In the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, The Scott Resort & Spa offers something rare: a property that feels both like a stylish desert retreat and a lush tropical escape. For travel advisors, it’s an easy recommendation—families love its beach pool and spacious rooms, couples are drawn to its Havana-inspired design and craft cocktails, and corporate groups find its flexible meeting spaces and elevated amenities ideal for mixing business with leisure.
With inviting pools, a signature restaurant and bar, luxurious accommodations, and thoughtful details throughout, The Scott strikes that balance between relaxation, indulgence, and connection. Here’s why this resort continues to be one of Scottsdale’s most recommended destinations.
A Design Story That Resonates
One of the first things guests notice at The Scott is its personality. Built in the 1960s, the resort underwent a $15 million reinvention (completed around 2018) that didn’t erase its soul—it amplified it.
The architecture reflects Spanish Revival bones—arches, courtyards, wide walkways—but the interior (lobbies, public spaces, restaurants) draws inspiration from Old Havana and Bauhaus geometry. Think wrought rattan, cane furniture, bold tile and tilework, vintage-style lighting fixtures, warm woods, brass accents, succulents, lush plants, indoor-outdoor living. It’s a mashup that feels curated but never contrived.
For travel advisors, that design is more than aesthetics. It sets a tone: this is a resort built for memorable moments—Instagrammable corners, interesting texture, spaces to linger. Clients who care about ambiance, photos, character will feel like they found something special.
Accommodations: A Stylish Home Away From Home
The Scott’s 204 guest rooms and suites are designed to combine modern comfort with vintage-inspired character. Crisp linens, warm wood accents, and eclectic décor feel both curated and approachable. Private balconies or patios invite guests to soak in the Arizona sun, while oversized bathrooms and plush bedding make it easy to settle in.
For families, the generous layouts and connecting-room options ensure space for everyone, while couples and solo travelers will appreciate the cozy corners and chic furnishings that create a true retreat. Corporate travelers benefit from spacious work areas and high-speed connectivity, making it easy to transition from productivity to poolside relaxation.
Pools, Hot Tub & Private Cabanas: Scottsdale’s Hidden Tropical Escape
The Scott has reimagined what a desert resort can feel like. Step through the gates of its lush pool area, and you’re instantly transported from the energy of Old Town into a sanctuary that feels like a private island. Towering palms sway overhead, water features cascade softly in the background, and the turquoise pools seem to invite you to stay all day.
The resort’s two signature pools each have their own personality. The main lagoon pool buzzes with energy—ideal for couples, groups, or anyone seeking a lively atmosphere beneath the palms. The sandy-beach pool, by contrast, provides a playful twist: a beach-like experience right in the desert, perfect for families or anyone who loves the feeling of sand between their toes.
A heated outdoor hot tub adds to the sense of escape, welcoming guests to unwind under the stars after a day of swimming or exploring Scottsdale. Whether it’s a crisp winter evening or a balmy summer night, the hot tub delivers year-round relaxation.
For those looking to elevate their stay, private cabanas transform the pool scene into a private retreat. Outfitted with plush seating, shade, and personal service, cabanas become a stylish home base for couples, families, or groups. It’s the kind of elevated touch that turns an ordinary pool day into something extraordinary—cocktails at hand, bites delivered poolside, and the feeling of being completely tucked away in a tropical escape, right in the middle of the city.
The Canal Club: A Day-to-Night Culinary Journey
Anchoring the resort’s experience is The Canal Club, The Scott’s signature restaurant and bar. More than a dining option, it’s a destination where Cuban-inspired flavors meet Scottsdale sophistication. With its rich textures, vintage details, and breezy atmosphere, The Canal Club offers an experience that evolves seamlessly from sunrise to midnight.
Morning: As sunlight streams in, guests begin their day with Cuban coffee, fresh-pressed juices, and vibrant breakfasts ranging from tropical fruit bowls to hearty omelets. Families fuel up before heading to the pool, while business travelers find a quiet corner to prepare for the day.
