Girls’ Weekend Getaway To Scottsdale

Having planned countless girls’ getaways over the years, I now consider myself somewhat of an expert when it comes to picking destinations that will make everyone in my travel squad happy. And trust me, this is no small feat. While there are many beautiful, exotic and memorable places on this planet, a group trip is only successful if the destination meets everyone’s needs and expectations. The larger the group, the more challenging the task! Especially if you throw in communication barriers (no hablo español?), transportation obstacles (gridlock traffic, long haul flights, tardy local transit etc.) and other environmental factors (that range from the lack of air conditioning/WiFi to civil unrest etc.) Le sigh, travel can be complicated. Sometimes you just want an easy-breezy, beautiful destination where you can relax and enjoy the finer things in life with your gals. For this type of vacay, I highly recommend Scottsdale, Arizona…

Ah yes, I recently discovered that the desert oasis checks off all the boxes when comes to girls’ getaways and can truly satisfy just about any type of traveller — from the adventurers and gluttons to shopaholics and sun worshipers. So, if you’re planning a bachelorette, special birthday or you just want to skip out of town for some R&R with the gals, here’s why I think you should head to Scottsdale…

10 Reasons Why Scottsdale Is Perfect For A Girls’ Getaway

1. Hot, Dry Temps

Desert LIFE. With more than 330 days of sun, the odds of having a balmy escape are pretty damn good. So if sunshine makes you and your crew happy, Scottsdale will bring on the smiles. Yes, it gets hot. Really hot. BUT, it’s dry heat so I never felt uncomfortable during our trip (even when it hit 47 degrees).

Oh, and great news for all the gals with curly/frizzy locks like mine: your hair won’t poof out because it’s dry heat!! This makes Scottsdale perfect for special occasions when you want to look your best. Double bonus: the heat also keeps mosquitos away. Woot to silky, sun-kissed limbs!

2. Direct Flights & Affordable Transportation

Many major cities across the US and Canada offer direct flights to Phoenix, Arizona. We took a non-stop Air Canada Rouge flight from Toronto (4.5 hrs) and then hopped into an Uber to our hotel in Scottsdale (a $28 ride)…

You can def rent a car to make your way around the city, but we stuck to Uber and most of our rides averaged around $7 so I’d recommend taking this route, especially if your entire party wants to drink. The city also has a free downtown shuttle that runs every 15 mins all week long!

3. Poolside Hangs

No girls’ trip to Scottsdale is complete without pool time in my opinion. Thankfully, many of the resorts/hotels offer day passes so you can pool hop with your squad. Colourful cocktails, swaying palms and beaut cabanas await!

Oh and if you love a good pool party like I do, make sure to pop by the W Scottsdale for their WET Weekends during the day on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (12-6pm) or at night to take in the evening vibes…

4. Over 800 Restaurants

Travelling with foodies? Scottsdale will not disappoint. With over 800 restaurants, the only challenge you’ll face is deciding where to eat — I was like a kid in a candy store and need to fly back just for a culinary trip! Here are a few restos you should definitely hit up: The Mission, Citizen Public House, FnB, Craft 64, Cafe Monarch and The House Brasserie…

5. Instagrammable Spots

Guys, Scottsdale is cauuute! I had no idea. There was literally a photo opp at every corner — especially in Old Town Scottsdale. From gorg walls to resto interiors the city is an Instagrammer’s dream…

6. Luxe Hotels

There are more than 70 hotels and resorts in the Scottsdale region so you’ll certainly have no trouble finding accommodations to suit any budget. That being said, Scottsdale does luxury really well, so if you can splurge on a hotel this is the place to do it. We had the pleasure of staying at two luxe properties during our trip: the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch and the Royal Palms Resort and Spa. I’d recommend the Hyatt Regency if you want a large property with tons of amenities, multiple restaurants and a dreamy spa where your entire squad can get pampered (more on Spa Avania below)…

But the Royal Palms is where you’ll find me and my gals since we like tranquil, historic hotels with a boutique vibe. I would move in if I could — think luxe pool, flower-lined pathways and breathtaking views of Camelback Mountain…

7. Spahhhhs

I always include spa time in my girlfriend getaway itineraries because it forces us to put down our phones and unplug for a few hours — something we all desperately need. Luckily, there are more than 50 day, resort, and health spas in Scottsdale…

If you must pick one, make sure it’s Spa Avania. It’s one of the best spas I’ve ever been to. Highlights? The French-Celtic pool (filled with ten different minerals imported from France), relaxing lotus pond, hot and cold plunges and — most notably — I had the BEST massage of my life (ask for Dawn, you won’t regret it)…

Alvadora Spa is also bucket-list-worthy because of their Signature Citrus Ritual. It’s one of the most unique treatments I’ve ever had and includes a full-body exfoliation, calming Vichy showers, waterfall and raindrop showers, an outdoor fireplace and bubbly served in their garden bathtub. The experience is fully private and worth every penny. It’s no wonder the spa was recently honoured with the 2018 Forbes Travel Guide Four Star Award — this is one treatment I will NEVER forget…

8. Cute Desserts

My girlfriends all have a sweet tooth so ice cream and desserts are a must when we’re on vacay. I spotted a ton of cute spots as we wandered around Old Town Scottsdale and had to pop in for “research” purposes. My faves eats were: the Prickly Pear Macaron at Růže Cake House, the John & Yoko cake at Super Chunk Sweets & Treats, the Coconut ice cream at Creamistry Scottsdale and the epic “Show Stopper” Shake at ZuZu…

9. Cacti Heaven

Confession: I’m OBSESSED with cacti. I don’t know why, but they make me so happy! I can’t recall ever seeing cacti in their natural habitat so exploring the Sonoran Desert via Hummer Tour with Stellar Adventures was definitely a highlight for me. We learned about all the different species, including the Saguaro which can only be found in the Sonoran. I even ate cacti for the first time! If your group is not the excursion type, head to the Instagram-worthy Desert Botanical Gardens instead for your fill of cacti.

10. Epic Adventures

In addition to the Hummer tour mentioned above, we also went on two other epic adventures: one that had us admiring the desert from above via Hot Air Expeditions and another that had me pinching myself as I came within metres of wild horses via Arizona Outback Adventures. Both were experiences of a lifetime and organized by professional and knowledgeable staff. You don’t get many chances in life to see the sun rise over a desert or to kayak alongside wild horses so I highly recommend you to book one or both of these adventures with your girls. The memories will last a lifetime.

What girlfriend getaway dreams are made of, right?! We loved every minute of our time in Scottsdale and can’t wait to return to the desert oasis…

A huge thanks to Experience Scottsdale for hosting us on this press trip. As always, reviews and opinions are entirely my own. For more info on what to eat, see and do in Scottsdale click here.