When I first pulled up to the nontraditional front desk at Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows in Scottsdale, Ariz., I was greeted by a friendly attendant and an ice-cold glass of prickly pear lemonade, a life-giving touch in the blistering Scottsdale summer heat. (They offered to add a shot of tequila to my lemonade, but it was a little early even for me.)
It was immediately apparent that the resort has a highly curated, mid-century modern ambiance of approachable design, from the furnishings at the front desk to the hand-stamped room cards. The resort’s layout is based on the color wheel, with a different color for every section of bungalows. The Turquoise Pool is at the very center of the wheel, a nod to Arizona’s official state gemstone.
As I explored the resort grounds, I found the hotel ideal for multigenerational vacation getaways. The grounds are extensive enough for children to explore, with a giant pool and plenty of grassy areas (and lawn games families can check out). The artistic touches create an elevated experience that teenagers and adults will appreciate, instilling a refined sense of serenity. Cattle Track Arts Compound, an innovative artists’ colony not far from the hotel itself, curates art in every Andaz Scottsdale room. Modernist furniture and sleek architecture are also part of every room experience.
The Turquoise Pool is located in the center of the resort.
Credit: 2022 Stephanie RussoSuites and Bungalows
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For sophisticated family reunions, The Retreat is the answer. This section of 20 bungalows creates a secluded enclosure around a private pool, making the hotel grounds feel like a private escape.
For smaller families, the Sonoran Wellness Suites offer large rooms and fitness amenities. With two bathrooms, a king-size bed and a queen-size pull-out bed, the suites are large enough for a family of four to stay comfortably. Suite guests also have access to two beach cruisers parked by the front door, and Old Town Scottsdale is an easy 20-minute bike ride away. The rooms also come with a weight set, yoga mats and even an interactive Tonal Gym (which has mirror-like screens with workout plans to watch). One of the neat perks of the suite is the complimentary Experience Concierge, helping guests with booking and ensuring vacation details don’t overshadow the actual vacation.
Andaz Adventures
Along with the Experience Concierge, the hotel offers the Andaz Adventures program, which takes the guesswork out of activity planning for parents. Families can schedule mountain biking, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and more through the hotel, supporting local businesses that have already been vetted for quality experiences.
For an added sense of luxury, the Andaz Scottsdale resort has a partnership with XO, a private aviation charter company. This partnership gives Andaz guests access to discounted pricing for private flights.
An aerial view of the resort
Credit: 2022 Stephanie RussoHotel Dining and On-Site Amenities
While at the resort, I slipped away to the Palo Verde Spa & Apothecary, the perfect place to ease any travel aches. Within the spa’s grounds is a quiet pool and an outdoor hot tub, which feels like a secret escape from the rest of the resort. The spa’s offerings are crafted with local ingredients, such as agave-infused sugar and Sonoran desert clay. I found myself dozing off more than once during my massage with prickly pear oil. While this escape was just what I needed, I could easily imagine how blissful it would be as a recovery station for an expecting or new mother.
For dinner, I stopped by Weft+Warp, the on-site restaurant that specializes in plancha grill fare. The glass walls encompassing the kitchen of Weft + Warp caught my eye, not because of the kitchen transparency but because there was also a dining table within the kitchen area. The dining table, called the Chef’s Table, is available for private bookings, offering an intimate family experience with the chefs for up to eight people. On the patio by the restaurant is a fire pit, and every evening the resort has complimentary s’more kits available, perfect for sweet tooths of any age.
Situated near Old Town Scottsdale, Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows is close enough to the downtown area to be easily accessible for a quick trip or two. The on-site Tesla shuttle also offers free drop-offs anywhere within a 3-mile vicinity.
The convenience factors offered by Andaz Scottsdale, coupled with the serene atmosphere, provide an ideal place for intimate multigenerational gatherings, family escapes and babymoons, especially for design lovers.
The Details
Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows