A rustic desert escapeScottsdale

YOU SHOULD GO

CaliforniaArizona

NewMexico

UtahNevada

Colarado

Texas

Why

Now, if we asked you to point out Scottsdale on a

map, would you be able to? As an off the beaten

track destination that few people have been lucky

enough to discover, we’d hazard a guess at no.

Surely though, the mystery surrounding this

destination only adds to its charm? A small town

in the heart of Arizona, you’re most definitely

heading in the r ight direction for unique and

l itt le known experiences when you take a tr ip

here (and we al l know that digging out the best,

off the radar destinations is what we love to do

here at Black Tomato).

Welcome to Scottsdale

YOU SHOULD GO

CaliforniaArizona

NewMexico

UtahNevada

Colarado

Texas

Why

So, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to shine the

spotl ight on Scottsdale in a campaign that wil l

formally present the very best of this enchanting

town to the wider world. We want to highlight

our favourite aspects of Scottsdale through a

brand new it inerary and a series of guides to the

towns excit ing nightl i fe, gourmet cuisine and top

activit ies, amongst many others. Once you’ve

had a read through, you’l l probably wonder why

you didn’t know about Scottsdale sooner.

DiscoverScottsdalea 6 night itineraryScottsdale, Arizona is one of the USA’s hidden gems. A hot bed for the arts, authentic cowboy culture and delicious cuisine, this exclusive new it inerary wil l have you discovering the very best of this south western delight.

the downtownTo real ly get to gr ips with the cultural s ide of the city, we’ l l arrange for you to begin your t ime in Scottsdale with a v is i t to the 600 acre complex of Tal iesin West, bui l t by the architectural genius that was Frank Lloyd Wright. Take a tour and appreciate the Cabaret Theatre, the Music Pavi l ion, Wright’s pr ivate off ice and Tal iesin West’s gardens and breath-taking terraces. Al l of the architecture here blends seamlessly with the desert surroundings and the story of this famous architect is a truly fascinat ing one. Once back in town, we’ l l have a table wait ing for you at Ol ive + Ivy where you’ l l experience ref ined cuis ine in a beauti ful sett ing. A relaxed beginning to your southern adventure, rest up tonight to prepare for what’s next…

No tr ip to Scottsdale would be complete without a bit of cowboy culture, so don those boots and Stetsons and make your way to the Arizona Cowboy Col lege. A family owned r iding stables, here you’ l l be taught al l the best r iding techniques and essent ial ranch ski l ls . With the opportunity to spend up to a week training to be the perfect cowboy, we can extend your tr ip to Scottsdale in order to accommodate this western inter lude. You’ l l no doubt be craving a good meal after gett ing stuck in at the ranch, so when you’re ready, we’ l l have you taken over to the Pinnacle Peak Pat io Steakhouse. In contrast to your Mediterranean experience at Ol ive + Ivy, this steakhouse wi l l cont inue the Western theme of your ranch experience as you indulge in mesquite broi led steaks and l ive country music under the stars.

em cowboyRide

You’re in desert terr i tory when in you’re in Scottsdale, so a day (or more) explor ing the McDowel l Preserve is a must. Character ized by an astounding var iety of f lora and fauna, the preserve offers an array of adventurous act iv i t ies. Hike or bike along The Lost Dog Wash Trai l and keep an eye out for the area’s di fferent species of rept i les and mammals as you go. The landscape wi l l leave you mesmerized and you could spend days discovering the di fferent trai ls and stumbling upon some of the most fantast ic desert v iews in the whole of North America.

Now you’ l l no doubt need a bit of downtime after your st int on the ranch and your desert explorat ions, so on another of your days we’ l l arrange for you to enjoy some exclusive treatments at Sanctuary Spa. Treat yoursel f to a Swedish body massage before relaxing pools ide with the stunning Camelback Mountain as your backdrop. Feel ing hungry after your spa session? Then a meal at the fantast ic on s i te restaurant wi l l leave you sat isf ied.

