by Paul Heney
Last updated: 9:00 PM ET, Wed June 20, 2018
The Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa offers what might be thought of as casual luxury. Unlike some resorts, the Andaz doesn't overreach with in-your-face glamour or over the top design. Instead, it's a breath of fresh air in the Sonoran Desert, blending in nicely to the landscape-and offering a luxe getaway from the busy-ness of central Scottsdale.
The resort, which boasts 201 rooms arranged in a gorgeous midcentury bungalow style, feels a world removed from Scottsdale, Phoenix's most glamourous suburb. But Andaz is practically in the middle of Scottsdale-venture off the tranquil campus and you're in easy reach of shops, galleries, restaurants, and more. Gracefully spread across 23 acres, the resort offers lovely views of nearby Camelback Mountain at every turn.
While it's a trendy thing for resorts to work with local artists, Andaz has truly taken this idea to the next level. During the resort's construction phase, it began to actively collaborate with the nearby Cattle Track Arts & Preservation compound, founded in 1936 and located less than a mile away. The colony today serves as a place for artists to live, create, perform, and present.
Artwork decorating the walls in common areas is from Cattle Track. Large pieces from compound artists like the brilliant Mark McDowell rotate in and out of the lobby rotate on a regular basis. The restaurant's clay-fired coffee mugs are hand-made by the amazing artist Mary Van Dusen. And the compound's musicians and performers work with the resort to develop events and programs throughout the week. Guests can even take tours of Cattle Track and watch the creative process in action-this was one of the highlights of my stay.
The Palo Verde Spa & Apothecary is connected with the resort's excellent fitness facility, and features a number of massage options, body treatments, facials, manicures, pedicures, and more. The Sonoran Scrub treatment was a perfectly relaxing way to end the day; the 60- or 90-minute experiences allow the guest to choose from three essential oils and three scrubs of different coarseness. The combination of oils, scrubs, and hot towels left my skin rejuvenated for days afterward.
The main pool, visible from Weft & Warp, is surrounded by 13 private cabanas, which can be reserved by guests for a fee. The cabana culture is said to be a strong one in Scottsdale, so get your reservations in early!
Lastly, we can't forget about the resort's dining room, Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen, open all day long. Look in one direction, and the glass-enclosed kitchen captures your attention with a constant flurry of movements. Or cast your gaze in the opposite direction, and you'll be hypnotized by the pool deck with Camelback Mountain perched just beyond.
It's hard to decide which meal to eat here, so why not do all three? The blue corn short stack is a brilliant take on pancakes-made with Arizona blue corn and topped with orange-poppy seed custard, rye whiskey syrup and a few kernels of popcorn. Try the burger or the luscious gem salad for lunch, and save room for the seared scallops for dinner, with a side of Brussels sprouts, excellently prepared with a sweet and smoky chili sauce.
Little things impressed me about Andaz, too. If you're pale like I am and are worried about the desert sun, not to fear-there are sunscreen dispensers located in the front lobby, at the pool, and at the spa.
The whole resort has complimentary wireless Internet throughout. Non-alcoholic drinks in the minibar are complimentary. And there's door-to-door valet service. Or get your friends jealous by renting one of the resort's two vehicles-a gorgeous 1962 Series 62 Cadillac convertible (affectionately named Nora, which comes from Sonoran) or an uber-cool electric Tesla-to drive you to some of Scottsdale's most Instagram-ready spots.
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