel giant Hyatt is in luxury-boutique mode, and they embrace a boutique-hotel philosophy: each individual hotel’s design is inspired by the location. In Scottsdale, that means cozy bungalow-style guest rooms with sleek modern lines, a warm color scheme, and a folk-art twist. Traditional woven textiles, decorative glass panels, and graphic artwork, inspired by the desert landscape and by the Zuni, a tribe indigenous to the region, enliven the airy white and beige interiors.

In Scottsdale, of course, the natural landscape and artistic tradition are are defining characteristics. The Andaz knows it: with a open kitchen and a traditional grill, the glass-encased Weft & Warp Art Bar & Kitchen makes the most of those long hours of desert sunshine, while the retro-inspired Turquoise Bar does poolside cocktails and small plates.

The hotel proudly offers insider access to the collaborative creative community at the nearby Cattle Track Arts Compound, and invites local artists to join in cultural programming at the hotel, as well. Even if you don’t have an artistic bone in your body, you might strike up an interesting conversation with a local sculptor over drinks — that’s the idea at the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows. It’s a little unconventional, sure. But that's just what Scottsdale needs.