Scottsdale is an eclect ic dest inat ion that real ly does cater to everyone. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing break in the beauti ful and histor ic sett ing or are after a bit of excitement out in the desert or on an authentic cowboy ranch, Scottsdale is sure to provide you with the tr ip of a l i fet ime. This i t inerary is just an example of the sort of experiences you can enjoy in Scottsdale, so get in touch today to learn more about what this enthral l ing dest inat ion can provide.

desertSoronan

WhereTO stay

our edit to whichbolt holes and why

As a Four Seasons residence, we were certain the hotel would be incredibly luxur ious, and we weren’t disappointed. Nothing could prepare us, however, for the incredible beauty of the hotel ’s sett ing. Surrounded by expansive desert , the v iews from our rooms alone had us hooked.

LocationLying between the lush Sonoran desert and the mountainous Tonto National Forest , the Four Seasons r ises out of the rocks and cact i and stands proudly as a beacon of luxury l iv ing. A mere 45-minute dr ive f rom Scottsdale c i ty centre and Phoenix Sky Harbor Internat ional Airport , you’ l l be relaxing pools ide within no t ime. Enjoy panoramic v iews of the landscape whi lst s i t t ing back and s ipping on a cool margarita. Welcome to the good l i fe.

Your roomWith décor inspired by the landscape and a ser iously la id back v ibe, your t ime at The Four Seasons wi l l be nothing but relaxing. Walk out onto your pr ivate balcony and be confronted with the overwhelming beauty of Scottsdale’s Sonoran Desert . We l ike the l i t t le touches here too; L’Occataine products, your own concierge and soft bath robes, we never wanted to leave. Plus, i f you opt for the Pinnacle Suite you’ l l get your very own plunge pool and outdoor log burner. There’s no better way to enjoy a starry Scottsdale night.

at Troon North

WhyAfter a busy day explor ing the area, the treatments at the hotel ’s spa are certainly very invit ing. The perfect way to ease out those aches after a morning out horse-r iding l ike a cowboy is to indulge in a hot stone treatment or a ful l body massage. Go on, you’ve earned i t .

we like it

Four Seasons Scottsdale

Decadent and regal ; The Phoenician is the perfect resort for those of you seeking a truly luxur ious experience. Watch the Arizonan sunset f rom the vast outdoor pat io and stay warm from those plunging temperatures by snuggl ing up to the open wood f i re pits . From putt ing a perfect round to escaping into the wi lderness, you’ l l f ind the locat ion of The Phoenician perfect for gett ing under the skin of Scottsdale.

Just f i f teen minutes f rom Phoenix Sky Harbor Internat ional Airport you’ l l f ind yoursel f submerged in the f ine surroundings of your suite within moments of landing. We suggest you get a car and al low yoursel f the f lexibi l i ty of reaching Scottsdale c i ty. Whether you want to hike, r iver raft , play golf or s imply s l ip into the Scottsdale way of l i fe, you couldn’t be more perfect ly located.

YOUR ROOMBlending modern and tradit ional sty les, The Phoenician is a bast ion amongst the rugged Sonoran Desert . Clean, elegant colours are used throughout and are accented with bespoke pieces of furniture, marble bathrooms and luxur ious amenit ies making your t ime in Scottsdale one of pure indulgence and sophist icat ion. For a real t reat, book a suite and take in the never ending s ight of t ree l ined fairways, mountains and the city beyond. You’ l l a lso f ind your very own grand piano so, should you feel the need to serenade your loved ones, you real ly can l ive out the dream.

Location

The Phoenican

WhyThe hotel pool wraps itself around the luxury suites, so all you need to do is slip out from your room and swim out to the sun loungers. We’re not exactly lazy, but this beautiful touch made waking up a real treat.

we like it

The Westin Kierland

From pro golf course to relaxing spa, The West in Kier land has everything you need for the perfect getaway. For an in-div idual twist only The West in Kier land can offer, the hotel harks back to the area’s Scott ish roots by start ing each eve-ning with tradit ional Scott ish bagpiping around the log f i re pits . Jump in and experience a truly Ar izonan way of l i fe.

Located in the heart of ‘new’ Scottsdale, experience a blend of old Arizona with the r ise of modern Scottsdale. Perfect ly posit ioned to al low immersion in the cosmopol i tan l i festy le of the city whi lst only being a stone’s throw away from the ancient Sonoran Desert landscape, the locat ion of this hotel is hard to beat.

