Researching hotels in the area for a trip in February but getting confused so any help would be appreciated. Require a 4 or 5* resort near restaurants and shops. Don't want to be too isolated

many thanks
Dame D

We stayed at a very nice motel 6 on Camelback road scottsdale.

The Royal Palm Resort is top notch, we love it there. Perfect location and not a huge, nor impersonal property.

http://www.royalpalmshotel.com/

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...x-dec-2007.cfm

Do a advance search here click the link at top of page], type in Royal Palms and check the box that says, "Search full topic and replies" to see reviews of The Royal Palms.

The Phoenician and JW Marriott Camelback Inn are both excellent choices. Both (along with the Royal Palms) are fairly close (3-4 miles) to downtown Scottsdale. What you probably want to avoid are the resorts in "North Scottsdale" (Scottsdale Princess, for example), which is about a 30-40 minute drive to downtown Scottsdale.

Another very nice choice (we stayed there, but so did the Obamas), just down the road from the JW Marriott, is the Montelucia Resort & Spa.

While I almost always agree with sf7307, I thought Montelucia was out of the way and too large and impersonal. The 119 rooms at Royal Palms makes it feel very secluded and intimate.

I know the Montelucia seems out of the way, but it's actually very close to the JW Marriott and the Phoenician. I agree that it is very spread out -- but I don't mind impersonal hotels, to some extent I actually prefer the anonymity

The Sanctuary on Camelback.

what about Gainey Suites over Hilton Resort & Villas?

Check out the Westin Kierland. http://www.kierlandresort.com/#/resort/about-us/
It is within walking distance of restaurants and shops.