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Ok, so this is my very first travel blog post and I am very excited but also really nervous because I have not been much of a writer my whole life…. SO here we go….Enjoy!
I recently took a trip to Scottsdale, Arizona for a Bachelorette party. From researching prior to the trip, I realized that Scottsdale has become the bachelorette capital these days. Reflecting now, it was the perfect spot to have an all girls veg-out weekend, with many exciting activities and a social scene that is bumpin’. Let’s not forget, although it is swarming with bachelorette parties - there were many other travellers and groups. Scottsdale is known for pristine golf courses (ranked as one of the top golfing destinations in the world), but also has some great spas and desert activities for the adventurous crowd. With views like (literally) breathtaking mountain peaks, paired with consistent sunny skies, it’s truly no wonder that Scottsdale is the place to be. If you haven’t already, put Scottsdale as a bucket list city in 2019!
WHERE TO STAY
There are a couple routes you can go down when staying in Scottsdale:
Airbnb
Airbnbs are a great option as there are tons of houses to stay that can accommodate large groups of people. It also comes at a very affordable cost! Bonus part is that many of them come with an in ground pool to make relaxing and being poolside getting sun-kissed very easy! To see our Airbnb, click here.
BEAUTIFUL POOL TO RELAX AND ENJOY WITH AIRBNB
Hotels
If you have a smaller group, or just want to benefit from hotel amenities, there are several beautiful hotels to choose from in Scottsdale! Some of my favourites are Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows and W Scottsdale.
Stay and Play Accommodations
This is more for those that want to have an all inclusive golfing and lodging experience. Stay at a local hotel and golf at an affordable cost by bundling! The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch and The Phoenician are definitely ones not to be missed.
WHERE TO EAT
Suma Maya
I am a HUGE foodie and this place did not disappoint! Due to our larger group, we had made a reservation in advance and had a set menu of a 5 course meal + a dessert for a set price of 55USD. The food style is very trendy and funky, offering seasonal Mexican-Asian fusion cuisine, with very tasty cocktails. The vibes were great and the drinks were flowing! If you want to eat on the town during your stay - Suma Maya is here to satisfy your taste buds!
Olive & Ivy
Olive & Ivy is a sophisticated french inspired restaurant in the heart of downtown Scottsdale. We had a weekend brunch here which was simply delightful. Our choice to sit on the patio was a no brainer as we wanted to catch some rays and sipped on refreshing mimosas! The meals were savoury and the atmosphere was casual. If you can’t make it for brunch, be sure to check out their lunch or dinner menu.
WHAT TO DO
Hike
With beautiful views of the mountains, make it a plan to take a hike and enjoy the 360 degree view of Arizona from the top! The two biggest in Scottsdale are Camelback Mountain and Papago Park. Although Camelback is typically very busy and touristy, we decided to climb that versus Papago, due to the better mountain viewpoint. Within Camelback Mountain, there are two trails - Echo Canyon trail, shorter but steeper, and Cholla trail, longer and more appropriate for first time hikers. We did the Cholla trail and admittedly it had challenging points and I was struggling to catch my breathe! Make sure to bring lots of water, some snacks, sunscreen and (obviously) appropriate shoes.
Tour the City
Whether it’s strolling the city centre by foot, pedalling your way through the city on a party bike or having a scenic air tour, the sites and scenes are not to be missed. We visited the old town in Scottsdale and enjoyed the desert heat while staying cool with iced coffees. There are several shops to visit and if you are looking to cool down you can wander into the Scottsdale Fashion square!
Golf
Although golfing is not part of my sporting repertoire, those that love the game will be in golfing heaven in Scottsdale. Many snow birds escape the winter blues to play golf as Scottsdale has become a world wide destination! With over 40 courses to choose from, you can spend your days practising your golf swing, while soaking in the sun and lavish greenery. For once, the grass is greener on the other side!
All in all, Scottsdale was a very fun city to jet set to and explore. I came back a couple shades darker, thanks to the desert sun, and was able to kick back and relax poolside with some great friends. Whatever you have on your agenda, there are tons of options to decide from. Just know that the sun is hot and the drinks are cold!
Have you been to Scottsdale? What are some of your favourite spots?!
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