Contemporary design and a personal service l ike no other; you wi l l f ind yourselves in the best of hands should you choose to stay at The West in Kier land. The rooms feature dark wood furniture, marble bathrooms and Egyptian cotton bed l inen; the ult imate in comfort and luxury. Take the Presidential Suite and enjoy not one but three luxur ious bath tubs and a wet room, plus enviable v iews out onto the unfur l ing landscape. You may never want to leave.

In a nod of recognit ion to the area’s Scott ish roots, The West in Kier land has a Scotch Library featur ing over 150 scotches that both scotch connoisseur and novice al ike wi l l enjoy sampling. Kick back and s ip one of these unique blends with the dramatic v iews of the Scottsdale sunset as your backdrop; quite an unforgettable experience.

Location

YOUR ROOM

Whywe like it

Our top 5experiences

Scottsdale, Arizona is an eclectic destination brimming with a range of unique experiences. With an enviable posit ion in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, a great health and wellness scene and a history of cowboy culture, you’re bound to f ind plenty of ways to while away your days in this North American jewel. Whether you’re looking to relax or head out on an intrepid adventure, Scottsdale won’t disappoint. Here are our top f ive experiences to suit each and every one of you.

OneSPEND AN EVENING

AT THE RUSTY SPUR SALOON

As the f i rst and therefore oldest saloon in Scottsdale, you can bask in a bit of history as you down that margarita. The bui lding i tsel f has been registered as a histor ic landmark and was once the Farmer’s Bank of Scottsdale. Having s ince replaced i ts pi les of money with kegs of a lcohol , the bar you’ l l experience today offers a unique insight into authentic cowboy culture. With l ive music, an extensive dr inks menu and some great food on offer at luncht ime, you shouldn’t give up a chance to v is i t the Rusty Spur Saloon. Whi lst i t is popular with tour ists , this place is a lso a hit with the locals and you’ l l most l ikely be l istening to the sounds of the West with some real cowboys two-stepping nearby.

Fancy try ing your hand at the cowboy l i festy le? Then s ign yoursel f up for a st int at the Arizona Cowboy Col lege and you’re sure to enjoy one of the most unique experiences in the world. Started by a local rancher in the late 80’s , the col lege now offers anything from one off lessons to week long immersive stays. You’ l l perfect your r iding ski l ls as wel l as learn a spot of roping, penning and many other cowboy essent ials .

TwoGet your

cowboy education at the arizona

cowboy college

The sett ing of Sanctuary Resort a lone is enough to have you feel ing relaxed and refreshed. Perched upon Camelback Mountain within 53 untouched acres, this resort boasts one of the best spas we’ve ever stumbled across. Perfect for a spot of replenishing after a couple of days explor ing the desert and the city, The Sanctuary also has an incredible restaurant, outdoor pool area and access to hik ing trai ls on Camelback Mountain. I t would be easy to spend a whole day (or more) here, t reat ing yoursel f to world c lass spa treatments, walks in the grounds and gourmet cuis ine. With 12 indoor and outdoor rooms in which you can indulge in the Asian- inspired treatments, we’d recommend a session of Tok Sen, a special t reatment f rom Thai land that incorporates yoga stretching and vibrat ion therapy. Fol low this up with hal f an hour in the spa’s Zen mediat ion garden before a del ic ious meal and you’re good to go.

ThreeExplore the

sonoran desert

The Sonoran Desert isn’t the expanse of ar id land you’d assume it was. Instead, i t boasts one of the most diverse environments on earth. Home to over 2000 species of plants, 60 species of rept i les and 100 species of mammals, no two tr ips into this stunning natural wonder wi l l be the same. Scottsdale’s McDowel l Preserve in part icular has a plethora of hik ing and biking trai ls to discover. I f you’re after v iews over Pinnacle Peak and the surrounding boulder formations then Brown’s Ranch Trai lhead and Fraesf ield Trai lhead wi l l lead you to the perfect spot. I f you’re looking for a chal lenge that wi l l take you into the heart of the reserve, then the Tom’s Thumb trai l is the r ight choice for you. A great place for bird watching and easy walks, too, the desert offers a quiet retreat as wel l as an excit ing adventure.

