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| - Your opinion of the Clarendon will depend greatly on what kind of experience you're looking for in a vacation. Scottsdale puts on a great charade of Arizona, fast becoming a Disneyland with boob jobs. Its clean, and new and largely soulless. The visitors that stay there end up with an anesthetized view of the Valley.
When I think of uniquely "Arizona" experiences, the Clarendon ranks right up there. Here is a building that has seen it all, and rather than strip it of its history, new ownership has polished and buffed it to a beautiful shine.
From the moment your feet hit the entry, with its embedded glass in the driveway, you understand the vibe. The lobby is largely positioned to encourage lounging- ample room, tables, power plugs and free wifi.
You know how normally the last place you'd eat it as your hotel? The food is crap, expensive, and served by people who really would rather be shaving their toes? Gallo Blanco defies that in every way. The food is no nonsense authentic sonoran, served at prices that can't be believed, by staff who seem genuinely happy to be around.
The margaritas are worth noting separately- as a local I've been nursed on tequila, but it never tasted like this. Everything about it is fresh-everything came from something in the ground, not a bottle. Sugar cane, fresh lime- it was singularly fabulous. Sangria ranks high as well for being white, not too sweet, and well balanced. A perfect poolside treat.
Which brings us to the reason you're staying at the Clarendon: the pool. Hollywood sets wish they were this cool. Its big, its blue, with ample, bright poolside beds and couches. A wall of waterfalls, an epic hot tub. As I hit my room finally at midnight, I was tickled by the inlaid stones of the pool, glittering in the moonlight.
My friends and I were impressed by the rooms. It provided something most rooms don't in hotels: space. Four of us sat comfortably around, people watching through the window, enjoying our cocktails and the inroom fridge. The flatscreen, appreciated, never even was turned on. I did however appreciate the advanced alarm radio which slowly lulled me from sleep Sunday morning. Both men in our party noted somewhat humorously about the relative size of the sink. My morning shower provided immediate hot water and who can't appreciate a hotel that is generous with the high end shampoo and soap.
My evening out was a hop on the light rail, I was in the center of everything. Ample COVERED parking made the summer heat bearable. My checkin and out was smooth.
But my overwhelming reason you should stay at the Clarendon? Trust a local. The place is packed all the time with locals, working and hanging out in the lobby, enjoying the pool or the rooftop.
End of story? If a truly uniquely Arizona experience, complete with local flavor and personality is what you're looking for, you can do no better than the Clarendon.
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