Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA: Scottsdale’s Most Iconic Desert Resort Still Knows How to Feel Grand

In Scottsdale, luxury comes in many forms.

There are intimate desert retreats.
Minimalist wellness hideaways.
Quiet spa resorts tucked into the mountains.

And then there’s Fairmont Scottsdale Princess—

a sprawling desert resort that fully embraces scale, energy, and spectacle while still managing to deliver moments of genuine Southwestern beauty.

For decades, the property has remained one of Arizona’s most recognizable luxury resorts, known for its massive pool complex, golf culture, family-friendly atmosphere, seasonal events, and resort-within-a-resort experiences.

And despite the constant evolution of Scottsdale’s luxury scene, the Princess continues to define what large-scale desert hospitality looks like in the American Southwest.

Arrival: Desert Grandeur Done the Scottsdale Way

The first thing you notice is the scale.

The resort spreads across an enormous property framed by:

• Palm-lined walkways

• Lagoons and fountains

• Fire pits

• Desert gardens

• Views toward the McDowell Mountains

Unlike boutique desert resorts that focus on intimacy, the Princess leans fully into the feeling of a destination resort.

There’s movement everywhere:

Families heading to pools.
Golf carts moving through the grounds.
Guests arriving for dinners, conferences, spa days, and seasonal events.

And somehow, it all still feels distinctly Scottsdale.

The Rooms & Villas: Resort Comfort at Scale

The resort offers a wide range of accommodations, from traditional guestrooms to upgraded villa-style experiences. Guests consistently praise the spacious layouts and comfortable rooms, especially inside the more exclusive Privado and Fairmont Gold sections.

Many travelers specifically recommend upgrading if possible.

The Privado Villas in particular receive strong feedback for:

• More privacy

• Dedicated pools

• Elevated service

• Lounge access

• A quieter atmosphere away from the busiest family zones

At a resort this large, that separation can make a major difference.

The Pools: One of the Resort’s Biggest Attractions

The pool scene here is massive.

The resort features multiple pools across the property, including family-friendly zones, waterslides, quieter adults-only areas, and VIP pool experiences. Architectural Digest even highlighted the resort among America’s most impressive hotel pool destinations.

This is very much a resort designed around outdoor living.

Days revolve around:

• Poolside cocktails

• Desert sunshine

• Cabanas

• Family activities

• Sunset lounging

And during peak seasons, the atmosphere becomes highly social and energetic.

The Spa: One of Scottsdale’s Strongest Wellness Experiences

The resort’s Well & Being Spa has developed one of the strongest reputations in Scottsdale’s wellness scene.

Guests regularly highlight:

• Rooftop spa pools

• Quiet relaxation areas

• Extensive treatment menus

• Fitness programming

• Sisley Spa experiences

One Reddit traveler even described it as “arguably the best spa” they had experienced at any hotel.

And in a destination famous for luxury wellness resorts, that says a lot.

Dining: Large Resort, Serious Restaurant Lineup

The property has become known for several destination restaurants, especially:

• Bourbon Steak Scottsdale

• Toro Scottsdale

• La Hacienda by Richard Sandoval

Guest opinions vary slightly depending on the venue, but La Hacienda and Bourbon Steak are consistently praised across reviews and Reddit discussions.

For a large resort, the dining program feels surprisingly ambitious.

Golf & Scottsdale Lifestyle Culture

The Princess sits beside the famous TPC Scottsdale golf complex, home of the WM Phoenix Open. That connection has helped solidify the property as one of Scottsdale’s defining golf resorts.

Even for non-golfers, the surrounding atmosphere shapes the stay:

• Golf course views

• Country-club energy

• Resort bars filled after tee times

• Outdoor terraces overlooking desert greens

It’s classic Scottsdale.

Christmas at the Princess: A Scottsdale Institution

One of the property’s biggest annual transformations is Christmas at the Princess, when the resort turns into a massive holiday destination complete with:

• Ice skating

• Holiday light displays

• Seasonal food stalls

• Santa experiences

• Winter-themed attractions

For many Arizona families, it has become an annual tradition.

Though reviews consistently note that the event can become crowded and expensive during peak holiday periods.

Who It’s Perfect For

The Princess works especially well for:

• Families

• Golf travelers

• Spa weekends

• Group celebrations

• Warm-weather escapes

• Travelers wanting an active luxury resort atmosphere

If you want quiet minimalism, Scottsdale has better options.

But if you want classic desert resort energy done at a grand scale—

this is still one of Arizona’s defining stays.

The Feeling You Leave With

It embraces everything people imagine when they picture luxury Scottsdale travel:

Palm trees.
Pools.
Golf.
Sunsets.
Fire pits.
Spa days.
Desert evenings that stay warm long after dark.

And somewhere between mountain views, pool afternoons, tequila dinners, and glowing desert nights—

you understand why generations of travelers keep coming back to the Princess.

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