Where to Stay in Scottsdale, Arizona for Two Very Different Experiences

Choosing where to stay in Scottsdale is going to be one of your tougher choices. Do you spa or do you city? Do you desert or do you resort? Well, during my recent 4 days in Scottsdale, Arizona I stayed in two completely different places because, as you know, Ashley gots to have it all! 

Where to stay in Scottsdale, Arizona

The growing city that it is, Scottsdale, Arizona offers a ton of accommodation options with all different vibes. For instance, it’s a land of elaborate resorts and spas, but also of mid-century modern design and urban accessibility. What it’s not is a retreat merely for golfers and grandparents anymore (that’s mid-century design of a different sort). 

Where to stay in Scottsdale, Arizona will be a tough choice… so let me make it easier for you and tell you about the two places I stayed. These two places are pretty close to polar opposites, but I love that I got to experience two very different sides of Scottsdale hotel life.

This post is the result of a paid partnership between myself and Experience Scottsdale. Regardless, and as always, all opinions, content, and photos are mine, all mine!

Hotel Valley Ho

Hotel Valley Ho is the iconic Scottsdale hotel. It opened in 1956 and is still the epitome of mid-century modern architecture and design.

And what does that mean for your Scottsdale vacation? It means the chance to live out your biggest and baddest Mad Men fantasies… only without all the cigarettes and that time they drove that lawnmower through the office.

Staying here you’ll feel like you’re back in the 1950s and 60s in the time of classic Hollywood—as this once was a retreat for the rich and famous. No detail was left out and everything here from the furniture to the light fixtures to the pool has that fab #midmod aesthetic. It truly is shagadelic, baby.

Pro tip
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For the optimal Hotel Valley Ho experience, pack a splendidly retro outfit for your dinner at their on-site restaurant–it’s one of the things I wish I’d packed. For everything else you need to know for what to pack for Arizona in the winter, check out that link!

Why I love Hotel Valley Ho

Hotel Valley Ho’s location makes it the perfect place to stay—walkable (and golf cart-able) to all of Old Town Scottsdale and the surrounding areas. The staff is incredibly friendly and accommodating and you’ll feel truly away from it all here. “It all” referring to the 21st century and all its nonsense. 

Staying at the Hotel Valley Ho was one of the grooviest lodging experiences I’ve ever had and I can’t wait to return for another… this time with a proper Betty Draper wardrobe.

Check out Hotel Valley Ho here on Booking.com, my favorite booking site.

Pro tip
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While staying at Hotel Valley Ho, be sure to have dinner at their on-site restaurant Zuzu. This was my favorite meal of my entire 4 days in Scottsdale. Loved the ambience, love love loved the food! 

Civana Wellness Resort & Spa

During the second half of my 4 days in Scottsdale I stayed at Civana Wellness Resort & Spa. This was a deviation from everything… from big city life, from reality, and from the kinds of places I typically find myself sleeping on vacation. I mean, it’s in a part of Arizona called Carefree. Like, the city is Carefree, Arizona. C’mon. 

Lemme preface this by saying I am not a spa person. At least, I didn’t think I was before I stayed here. It really is amazing how quickly one can adapt to #robelife and being spoken to in hushed tones.

Great introduction to spa life

Civana is a great introduction to spa life for those who think spa life isn’t for them. While there is an all-encompassing menu of spa treatments, there’s also a huge calendar of free, included classes and events like yoga, pilates, and guided desert hikes. There are art classes, culinary demonstrations, and tons of relaxation… stuff. (What is this “relaxation” of which you speak?)

Save some money
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Did you know hotel rooms in Scottsdale, Arizona cost 33% less in the winter? That’s just one of the many reasons to visit Scottsdale in the winter. Check out the rest in that link!

There are a couple of restaurants on site (both amazing), beautiful pools and cactus gardens, and anyone staying at Civana has free run of the spa and their aqua therapy circuit. Did you hear that? Anyone can use the spa, no expensive appointments required! 

Check out Civana here on Booking.com and start practicing your spa voice.

What all did I do at Civana?
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Check out my full post on my 4 days in Scottsdale itinerary and head straight to Day 4 (and the morning of Day 5) to see how I spent an entire day taking advantage of #spalife at Civana. 

More info on where to stay in Scottsdale

Heading to Scottsdale? Read hotel reviews on TripAdvisor then book your room here!
But where do I personally recommend? The hip Hotel Valley Ho or the relaxing Civana Resort
Don’t forget to pick up an Arizona guidebook for more cool Arizona experiences!
What camera did I use for this post? My Olympus OM-D EM-5 Mark II with 40-150mm lens + Google Pixel 3
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