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| - [This review is limited to the bar area.]
I had heard a lot about the hotel, so my girlfriend and I randomly decided to just scope out the place a bit by having a drink at the bar. (We were driving along Camelback and saw the signs, and thought "what the hell?").
We arrived around midday, and the weather was beautiful. The guard asked us for our room # or whatnot, and we just said that we planned to have a drink at the bar, and he said "good idea." We were pointed to the parking lot, which was underground. It was a bit unappealing to park in what felt like a dungeon, but I can understand why they don't want a million cars parked and boiling on the surface.
From the parking lot, we went up a few flights on the elevator and reached the lobby, which was quite nice. There was a live piano player; I am not sure if that is during all regular business hours, or only while on the weekend (when we were there). We each had a glass of sparkling wine on the large balcony, which again was very nice -- great views of the area and a nice view of the pool. The background music made it very relaxing. Also, although I was wearing cargo shorts and my girlfriend was wearing a jean skirt and casual tanktop, we were totally comfortable; there were plenty of people dressed up, but also a large number of hotel guests dressed casually. (I'm sure the standards are much higher during evening hours, though.)
Overall, I had a great experience and would take friends here for a relaxing afternoon drink. It's certainly too far out of my way (from Tempe) to stop in for just a drink, but it's undoubtedly a nice place to spend an hour if you are not from the area. The only thing that is slightly strange about the place is the large number of plastic-looking MILFs that are cavorting about, but I guess I need to get used to the Scottsdale area having a lot of those.
Anyway, I think this is a perfect first date place and also a good place to go if you want to feel like you are part of high society, as long as you don't mind paying a lofty price for a drink or two.
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