My Boyfriend and I booked at 3 day stay at the Fairmont Scottsdale over Labor Day weekend on a whim, not really knowing what to expect since we had never spent time in Arizona and got a baffled response from all of our Los Angeles friends when we told them that is where we were spending Labor Day weekend.

We were pleasantly surprised and absolutely enchanted by the Fairmont Scottsdale and are planning another Labor Day weekend trip there. The hotel is lovely, the newly renovated rooms are sleek, modern and very well layed out, and the spa is terrific. The staff was extremely nice and helpful, and the pools were fabulous, as were the athletic facilities.

Easy to overlook, but extremly pleasant activities at the resort include : feeding the ducks at the lake, and playing croquet, badminton, and bocce ball on the green.

We went there for our anniversary and had a lovely, romantic vacation, but as far as we could tell, this is also a great place for families with its water slides, in-pool movies, and plethora of available acivities.

The food was also fantastic.

We will most certainly return.

I see some terrible reviews of this resort during the month of August '08 so I would like to remind people that resorts do go through renovations which are not comfortable or convenient. But I wouldn't write off this hotel.

Our stay in June '08 was fabulous. We did have to move to another suite because of A/C problems but that was dealt with quickly and pleasantly. All the staff were very helpful and prompt in all service areas.

The grounds of this resort alone are worth the stay. There are 5 pools, 4 of which children are allowed. 2 are open 24 hours!!The children's pool with the water slide is gorgeous and free flowing. It is landscaped like an oasis with many palm trees lining the deck area, and citrus fruit trees behind the slides. I loved this pool. So did a lot of other adults with out children. Then there is a large sports pool, huge resort pool with fabulous modern deck furniture; ie round couches for 2, long king size chez beds for 4, etc etc. This pool has a hot tub. In the Casita area there is another smaller pool with a hot tub. The grounds are a feast for the eyes with a large cactus garden, Giant willow tree lined ponds to fish in, streams, flower gardens, areas for lawn bowling, putting, bacci, badminton,. rose gardens. Very posh. Then there are the Casita court yards which are beautifully landscaped and manicured as well.

I would stay in this hotel just for the gorgeous gardens. We had a Casita room which was large, clean, well appointed. The beds and pillows were very comfortable. And I have a bad back.! The bathroom was huge with an open sit down shower and separate soaking tub, dual vanities, walk in closet.

Our stay wasn't perfect but the minor glitches were nothing compared with the pleasure of staying at this hotel. I've stayed at many other 5 star hotels and nothing is ever Perfect. I think a lot of it is ones attitude and expectations. The food was very good but pricey (for every meal.) There is a great whole food market and mall close by ( 2minutes up Scottsdale road) with some yummy restaurants where you can get breakfasts, lunch and dinner.

We liked this hotel so much we are staying again in November. Hope the reno's are done.

We got a room here for $99 on a Sat. night because no one wants to go to Arizona in the summer- too hot! Which might have been why we were given a pretty outdated room. They were in the middle of renovating too, and our room hadn't been done yet, but because of this, it was pretty loud as well.
The pools were OK. Over crowded and not very intimate. A bit of a party scene with a bar and loud music, but it was fun. I am neutral. I'd stay again for the price I paid, but I'd never pay $400 which is what they charge in peak season.
Though, I must mention, service was phenomenal.

Just came back from a 3 day stay and absolutely loved the Fairmont! We had a deluxe king room with a balcony overlooking one of the pools and a view of the mountains. The staff at checkin and the concierge staff were very friendly and helpful.

We used 2 of the larger pools, they had more than enough towels, and chairs. We even tried out one of the water slides they had for the kids! We had to use their dry cleaning service and it was delivered back in the room as promised, on time.

We golfed at TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course, what an experience playing there! Play it if you can!