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| Hotel Valey Ho (courtesty Hotel Valley Ho) |
Both Hotel Valley Ho and Mountain Shadows Resort are the product of the forward-thinking triumvirate of developers behind
Westroc Hospitality, a Phoenix-based company devoted to transforming unique (often run-down or tired) properties into extraordinary singular destinations.
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| Too cool for the 'fifties: the original lobby |
Don’t you love it when you stumble on a great place
unexpectedly? I found out about Hotel Valley Ho by accident, and almost didn’t stop
by to check it out – that would have been a mistake. This mid-century-style landmark opened on December 20, 1956, and was the first hotel in the valley to have air conditioning, The name "Valley Ho" was the result of a newspaper contest inspired by its sister property Westward Ho, a hotel that didn't stand the test of time. Hotel Valley Ho is now a hip spot that caters to
locals and visitors alike, with featured venues ZuZu restaurant and bar, VH Spa (Vitality + Health), The Tower Residences, and OH Pool Bar + Cabanas,
named one of the “World’s Coolest Pools” by
Travel + Leisure.
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| Valley Ho bath |
This was the first hotel
renovated by Westroc, and Valley Ho
has turned into a destination all its own, smack-dab in the center of
Scottsdale’s action.
The Museum of Contemporary Art,
Scottsdale Waterfront and
Fashion Square Mall and other shopping and amusements are
within easy walking distance. The hotel's grounds are beautifully landscaped,
reminiscent of Maui without the humidity. Speaking of Maui, some online reviews
of this hotel have lovely things to say about the beach access. Uh, no. No
beach, but plenty of sand. The rooms are attractive and
comfortable, and the bar is a meeting place par excellence.
Dinner in restaurant
ZuZu - particularly outside among the
palm trees and tweeting birdies - is an
uber-pleasant experience. The food was
fabulous (perfectly prepared beef from Colorado, fresh-daily seafood, local
veggies), and the wait staff more than accommodating (if you’re lucky, you’ll
get Garrett, waiter extraordinaire and sommelier to be).
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| ZuZu in Hotel Valley Ho (courtesy of Hotel Valley Ho) |
Valley Ho is a great all-around choice for a stay in
downtown Scottsdale. High season (now until late May) averages about $300 per room for all amenities, low season is half that.
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| Restaurant fountain, Mountain Shadows |
Cool, quiet, sleek, serene. Busy life got you down? Tired of paparazzi swarming like
hornets? Tied to electronics? Mountain Shadows is your remedy. This resort is a place of
refuge, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Phoenix, set above the fancy shops and eateries of Scottsdale. It's the most recent property recreated by the Westroc group and its partners.
After all, if Mountain Shadows worked for dozens of the glamorous late '50s elite such as Lucile Ball
and Desi Arnez, why not you? Of course, this isn’t the Hollywood getaway of the
days of early TV, or even the episode of the TV pop show,
The Monkees; those buildings no longer exist.
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| Lucille Ball extends the glad hand on her way into Mountain Shadows |
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| Mountain Shadows view of Camelback Mountain |
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| Lunch at Hearth 61 |
In their place, stunning
ultramodern architecture takes in two-story floor-to-ceiling views of shadows
falling over Camelback Mountain, two aqua blue pools beckon, luxe condos and rooms cocoon,
an 18-hole golf course challenges, and an open kitchen/restaurant,
Hearth 61, serves up locally sourced, thoughtfully prepared
nourishment (the grilled eggplant and quinoa is especially tasty, though steak
frites shared the drool factor). The bar and lounge enhance the serenity with a
bubbling fountain and cozy seating in case you want company, but not too much. Rates are reasonable for this new property $215 - 500 per night, depending on the room and date.
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| Room at Mountain Shadows |
Hotel Valley Ho
6850 East Main Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 376-2600
https://www.hotelvalleyho.com/
Mountain Shadows
5445 E. Lincoln Dr.
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
(855) 485-1417
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| Another view of Mountain Shadows' property |
If one place could sum up a landscape, a
state, an idea, it's the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. It IS the showcase for the best of Arizona's mountain and
desert landscapes. Walking through the doors into the main lobby takes your
breath away as all of Phoenix spreads out before you, framed by massive wood
beams and floor-to-ceiling windows. 
The casual eatery, Proof, is the kind of place
anyone would feel comfortable dropping by for lunch in their hiking shorts.
It's a cross between a sports bar and a soda fountain with upscale food
(and prices to match). I had a super fresh lobster roll (seafood is flown in daily) that
knocked my socks off (if I was wearing socks). The ice cream is made
there and is irresistible. Another
indulgence are the pretzel nuts, a cross between a deep-fried donut and
pretzel, slightly sweet, with a melty cheese dipping sauce. The salads are also
great, and carry a considerably smaller guilt load.
