Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Review – The Points Guy

Home to the most attended (and possibly most exciting) event on the PGA Tour, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess may seem like a hotel only for golf enthusiasts. With two championship courses, a dedicated golf concierge and an enviable clubhouse, we’ve got you covered.
But there’s more to this luxury resort than meets the eye.
In fact, golf was not on the agenda during my stay. Instead, I visited the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess with my husband and three children and found it to be the perfect Sonoran Desert getaway for my family.
Here’s everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip.
RELATED: These family hotels take kid activities to the next level
What is Fairmont Scottsdale Princess?
The 65-acre Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a fairly new hotel, having only been open since 1987. are younger. The resort features hacienda-style architecture, centered around mountain views and lush gardens.
In addition to being home to TPC Scottsdale’s two renowned golf courses, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess features 750 exquisite guest rooms, five award-winning restaurants, six swimming pools, a full-service Spas and salons, kids clubs and more.
It’s the attention to detail and level of luxury in these offerings that make this resort so memorable.
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How to Book a Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
During the hot summer months, standard rooms at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess start at about $420 a night and can climb to $800 to $1,000 in the spring and fall. In addition to standard rooms, you can book private suites at Fairmont Private Villas. Prices at this “hotel within a hotel” range from around $950 per night to $1,700 per night.
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess participates in the American Express Hotel Collection. Those who have American Express Platinum Card® Guests who book two nights or more through Amex Travel will receive complimentary daily breakfast for two; room upgrade (subject to availability); and a $100 property credit that can be used towards dining, spa or resort activities ; Check-in at 12 noon; and late check-out (if available).
If you are a member of the Accor Live Limitless programme, you can redeem any points you earn for all or part of your stay. You can redeem 1,000 points at check-in for about $42 (€40) and enjoy any elite benefits.
Conveniently located in the heart of Scottsdale
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is located in North Scottsdale. The resort is just a 6-minute drive from Scottsdale Airport (SCF), but most travelers arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), which is closer to 25 minutes away. Located on the outskirts of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, the resort is close to some of the area’s best hiking trails and offers panoramic views of the desert.
From the hotel, it only takes about 12 minutes to drive to the reserve. We’re also within a 20-minute drive of other local attractions including Old Town Scottsdale, Desert Botanical Gardens and McCormick-Stearman Railroad Park.
Upscale rooms feature thoughtful amenities
My family stayed at the Privado Villas, a Fairmont “hotel within a hotel” with access to all resort amenities plus extras like a private lobby with free snacks and drinks, free valet parking, Chauffeur service, private swimming pool and free access to the spa’s fitness and leisure facilities.
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Fairmont Princess Scottsdale. Tara Qife/Key Person
Our 850 square foot one-bedroom villa features a bedroom with two queen beds, a large living area with sofa bed, and a furnished balcony. The kids were especially excited about the daybed facing the gas fireplace that we could turn on and off with the flip of a switch.
I can’t comment on the comfort of the sofa bed, but the crisp sheets, light comforter, and fluffy pillows made my bed feel like I was sleeping on a cloud.
Our room felt bright and airy, and not just because of the natural light streaming in from the floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room. Furniture and sophisticated Southwestern décor blend light colors, natural materials and minimalist design to create an open and welcoming space.
Bathrooms feature natural materials such as marble and quartz, the latter sourced from the Sonoran Desert.
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Fairmont Princess Scottsdale. Tara Chiffey/Key Person
I love the double vanity, it gives us more prep space than a standard side-by-side double vanity. We loved the Le Labo toiletries, which fit the Fairmont style.
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Fairmont Princess Scottsdale. Tara Qife/Key Person
Toiletries include travel essentials that many hotels neglect to offer, such as lip balm, shaving kits, and dental kits. I’m very picky about bath products and don’t usually take hotel toiletries home, but the residue from the Eucalyptus Shower Spray definitely found its way into my suitcase.
However, what impressed me most was the attentive service and facilities throughout the villa. The space includes free boxed water (and carafes for an extra fee), as well as Nespresso coffee pods for making your morning espresso. The minibar also offers a variety of snacks and drinks.
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Fairmont Princess Scottsdale. Tara Qife/Key Person
There is also a walk-in closet with enough space to store our belongings in an orderly manner. There was a basket and full size steam iron in the bathroom.
Fine dining and poolside cocktails
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has five on-site restaurants as well as a grab-and-go shop serving Starbucks coffee.
Toros Scottsdale
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Toro at the Fairmont Princess Scottsdale. Tara Qife/Key Person
Most restaurants are located on-site, but Toro is located on the 18th hole at TPC Scottsdale. If you are staying in the Privado area, you can take a resort shuttle or private car to get to Toro.
