This is a great hotel bar that wavers somewhere in between the ultra-clubby climes of the Scottsdale Mondrian and the refined Phoenician. The difference here would be if the Phoenician patio contained a higher ratio of plastic platinum blonde tramps to graying platinum card holders. Regardless of the disconnect, the element of the crowd is easily ignorable from the plain expanse of the patio bar.
It was definitely more relaxed than I expected, especially since I am very familiar with Rande Gerber's sceney bar franchises from L.A. to New Orleans to Chicago.
The setting was near perfection with an amazing late April breeze flowing through the towering four-story courtyard of the mission-style Scottsdale Fairmont Princess and dictating the night. Servers in black identical-uniform like cocktail dresses doted on us every 10 minutes or so, refilling our Anchor Steams and pinot grigios by the glass.
While a nearby party stole our cocktail table prior to our arrival, I hadn't really noticed since the servers promptly brought us a large wooden tray to rest our drinks on the comfy white chaises.
The sheer expanse of the Stone Rose patio complete with a moat-like reflecting pool and fire pits really differentiates the space from other Gerber outposts and calms the mood from a more compact raucous surrounding to a more calm relaxing luxe outdoor lounge.