FourKick back at

sanctuary resort

Fivetest your swing at the phoenican

golf course

Now we couldn’t go without mentioning the golf scene in Scottsdale. I t ’s a huge part of l i fe here and the area has some of the most impressive golf courses in the USA. Our favourite was the course at The Phoenician. I t ’s a beauti ful course sculpted from the beauty of the Sonoran Desert and with 27 holes, be sure to penci l in enough t ime for a good few rounds. Worr ied your swing is a bit rusty? Don’t worry; The Phoenician offers pr ivate and semi-pr ivate golf lessons so you’ l l be gett ing those holes in one in no t ime.

The missionLet’s begin with the obvious food of choice here; Nuevo Lat ino South America fusion, or s imply Mexican cuis ine to you and me. No we’re not talk ing about a bucket of chicken wings; instead, let us introduce you to a somewhat tast ier vers ion. With a strong leaning towards Peruvian and Mexi-can cuis ine, the aim of The Mission is to reinvent dishes you know with f lavours you don’t . I t ’s been a complete success; just the thought of the restaurant’s gr i l led chicken tacos with aj i rocoto, oregano, l ime, white bean puree, cabbage & avocado has our mouths water ing. Al l of this washed down with an agave syrup Margarita and you’ve just experienced one of the best Southern dining experiences around.

FnBI f you’re looking for a taste sensat ion (and who isn’t? ) then head down to FnB, the home of unique f lavours .We recom-mend you try their s ignature dish; roasted leeks covered in mustard bread crumbs, mozzarel la and topped with a f r ied egg. You’ l l no doubt be addicted to this place from that f i rst bite. What’s more, the locals love i t , and we al l know that’s a good an accolade as any.

Citizen Public House

For comfort foot with a ser ious gourmet twist , there’s no-where better than Cit izen Publ ic House. A modern take on the tradit ional publ ic house, this establ ishment wi l l wow you with i ts burratas sat a longside local ly grown arugula. Then there’s the pork bel ly pastrami and bacon fat heir loom popcorn that goes great with the craft beers and innovat ive cocktai ls on offer at the bar. The f lavours are s imple, de-l ic ious and comfort ing and you’ l l leave wishing every pub back home was l ike this one. Shinbay

When you’ve had your f i l l of Mexican food ( i f that ’s even possible) we’d recommend you vis i t Shinbay for a taste of exquis i te Japanese cuis ine. The chef here implements the f inest local ingredients and lays an emphasis on seasonal ingredients, so no two vis i ts are the same. Enter the restau-rant’s cavernous sett ing and enjoy a tast ing menu from head chef Shinj i Kur i ta. I t may be a completely di fferent sty le of cuis ine to what you’ve had in Scottsdale thus far, but Shin-bay is yet another example of the momentum Scottsdale is gaining in the foodie arena.

Despite Scottsdale’s undeniable Western roots, there’s no need to assume this is a city of themed steakhouses and a vague ‘South Western’ cuisine. Instead, Scottsdale is fast becoming a hot bed for innovative food, passionate chefs and young energetic talent. You see, there’s somewhat of a foodie renaissance occurring in Scottsdale r ight now, largely due to the fact that the city is home to a campus of the Le Cordon Bleu culinary arts programme. Team the graduates from this pro-gramme with the already established chefs in the area and you’ve got a destination packed ful l of refreshing and excit ing eateries. Here’s a guide to some of our favourites.

Olive & IvyYou may wel l fee l as though you’ve been t ransported to a d i fferent country when you ar r ive at Ol ive + Ivy ; i t fee ls more Southern France than Southern Scottsdale wi th i ts shady ter race seat ing and t ree l ined façade. E legant and just a l i t t le romant ic , th is i s a must i f you want to break away f rom Scottsdale t radi t ion. Serv ing a range of del i -c ious d ishes , we’d recommend you t ry the Sea Scal lops wi th sweet corn polenta , asparagus and bacon gastr ique. Yet another incredible establ ishment that oozes pass ion for f ine food and great serv ice.

