We have always been fans of Four Seasons and have reviewed many of them over the years. The Four Seasons Scottsdale property is unique in that it has adobe architecture and is set in the desert. In other words, your backyard during your stay is filled with dramatic valleys filled with saguaro cacti and the slopes of iconic Pinnacle Peak. This luxury Sonoran Desert based resort is roughly 1.4 miles from Pinnacle Peak and 2.3 miles from Troon North Golf Club.
It’s a great area for hiking, watching the stars at night from your balcony and relaxation given the beautiful natural environs in all directions.
It almost looks like a painting, right?
Nature in the Desert on all Sides
One of the most magical things about staying at the Four Seasons Scottsdale property is the natural environment on all sides: desert, cactus, flowers, bird life and mountains. It’s stunning and makes for a great spot to take desert walks and explore the area.
Magic lighting, hues and skies of the Arizona desert
Four Seasons Scottsdale: cactus is abundant in all directions.
The grounds at the Four Seasons Scottsdale property
Four Seasons Scottsdale: walking through the grounds
The adobe architecture at the Four Seasons Scottsdale property
Above and below, the Four Seasons Scottsdale grounds at dusk
The Reception Area
The reception area also weaves in the adobe and desert theme throughout.
The Spa at the Four Seasons Scottsdale
While we didn’t have the opportunity to review the spa this time around, we did visit it to sit in the sauna and steam room. They offer the classic facials and massages here, and also a few which are exclusive to Four Seasons Scottsdale.
They have Alchemistas on-site who can create custom lotions and oils for any of the services. They offer thousands of aromatherapy options. In addition to a variety of massages, you can also opt for a detoxifying body therapy, wrap or a mask.
A spa treatment room at the Four Seasons Scottsdale is top notch. Photo credit: Four Seasons PR.
The relaxation area
The spa at the Four Seasons Scottsdale property
The gift shop area at the spa
The building that houses the spa and the gym. Note the grassy area in front can be used for functions like weddings.
Dining at Talavera Steakhouse
The Resort also launched its new concept Spanish steakhouse Talavera in May 2018, which is incredibly colorful (and I’d argue fun) throughout. It is also elegant & stylish with modern paintings and prints by local Mexican artist Gennaro Garcia.
The stylish bar in the main lobby area
Inside the Talavera Restaurant at dusk. Photo credit: Four Seasons PR.
One of the prize things about Talavera is its ambiance — both indoors and outdoors. We dined outdoors at a corner table and it was both relaxing and romantic. It was one of our favorite dining experiences in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, largely because of the stunning setting against the desert and mountains.
The menu is incredible, with its choice of Crudo (one of my personal favorites), its Charcuterie options and fresh veggies and salads. They talked us into trying the Grilled Galician Octopus with potatoes (they cook it with corks for an additional flavor boost — yes, really!) It’s an unusual preparation but the combo just “worked.” It won over the Spiced Lamb meatballs, which is hard for us to pass up on any menu.
Grilled Galician Octopus with potatoes.
Spiced Tuna Crudo, which they serve with apricots, aperol and toasted hazelnuts
We had to try their Iberian Pork Shoulder, largely because of how it was cooked. Here, they serve it with a delicious sweet Cherry Mostarada and peaches, but it all comes together with the Celery Heart and greens — the combo is gorgeous and just melts in your mouth.
Iberian Pork Shoulder with sweet Cherry Mostarada and peaches
The Talavera’s Chocoflan, which they make with Cajeta Goat Milk Caramel and caramelized cocoa nibs. Simple but exquisite!!!
They also served French press coffee, which we love!! (coffee lovers know that they don’t serve French press everywhere). We included this gem in our Phoenix/Scottsdale Restaurants “Top Picks” so be sure to read our foodie review.
Dining at Proof
Their more casual restaurant Proof offers both indoor and outdoor dining. Certain days of the week, they have an amazing breakfast buffet spread although you can always order off their menu. For example, they have unique creations like the Green Chile Pork Benedict, which is served with poached eggs, green chile pork, an English muffin, jalapeno hollandaise (so decadent!), avocado and hash browns with tomato bacon jam. Wow, right?
Those not adverse to carbs the way I am may enjoy their souffle pancakes with blueberry and apple, their traditional ‘old fashioned’ waffle with orange, cherries and rye maple syrup or the Proof French Toast, which they serve with peace compote, whipped goat cheese and mint.
Four Seasons Scottsdale. Breakfast at Proof — we sat outside for this one.
An oh so southern style dish worth trying is their Red Chile Short Rib Hash with eggs, french fries, chile sauce and cheese or the Cowboy Biscuits which comes with country ham, sausage gravy and smoked salt. For the more healthy minded among you, they have Dragon Fruit Yogurt, an Acai Bowl, which I tried (it was amazing), a Salmon Avocado bagel or the Hiker Smoothie, which they make with blueberries, bananas and honey. Oh so yum!!
The Pools: Newly Renovated
In their recent renovation, the resort’s pools replaced their loungers, chairs, pool-area furnishings as well as furniture at Saguaro Blossom, the pool’s restaurant and bar. Around the pool, you’ll find contemporary round daybeds and plush loungers, swivel lounge chairs as well as updated furnishings in their 18 poolside cabanas.
Photo credit: Four Seasons PR
Anthony relaxing by the pool
The pools reflection on a glorious hot Scottsdale day — it went up to 109 more than once while we were there in September.
Meditation time, poolside
Getting creative with meditation stones at the Four Seasons Scottsdale pool
The Finished Result
The outdoor jacuzzi at the Four Seasons Scottsdale
Above and below, the stunning Four Seasons Scottsdale pool set against the red rock, adobe architecture and desert mountains.
Dusk at the pool
Four Seasons Scottsdale pool
The Rooms
Designed by Whitespace Interiors, the resort’s 210 spacious casitas and suites combine luxury with beautiful natural elements so you can truly experience the desert inside and out. The decor is modern contemporary but there’s also an elegant and oh so luxe rustic quality to the design as well.
The casitas have desert or mountain views, and balconies or patios, as well as gas fireplaces, 42-inch flat-screens and minibars. They also have coffeemakers, free WiFi and 24-hour room service. Suites add living areas, additional patios and private heated pools. Some suites have pull-out sofas and up to 3 extra bedrooms.
One of the things we loved most about our room was the balcony which looked out to desert cactus and the mountainous terrain off in the distance.
The two bedroom suite offers 3 private patios, a heated plunge pool and a telescope for stargazing. Photo credit: Four Seasons.
A 3 bedroom suite sleeps up to 9 people and each bedroom has its own fireplace. Photo credit: Four Seasons.
Premier Casita Room with views of mountain peaks or lagoon style pool, which was the closest design to the room we had during our stay. Photo credit: Four Seasons.
Deluxe Casita Room with its own furnished balcony and breathtaking views. Photo credit: Four Seasons.
Notice the natural adobe style exterior (and interior) of the rooms. Photo credit: Four Seasons PR.
This was our room style, facing the mountains. Photo credit: Four Seasons PR
We loved the adobe style fireplaces in the rooms. Photo credit: Four Seasons PR
Above and below, a Four Seasons Scottsdale surprise. A cheese platter with fruit in our room.
Amenities include three restaurants, two of which we tried as noted above, a chic bar, the luxury spa, as well as a fitness center (it’s a great gym btw), two pools, one of which is adult only and a jacuzzi. There’s also a golf course shuttle and tennis courts.
Two thumbs up — we would definitely return!!
DETAILS
Scottsdale, AZ 85262
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
