If you’ve been following me for a while then you know I love Scottsdale, Arizona. I’ve been a hundred times and actually went to business school in the Phoenix area. I just visited again and I like to think it was my perfect long weekend in Scottsdale.

I split up the hotels 2 days and 2 days. First, it was the Hermosa Inn. Honestly, I had never heard of the Hermosa Inn before it was suggested that I stay there. It looked nice online but nothing like it did in person. It was simply perfect.

Tucked away off the main roads of Paradise Valley, the Hermosa Inn boasts 40 something tastefully designed rooms; an excellent pool and hot tub-both open 24-hours. Plus, the most impeccable gardening scheme I’ve ever seen on a property. Major kudos to the landscaping staff!

The Hermosa Inn also features a restaurant called LON’s; which I actually ate at 3 times. Once for each breakfast, lunch and dinner. The menu is different for each meal and they also do a special brunch on the weekend as well.

The setting for LON’s is what makes it memorable. Don’t get me wrong the food is excellent, especially the fresh seafood; which is always hard to find in the desert! But sitting fountain side like you were in a finca in Mallorca or a villa in Tuscany was what I’ll remember most. I should also mention, the Hermosa Inn has the only underground wine cellar in the Phoenix area kept temperate at exactly 58 degrees. It’s very impressive to visit!

The Hermosa Inn is about a 10-minute drive to the Cholla trail up Camelback Mountain. There are two trails but I like Cholla better because of the views going up. It’s slightly longer than Echo Canyon and some say easier but either way it’s a great workout. I’ve probably done it 25 times and it never gets old or boring with the views.

Camelback Mountain is a must for anyone visiting Scottsdale for the first time. You get sweeping 360-degree views of the entire Valley. It’s as good as it gets for views and an experience you’ll be happy you did.

Speaking of Camelback Mountain, I also checked out The Phoenician Resort; which is literally at the base of the mountain. It’s a classic Scottsdale and Phoenix institution that just underwent a massive renovation project. While I didn’t actually stay at The Phoenician this trip, I’ve stayed there many times before. So seeing and experiencing it post-renovation was fantastic.

First, The Phoenician Spa was tremendous. I’ve been to a lot of top spas around the world and this was up there with any of them. Arizona is known for world-class spas and The Phoenician Spa offers top-notch facilities in a great setting. Plus my 80-minute massage didn’t suck either! I highly recommend it and remember to give yourself time to use their tremendous facilities in the locker rooms. I’m a huge fan of steams and saunas…really who isn’t?!

I also had dinner at Mowry & Cotton; which is a well laid out restaurant on the patio of The Phoenician with great views of the property. The food was very good, the service was excellent but the ambience was what I appreciated the most. Sitting outside eating good food and drinks at night in March and April in Scottsdale is sheer perfection weather wise. Be sure to check it out. I especially love the meatball appetizer; which is more like main course size. And of course the tuna!

I also finally had a chance to play the renovated Phoenician Golf Course finally! Wow did they do a great job with it. The course itself is in impeccable shape and the views are to die for. The back nine is especially memorable as you have Camelback Mountain right next to you with miles of views out over Phoenix on the other 3 sides of you. It’s pretty much perfect.

It’s hard to pick one hole that really stands out because most of them are simply breathtaking. I was pretty happy with the way I played shooting an 82 when I hadn’t played in a few weeks. I had 3 birdies as well; which always helps confidence. I also highly recommend the cheddar bratwurst from the snack stand at the turn and the breakfast burrito before you start if you have a morning tee time as I did. Both are awesome!

After golf, I headed out to Phoenix to go see a Diamondbacks game. I estimate it was probably my 15^th Diamondbacks game. They were playing the Red Sox so I had a rooting interest for Arizona obviously! I had amazing seats right behind home plate in the scouts section where I met some fascinating people including a man named Jim Marshall.

Jim has worked for the Diamondbacks for years and has a 2001 World Series ring to show for it. I was at 3 of the games in that memorable series! But Jim was an original New York Met from the 1962 season when they played at the Polo Grounds in New York. We chatted about a lot of things baseball and honestly I’ll spare you the baseball junkie details but it made my day and night. I could talk old time baseball all day.

I then moved over to Mountain Shadows Resort in Paradise Valley. I had stayed there before almost immediately after it officially opened although it was still mostly under construction. So I was thrilled to revisit after it is now mostly complete.

It’s a stunning property to be frank. It’s big, well kept and surround by mountains on each side, hence Mountain Shadows. The sunrise view over the pool with Camelback Mountain looming are amazing and worth waking up early for. Plus If you’re up early, you’ll probably have the excellent gym all to yourself that happens to overlook the pool as well.

Mountain Shadows has a lot to boast about including the restaurant Hearth 61. I had a great brunch there on Sunday morning where you can sit inside or outside and soak up the atmosphere. I highly recommend the pork torta.

Perhaps my favorite thing about Mountain Shadows is what they call the Short Course. It’s a Par 3 executive course that may be the best one I’ve played in the country; certainly right there with one in Branson, Missouri. Again, the mountain views, well-kept greens and scenery make it awesome. I was thrilled to play with a good buddy where we might have made a wager or two! Such a great way to spend a morning!

Then obviously you get a pool cabana for the rest of the and soak up some of that hot desert sun to get a tan to prove you were in Scottsdale! The service is great at the pool with pretty good food as well. Of course the cabanas come with fruit and the drinks don’t stop unless you ask them to so it’s a lot of fun!

So that’s basically my perfect long weekend in Scottsdale, Arizona. I wouldn’t have done it any different except make it a longer long weekend! Next time for sure, although next time I may actually move there!

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