Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Scottsdale 2/14-2/19

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Scottsdale 2/14-2/19

Hello! Rhodie from SLC here. Nutshell: layed off; depression and no callbacks on 600+ resumes; 9/11 and family in Manhattan; dad rushed to the hospital 12/17 and I rushed to Princeton 12/18 to care for dad and mom with early alzheimers. I've saved my unemployment $ to surprise my husband - a mystery writer's conference he thought we could no longer afford (he's an avid book collector). Anyone need a housesitter? I've gotten great flight rates and I have a reservation for the hotel where the seminar will be-$99. Ramada Valley Ho. Anyone know about it? Thus far I'm underwhelmed. I'm sure I can beat the price on priceline for a better experience, just have never done it before. Besides the 1 day conf, we'll hit old town, poolside, meditating on vocation, daily yoga practice in the early morning (pref quiet outside space, view), maybe seeing a film, check out neighborhoods (possible relo opportunity), bookstore browse and pawnshop hunt and flea markets and coffeeshops. Hotel wish list: QUIET, not too far from town (we'll probably grab takeout and a bottle of wine most evenings and 'do lunch'), we'll have a car, fridge in the room and microwave would be nice, a few trips out of town maybe. The priceline list (recommendations are welcome) -Resort Marriott Resort Camelback Inn Millennium Resort Scottsdale, McCormick Ranch -4 Star (Merv Griffin’s) Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas -3 Star Radisson Resort and Spa Scottsdale Doubletree La Posada Resort Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort/Scottsdale Renaissance Scottsdale Resort Marriott Scottsdale McDowell Mountain Marriott Suites Scottsdale Old Town Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort Scottsdale -2 ½ Star Residence Inn Scottsdale Courtyard by Marriott Scottsdale/Downtown -2 Star Homestead Village Fairfield Inn Scottsdale/Downtown Fairfield Inn Scottsdale North Is there little gem right outta town that we should consider? Sorry to ramble so, but I've been overwhelmed by hospitals and wound care and everything. Bless you, you're dears for listening and thank you for any recommendations. rhodie

Hi Rhodie, I saved a flyer from Marriott that came a few weeks ago. Camelback has rooms for 279/noc from Jan 16 - Mar 4 Promo code M11 and Mountain Shadows has rooms for 160/noc - Promo code M11. Hope this helps - good luck!

Sorry to hear of your recent travails, Rhodie. While you may be underwhelmed with the Ramada, finding rooms in Scottsdale for a decent price (under ~$175/nt) during high season is very difficult. Even places like the Courtyard by Marriott are well above the rate you got. If you want budget but clean and very dependable, I'd go with one of the non-resort chains like Hampton Inn, Fairfield, etc. Better that than to get a run down pseudo-resort which is economical but, well, run down.

Sorry to hear about your news. I am familiar with almost all of the hotels that you have listed. (My job involves calling on hotels.) The resorts that you listed via Pricecom are great, but most of them are not located near anything that you could walk to. The Ramada Valley Ho is probably cheaper than the others and I would personally save the money and stay there. It's nothing to get too excited about, it's clean, quiet and within walking distance to Old Towne Scottsdale. Several tour operators who take groups to Scottsdale use this property. Places like Marriott's Camelback property are great and would be about a 15 minute car ride away. This hotel is very nice, but offers little outside of what is on the immediate property. Good luck.

