Everyone wonders what we do in Arizona when the weather gets to be over 100 degrees in the summer. We do a LOT of staycations in the valley to get out of the house! And it’s like reversed winter except we can leave the comfort of cool air conditioning, go to our cars with air conditioning and then go to the next spot with AC, no snow or icy roads trapping us inside for days on end. That’s why there are a lot of snowbirds we call them, people who flee for the summer and come back during peak season which is usually October through May. But the people who stay put in the hot Arizona summers still get cabin fever where we are itching to get out of the house and explore and that is where Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas comes in clutch. With a little less traffic than peak season, it is still ideal to miss rush hour driving times of around 9 a.m. and around 4-5 p.m. weekdays. The great thing about Hilton (and being a Hilton Honors member, it’s free to join), is you can request early check-in and late checkout and if they have availability, it’s usually granted.
Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Sonoran Desert, the property recently had a $24 million renovation, transforming the iconic desert retreat with redesigned Villas, new guest rooms, an all-new Mediterranean restaurant and enhanced fitness offerings, located near the sweet spot of iconic Old Town Scottsdale. I was especially excited to sample flavors from Salt & Sol, a poolside culinary concept centered on globally sourced salt as I had a taste at the opening party and was still dreaming of the creamy goat cheese dip with hummus. Set in the heart of Scottsdale on 20 acres of scenic desert landscape, Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas offers a relaxed, gated retreat to the right of the main hotel inspired by low key desert style. The resort features a full-service hotel alongside 25 private villas which is ideal for couples, families and events, along with two picture perfect pools, four distinctive on-site dining experiences and some extra perks below!
My most favorite amenities include the complimentary transportation within a 3-mile radius of the hotel. You just call the front desk to schedule between the hours of 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and they will pick you up out front. If there’s something I’m sick of doing, it’s driving all the time! So this takes that stress off your shoulders and allows you to relax more however we were so relaxed here, we didn’t even bother to go out on the town. The complimentary continental breakfast is served at The Mirage next to the Villa pool from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. daily. That may seem early however when it’s hot out in the desert, your body naturally wants to go to bed with the setting and rising of the sun. The complimentary sunset sip is also a favorite, a lot of resorts and fine hotels used to do this happy hour so I’m glad it’s making a comeback Monday to Friday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Ours included white or red wine and beer, some snacks like hummus, veggies and pita. For the main pool, cabanas are available to rent at the main hotel pool or through the front desk with 50 percent off for Villa guests from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The fitness center is located at the main hotel and open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. but I prefer to get my workouts in the water! We did hear something about yoga but were too sloth like to track it down officially.
Explore the fancy new Villas in the video above and photos below! Set away from the main hotel with a gated community and gate code, Hilton Scottsdale invested a lot of love into the renovations into these quiet and cozy casitas. The 25 Villas are large, 1,500 square feet condos with a long living area with queen-size sleeper sofa, fully equipped stainless steel and marble kitchen, dining table area, stacked washer and dryer hidden in a closet, outdoor patio with a comfy couch, primary bedroom with a king-sized bed, second bedroom with two queen-sized beds with both featuring marble accents and one a sparkling bathtub. The best part is once you park your car, there is no driving! A golf cart or car will come pick you up and deliver you to the main lobby or in a 3 mile radius of Old Town Scottsdale. The Villas at Hilton Scottsdale Resort are great for long-term stays, gals getaway, bachelor(ette) parties, golfing fun, multi-generational travel, weddings – and perhaps putting family here when visiting if you or your house is maxed out. The beds and pillows were fluffy, the water is scalding hot if you want and the kitchen is well stocked for whatever you want to whip up! Continental breakfast is included daily as well at the closestVilla pool a short walk away. It’s like being out in the desert without leaving Scottsdale!
