Lying just north of Phoenix, Scottsdale makes the perfect base for an Arizonan adventure. This five-night stay includes a tour of Sedona and its famous rock formations, plus plenty of time to explore Scottsdale’s rich mix of cowboy culture, Native American history, burgeoning arts scene and excellent array of restaurants.
Scottsdale sits within the Sonoran Desert, where saguaro cacti and open terrain shape a landscape that feels both expansive and carefully protected
Golf is central to Scottsdale’s identity, with a concentration of well-kept courses that prioritise playability and consistent conditioning
Old Town provides a compact centre, with galleries, low-rise adobe architecture and a steady, considered dining scene that holds its own year round
Sedona is set among red rock formations, with landmarks such as Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock shaping a landscape that is immediately recognisable
The town has a long association with arts and crafts, reflected in small galleries and studios that remain locally run and thoughtfully curated
After your direct flight to Phoenix, make your way to Scottsdale and check in for five nights at The Royal Palms Resort and Spa, a luxury hotel built in Spanish Colonial style and set against the backdrop of Camelback Mountain.
Take your pick from the eclectic range of options on offer in Scottsdale. Perhaps start in the Old Town, which resembles a scene from a classic old Western and is packed full of bars, restaurants and reminders of the Old West. If you’ve ever wanted to buy a genuine pair of cowboy boots or a Stetson, this is the place to come.
For art and culture, visit the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, explore Native American traditions at the world-renowned Heard Museum, or visit Taliesin West, once the winter home of legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you’re in town on a Thursday, you could even join the free weekly ArtWalk, a wonderful way to experience all that the historic Arts District has to offer.
However you spend your day you’ll likely work up an appetite. Being close to the southern border means the food scene in Scottsdale draws wonderfully on Mexican and South American influences. The choice of restaurants is excellent, with meals happily washed down with a wide range of craft beers and some surprisingly good local wines.
Explore Sedona’s red-rock landscapes on a day trip filled with ancient ruins, striking formations, and vibrant art galleries. Begin at Montezuma Castle National Monument, a well-preserved Puebloan cliff dwelling showcasing Sinagua architecture from 1250–1425 AD. Continue into the desert to see iconic sites like Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, and the Chapel of the Holy Cross, a church built into a massive butte. Additional stops may include Cathedral Rock, Snoopy Rock, and Submarine Rock. Enjoy time browsing local shops, relaxing with scenic views, and dining before heading back with unforgettable memories of Sedona’s stunning scenery.
Today is left free for you to relax at the resort and enjoy the facilities and activities it offers. Perhaps book a treatment at the world-class spa, learn the history of the resort with a guided tour, take a cocktail class or go tequila tasting. Keen golfers could book a tee time at one of Scottsdale many 18-hole championship golf courses, all spectacularly set among the Sonoran Desert landscape.
Spend your final day soaking up more of what Scottsdale has to offer. Be sure to visit Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West, which celebrates the spirit of the American West through changing exhibitions of fine art, rare historic artefacts and cultural treasures like Texas Ranger badges and Native American pottery.
For a spot of retail therapy, head to one of the city’s high-end malls like Scottsdale Fashion Square, Arizona’s largest shopping centre, where private shopping experiences can also be arranged, or Vintage by Misty, a jumble sale of Chanel, vintage Gucci and the like. End with a night out in Old Town listening to live bands play country music songs by the likes of Stevie Nicks, the Fleetwood Mac legend who called Scottsdale her home. Return to the airport in Phoenix on day six in time to catch your flight home.