I am thinking of visiting Arizona in November. I am torn between the Princess and The Boulders. My companion is an acomplihed golfer; I am a beginner. Which resort would you recommend? Also, how is the weather in mid-November in this part of Arizona?

Hi Tara,

I have stayed at the Boulders, and snooped around the Princess. They are TOTALLY different resorts. I don't golf, but I know both golf courses have very good reputations.

The Boulders is a "get away from it all" type of place. It is smaller, more contained, and beautifully landscaped to fit in with the natural setting that surrounds it. The Princess on the other hand is a very big hotel resort type of place. It has a number of shops, big pool, and lots of walking to the lobby (unless you get a room that is close to it). The Boulders has often been rated as one of the top 10 resorts, but you have to like a place that is quiet. If you don't care for that setting, then being ranked no.1 wouldn't to you. Also, The Princess is not as far north as the Boulders which means it's closer to Scottsdale (city part) and to Phoenix.

Elsa

You cannot go wrong with either resorts..they are both divine and the weather is too. Couldn't pick a better time to be here, it will be heavenly!!!

The Boulders and Princess are very different, as Elsa noted. The Boulders is more expensive, but accommodations, scenery and seclusion are clearly superior as well. Its downside is that it's a long way back into Scottsdale/PHX.
Last stayed at the Princess 1 yr ago. It's certainly a decent hotel. I don't think it's worth the $$ they charge, as it's just a little too generic for me. Too spread out. Nice and quiet, though, if that's important to you.
The best hotel deal in PHX is the Ritz, IMO, but it's not a resort. For me the Phoenician is the best overall IF you get a good room (there are some very poor ones, location wise). Golf there is great, but at B and P as well.

I have lived here in Phoenix, and YES both resorts are very nice, BUT...

As some have noted they are EXTREMELY far away from most of the "action" around town. If you don't care and want to be in the middle of nowhere, go to the boulders. Its even further away than the princess, and will take you about 1 - 1 1/2 hrs to get there from the airport.

Might I suggest the Phoenician Resort instead??

Its nicer than the Princess IMHO, and you have soo much better access to things to do like shopping and eating in Scottsdale and the Biltmore area.

The brunch is also amazing!! Just to give you a clue its $49 a person!