Val and Emily- I know! I was thinking that I'd stay put where I was because of the season and we'll be there during a horseshow, Valentine's and Presidents weekend. That being said, in a fit of insomnia last night, I doodled around on priceline, and got a room at the Mountain Shadows Marriott Resort & Golf Club (which wasn't on the list I'd researched prior to bidding)- quoted here $175-250 - my price $77. a night for 5 nights! "Across the street from the more upscale Camelback Inn, this Marriott property is a ranch-style resort, perfect for families and enviably located, as its name implies, right at the base of Camelback Mountain" - 5641 E. Lincoln Thanks for your input, and if you know anything about his place, please let me know. rhodie

Rhodie: Just out of curiosity, what star quality were you bidding on Priceline when you got Marriott Mountain Shadows? I know a bit about MMS as my husband, daughter and I stayed there last February. GREAT location and grounds. The rooms themselves are nothing to write home about, just basic hotel rooms. But, you won't be spending much time in your room. We had a fridge in our room (but I can't remember if I requested one - call the hotel). There will not be a microwave. The whole resort is nice, although there is a 1950s feel to it. I heard a rumor that the whole place is slated for a major renovation, although I do not know when that will occur. The resort has three pools, I believe we stayed in the "Terrace" rooms (not right at the biggest pool, but near it). The Terrace rooms have patios that open out onto grass spaces which would be nice for your morning yoga (the other rooms are in two story units, so there could be balconies involved). The golf course is nice, nothing super challenging, just a picturesque executive course. A great place to go for takeout one night is Garlics. It is in a strip mall (the same strip mall as the "Roy's" restaurant) on the corner of Indian Bend and Scottsdale Roads (it was there in February 2001). Everything will be a car ride away. If you have a chance, you should go over to the Camelback Inn to stroll around. Even though it is just across the street, you'll want to drive over. You'll see what I am talking about when you get there. Hope this helps! Great weather in February. Enjoy!!!

For $77, I'd stay at Mt. Shadows. It has been around for over 40 years and is, I think, due for an major updating soon. For that price, you will have a really nice pool area, beautiful mountain views, ordinary room...couple of restaurants in the hotel, across the street from El Chorro, one of our oldest restaurants, probably 60 years old and very popular, open for lunch and dinner and Sat. and Sun. breakfast(seating outside and inside) and a short walk from Camelback Inn, also one of our oldest resorts, gorgeous. You will be in Paradise Valley, a prestigious residential area and will need a car to get around to places other than the ones I mentioned.

To curious. If I may ask, since you said you had experience with these hotels. Do you know anything about the Hampton Inn at 10101 No. Scottsdale Road? How would it compare to the Fairfield Inn Scottsdale North? Thanks.

Mimi - I believe I maintained scottsdale as the 'region' and went from 'resort' quality on my 1st bid to 3 star on my second bid. This was my 1st experience on priceline, and I probably could have played a bit, but, I didn't want to lose out on that weekend because of the set dates we had. Saved $22 a day. rhodie

Thanks to everyone for their recommendations. Your comments on the room are duly noted. With what I've been living through lately, my sights aren't set too high. As long as the tub's clean, the toilet doesn't drip, and the carpet doesn't move, I'll be happy. But it's good to know not to expect the Fairmont in SanFran. A 1st floor w/ pation sounds perfect to me, as long as it doesn't walk out to a parking lot! I'm starting my list for takeout - any more votes?

I forgot to mention that when you're staying at Mountain Shadows you can use all of the facilities at Camelback - pool, dining, etc....they'll even put charges at Camelback on your MMS tab. You got a good deal - I've stayed there about 5 times in the last 5 years and never paid less than $120.

Rhodie: You don't need to worry about the patio opening on parking. For the Terrace rooms, there is the parking lot, you walk through the room entrance, the patio/grassy space is on the other side/end of the room. Remember, don't get a Terrace room opening onto the big pool, tell the front desk clerk what you are looking for when you check in or talk to a reservation clerk beforehand if you call and check about fridges.

Valley Ho is in a good downtown Scottsdale location. Most importantly, you will be where the seminar will be. You can stay there and avoid having to rent a car (depending on what else you want to do) You will also be within easy walking distance of a great mystery book store - the Poisoned Pen - probalby a sponsor of the seminar. I hope JA Jance is one of the speakers - she's great! If you do get a car, be sure to drive up 68th st. across the canal to Exeter Blvd, then turn left and drive to 56th st, turn right and drive up Camelback Mtn for a great view of the city