 |  | Scottsdale, Arizona - The valley of the sun Tuesday, March 07, 2006 Scottsdale, Arizona, a CRSHotels favorite, is known for its breathtaking sunsets and 300 days of sunshine. There is always something exciting to do in Scottsdale and if you want to go outside of town, many of the state's major points of interest are within driving distance. You can experience an Arizona adventure and be back in Scottsdale in time for cocktails and dinner. Whether you stay in town or explore the state, your trip to the Valley of the Sun will be the vacation of a lifetime.
Scottsdale is no longer the quiet mid-century hideaway for Bogart, Bing and Marilyn. The inner hub of Scottsdale is quite a happening place. Downtown Scottsdale is known for its Southwestern art galleries, restaurants and shopping. You can get around with a free horse drawn trolley. Visit Old Town for the pioneer flare. Highlights include Cavalliere's Blacksmith Shop where early settlers had their horses shod and Rusty Spur Saloon, the destination of choice for the Hashknife Pony Express riders.
Scottsdale can make your vacation very interesting. If you enjoy casinos, Scottsdale has two of them - Casino Arizona at Talking Stick and Casino Arizona at McKellips Salt River. There is always something going on at WestWorld of Scottsdale with their horse shows and rodeos. If spectator sports are your passion, the Phoenix/Scottsdale area cheers for the Arizona Diamondbacks pro baseball team, the Phoenix Suns NBA team and the NFL's Phoenix Cardinals. Visitors will also find easy access to over 30 local golf courses. If you want to hike, the closest venue begins with a drive up to Scottsdale's 150-acre Pinnacle Peak, where you can take a moderate hike with an elevation gain of approximately 1,300 feet. Afterwards, treat yourself to dinner at the Pinnacle Peak Patio Steakhouse for an original cowboy steak or Sassi, a nationally known destination for fine Italian dining set in the shadow of Pinnacle Peak. Travel south into Phoenix and visit theHeardMuseum, world-renowned for its collection of Native American art and artifacts. Discover the PuebloGrande Museum and ArchaeologicalPark which features a prehistoric Hohokam ruin encircled by a 2/3-mile interpretive trail.
CRSHotels suggests that you widen your circle and venture outside of Scottsdale. Drive northeast and explore Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture at Taliesin West. Visit the Sonoran Desert for extreme outdoor adventures ranging from Jeep and Hummer tours, hiking and river rafting to horseback riding, rock climbing and mountain biking. Beautiful Sedona is only a two hour drive away. On the way, you'll get to see spectacular red rock formations and once you get there, the shopping is superb with unique art you can purchase and art you can wear. Flagstaff is a bit beyond and the incredible Grand Canyon is four hours away. Tucson with its Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, one of the best zoos in the country, is only a two hour drive to the southeast.
The best way to explore the wonders of Scottsdale, Arizona and the Valley of the Sun is by staying in a Scottsdale vacation villa. CRSHotels can help you establish a “vacation headquarters” in a wonderful villa with its own kitchen. This will be your hub. You can then go in all directions and still have a place to come home to without packing and unpacking. You also can “eat in” or make your own picnic lunches. CRSHotels recommends two vacation villas in the Scottsdale area. They are the Westin Kierland Villas and the Sheraton Desert Oasis. Either one will be the perfect villa to stay in as you enjoy your Scottsdale vacation.
The Westin Kierland Villas Arizona has vacation villas, a full service spa, three nine-hole golf courses, a 110 foot tall water slide, a 12 foot high fountain splashing area and 900 feet of a lazy river. Each villa comes with a fully equipped kitchen or kitchenette, a separate living room with queen size sofa bed and an entertainment center with TV, DVD player, and stereo system. In case the kids have too much fun, the villa also has a washer and dryer! To help make it even easier, the onsite McDowell Market & Grill has groceries, toiletries, a full-service deli, and a breakfast menu. They will even pre-stock your villa if you let them know what you want in advance. The Westin Keirland Villas is within walking distance to the Kierland Commons with its shopping and restaurants. Guests at the Westin Kierland Villas have full access to the resort's eight unique restaurants. CRSHotels says don't miss Irish bagpipers at sunset as they capture the essence of a great Scottsdale vacation.
The Sheraton Desert Oasis Arizona offers CRSHotels' guests a home away from home with ample room for family and friends. There is an additional sleeper sofa in the living room, a fully equipped kitchen, an entertainment center and a separate dining room and breakfast bar. Many of the Sheraton Desert Oasis villas have romantic fireplaces and balconies. Each villa offers a relaxing environment enhanced by the Southwest flavor in the restful décor. Your family will really enjoy the 4,500 square foot swimming pool with its waterfalls, a spray pool, a private spa grotto hidden in the rocks, misted cabana area, the poolside Oasis Bar and Grille and children's play and recreational areas including a video arcade. There are daily planned activities for guests, a movie night and constant children's activities as well. The Sheraton Desert Oasis is only one mile from the Tournament Player's Club, home of the Phoenix Open, and is a few minutes from the Kierland Commons, an upscale shopping and restaurant complex. This is a great place to stay.
It is very easy to enjoy Scottsdale. Whether you stay in town or venture out to explore the rest of Arizona, let CRSHotels help you decide whether to make your reservation at the Westin Kierland Villas or the Sheraton Desert Oasis. Either way, you will never forget this vacation in the Valley of the Sun. PDF Version |
