My dog and I stayed in the six best pet-friendly hotels in the Phoenix area. Here’s what we thought about each one.
Do you ever feel like everywhere you look, there’s another cute dog out and about? That’s because Phoenix is a great city for pet owners looking to have their furry companions tag along. With a burgeoning number of pet-friendly establishments, the Valley of the Sun welcomes visitors who can’t bear to leave their four-legged friends behind for vacations and staycations.
I recently took my toy schnauzer, Lily, on a tour of Phoenix hotels to do a little research—and she took her job seriously! From luxurious resorts to boutique properties, these six Phoenix hotels treated Lily like a VIP (Very Important Pup) and showered her with great amenities, including gourmet treats, cozy beds, and handy water bowls.
Here’s what she discovered:
1. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Every dog has its day, and for Lily, a stay at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is it! This expansive property with lush landscaping features long paved paths winding around the catch-and-release lagoon, the perfect place to walk my pup amidst a beautiful backdrop (Lily was on a mission to chase the poor ducks swimming peacefully).
We booked a room in the Privado Villas, a secluded enclave within the property, because we love the access to a private relaxation pool, complimentary access to the Well & Being Spa facilities, and chauffeur service to nearby shopping and dining at Scottsdale Quarter.
The staff brought Lily a plush bed, a stuffed toy, fresh treats, and a “pet in room” sign to hang on our door. And when she wasn’t up for a big walk, we’d just pop out onto the turf in the center of our cluster of villas so she could quickly do her business.
2. Mountain Shadows
It’s hard to find better views than the ones at Mountain Shadows, as the property sits in between Camelback Mountain and Mummy Mountain.
Upon check-in, our room was already adorned with a large pet bed, treats, and pair of bowls, and a door sign stating a “furry friend” was inside. Lily made herself at home in our grand space — we had booked a 2-story two-bedroom loft, which meant that we not only had a full kitchen and living room, but also a private patio she could use for her needs.
Of course, we still took her for walks around the property, as she enjoyed the large grassy area in between buildings. Plus, Lily was welcome at the outdoor patio of Hearth ’61, so we ate some brunches and dinners there so she wouldn’t be left alone.
3. Hotel Valley Ho
This beloved mid-century-modern property on the edge of Old Town Scottsdale is a convenient and trendy place to stay that’s close to all the nightlife, shopping, and great eateries. Hotel Valley Ho provided Lily with a set of bowls, a package of Luscious Liver treats (made without corn, wheat, soy, salt, sugar, or GMOs), and a door sign denoting there’s a pet inside.
While our stay on an upper floor meant that Lily had to navigate an elevator to go potty each time, the view of the iconic OH Pool from our balcony was totally worth the extra effort. The massive artificial grass lawn lined with palm trees kept her happy when she wasn’t running around our large, carpeted suite.
4. JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
This AAA Four Diamond property has something for everyone, including your four-legged friend — we stayed in a first-floor room, and Lily absolutely loved being able to walk out the sliding glass door and onto an enormous lawn with real grass and trees that provided shade. While the JW Marriot Desert Ridge didn’t provide a bed or bowls, they did send a basket of fresh-baked bacon treats, a bowl of blueberries, and a plush squeaker toy.
While Lily took a nap in the room, I checked out the property’s 140,000-square-foot AquaRidge WaterPark, a reimagined and expanded pool experience with a renewed lazy river, a lovely cabana in the Sedona Springs sanctuary, and the only dual-person vertical wall tube slide at a resort west of the Mississippi. Two of my favorite restaurants in town—Tia Carmen and Kembara, both from acclaimed chef Angelo Sosa—are located onsite and I happily dined at both during my stay.
5. Royal Palms Resort and Spa
Another classic Phoenix property, Royal Palms is a AAA Four Diamond resort located at the base of the beautiful Camelback Mountain.
I love the Mediterranean villa vibes of this secluded retreat, the Spanish Colonial architecture, and the Tuscan-style gardens — and so did Lily, because she led me on very long walks each day throughout the grounds, not wanting to miss any twist or turn in the meandering paths. She especially liked the artificial lawn filled with huge games (life-sized Connect Four and cornhole), walking by the various water features and fountains, and sniffing the flowers. She even decided to chase a few bunnies, and thankfully they were far too fast for her to catch.
6. Scottsdale Resort & Spa
The Spanish-style Scottsdale Resort & Spa is situated within McCormick Ranch and recently completed a multimillion-dollar renovation (the largest in the resort’s 50-year history), that touches all aspects of the AAA Four Diamond property.
As soon as we walked into the lobby, Lily was welcomed with a chalkboard with her name on it, a refreshing bowl of water, and staff cooing over how cute she is. A bed and two bowls were waiting in our room and throughout our stay we enjoyed long strolls through the grounds and garden. Onsite are two pools, a newly renovated Luna Spa, and an expanded fitness center.
I enjoyed multiple meals at La Fogata, the resort’s signature restaurant, appreciated the convenience of Barnaby’s Café + Wine Bar (a quick-serve café in the heart of the property), and an evening at The Madam, a hidden speakeasy (you’ll need the password to enter, and I’ve been sworn to secrecy).
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
