Check out our stay at Mountain Shadows Resort in Paradise Valley near Scottsdale, Arizona. This resort prides itself on luxury amenities and simple elegance, which makes it so appealing. Mountain Shadows is ideal for your next luxury getaway to the US Southwest.
(Note: This was a sponsored stay through partnership with Matador Network and Experience Scottsdale. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. That means that we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of these links. Those funds help to keep this site running.)
Overview:
We traveled to Scottsdale, Arizona for four days during July 2022 as a part of a press trip affiliated with Experience Scottsdale and Matador Network. Summer is actually an ideal time to visit Scottsdale and its surrounding areas. Though temperatures may reach the triple digits, we also discovered that resorts offer pretty amazing discounts during the summer. Along with its reputation for being an elite and high-end destination, Scottsdale is also well known for its spas, variety of wellness retreat stays, and luxury resort culture. As such, we stayed for two nights at Mountain Shadows Resort, a boutique resort paying homage to its 1950s modernist Hollywood roots.
Location
Mountain Shadows is located about 15-20 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Paradise Valley is a small suburb outside of Phoenix and is known as Arizona's wealthiest municipality. The resort is nestled below Camelback Mountain, a 2700 ft elevation that provides an ideal location for hiking during your stay. The Mountain Shadows property itself features 183 guest rooms and a Hollywood, modernist design, reminiscent of its origins in 1959. It also has a number of amenities, including 42 resort condominiums and suites, an on-site restaurant, two pools, fitness facility, 18-hole short course, and over 37,000 square feet of event space. Mountain Shadows has everything you need for a truly luxurious stay. Mountain Shadows is also within driving distance to Hot Air Expedition balloon rides and many other amazing activities and nature adventures near Phoenix and Scottsdale.
Accommodations
Mountain Shadows has a number of signature room options available, which include either double Queens or King beds. Presidential Suites are also available, as well as a number of resort residences that include condominiums. Upon arrival, we checked into the Garden Signature room, which offered expansive views of the short course from our private 95-sqft patio. We were also greeted with a fruit basket and bottle of champagne, perfect for those celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or other romantic vacation. The room also included a large, stunning stand-alone shower in the center of the room, modern bathroom features, bathrobes, large TV, and minibar. The room felt incredibly spacious!
There was also a private entrance to the small number of rooms located in our wing of the resort, another unique feature that gave the resort a very exclusive feel...which we loved! The combination of rooms and resort amenities make this resort ideal for many types of travelers, including solo travelers, groups of friends, or couples.
Amenities:
The Pool & Cabanas:
The pool area is truly a highlight of the resort. There are two 75-foot connecting pools that provide an amazing view of Camelback Mountain in the background. Pool attendants are ready to serve you poolside with a variety of delicious drinks and small bites.
During our stay, we were also treated to complimentary cabana time. Each of the resort's eight private cabanas features a large TV, ceiling fan, bottled water, towels, and access to the pools and jacuzzi. On a hot, summer day in Arizona, having shade is a must! The cabanas are large enough to seat eight people and provide a perfect place to lounge poolside, shaded from the sun!
Dining:
Hearth '61 is the on-site restaurant at Mountain Shadows. Hearth '61 serves classic American Fare in an upscale, yet relaxed dining environment. This main dining area is open during brunch and dinner daily and accepts reservations. The menu is crafted by Chef Alfred Muro, who places an emphasis on simplicity.
We dined at Hearth for brunch during the week and sampled a variety of fresh smoothies, traditional Southwest brunch dishes (i.e. breakfast burritos), as well as culinary delights like the smoked salmon. There is also a great selection of dishes for those with alternative diets, such as gluten-free and vegetarian. Hearth '61 also functions as a bar. Separate from the main dining area, the bar comes alive during the evenings and on weekends with a selection of creative cocktails.
Golf-Course:
Another awesome feature that this resort offers is the par-3, 18-hole golf course on the property. Because we stayed in the signature Garden room, we could see out directly onto the golf course from our room's patio. Guests of the resort can schedule tee-time on the short course for ~$60-70.00 per guest. Don't worry if you forget your clubs. You can also rent equipment on-site. The course is ideal for both beginners and advanced players alike.
Be sure to pin for later!
What a lovely resort! The food looks delicious. I could certainly spend some time relaxing by that pool.
I absolutely love Arizona! I would visit as a kid each summer in June, and the dry heat was manageable especially if you were near a pool. The resort is gorgeous and I can picture myself sitting by the pool with a good book and a cocktail. Thanks for sharing!
Arizona is one part of the US that I haven't been to and that's high on my bucket list. However, I always imagined it rather rough'n'rustic and definitely didn't see myself at a luxurious accommodation. This hotel looks really fantastic and is definitely an option to consider.
When we visited Scottsdale the first time we knew we wanted to go back. So it was interesting to take a look at the Mountain Shadows Resort. This looks like the kind of luxury resort that I would look for. I can picture myself in that cabana by the pool. Linda (LD Holland)
I live in Tucson and have been thinking about taking a trip up to Scottsdale and spend a long weekend staycation at a resort. Mountain Shadows sounds perfect for this. Thanks for sharing!