scottsdale

Visit the Grand Canyon without the Crowds

It's that time of year when the National Parks beckon, and the mother lode of those parks is definitely the Grand Canyon. But if the idea of battling crowds in ill-fitting shorts, wielding dripping ice cream cones makes you a little queasy, the InterContinental Montelucia in Scottsdale has a better plan in mind.

The Grand Canyon Spectacular Package starts aboard a private jet, for the couple-of-hundred mile journey to the park. Then you board a helicopter below the rim, for champagne and h'ors d'oeuvres on the Colorado River.

Okay, that wasn't exactly a workout, but the package includes a full day of spa treatments with as many treatments as you can squeeze in. Joya Spa wasn't just an afterthought at Montelucia, it's a destination in its own right -- it would be a stretch to say it's the Grand Canyon of spas, but it's really big: 31,000 square feet, and all done in Moorish theme, as is the rest of the property.

As part of this package, your unlimited treatments are executed in the spa's biggest private suite, the Grand Palace, which has its own wrap-around deck and a view of Camelback Mountain. The package also includes four nights in the hotel's signature suite, car service to the airport, dinner at the resort's well-regarded restaurant Spanish restaurant Prado, with wine pairings. Cost: $9,995 (double occupancy) excluding tax and service charge.

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Tags: grand canyon, GrandCanyon, hotel, hotels, packages, scottsdale, spa

Scottsdale Contemporary, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

This amazing home in the Sonoran desert outside of Scottsdale, Arizona was created by architect, Eddie Jones. The home has rammed earth walls and large glass windows that shocase the desert and mountain views. The home has metal roof, smooth polished concrete floors, and the warming touch of maple and cherry cabinetry and silver leaf ceiling panels.There is a master suite plus three guest bedroom suites with baths, library, separate guest house, self-contained in-laws quarters, work-out room with sauna and an eight-car, air-conditioned garage. It is listed for $6.495 million or for rent, partially furnished for $30,000/month.

Experience more lush living in luxury homes and mansions or see the stars living large with celebrity homes galleries at AOL Real Estate.

Gallery: Scottsdale Contemporary

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Tags: arizona, estate of the day, EstateOfTheDay, scottsdale

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Spa Lamar Could Be Yours for the Day

by Laura Malesich (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spas

If the spa experience as is just isn't cutting it consider getting the whole spa to youself, and your party, for the entire day! For $10,000 you can "Own the Spa" at Spa Lamar in Scottsdale, AZ without any other customers to share the steam room or sauna with. The day price breaks down to about $80 per service including a personal chef to cook for you and your lucky friends. Although the entire package costs quite a bit this offer reflects about 25% in savings to the customer.

If you haven't heard of Spa Lamar before consider that it has been dubbed "Most Decadent Massage" by Allure magazine, "Best Day Spa" by Phoenix City Search and caters to the Phoenix Suns Dancers. "Owning" the spa for the day includes up to five hours of unlimitmed spa and salon services, dining in the Palm Room and access to the aforementioned chef, and spa concierge service in this 14,000 square foot plush environment. With private resort-like feel this sounds like it would be one of the best days ever -- the next day however may feel like a harsh return to reality. Too bad the big price tag doesn't mean you get to take the masseuse and chef home with you.

Gallery: Spa Lamar

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Tags: arizona, AZ, Scottsdale, scottsdale az, ScottsdaleAz, spa lamar, SpaLamar

Casino Arizona

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Around a decade, ago the words "Indian casino" generally denoted small operations where the focus was just on the gambling. These days Indian casinos are often lavish destination resorts. Scottsdale, Arizona is about to get a new large resort project from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Casino Arizona will be a 15-story hotel and casino that includes a 497-room hotel, a 100,000-square-foot conference center, a spa and restaurants. The hotel is going to be a four-star operation and the project will add 300 jobs to the area. it is seen as a competitor to Westin and Marriott which are already in the area but, of course, don't offer gambling.

[via Arizona Republic]

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Tags: arizona, casino arizona, CasinoArizona, indian casino, scottsdale

Hotel Valley Ho, Scottsdale

by Matthew Collins (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

If you love mid-century modern design as much as I do, you will simply love the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, AZ. Built in 1956, the hotel was a favorite of celebrities visiting Scottsdale and today it's in the heart of the booming downtown arts district, attracting the young and hip. Massive renovations began in 2004 and the hotel was reopened in December 2005. The renovation kept true to the original style and details while adding modern touches such as Phillipe Starck bathtubs and a trendy spa. As a warning, this isn't a Four Seasons. Rooms are accessed via outdoor hallways, much like a motor lodge. But what counts is the luxurious room and awesome am entities waiting for you. The hotel has 2 restaurants, Cafe ZuZu is an old school hotel dinner serving stylish comfort food and Trader Vic's, the famous Polynesian Tiki Room. Certainly this gives you a reason to head out to the desert and catch up on your pampering.

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Tags: hotels, mid century modern, MidCenturyModern, scottsdale

Scottsdale Culinary Festival

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Events

Another excuse to jet to a warm locale and sample wine and food, the Scottsdale Culinary Festival is a six-day event held from April 18-23. There are a wide variety of events held during the week including the James Beard dinner, the Culinary Hall of Fame Awards Dinner and "Le Tour Culinaire" where guests are chauffeured to three different restaurants to sample cuisine paired with prominent wines. Over 250 wineries will be on hand to offer tastings during the week. Admission ranges from $5 for the Great Arizona Picnic to $200 for the James Beard Dinner. Proceeds benefits arts and arts education in the Scottsdale area.

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Tags: arizona, food, food and wine, gourmet, scottsdale, tastings, wine