Hotel at a Glance: Chaparral Suites Scottsdale

Chaparral Suites Scottsdale welcomes guests into a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere characterized by unexpected upscale touches throughout. You can chill out with a beer and catch a game at the hotel’s bar and grill, where an in-house pastry chef creates such tempting concoctions as frozen margarita pie and New York–style cheesecake. In the morning, chefs sizzle eggs and savory meats for the made-to-order breakfast.

• 4th Floor Grille & Sports Bar: Dig into a hand-cut ribeye steak, or split a barbecue pizza with some friends as you watch sports on nearly a dozen big-screen HDTVs. 
• Optional add-on: Some of this deal’s options include a $25 dining credit for each night of your stay—use it at the bar and grill.
• Home away from home: Tastefully decorated standard suites feature two cable TVs, separate living areas, wetbars, and free WiFi.
• Stay cool by taking a dip in one of the inn’s two outdoor pools. There’s also a hot tub where you can sit back and let jets of water soothe your muscles. 
• Make a toast with wine and spirits during the manager’s nightly reception.

Scottsdale, Arizona: Stucco Mansions amid Rocky Desert Landscape

Located just northeast of Phoenix in the Sonoran Desert, Scottsdale once served as ranch land where farmers grew oranges and lemons and cowboys kicked up dust in the fierce, dry heat. That era earned Scottsdale the nickname of “The West’s Most Western Town.” Today, it is an affluent city landscaped with lush green grass and lined with stucco mansions. For a glimpse of the city’s Old West roots, head to Old Town Scottsdale, where wooden boardwalks and hitching posts sit in front of a retro ice-cream parlor and rustic specialty shops.

Upon arriving in Scottsdale, you know you’re in the desert—cacti and tumbleweeds dot the landscape, and dry shrubs and gnarled trees cover the McDowell Mountains in the distance. To get a closer look at southwestern flora, head to the Desert Botanical Garden. There, themed trails wind past huge cacti and other moisture-hoarding succulents, best seen in the cooler early morning or twilight hours.

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