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| - For the price you really aren't going to get a better room in Scottsdale. Though the website advertises amazing views of camelback mountain--these are few and far between and certainly only from a handful of rooms. Despite this, the grounds, for being in its infancy, are meticulously developed and curated. The landscaping is so pristine, however, that it can at times seem inauthentic, and staged. And surely enough, each morning I saw a gardener painstakingly raking perfect lines into the rock beds throughout the resort.
The pool is just okay, by Scottsdale standards. The pool area has a modern, utilitarian look that isn't really my thing, but perhaps appeals to others. I didn't drink at the pool, was dehydrated from morning hikes, but was asked routinely if I needed anything. This is hard to find, good attentive pool service. My big complaint with the pool is the LOUD music--so loud you can hear it with your own headphones in. The noise level was obnoxious. The crowd at the pool when I was there was very early 30's-mid 50's, and most of us were past the age where we enjoy blasting music. People take their own music with them nowadays--so turn it down, way down.
The room was fantastic, despite not having a view of anything. Huge TV, think 60", mounted facing the bed. Large king size platform bed--very comfortable, great sheeting. Well stocked refreshment center with free snacks and NA beverages. Alcohol for a fee, all top shelf if you get the shakes and need a quick fix. By minibar standards, the alcohol wasn't *that* expensive, considering airplane bottles run $10-18 at most hotels, and they have pints of top shelf liquor for around $35 in the Andaz minibars. The rooms have keurigs, which I'm not fond of, and I've come to appreciate the Nepresso machines that have become the standard at most high end hotels.
The rooms come with robes, and his and her flip flops. The bathroom is open, so modest couples may find this awkward, with a dual shower and no bathroom door except for a separate toilet. Wouldn't bother me or my SO, but if you're a brand new couple traveling might be an issue. The huge walk in "gym shower" is fantastic, and open lighting with skylight, glass doors and windows really bring the desert into this entire bathroom area casting an air of serenity. Really beautiful.
Outside the bathroom is a private patio, with a dual chaise lounge, each side has it's own side table. The chaise is completely walled off to the outside world, so clothing optional sunbathing is permissible if you're into that--no one can see over wall, but they can still hear, FYI.
Other notes--the parking situation is great, you can drive close to your casita or use Valet which is included in the resort fee. They offer drinks multiple times a day, wine upon checkin, snacks, activities--so if you're looking for free stuff or things to do, this resort will keep you occupied. Staff is for the most part friendly and helpful, though a notch below five star service.
A downside is that a large condominium complex is being built next to the Andaz, and the boxy, brown, brutal design is very unappealing to the eye and detracts from the simple beauty of the Andaz casitas, as it looms over the property.
This hotel is worth it. I think it's priced right, and has everything you would expect in a high end hotel, and then some extras. I've come to appreciate casita style resorts--that offer your own world away from what can often be crowded chaos (and noisy kids) at resort properties. No hallways with drunks staggering around echoing off the walls, no running kids, and casita resorts allow you to be fully immersed in the beauty of your surroundings and the peace of the Sonoran desert.
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