North Scottsdale

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

★★★★★

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is the Valley's great all-rounder resort: big enough to keep a family entertained for a week, polished enough for a celebration, and set in North Scottsdale with the McDowell Mountains on the horizon. For about four decades it has been a Scottsdale landmark, spread across roughly 65 acres of lagoons, palms and Spanish Colonial-style buildings with terracotta roofs, courtyards and fountains, and it offers around 750 guest rooms and suites, from standard rooms in the main building to casitas and larger suites around the grounds. Pools are a highlight, with several to choose from, including family-friendly areas with slides and sandy shallows and quieter, adult-leaning spaces, plus cabanas. The resort's large spa is one of the most complete in Arizona, with an extensive treatment menu, and dining runs from a steakhouse and a modern Mexican restaurant to poolside grills and lobby bars. Golf is the other big draw: the resort sits beside TPC Scottsdale, whose Stadium Course hosts the WM Phoenix Open each February (February 8 to 14 in 2027). In winter the resort is transformed by Christmas at the Princess, one of the Valley's best-known holiday events, with millions of lights, an outdoor ice rink, fireside s'mores and festive characters; it draws both hotel guests and day visitors, and dates and tickets are announced each autumn. Ownership news: in October 2026 the resort was sold to the San Manuel Investment Authority, the investment arm of the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, with the Fairmont team signaling continuity.

Choosing a room matters at a resort this size. Rooms in the main buildings put you closest to the lobby, restaurants and conference areas, while casitas and suites around the grounds feel more private and residential and are worth the extra cost for longer stays. Ask for a room near the pool you plan to use most, especially with children, because walking distances add up. Expect resort fees, paid parking and peak pricing from January to April and around the Phoenix Open, with better value in late fall and early December, when the holiday lights are already up.

The location is quieter than Old Town. North Scottsdale is about 30 to 40 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor and around 20 minutes from Old Town, so you will want a car or rideshares, but you gain proximity to the McDowell Sonoran Preserve trailheads, Taliesin West, golf and the restaurants and shops of the Kierland and Scottsdale Quarter area. Many guests barely leave the property, splitting days between the pools, the spa and the courses.

Who should stay: families who want pools and space, golfers, couples who prize spa time, and anyone visiting for Christmas at the Princess or the Phoenix Open. Who might not: travelers wanting walkable nightlife or an intimate boutique feel, who will be happier in Old Town Scottsdale. Following the 2026 sale, keep an eye on any changes to brand, programs or loyalty benefits when booking well ahead.