Senna House Scottsdale, Curio Collection by Hilton

"Why book? This newly built boutique hotel, with its cool rooftop pool and buzzy signature restaurant, is a good choice for visitors looking to explore Scottsdale, with its ample dining and nightlife options, on foot, thanks to its prime location Downtown. Set the scene While Scottsdale is best known for its sprawling resorts, Senna House is doing its own thing as a compact urban hotel. During the day you’ll find locals and business travelers taking meetings in the lobby, airline crews jumping into shuttles, and vacationers catching some sun and a swim on the second-floor rooftop pool, Sonora Swim Club, overlooking town and Camelback Mountain. Glam ground-floor restaurant Cala has been a hotspot since it opened in early 2022 so expect a steady stream of locals both day and night, and big crowds on weekends. The backstory The six-story hotel was built from the ground up and opened in late 2021 as part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. It was the first property to open in the neighborhood since the nearby W debuted in 2008. The rooms The majority of rooms clock in at 340 feet or under with either a king bed or two queens and while they can feel a bit tight if you’ve got two people in there, they’re nicely decorated, dotted with art, and have everything you’ll need for a comfortable stay—JBL speakers, a workspace, mini-fridge, Nespresso maker, and bathrooms with glass-enclosed showers. Go for a “Vantage” room on floors 5 or 6 if you want better views, or a Sonora Swim Club room if you want to be poolside. If you’re celebrating (or just up for splurging), the one-bedroom Pinnacle Suite is way worth it with a living room filled with mod furnishings including a dining table and full-size sofa with ottoman; separate bedroom with windows (and views!) everywhere; and a gargantuan bathroom with both a shower and separate tub. Food and drink A bustling scene with an attractive crowd, killer cocktails, and a fresh, unique Med-meets-Middle Eastern menu, Cala is both a see-and-be-seen scene and an acclaimed restaurant with an excellent, inventive menu from chef Beau MacMillan. There’s Italian-influenced Mediterranean fare of fresh pastas, hand-stretched pizzas, and Sicilian meatballs along with Middle Eastern fare of house hummus, feta-laced tzatziki, and a tamarind-braised lamb shank. The venue is big with locals, including friends catching up over drinks at high-top tables, dates canoodling in the corner, and larger groups celebrating at the communal table up front. The cocktail menu is a good one (try the bourbon-based Prickly Sour) and Thursday to Sunday the outdoor bar opens – and fills – up. The neighborhood/area The Senna House is about as centrally located as it gets, in the heart of Scottdale’s Entertainment District, the hub of Scottsdale nightlife and a few minutes from Old Town. From here, you’re walkable to dozens of bars and restaurants as well as shops, tasting rooms, galleries, Scottsdale Fashion Square, and the Scottsdale Art Museum, a must-hit hidden gem. The service There’s a professional front desk crew that’s staffed 24 hours a day, and the bell desk/valet crew are especially friendly (one remembered me by name when I returned two months later) and helpful if you need directions or recommendations. Note that depending on the time of year and day of the week, there isn’t always service at the pool, but you can order a drink or takeout from Cala and run it up yourself. Accessibility There are eight ADA rooms on the property, available upon request. Anything left to mention? If you show up to the hotel too late for dinner, you can grab snacks and beverages at the 24-hour Bodega Marketplace in the lobby and charge them to your room." - Lizbeth Scordo