Driving up the lobby at the Hilton Scottsdale, you can park in the shade and go check in.Walking inside, you will smell their signature scent and be greeted by these design views at Hilton Scottsdale. Flemings is to the left here.A perfectly great place to lounge if you want at Hilton Scottsdale.If you need snacks or forgot your favorite drinks, they most likely have them here at Hilton Scottsdale to the right of the lobby.This is the inside part of Salt & Sol if the heat is getting to you at Hilton Scottsdale.You can also dine outside with misters at Hilton Scottsdale.The Salt & Sol bar at Hilton Scottsdale.Making my way back inside for some berry infused water, I tried to capture the huge lobby at Hilton Scottsdale.After a smooth checkin, out future chariot awaits guests at Hilton Scottsdale.Driving to the right of the main lobby, look for this picture at Hilton Scottsdale.Arriving at our Villas was a breeze with a key code for the gate at Hilton Scottsdale.Our room to the left at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.The view from outside our door at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.Walking inside, it was cool and bright with all brand new stainless steel appliances and marble counters at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.The dining table was also marble at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.The long living room at Hilton Scottsdale Villas with the comfy couch that folds into a bed at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.Two little accent chairs for little people at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.The view from the end of the long living room at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.We spent a lot of time on this couch talking about so many things at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.Even the light fixtures were art designed at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.First into my room, the master or larger room at Hilton Scottsdale Villas on the left.A full closet with bath robes for use, a safe and hangers at Hilton Scottsdale VillasA large shower that got spicy when needed at Hilton Scottsdale Villas. I also liked the body wash!A toilet with a door to shut is always a good idea at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.We all need a shower ledge to wash and shave at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.The guest room was towards the front entrance at Hilton Scottsdale Villas with two queen beds.Another huge TV with space to sort your luggage at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.The bubble bath I didn’t have time to enjoy at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.The guest bath at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.Another huge closet for sorting your wardrobe well at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.The glistening bathtub at Hilton Scottsdale Villas still beckoning me.A better view of the guest bathroom at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.A very pretty mirror frame highlights the guest room at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.Back to the kitchen and these chairs came in clutch for chatting at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.I requested rose and they gave me my favorite champagne at Hilton Scottsdale Villas. I was so excited and waiting on Amanda at this point very impatiently. She loves Diet Coke so they hit both our sweet spots!A stockade of protein which keeps us gals going at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.More water which you can request anytime and more protein bars at Hilton Scottsdale Villas. I was a happy camper!The huge TV in the living room at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.Our patio which we also spent nights talking on at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.I soon discovered the fireplace that wasn’t heated if you didn’t want it, just the coolest visual we both loved at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.I almost forgot the stacked washer and dryer at Hilton Scottsdale Villas, hidden by the master suite door.Amanda finally arrived and before you knew it, it was time to get ready for Sips happy hour. We got ready fast with our suits!I think we were a little overdressed at Sips but were determined to hang at Hilton Scottsdale Villas. Bathing suit attire encouraged!But we made the most of it with some white wine at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.Snacks at Sips included hummus which I loved at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.Amanda getting on the included bikes at Hilton Scottsdale Villas for a photo. Don’t wear heels!The sun was starting to set and we were mesmerized by the light show at Hilton Scottsdale Villas. So we called the golf cart to go explore!Various drivers picked us up, some were low key and some were wicked fast at Hilton Scottsdale Villas. Regardless, hold on!
Breakfast is also available at BlueFire Restaurant from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. with a full à la carte menu or they also offer to go breakfast items and a Starbucks space from 6 a.m. to noon which came in clutch when Amanda needed to go to a work meeting Saturday morning and grabbed me some cold brew rocket fuel and a breakfast sandwich. What we should have done in retrospect was go to Flemings Fine Steakhouse & Wine Bar in the hotel lobby for happy hour because Villa guests enjoy a $20 discount on purchases over $100 with a valid room key. That’s per person! But we were too curious about Sips happy hour. There are also many additional restaurants within walking distance of the Villas at the Hilton Village and Borgata Shopping Center if you have the zoomies. We were fresh out! Salt & Sol is open for all-day dining from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and is conveniently located in the courtyard at the main hotel. They feature live entertainment Thursday through Sunday which we were lucky enough to enjoy as well.
