A Fun-Loving Hotel at the End of the Rainbow in Scottsdale

The Saguaro Scottsdale

Scottsdale, Arizona
Trendy, $$ (from $149)

The Saguaro Scottsdale, emblazoned in all the colors of the rainbow, is a welcome break from the beige hues that drape the greater desert city. Set among the retro kitsch and nightclub happenings of Old Town Scottsdale, the fun-loving hotel stands out thanks to its central location, Instagram friendliness, slew of recently refreshed rooms, and poolside party scene popular with tourists and locals alike. Add on reasonable nightly rates and call it an oasis in the Arizona desert.

At a Glance

Vibe: Mid-century modern enthusiasts meet margarita-sipping millennials. 

Standout Detail: The outdoor pools and the social scene that surrounds them — brunch under the palm trees, weekend DJ sets, and a boatload of colorful ring-shaped floaties.

This Place is Perfect For: Bachelor and bachelorette parties, group-trippers, and East Coasters who want their desert weekend to look like it walked through a rainbow.

Rooms: 194 recently refurbished guest rooms, including fifteen suites and two 900-square-foot apartment suites, are decked out in contemporary desert-inspired comforts: Lather toiletries, vessel bathroom sinks, soundproof wooden doors, ergonomic work desks, and 42-inch flat-screen TVs. All rooms come with balconies or patios that overlook the garden, pool, or city.

On Site: Free WiFi, a 24-hour gym, an in-house spa, desert bike and golf cart rentals, a heated and a chilled outdoor swimming pool with outdoor showers, hammocks, cabanas, and fire pits, and more than flexible event space with wraparound patios, fireplaces, and fire pits. 

Food and Drink: There’s an all-day American bistro, a poolside cafe that also serves beer, wine, and cocktails, and a cafe that doubles as a juice bar. Expect very of-the-now menus and the occasional complimentary booze and bites special during the week.

Book It

Spend the night. Click here for reservations.

What to Do Nearby

The hotel is walking distance from such classic downtown attractions as Old Town Scottsdale, where visions of the Wild West still abound, Scottsdale Stadium, where the San Francisco Giants hold spring training, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, which has free admission on Thursdays, and Civic Center Park, which is filled with art, including the iconic “LOVE” sculpture. 

Keep an eye out for the fourteen art galleries in the hotel’s vicinity and put these spots on your list: Cartel Coffee Lab for caffeine, Goldwater Brewing for craft beer, Counter Intuitive for serious cocktails, and Virtù Honest Craft, a James Beard Award semifinalist, for a special dinner.

Keep Exploring the Desert

In the California Desert, a Hotel in a Burst of Rainbow Colors
Reflections on Scottsdale, an Oasis in the Sonoran Desert
Desert Vacations Come Daily in Scottsdale