"Why book? This eye-catching modern resort is well situated on a historic golf course in the upscale enclave of Paradise Valley, surrounded by immaculate mountain views in just about every direction, especially from the duo of central pools lined by towering palms. Rooms feel especially luxe with high-end custom furnishings and outdoor spaces, and guests can book multi-room residences on property as well. Set the scene Mountain Shadows wears multiple hats beyond being a resort, since it’s home to a well-known par-three golf course that’s open to the public, and the Citizens Club, a private club that offers residents and members access to the resort’s facilities. Throw in the fact it’s a popular venue for wedding and corporate events, and you’ll find a true mix of guests any given day. You might see couples and young families around the resort’s two connected pools, a bachelorette group toasting in one of the cabanas, and locals coming through to play a round or for lunch on the poolside patio of main restaurant Hearth ’51. The backstory Originally named for its location just below Mummy and Camelback Mountains when it opened in 1959, the resort became a hot spot for the Hollywood set (think Lucille Ball and Bob Hope) in the ‘60s and ‘70s before turning into a Marriott property in the early 1980s, eventually shuttering in 2004. As part of a $100 million project, the resort was demolished, completely rebuilt from the ground up, and brought back to life in its current iteration in 2017. While the hotel feels especially shiny and brand-new, its firmly rooted in a mid-century aesthetic with plenty of period design details – from clean architectural lines to screen block accents to the massive breezeway-esque entrance. The rooms Uber-luxe rooms manage to blend contemporary with mid-century design and a dash of industrial thanks to concrete ceilings and a color palette of greys and neutrals. Accommodations come standard with glass-enclosed showers and floor-to-ceiling windows leading to patios and balconies in most rooms. Resort residences are the way to go for groups, families, or those staying for an extended period. My dreamy 1,000-square-foot studio suite came with a fully stocked kitchen, dining and living areas, separate sleeping alcove, massive patio with firepit, and even in-unit laundry and a walk-in closet, plus striking art, light fixtures, and furnishings. One-and-two-bedroom suites, lofts, and even a 3,000-plus-square-foot 3-bedroom “penthouse” are also available. Oh, and the bedding was some of the most comfortable I’ve experienced in recent memory. Food and drink Signature restaurant Hearth ’61 is split between a large dining room with soaring ceilings and outdoor patio, where guests can get all-day brunch earlier in the day (don’t miss the smoked salmon toast on pumpernickel by a local cult favorite artisan bakery Noble Bread) or dinner with a menu of creative modern American offerings like eggplant and Manchego flatbread, mustard-crusted salmon, and short rib-stuffed agnolotti. You can watch the magic happen in the glass-enclosed kitchen, which I happily noticed was helmed by an almost entirely female staff most days, under the watch of chef de cuisine Yulissa Acosta. Try an ingredient-driven cocktail while you’re here (like a hibiscus-infused French 75) at the adjacent bar, where guests also gather to catch live music on weekend evenings. The neighborhood/area About a 10-minute drive from Downtown Scottsdale and surrounded by multi-million-dollar homes, Paradise Valley is one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in the Phoenix area (one staffer described it as the “Montecito of Scottsdale,”) so get out for a walk or bike ride and ogle some architectural eye candy. The resort also connects to an affiliated enclave of residences, some of which can be rented to guests. The service Staffers in every department are outgoing and ready to help with any request, whether it’s charging your car or helping to find a great hike. You can email the concierge ahead of time to help with things like arranging for an airport pickup or bubbly and bites waiting in your room upon arrival. There are also some extra touches throughout the resort including fruit-infused water in the lobby, sunscreen by the pool, and complimentary coffee at golf course eatery Rusty’s in the a.m. For families There are no kids’ programs, but the entire resort is family-friendly. Children of all ages have access to both pools and the hot tub, though plans for an adults-only pool are in the works. Accessibility The resort offers nine ADA-compliant rooms along with additional features including accessible pathways throughout the resort and assistive listening devices available for meetings and events. Anything left to mention? The 5,000-square-foot fitness facility is impressive (with cardio machines overlooking the pool and mountains and even a sputnik light hanging at the entrance). It encompasses an adjacent studio with a robust calendar of classes guests can participate in as part of the resort fee." - Lizbeth Scordo
