5 Reasons to Make Scottsdale Your Next Girls Getaway

Warm sun and cool pools are just two of the reasons to head to Scottsdale for an easy escape

With its string of cool concept restaurants, cozy lounges, dapper dive bars and next-level nightclubs, Scottsdale is the ultimate locale to celebrate monumental milestones with your squad in a chic way. The bonus? Direct flights, sumptuous spas, sizzling sunny weather and hair-perfect humidity make this stylish desert destination a paradise for posh party-goers.

From decade-marking birthday bashes to single-send-off bachelorette weekends, here are five tips to help you plan the ultimate girls’ getaway in Scottsdale…

1. Party in the pool

Scottsdale’s pool party scene is serious business. You’ll find everything from over-the-top, Vegas-style wet-and-wild, to unpretentious retro-inspired glam. A hot-spot for the 30-plus crowd is Session Saturdays at the modern but vintage Hotel Valley Ho. To avoid the line, and party like a pro, reserve a poolside cabana. Starting at just $149 ($349 in peak season) for a group of eight, paying for shade at the hotel’s OH Pool is the best deal in the desert. Rentals also include party admission and your choice of three tasty snack amenities. Inside scoop: order the chips con queso with warm cheese dip, guac and Ho salsa. Signature cocktails, like the PAL-OH-MA with Don Julio, prickly pear syrup and grapefruit juice, are served by the pitcher and promise to temper the heat. If the tequila doesn’t get you dancing, OH’s local DJs always take requests.

2. A taco-sushi love story

Craving sashimi, but also want to indulge in Scottsdale’s famous southwest flavours? Embark on a cool chef-driven culinary journey at SumoMaya. Come with an open mind and prepare to be blown away with the insanely creative Asian-Mexican fusion restaurant. Begin with your new favourite craft cocktail, the Chinga tu Maya–a delicious concoction of tequila blanco, siracha honey syrup, lime, cucumber and cilantro. SumoMaya’s food menu is just as intoxicating. Start with guacamole and opt for the inventive rendition with Mexican squash and queso Oaxaca, or butter poached king crab and mango salsa. A ceviche sampler is up next but go easy on the starters as the sumo rolls deserve some serious attention. House favourites include the Japanese wagyu beef and snow crab billionaire roll topped with truffle garlic butter and gold flake, and the crispy pork belly roll. Hungry for more? The tuna tacos, kimchee fried rice and wood-fired miso Chilean sea bass are all winners.

3. A spa-pampered revival

When it’s time for R, R+R–rest, relaxation and recovery–consider The Phoenician Spa your saviour. Arrive early and plan to pamper the day away, as the newly reimagined space is an exquisite haven for rejuvenation. Before your treatment, indulge in a little hydrotherapy to soothe tired muscles, flush tequila toxins and boost your immune system. Give the hot, cold, rest, repeat circuit a try, or take a leisurely dip in the Vitality hot tub. For a transformative experience, treat yourself to the spa’s Sonoran signature scrub, massage and wrap. After a blissful two hours of polishing, pressure and moisture therapy, your skin will feel smooth, and your spirit will soar. Complete the day of delight at the spa’s beautiful rooftop pool, for sweeping views of Camelback Mountain and delicious guilt-free Mediterranean-fusion fare and low-cal cocktails.

4. A girls night in

Celebrate your guest of honour with a stylish slumber party. Think matching pajamas, Sephora face masks, pink prosecco and get-to-know-you games. Download your favourite playlist for a suite-style dance party. Add a little spice to the night with dinner-delivery from Thai Chili 2 Go. All signature dishes–like the spicy basil, cashew nut and veggie–and Thai curries come with chicken, beef or shrimp and your choice of white or brown rice. Must-order mains include the Panang curry and the Drunken Noodles, packed with a rainbow of veggies, including carrots, zucchini, peppers, mushrooms and basil. TC2Go’s chicken-stuffed, deep-fried dumplings are another stay-in staple.

5. Enjoy the suite life

Wow your squad with a luxe suite at W Scottsdale. At 1,500 square feet, with two king-sized bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, full kitchen and dining room, the Wow Suite will up your girls getaway to the next level. The chic boutique hotel in the heart of Old Town is also a hot haunt for locals looking to get their party on. Weekends at the Wet Deck’s rooftop pool and Shade Lounge are lavish and loud all day–and night!–long. Expect top DJs and an over-the-top Vegas vibe. Staying at the W also means that you’re just steps from Old Town’s social scene. As weekend line-ups at the top clubs–like Bottle Blonde, Maya and Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row–usually spill onto the street, VIP bottle service is the only way to go. Craving a more laid-back, low-key affair? Book a table at the W’s Living Room Lounge for craft cocktails and live music.