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| - When I typically want to get away, visit someplace warm where I can get a tan, take a dip, and drink silly drinks, my first thought is always somewhere beachy. But after my recent stay at JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn, I could really get used to the desert lifestyle. Specifically, I could probably spend all day in their Jackrabbit Pool, laid out on one of those floating lounge rafts, frozen adult beverage in hand, shades on, baking in the sun.
I call out the pool first and foremost because this is most certainly the nucleus of the resort. It's quite literally an oasis, an open expanse under the Sonoran sun, the only shade available from your umbrella, should you choose to tilt it so, all while the eponymous rock formation defines the pool's picturesque surroundings. I made sure to maximize as much time here as possible during my long weekend stay. For all I know, they had that "Almost Paradise" song from Footloose playing on repeat, because those were the type of carefree, '80s, all-is-right-in-the-world vibes this watering hole was giving me.
And because relaxation is clearly the dominating theme here, the spa deserves its own shoutout, as well. It's located in a separate facility, near the base of Camelback Mountain, on the fringe of the resort. My massage was fine (a little light on pressure, even after being asked my level intensity), and the most memorable part was when they upended a rainstick for that cascading sound to signal the session had ended. However, the real treat is your access to the rest of the spa, which includes - surprise! - another gorgeous pool. This one, being a bit elevated, has fantastic desert views, and given its smaller size and smaller crowd, a more exclusive feel.
The casitas (your hotel rooms / mini-apartments) are cute, with a nod to rustic Southwestern motifs rather than modern luxury. They come with a little outdoor patio, good for a nightcap under the smogless, star-filled, Arizona sky, or simply a spot to dry out your swimsuit during daylight hours. The shower, however, flooded the bathroom every damn time - might've been the smallest measurement between that glass door and everything else that caused this, but I feel it's only fair to call out the (very few) not-so-great with the (many) great.
And while I'm on nitpicks (again, which were far and few between, mind you), the central on-site restaurant Rita's tries to push the breakfast buffet super hard. This kind of sell felt beneath a resort of this caliber. Not all Americans wants unlimited piles of food. Some just want an appropriate, well-crafted, single-plate meal. Especially if you're planning on maximum pool time. Can't be weighed down by an extra helping of breakfast potatoes and endless sausage links. Anyway. Rant over.
In terms of navigating the resort grounds, I don't think I took the same path back to my room once. There are so many winding little walkways around the property, it's easy to get turned around. For the record, I file this one as more of a me problem than a Camelback problem. And if for nothing else, my aimless wandering allowed me to check out virtually every species of cacti on the premises. I thought cacti came in two types - 1) the traditional three-armed cactus whose image gets made into Etsy earrings or cartoon sheriffs or quirky pins on trendy denim jackets and then 2) those little squatty balls that looks like Christmas ornaments with spikes. Turns out there are a gazillion more. And they are all beautiful, and they all live at this resort. For me, the cacti situation is probably a close second to the pool situation here at Camelback in terms of pure, unbridled amusement.
Now, it's nearly impossible to avoid the topic of golf, since Scottsdale is famously synonymous with the sport, with more than 200 courses in the area. Well, I'm not a golfer. And while I can't comment on the greens, I can say that if you are the same boat as me, you don't need to swing a club to justify a trip to this here resort. You will enjoy yourself just fine.
So, if you're thinking the Caribbean, also consider the Southwest. Who knows? The desert life could be your best life.
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