REVIEW: Four Seasons Scottsdale, Arizona (4 seasons Resort at Troon North, )

I’ve stayed at the Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North twice now and I’m already planning my next visit. Firstly, the pretzel buns in the Onyx restaurant are worth an overnight stay alone despite the many other qualities the resort has on offer.

What I always remember when I think back to my stays here is the wonderful way the hotel has been designed. Many hotel chains fall into the category of ‘luxury hotel default’ and, once inside, you lose all sense of your surroundings. I was thrilled to find this hotel does quite the opposite of this – with quaint touches inside that leave no question of your Arizona location. Outside, the individual villa blocks do not compete with the landscape, tastefully coloured to match the desert sand and designed not distract from incredible views across the Sonoran Desert.

My room had a huge fireplace (sometimes required in Arizona I am told!), Native American touches, a huge bathroom, flat screen TV and terrace overlooking the resort. I arrived at almost midnight from London and the hotel had left welcome nachos and salsa which I was extremely grateful for. I travel often and always appreciate hotel rooms with a bath tub. The bed was super comfortable and as luxurious as you could hope for. Roomy enough for about five people, I could probably have stayed there for weeks, propped up by the mountains of pillows, eating endless supplies of nachos and watching TV. But, of course, the property offers more than just cosy surroundings. The Proof restaurant is worth a visit, even if you aren’t staying the night. I’ve already mentioned the pretzel buns, which are infamous… but I also had possibly the best Cobb salad I’d ever ordered there too. Views across the desert are spectacular, second only to the glorious sunset. For those with a sweet tooth, the birthday cake sundae will take you to sugar heaven! The Onyx bar can be lively at weekends and some other guests taught me how to play Shuffleboard.

The only negative I have really is that the hotel is situated just outside Scottsdale, so Brits wanting to go into Scottsdale or downtown Phoenix for a drink will have to book a taxi there and back (around xx dollars). If you plan a lot of boozy nights on the town, perhaps the Hotel Valley Ho might be a better option. But, the desert location is the main appeal of this hotel and it really does feel like an idyllic hideaway. It’s certainly a place to unwind and relax comfortably into that laid-back Arizona vibe, and being situated around 20-mins from Scottsdale means you can get the best of both worlds. The front desk helped me organise a hike up Camelback Mountain and Pinnacle Peak (which is literally on the doorstep), as well as an air balloon trip and trail ride, all with pick-ups from the hotel – totally stress free, so there is plenty to do.

I enjoyed my stay here so much that if I go back to Arizona, I’d extend my stay in Scottsdale just to chill out here and unwind before returning to hectic London life. Get the Nachos ready!