The Scott Resort & Spa
Scottsdale, Arizona
August 2026
The Inspiration
Camelback Mountain has two peaks, one hump said to be the camel’s head, the other hump to be the camel’s back. I saw the mountain from multiple angles and can say that I couldn’t see the head or the hump. This did not stop me from waking my husband at 5am Scottsdale time, 7am my time - so not that impressive, to “hike” the Cholla trail. I say “hike” because we turned at marker 16 before the scramble started. It was August and hot. Very hot. Thankfully I do not have the type of ego to “need” to do most things never mind scrambling up a mountain side in 100 degree heat. Note it is not pronounced Cho-la, but Cho-ya. The resort staff so sweet, not one single person corrected us.
First Impression
Driving along Scottsdale Blvd The Scott comes up abruptly. Across the street, an office complex. Not as “resort” as I had envisioned. I was picturing a grand entrance a la Mexico. This is not that. The Scott is a renovated 1960s motel in Old Town Scottsdale. It is desert greenery with a retro modern vibe.
We had no issues parking our rental as there was plenty of the old motel parking lot spaces available.
The Space
The lobby is beautiful. Can desert greenery be described as lush? Palm fronds tucked here and there. An olive tree that sparked a lively conversation with our server. Was it real? Not real? Part real? We spent quite a bit of time in that lobby. There were multiple mini sitting areas and massive share tables - all conducive to working solo on your laptop, quietly chatting with a friend, or a group lounging about celebrating.
We booked a King Patio - it had a lovely view of a parking lot. The room was spacious, carpeted, but spacious. The bed fantastic. The pillows better than all of my six bed pillows at home. The shampoos and lotions provided by Lather. Bamboo Lemongrass. I usually do not use hotel toiletries but I did lather up with the Lather products.
The common area is truly where The Scott shines. I have already gushed about the lobby. But the outside terrace and pool do need to be discussed. The two pools have that most elusive of Arizona wants - shade. There’s one pool that even has sand. We loved the pool area so much we even invited some local friends to join us at the hotel for a pool day.
Food & Drink
The Canal Club is the on site bar and restaurant and it is excellent.
The Green Bird, a gin, kiwi, and vanilla cocktail, was delicious. So delicious I had more than one. The Squash & Pomegranate salad with salmon was divine. The ingredients so flavorful I cleared my plate down to the last pomegranate seed. My husband was so impressed he ordered the same salad later that evening but with a skirt steak side. Our only complaint was that the protein servings were much smaller than we were expecting, hoping for, after a long day of travel.
The Experience
The staff was incredibly helpful. Shuttling us to the 5th Avenue Shopping district in the hotel’s Jeep Wagoneer one morning for coffee at Berdena’s. And later that evening to dinner at Ocean 44 in Fashion Square. We walked back to The Scott from both that’s how central the resort was to most activities. There is also a restored 1957 baby blue Bel Air convertible available. We opted for the Wagoneer and it’s AC.
The visit to La Vidorra was absolute heaven. I had the La Vidorra Custom Massage - light to medium - and loved it. But I have never not liked a massage. My husband is a bit more discerning when it comes to his massages. He had the same massage but asked for the Deep Tissue upgrade. Let’s say he was not impressed and left this spa visit praising not this massage but the massage he had earlier in the year at the TRS Yucatan Hotel in Kantenah.
FT’s Take
Scottsdale in August is hot. But if you’re needing to be in Scottsdale off season, looking for a younger under 65 crowd, delicious food on site, friendly staff, and two shaded pools, The Scott Resort & Spa can definitely provide you with all that and more.