Afternoon: Lunch brings bold, shareable plates and a seamless flow between indoor dining and Canal Club Poolside service. Servers deliver frozen cocktails, spritzes, sliders, and fresh salads directly to loungers and cabanas, keeping the energy light and celebratory.
Evening: As the sun sets behind Camelback Mountain, the restaurant shifts into a romantic, sophisticated dining experience. Guests linger over grilled meats, seafood with Caribbean flair, and chef-driven specials while bartenders craft mojitos, daiquiris, and rum-forward cocktails that feel both nostalgic and modern.
Night: Even after dinner, The Canal Club’s lounge remains alive. Couples sip nightcaps, groups gather over shared cocktails, and corporate travelers find it an ideal setting for networking or unwinding. With its timeless vibe and inventive menu, The Canal Club anchors The Scott’s identity as a resort where dining and design matter as much as the stay itself.
Spa & Wellness: Unwind and Recharge
The Scott’s spa offers a boutique, but thoughtful menu of treatments designed for both relaxation and renewal. Guests can enjoy massages, facials, and body therapies that draw on natural ingredients and holistic techniques. The serene atmosphere makes it a favorite for couples looking to unwind or solo travelers seeking a restorative escape.
For active guests, the fitness center provides state-of-the-art equipment, ensuring wellness routines don’t skip a beat. Combined with yoga classes and nearby walking and biking paths, it’s easy to balance indulgence with movement.
Meetings & Events: Where Business Meets Leisure
For corporate groups, The Scott offers more than just meeting rooms. Its flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, infused with the same design-forward sensibility as the rest of the resort, create settings where creativity and collaboration thrive.
From intimate board meetings to large-scale events, the property’s professional planning team helps craft experiences that flow seamlessly from work sessions to poolside receptions. With The Canal Club providing a built-in culinary partner and the resort’s atmosphere encouraging connection, it’s no wonder corporate planners return time and again.
Location: At the Crossroads of Desert & City
Situated in the heart of Scottsdale, The Scott puts guests at the center of it all. The vibrant shops and galleries of Old Town are just minutes away, as are top golf courses, hiking trails, and cultural landmarks. For travelers flying in, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a short drive, making arrivals and departures stress-free.
The location balances convenience with escape—close enough to experience the best of the city, yet designed so guests never feel the need to leave the resort grounds.
The “Feel” Factor: Why It Resonates
Beyond amenities, what makes The Scott memorable is its ability to evoke mood—nostalgia, escape, playfulness. That’s built into its design, its programming, its service. Some highlights:
- Live-event programming: Game nights (dominoes, backgammon, chess), movie nights at dusk, specialty tasting dinners and bar-cart series at The Canal Club. Moments like these add soul.
- Sense of place: Old Havana meets Bauhaus geometry meets the Sonoran Desert. It’s exotic and familiar. Giving clients something that feels like it belongs to that place rather than a cookie-cutter resort.
- Thoughtful touches: signature lobby scent, curated art, social areas that invite lingering. These elevate the stay in ways guests often reference in reviews.
Why The Scott Should Be Your Next Recommendation
The Scott Resort & Spa is more than a place to stay—it’s a destination in its own right. With its lush pools and cabanas, The Canal Club’s vibrant day-to-night energy, stylish accommodations, and thoughtful amenities for both leisure and business travelers, it offers something for every guest.
For travel advisors, it’s the perfect Scottsdale recommendation: a resort that blends tropical escape with desert charm, sophistication with warmth, and convenience with indulgence. Whether for a family getaway, a romantic retreat, or a corporate gathering, The Scott sets the stage for unforgettable stays in the heart of Arizona.
SAVE 15% ON A DESERT ESCAPE: BOOK THE ABC RATE CODE WITH CHAIN CODE YX. Offer valid through December 31, 2025. 72-hour cancellation policy and blackout dates may apply. Offer is subject to availability at the time of booking.
