Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

I have long been a devoted fan of the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brand, which made this recent stay at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess particularly disappointing. At over $800 per night, we were assigned a room in a remote area of the property, with a patio that unfortunately had a cigarette butt upon arrival—an unwelcome first impression. We also learned that the air hockey machine was out of order, and there was no drink service at the pool on our first day. It quickly became clear that this is a heavily conference-oriented property, with many guests attending corporate events. The scale of the resort contributes to a very different atmosphere than what I have come to expect from Fairmont over the past 30 years. It lacks the sense of service, charm, and overall experience that distinguishes many of the brand’s flagship and more boutique properties. By comparison, stays at properties such as Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Fairmont Empress, Fairmont Pacific Rim, Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, and Fairmont Orchid have consistently delivered a far more elevated and memorable experience—often at a significantly lower price point. This property felt disproportionately priced for what was offered and seemed far better suited to corporate groups than to a family vacation. Unfortunately, it did not reflect the level of quality and hospitality I have come to associate with the Fairmont name. We will certainly continue our loyalty to this beloved brand of ours, just not at Princess Scottsdale.

Check in was easy and smooth. One thing to note is how big the property is. They actually took me to my room by golf cart because of how far it was, which I appreciated when dealing with luggage. The resort itself is massive with a ton of space to spread out. It never felt crowded and there is a lot to do on property. The outlets and dining options were really solid. Ate at La Hacienda, their Mexican restaurant, and it was very good. Definitely one of the highlights of the stay. Also kind of a random but fun detail, there is actually a tortoise that lives on the property. His name is Cecil and he has been part of the resort for years now. People actually go out of their way to find him, which adds a little personality to the place. As for the room, it was just ok. Nothing terrible, but nothing that really stood out either. Mine had a bit of an odd layout and felt like it could use an update. Not sure when a renovation is coming, but it feels like it is due. The carpet looked worn and could have used a good cleaning. It had the basics like an honor bar and a Nespresso machine, which were nice to have, but did not really make up for how dated the room felt overall. You can tell it was probably incredible in its prime and still has that foundation, just needs a little attention in spots now. Overall, still a good stay. Great property, great amenities, just a few areas that could be tightened up to match the rest of the experience.

Stayed here for a recent conference. Very impressed by the quality of meeting spaces, grounds, and rooms. The food provided through the conference and prepared by the hotel was excellent. Rooms were comfortable with spacious patio to sit and relax.

Overall, my stay at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess for RGC ended up being a good experience, but it did start off very poorly. I paid for an upgraded room and was placed in a room that did not feel upgraded in any way. I was initially told nothing could be done, but after speaking with other attendees paying the same rate and seeing their rooms, I went back to the front desk to address it again. This was especially disappointing because the first two days before my conference were meant to be relaxing time with my daughter and newborn grandbaby, and the accommodations made that difficult. Thankfully, Colin and Jacob at the front desk were excellent. They listened, helped resolve the issue, discounted the stay, and moved me to a much better room. Overall, the staff was very kind and went out of their way to help. The only other area for improvement would be clearer front desk communication about the property, especially how and when the golf carts are used. Once I figured it out, everything worked well. My advice would be to be very specific about the room and the distance. It is from the lobby of the hotel. The photograph when I booked my room online was a far cry from the room I received, and if there was mention of the distance I missed it.

Something for Everyone. We had a wonderful two-night stay in one of the private casitas. Everything was fantastic. First and foremost, the resort is vast, featuring multiple pools, restaurants, and shops. There’s truly something for everyone here. The rooms were immaculately clean and well-appointed. The only slight disappointment was that we didn’t have enough time to visit the spa. Overall, it was a fantastic resort, and I would definitely return.