Scottsdale Camelback Resort

The walking path was really nice, and the grounds were pleasant with a great location. My spa massage was fantastic. During our four-night stay, we only got one coffee in the room and were told to buy more packs in the gift shop. We also asked if we could set the thermostat below 72, but were denied.

Vanessa was so nice and welcoming, but my first impression of Freedom wasn't good. The room smelled like cigars, so I lit candles, and it was extremely outdated. The TV controller didn't work. We stayed four days and three nights, and when we asked for more washcloths and other items, housekeeping said they had to get permission from the front desk. There were also nats flying around the room. The massages were amazing, probably the best part. The location was nice, and it was extremely quiet, which was a plus since we came to reset for the new year. That's pretty much it.

We wrapped up spring break with three nights at the resort, and the villa was clean and roomy. Most of our time went to the pool and hot tub, and we caught live music one night. The bar was busy, but Heather kept service quick and friendly and had us laughing. Thanks to her and the rest of the staff, that kind of service makes a difference.

Scottsdale keeps drawing me back while I work on building my business. In high season, this place makes a good base: the staff are friendly, the property is well kept, the rooms are spacious, and the location is central without the prices of nearby hotels. I was in town for work and just needed a clean place with a kitchen and workspace, so the two-bedroom in Building D suited me well. It felt like a private condo, upstairs neighbor's heavy footsteps and all. Next time I’d ask for an upstairs unit. There’s plenty of parking and we had a private patio to enjoy the lovely weather. Daily housekeeping is available as long as you don’t hang the do not disturb card. I couldn’t find an iron for my work clothes, though shower steam did the trick. The king bed had small pillows, which weren’t my preference for a comfortable night’s sleep. We didn’t have time for the gym or pool, but saw plenty of guests out getting some sun. The lobby has a small market for medicine, wine, and snacks, and Splash Bar has the usual choices if you’d rather stay in. I like being in the Camelback corridor, close to my favorite restaurants and just a few traffic lights from Fashion Square and Old Town. Getting to my old stomping ground takes longer now, so sleeping well here feels like a quiet win.