Hotel at a Glance: Scottsdale Camelback Resort

A few blocks from Old Town Scottsdale, this family-friendly resort has something for everybody. Kids can swim in the outdoor pool while parents look on with a drink in hand. There's a host of other leisure activities to be had, including conquering a labyrinth and playing poolside bingo.

• Start the day right with a complimentary continental breakfast.
• Poolside burgers and drinks at The Grille, which hosts a daily happy hour
• Desert massages and Sonoran facials at The Running Water Spa
• Furnished digs: Each Monterey studio includes a kitchenette, whirlpool tub, wood-burning fireplace, second-floor loft, and private balcony.
• Sporting facilities include lit tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, a putting green, and lawn games such as croquet, bocce ball, and horseshoes.

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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