Last Friday, Brett and I packed our bags and the dogs for a weekend staycation at Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale. It was our first time at this boutique resort, and we were both thoroughly impressed with the location, food, and amenities. In today’s post, I’m sharing my in-depth review of our stay at this chic, high-end resort, which I hope will be helpful if you’re planning your next trip to Scottsdale.

Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale is well worth a stay with its prime location, trendy restaurant, and luxurious outdoor pools. In 2017, it was rebuilt from the ground up, featuring stunning architecture and desert surroundings, reemerging as an icon of luxury and design.

Location

Located in Paradise Valley, this desert escape is a slice of paradise. Its ideal location offers the tranquility of a retreat while remaining close to Scottsdale’s famous dining, shopping, and outdoor activities. Only a 10-minute drive to Old Town Scottsdale and a 5-minute drive to the iconic Camelback Mountain, Mountain Shadows is the perfect home base for any Scottsdale adventure.

The resort is nestled between Camelback Mountain and Mummy Mountain (how it earned its name—from the shadows cast by the silhouettes each afternoon), so there are spectacular scenic views from almost anywhere on the property.

Room

We stayed in a Garden Premium King Room, a serene oasis to recharge. My favorite features of our contemporary room included a private ground-floor terrace (ran the dogs out conveniently), floor-to-ceiling glass (abundance of natural light and blackout curtains for sleep), and an elegant open bathroom (available curtain to wrap around the shower for privacy). Beautiful views and luxurious amenities make for the ultimate stay at this hotel.

Dining

Hearth ’61

Hearth ’61 is an upscale restaurant serving elevated modern American fare with dazzling mountain views—a highlight of Mountain Shadows. We dined there for brunch and dinner to try a variety of dishes.

For brunch, Brett tried the French toast with a side of bacon, but the meal’s real star was my steak & eggs. The flat iron steak had this incredibly delicious black pepper glaze that I couldn’t get enough of.

For dinner, we indulged and ordered a little bit of everything. First, we shared the crab cake, hiramasa crudo, and Caesar salad. I’m not a salad gal, but we split it at Brett’s insistence, and oh my gosh, it’s one of the best salads I’ve ever had (attributing it partly to the candied bacon!).

Then Brett had the prime New York strip while I tried the Niman Ranch prime beef tenderloin for our entrees. Once again, they confirmed they know how to craft a simple steak that is flavorful, tender, and well-seasoned.

Of course, we had to cap off the night with some desserts. The warm fudge brownie came with a yummy peanut butter gelato, and the ultimate chocolate dessert was perfect for a chocolate lover like me.

Adjacent to the dining room is a bar and lounge that serves light bites and drinks from morning coffee to evening nightcaps. After dinner, we meandered to the modern yet cozy lounge area for lovely live music (available on weekends).

Pools

There are two sparkling 75-foot pools to soak in the sun and panoramas. I happily sipped on a virgin pina colada while catching up on my book poolside, but for an elevated experience, you can reserve a private, shaded cabana.

Other amenities include a par-3 short golf course, 24-hour room service, a 4000-square-foot fitness center, daily fitness classes, in-room massage services, valet parking, EV charging stations, and free pet stays.

I hope this Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale review helps give you a glimpse of what this resort offers. If you’re looking for a more intimate stay in Scottsdale at an idyllic haven, I highly recommend booking a stay here. It was such a treat, and I can’t wait until next time. xo

Otherwise, browse some of my other travel guides to inspire your next vacation:
The Ultimate Summer Staycation: An Arizona Biltmore Review
Top 10 Things to Do on the Big Island of Hawaii
Los Angeles, California Travel Guide
Flagstaff, Arizona Travel Guide: Where to Stay, Eat, and Explore
The Ultimate Havasupai Guide: Everything for a Successful Trip
A Local’s Travel Guide to St. Louis, Missouri
Why You Need to Add Clear Lake, Iowa, to Your Summer Bucket List
One Day in Bisbee, Arizona Itinerary
36 Hours in Boulder, Colorado: Ultimate Travel Guide
Golden, Colorado Travel Guide

Thank you to Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale for hosting me. As always, all opinions are my own.