The AAA five-diamond, 648-room Fairmont Scottsdale Princess sprawls 65 landscaped acres, a green oasis in the ochre-hued Sonoran Desert on Scottsdale’s northern edge. The resort recently completed a five-year $60 million property renovation.

Check-in was quick, and a bellman escorted me to my Fairmont deluxe room, accessed via an exterior corridor. The door opened to a hallway. Turning right, I entered the dressing area, with two closets: one with shelves and a laptop-sized safe, the other a walk-in with a small chest of drawers. Off this was the marble bathroom, with a huge soaking tub, a separate shower and a dual vanity with Keurig and electric kettle, along with a selection of coffees and Fairmont teas. There was a separate water closet.

Continuing down the entry hall, the wall angled to the right. Against this was a king-sized bed bracketed by lamp-topped nightstands, one with a combo clock-radio/iPod dock. The angle allowed guests to enjoy the views beyond the back wall of glass as well as the 42-inch HD TV atop a cabinet, which housed a stocked minibar. Between the bed and the windows a seating area held a love seat with dual floor lamps and a chair, grouped around tables, and an executive desk with chairs on both sides. Sliders opened to a private deck with seating. The décor comprised soothing natural tones that complemented the views outside.

As tempting as it is to sit and watch the sunset behind the McDowell Mountains, the resort’s amenities demand attention. These include two championship-level golf courses, five heated pools, five restaurants and lounges, a tennis center and the Willow Stream Spa where I spent the better part of one day. Guests in the Fairmont Gold rooms have access to a private lounge, with concierge and all-day food and beverage, including breakfast and hors d’oeuvre buffets. I joined friends for dinner at the hotel’s newest restaurant, celebrity chef Richard Sandoval’s Toro Latin Restaurant and Rum Bar, an evening of fabulous pan-Latin flavors, including a ceviche/sushi bar and fun cocktails.

Of note, the hotel levels a $29 resort charge that covers Internet, domestic calls, self parking, the Trailblazers Kid’s Club, access to the 24-hour fitness center, shuttles throughout the property (much appreciated, given how spread out it is), an hour of tennis court time daily and 50 percent off the spa access fee.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

7575 E. Princess Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
tel 480 585 4848