Culinary Guidetop foodie

spots

Desert Nightsthe best

watering holes

No, this isn’t a guide to camping in the wilds of Maricopa County, or to the best hoedown saloons in Scottsdale ( in fact it doesn’t feature any, although we definitely think they are worth a visit ) . You see, this town actually has a rather sophisticated night l i fe. Brimming with bars boasting unbelievable views over the stunning Arizona landscape, you’l l be spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding where to spend your evening. We’ve got a few favourites, however, so take a look at this l ist and the decision might be that bit easier.

W ScottsdaleFor a bar with a v iew, look no further. From the Wet Deck and Shade Lounge atop the rooftop, s ip on long cocktai ls and enjoy the incredible backdrop of Scottsdale’s br ight l ights; i t real ly is quite something. The ambiance is sophis-t icated and chic and matches the qual i ty of dr inks on offer.

Orange Sky Restaurant

After a romantic evening with a loved one? Then head to the 15th f loor of Talk ing St ick Resort and take in the panoramic v iews of the McDowel l Mountains. The view real ly is unbeat-able and with the distant hum of the resident pianist and jazz tr io, you’ l l happi ly s ip on the expert ly chosen range of wines for hours.

Jade Bar @Sanctuary Resort

There’s a reason Paradise Val ley was named Paradise Val ley, and from the Jade Bar at Sanctuary Resort you’ l l understand this reasoning. With sweeping panoramic v iews onto the rocky landscape you’ l l enjoy inspired cocktai ls and cham-pagnes in one of the most dramatic locat ions in the west. We can’t help but think this was a local haunt for the cow-boys’ way back when.

Citizen R&DEver heard of a shipwrecked inspired cocktai l menu? Neither did we, but Cit izen R + D have f ixed this f i rmly into our mix-ology vocabulary. At this unique bar, cocktai ls are created from salt water cured barrels that are agitated several t imes a day to s imulate the movement of the ocean. The result is a soft , complex and br iny vers ion of old c lass ics. I f you’re anything l ike us, you’ l l be hooked from that f i rst s ip.

Hermosa InnMuch l ike our desire for an off the beaten track experience, we are also fans of own made l iquors and beverages. At Her-mosa Inn you won’t f ind any labels , instead you’ l l be treated to bespoke dr inks and an electr ic atmosphere. On Mondays the bar is turned into a personal laboratory and al l k inds of pot ions are mixed up. We rather l ike the sound of Duck L’Orange Tequi la Old Fashioned and are somewhat cur ious about Bitter Pig. You’ l l just HAVE to try i t out.

The Facts

Fun facts about Scottsdale and the Sonoran Desert

Scot tsda le was or ig ina l l y ca l led "Orangeda le ' ' because i t was cons idered an idea l p lace to grow c i t rus f ru i t .

Scot tsda le has been the backdrop o f severa l Ho l l ywood b lockbusters ; Ra i s ing Ar i zona , Wayne’s Wor ld and B i l l and Ted’s Exce l lent Adventure were a l l f i lmed here .

The o ff i c ia l food o f Scot tsda le i s Ch i l i .

The Sonoran Deser t i s 120 ,000 square mi les in s i ze ; Eng land would f i t in that space tw ice .

Desp i te on ly get t ing a few inches o f ra in each year, Scot tsda le s t i l l has lo ts o f p lants . One o f our favour i tes i s the Saguaro ( suh-WAR-oh) cactus , wh ich look l i ke they have long a rms to s tore water, and can o f ten reach 25 feet ta l l . The nat i ve I ronwood Trees in Ar i zona can l i ve up to 800 years .

There a re lo ts o f in te res t ing an imals in the Sonoran deser t ; coyotes , bobcats , j ave l ina , deer, j ack rabbi t s , cot tonta i l s , squ i r re l s , kangaroo ra ts , hummingbi rds , owls , qua i l and cactus wren . Hummingbi rds eat two to th ree t imes the i r body we ight each day.

Scot tsda le has more spas per cap i ta than any other c i t y in the U .S .

When to goJANUARY TO APRIL

PriceFRom £4280 Pp from uk

From $5950 PP from nyc

Ideal length6 nights

Flight time10 hrs 15 mins from uk4hrs 50 mins from nyc