Hotel at a Glance: Saguaro Scottsdale

The forked-arm silhouette of the saguaro cactus is an unmistakable symbol of the Southwest. Since it blends into the Sonoran Desert, it makes sense that Saguaro Scottsdale takes its name from this iconic cactus. The 4-star hotel’s interior welcomes visitors with splashes of magenta, violet, and tangerine found all over the lobby, pool area, and lounge—hues taken from the desert wildflowers that blanket the dunes after each rainstorm. These same colors can be found on the imported Mexican furniture inside.

• Guest rooms: are livened by elegant bursts of color and feature new furnishings, including large work desks. All rooms feature 42-inch flat-screen TVs and iPod docking stations.
• Pool daze: Relax on the pool’s lounge chairs and daybeds, where you often can also enjoy music from local performers during the weekend.
• Grab a bite at the restaurant, which serves trendy, locally-sourced dishes with a Southwestern flair. All options of this deal come with a daily $20 dining credit.
• Refreshing spa services: Massage therapists help you unwind, and aestheticians use fragrant botanical ingredients for invigorating facials and body treatments.
• Borrow a bicycle from the hotel to pedal around Old Town Scottsdale.

Scottsdale, Arizona: Stucco Mansions amid Rocky Desert Landscape

Scottsdale once served as ranch land where farmers grew oranges and lemons and cowboys kicked up dust in the fierce, dry heat of the Sonoran Desert. That era earned Scottsdale the nickname of “The West’s Most Western Town.” Today, it is an affluent city landscaped with lush green grass and lined with stucco mansions. For a glimpse of the city’s Old West roots, head to Old Town Scottsdale, where wooden boardwalks and hitching posts sit in front of a retro ice-cream parlor and rustic specialty shops.

Upon arriving in Scottsdale, you know you’re in the desert—cacti and tumbleweeds dot the landscape, and dry shrubs and gnarled trees cover the McDowell Mountains in the distance. To get a closer look at Southwestern flora, head to the Desert Botanical Garden. There, themed trails wind past huge cacti and other moisture-hoarding succulents, best seen in the cooler early morning or twilight hours.