Funky, hip and not afraid of color. Add a pinch of cactus and you have the Saguaro Scottsdale’s twist on life in the Arizona desert. Located in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, you know your stay will be different, maybe even a touch adventurous, before you hit the hotel lobby. It just has that vibe. While some properties whisper serenity, the Saguaro screams cool.
Bright, vibrant colors – the shades of paint most people are afraid of – combine to give an older property a fresh feel. There’s something to see anywhere you look in the lobby. Clusters of light fixtures hang from above. Bright artwork pops off walls that vary in color from yellow to orange, green and purple. It’s a little crazy and a whole lot of fun.
The obsession with color fades a bit in the Saguaro’s 194 guest rooms. Walls and bed linens are white. Pops of color come from art on the walls and a corner sitting chair. All rooms have flat-screen HDTVs, refrigerators, and a desk, that does double duty as nice space to work, or a spot to lay out all the stuff that has a hard time finding a home when it comes out of a suitcase.
Light sleepers might not be comfortable here, or find they need earplugs when it’s time to turn in. In addition to street noise, there were many moments when I could hear guests in neighboring rooms.
Part of your Scottsdale game plan may include lounging by a pool, especially if you’re visiting during the summer when temperatures can run high. The Saguaro has two pools with a plethora of bright yellow lounge chairs, cabanas, and poolside games. The 24-hour fitness center overlooks the main pool; the smaller Calma Pool complete with waterfall is the quieter choice.
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Essentially spilling into Old Town Scottsdale, the Saguaro’s location is tough to beat. Along with more than a 100 restaurants, you’ll find shops, art galleries, and fun nightlife options. Scottsdale Stadium, spring training home of the San Francisco Giants, is just a five-minute walk away. The parade of fans that stroll to the stadium on game days makes for a festive type of congestion.
Hotel guests can hop on a complimentary bike to do some exploring during daylight hours, or walk a few blocks to catch the free Old Town Scottsdale Trolley.
The Saguaro’s small onsite restaurant and bar, La Señora serves up Mexican inspired dishes at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Taco Tuesday is a tasty bargain with $4 street tacos and $5 margaritas.
And, just in case you didn’t know, a saguaro is a type of cactus. It’s pronounced sa-wah-roh. Learning how to say it certainly isn’t required, but can certainly make your life all around easier, and bring the bonus of sounding like an experienced Scottsdale visitor.
Guest room rates range from $219 to $489 during peak season, typically February through April. Pool views run $20 more. When summer weather heats up, standard rates typically range from $99 to $289, not including the $20 pool upgrade. The hotel also charges a daily $29 Resort Fee which covers a list of amenities including Wi-Fi, self-parking, bikes, the fitness center, and daily newspapers in the lobby. You can also check rates for the different rooms and different seasons at Expedia.
Review and photographs by San Francisco Bay Area travel writer and television correspondent Dana Rebmann. Her stay was organized by Experience Scottsdale and Hotel Adeline, but as always her thoughts and opinions are her own.