Toro serves Pan-Latin cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. During our visit we tried everything. We started with the tuna yuzu guacamole with plantain chips ($22), which even the kids loved.
We also shared a few dishes, including the Brazilian Grill ($125), which includes New York steak, lamb chops, chicken and sausage and serves two to three people. We added a sushi roll ($20) and a half dozen oysters ($19), which was enough to feed our family of five.
Everything we had was cooked to perfection and the service exceeded my expectations.
Other on-site dining options
Closer to the hotel (within walking distance or golf cart ride), you can also dine at Bourbon Steak, a contemporary American steakhouse; La Hacienda, a Mexican fine-dining restaurant; and Ironwood American Kitchen, a restaurant near the main pool area. All-day dining restaurant; and indoor and outdoor lounge The Plaza Bar.
Although we didn’t stay long enough in the hotel to try other restaurants, we did stop at Provisions for a few cups of coffee. This place has all your favorite Starbucks treats and we were able to pick up breakfast sandwiches and snacks to fuel up before our early morning hike.
Pools and activities for all types of travelers
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The Sonoran splash pool at the Fairmont Princess Scottsdale. Tara Qife/Key Person
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has six sparkling pools to choose from. During our visit we spent most of our time at the Sonoran splash pool. The pool is quite large and surrounded by cabanas (charges apply) and lounge chairs (free). The pool has two 200 foot long rotating slides and I loved them as did my kids.
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Sunset Beach at the Fairmont Princess Scottsdale. Tara Qife/Key Person
We also visited the Sunset Beach pool area because I knew my kids would love playing in the sand. During our stay I learned that the sand was imported from Florida. The 9,000-square-foot pool area also features a paddling pool and a zero-entry area for younger children.
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The Sonoran Landing Pool at the Fairmont Princess Scottsdale. Tara Qife/Key Person
If you prefer to go swimming without the kids (or want to snorkel a few laps), head to the adults-only Sonoran Landing Pool. This pool features designated lanes for lap swimming, floating bean bags, and some much-needed peace and quiet.
The hotel also offers a private pool for Privado guests, a Princess Pool overlooking the TPG Stadium courts, and a Well & Being rooftop pool for spa guests.
In addition to swimming, guests have access to a variety of shops, fitness classes and the Pioneer Kids Club. You can pay a daily fee and have your children take part in supervised activities or visit as a family in the afternoon; activities include arcade games, table tennis and pool.
A spa you might want to live in
Normally when I go to a hotel spa I feel like I just get a spa treatment and go on with my day. However, that’s not the case at the hotel’s 44,000-square-foot Well & Being Spa, which is easily one of the best spa experiences I’ve ever had. From the moment I stepped into the space I felt spoiled. The interior decor was inspired by the Grand Canyon’s Havasupai Falls, and I could have spent an entire day in the gorgeous facility.
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Fairmont Princess Scottsdale. Tara Qife/Key Person
Before my session, I had plenty of time to don a comfortable spa robe and head to the side-by-side whirlpool and cold plunge pool. I started in the cold water and only took a few steps to reach the warm, soothing whirlpool.
For my treatment, I opted for the 60-minute Desert Oasis Detox Wrap ($215). These include a Herbal Clay Body Wrap and Turquoise Sage Arnica Body Lotion to help relieve muscle fatigue. The treatment felt pampering and relaxing, the therapist was friendly and very helpful when I needed to humbly commute to and from the shower and rinse off my body wrap.
The spa offers a full range of services including facials, massages, body scrubs, prenatal care and salon services such as manicures, pedicures and hairstyling.
With my spa treatment, I could stay at the spa as long as I wanted to enjoy the private rooftop pool, sauna, Swiss shower, inhalation room, and café, but, alas, my motherly duties brought me back to my family.
Reasons Why The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Might Not Be Right for You
As much as I enjoyed my stay, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess may not be the right hotel for your Scottsdale vacation for several reasons:
- price: Rooms at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess start at more than $400 per night. If you prefer affordable property, you may want to look elsewhere.
- If you are traveling with a large family: Standard rooms at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess sleep up to 4 guests. If you typically stay in a room with two beds and a sofa bed to accommodate your family, these rooms may not be for you unless you opt for a suite.
Accessibility
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is an Americans with Disabilities Act Compliant hotel. Therefore, the hotel offers a variety of wheelchair accessible rooms and guest rooms. The hotel’s public areas – including the lobby, restaurants, pool area, spa, fitness center and meeting rooms – are also wheelchair accessible.
The only area of the hotel that is not suitable for wheelchair users is the Privado area. You need to climb stairs to enter the private villa.
check out
I think I can safely speak for my entire family when I say we had a great time at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and hope to stay again in the future. This is a resort where you feel completely pampered from the moment you step through the door.
Although I may never be actual The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess truly made me feel like royalty.
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