I used to go to Phoenix/Scottsdale a couple of times a year on business but that routine stopped when many of the events got diverted to Vegas and Austin. Truth be told, I have missed that annual dose of desert sunshine and dry heat that Arizona is so known for, especially during the warmer months.
Recently, we had an opportunity to head to Scottsdale for an event and not only was it held at Hilton’s DoubleTree Resort Paradise Valley, but we had an opportunity to review the property as well.
There’s no shortage of palm trees & other vegetation around the property
DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Paradise Valley
Avid travelers know that Hilton has a number of different kinds of properties and the DoubleTree is just one of them. I was curious about the DoubleTree property in Scottsdale since their team managed to nail a AAA Triple Diamond Award.
As readers know, we tend to mix up our travel “stays” with established brands and quaint lesser known independent hotels in the luxury and family travel categories. We love that Hilton has properties in so many locations around the world, including cities we travel to frequently in the states.
What makes this property most memorable is its pretty, lush grounds which are filled with flowers, cactus and palm trees.
We absolutely love the pedestrian only paths throughout the hotel and along the way, you can sit under a palm tree or at one of the tables just outside the main pool area. In every direction, there are desert plants, cactus and palms swaying in the warm breeze.
For a few days during our stay, the temperatures exceeded 100 degrees — 109 to be exact according to our Buick’s temperature gauge. At the Paradise Valley property, they use a cool steam method in the outdoor seating area where you can have lunch to keep things a little more comfortable (notice the steam in the air in the photo below)
It was well over 100 degrees and yet people were still sitting outside thanks to their cooling system, which sprayed colder mist in the air.
The Pool, Tennis & Basketball
It’s worth giving a call-out to the main pool because it’s better than most you’d find at a similar category hotel, at least in our experience. Lush, vibrant flowers are everywhere weaving you into their web, casting an air of serenity around you in all directions.
They actually have two outdoor pools, a tennis court as well as a basketball court on the premises.
This means that it makes the The DoubleTree Resort by Hilton in Scottsdale a great option if you’re traveling with kids in tow as well. Also in the area, golf lovers will be thrilled to know that there are championship golf courses nearby.
What’s great about the Phoenix/Scottsdale area is that you’d rarely be “rained out” of any outdoor activity you choose to dive into, whether it’s 18 holes of golf, a tennis match or shooting some hoops with your kids.
If the heat is too much for you however, they have a fitness center with a fairly sizable gym so you can work out in a comfortable air conditioned space. I am always amazed how few hotels — despite how luxe they are — offer only the bare weights and machines in their gyms. It‘s rare to find a gym that will completely replace your at-home routine so we were impressed with what they offered on-site.
Other leisure activities you can do inside include racquetball and basketball. They also offer a putting green and there’s a health club with spa treatments as well although we sadly didn’t have time to review their spa.
I’ve attended a lot of events in hotels over the years and we love how “interconnected” this DoubleTree property is, making it easy to find sessions and talks and….you don’t have to walk far between them, so the flow is easy, seamless and efficient. If you’re keen on trying an event here, they offer 40,000 square feet of event space across 23 Scottsdale meeting rooms.
Convenient to Local Attractions
When you want to absorb a l’il Arizona serenity, you can book a spa appointment or meditate somewhere on their 22 acres of lush grounds. That said, what about when you‘re ready to paint the town red, dine or take in some of Scottsdale‘s culture and local attractions?
The DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Paradise Valley is so conveniently located that you can be in downtown Scottsdale in four minutes by car. This also makes it easy to taxi or Uber it if you want to dine at one of Scottsdale amazing restaurants and not have to worry about wine or cocktails with dinner.
You‘re also close to the ever so quaint Old Town Scottsdale which has great shopping and dining options. Most shoppers know how great the shops are in Scottsdale, but if you don’t, head on over to Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall which is closeby and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the volume and diversity of offerings.
As noted earlier, golf courses are also nearby as is Spring Training at the Salt River and Scottsdale stadiums. Nature lovers will also appreciate that Camelback Mountain is close as well and you can hike near here or around Superstition Mountain.
The Rooms
They offer a private balcony or patio in their rooms and many rooms have views. All suites add living areas, and two stylish expanded suites (1 with a private pool and hot tub) have fireplaces and wet bars.
One of their Suites
The general areas of the hotel are stylish and there are plenty of comfy couches, tables and chairs throughout as well as a place to get a quick lunch or snack (and coffee of course).
All-day meals are served in their on-site restaurant with a waterfall or on an outdoor patio with a fireplace. Other amenities include a free local shuttle and a business center, so suitable for business travelers as well.
Oh yeah, and did I mention the incredible sunsets in Arizona and the amazing desert drives?
Sunset in Scottsdale — some of the swaying palms at the DoubleTree by Hilton Paradise Valley. See our Instagram feed
DETAILS
DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel Paradise Valley
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
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.