We were in for a treat with an indie style singer at Hilton Scottsdale Villas. We sang along while enjoying Salt & Sol.Just two gals who became friends almost eight years ago and then neighbors almost five years ago at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.I was enjoying a mezcal drink while Amanda enjoyed a tropical tequila sunrise at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.After a couple of Sips (see what we did there), we were photo taking machines at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.I had Amanda pose for this photo at Hilton Scottsdale Villas with the symmetry and sunset light at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.She was in love with these light fixtures at Hilton Scottsdale Villas. Misters help keep things cool and drop temps 10 degrees.All out of chicken wings, we went for the chicken skewers at Hilton Scottsdale Villas. Always hunting for protein at our age!I tried a cherry old fashioned which was like desert at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.The fish tacos really hit the spot at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.Because we always need a side of fries at Hilton Scottsdale Villas. Fresh made and very tasty!Amanda went healthy with a quinoa bowl at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.We then played in the main pool and did some night swimming at Hilton Scottsdale Villas along with others our age.The many pillows provide the perfect fluffy fortress to sleep at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.Poor Amanda had to work Saturday morning with the city of Phoenix so I just farted around playing in pillows at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.Taking a photo of our plans for the night at Hilton Scottsdale Villas. We are in our low key era!Eventually she returned, decompressed and we finally made it to our cabana at Hilton Scottsdale Villas via car this time.Our cabana for the day at Hilton Scottsdale Villas had an ice cold fridge which came in handy later on.Guests are given ice tea or lemonade options at Hilton Scottsdale Villas. We had both!The pool was looking good during the daytime and a cool retreat from the hot sun at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.While Amanda took a well deserved nap on the couch, our fruit plate arrived at Hilton Scottsdale Villas. A stunner, chef went all out!After some swimming and sloth-ing, we were hungry for more protein at Hilton Scottsdale Villas. These were the juiciest steak bites ever!We split a Mediterranian sandwich which the pita was amazing and of course the fries too at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.And some shrimp and veggies for added protein and fiber at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.The heat soon got to us so we shimmied our way back to the Villa pool at Hilton Scottsdale Villas for some fun pics.It seemed cooler over here at the Villa pool and Amanda got me this huge floppy hat that I now love at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.They also have this space in the corner to make s’mores if your heart desires at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.We then began styling this hat Amanda brought at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.I climbed into the pool to grab these fun chill shots at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.I was having a good time here at the Villa pool at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.We had so many leftovers that night, we just ordered two Ube Tres Leches cakes that were purple on the inside at Hilton Scottsdale Villas. That toasted marshmallow topping was divine!I rallied for the early morning breakfast while Amanda slept in this time at Hilton Scottsdale Villas. More bikes!I arrived so early no one was there at Hilton Scottsdale Villas pool. I then decided to take a morning swim after I woke up more!Easy to go oatmeal for breakfast at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.Decadent pastries for breakfast anyone? At Hilton Scottsdale Villas.I opted for the healthy things at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.A coffee maker of my dreams at Hilton Scottsdale Villas with regular coffee next to it.More fresh fruit is always a good idea at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.My morning reading and making a new friend at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.After I changed and returned, I was able to finally delve into a book a friend wrote at Hilton Scottsdale Villas.We did a late checkout so I enjoyed this amazing salmon bowl before we left at Hilton Scottsdale Villas. It hit the spot!
The Villas offer more privacy and space just a short distance from the main hotel and honestly, so much better than your typical hotel room that is the size of a small house. Designed for connection, comfort, and relaxation, each villa features upscale amenities including a private terrace, access to an exclusive pool, complimentary bicycles and a daily continental breakfast. You also get a dedicated Villa Experience Curator who assists with pre-arrival, on-site, departure needs, including dining reservations, transportation arrangements and personalized recommendations. Turn off your brain and delve into the Villas!
