ML | www.mountainliving.com 33

stayQuiet and understated—unlike so many of Scottsdale’smega resorts—the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon Northis easy to miss. And that’s exactly why you’ll love it.

Removed from the hustle and bustle of town, it’s situated in thehigh Sonoran desert in the foothills of Pinnacle Peak, where thetemperatures are a bit cooler and the pace is a bit slower.

Meandering pathways are lined with Territorial-style casitas anda wildly beautiful array of flowering cactus, ocotillos, giant agavesand palo verde trees. Just beyond, in stark contrast, rocky moun-tains and cliffs rise up in the landscape.

The play of colors and textures continues inside the resort’s 210guest rooms and suites, all decked out with gas fireplaces, flat-screen televisions, deep soaking tubs and terraces with views ofdesert blooms, mountains and distant city lights. Suites take luxuryto the next level with private patios complete with plunge pools,outdoor showers, fireplaces and telescopes for stargazing.

At the spa, treatments inspired by Native American traditionsand indigenous ingredients—think Sonoran honey and Sedona redclay—come with special little touches, like the chocolate-coveredstrawberry that awaits when you melt off the massage table.

Local ingredients are also on the menu at the resort’s signaturerestaurant, Talavera, where Oaxaca-born chef Mel Mecinas incor-porates local ranch-raised meats, produce and even olive oils intohis modern-steakhouse menu (don’t miss the “Foie Gras PB&J”).The best tables line the patio’s glass railing, where there’s nothingbetween you and views of Pinnacle Peak and the valley below.

[ while you’re there ]

do Arizona OutbackAdventures’ Grand CanyonFly & Hike experience lets

you explore the canyon andbe back at the hotel for din-

ner. You’ll board a Cessnaaircraft for a scenic flight to

the South Rim Park, thentake a three-mile hike into

the canyon on private trails.$525; aoa-adventures.com !

see It’s easy to spend anentire day exploring theMusical InstrumentMuseum’s collection of morethan 10,000 instrumentsfrom around the globe.State-of-the-art audio andvisual technology lets yousee and hear them beingplayed, too. themim.org

eat Chef CharleenBadman’s knack for turn-

ing seemingly mundaneingredients—radishes,

butter, pork tongue—intorevelatory experiences

has made FnB a favoriteamong foodies. Grab a

seat around the tiny openkitchen and watch each

locally sourced dish cometo life. fnbrestaurant.com

32 ML | September /October 2012

FOUR SEASONS RESORT SCOTTSDALE AT TROON NORTH10600 E. Crescent Moon Drive, Scottsdale, AZ480-515-5700, fourseasons.comRooms from $219/night{

MLTRAVEL

[ Essential Scottsdale ]WHEN THE TEMPERATURES START TO FALL, THIS ARIZONA TOWN HEATS UP. FROM ACLASSIC RESORT TO NEW ADVENTURES, HERE’S WHERE TO STAY AND WHAT TO DO

POOLSIDE PERKS If Scottsdale hotels are defined by their pools,then the Four Seasons is one peaceful oasis. Here, even the

hottest day feels downright refreshing thanks to cooling misters,chilled mint-scented towels, Evian body spritzes and the shade ofcomplimentary cabanas. The hourly delivery of frosty treats, from

smoothies to chilled fruit kebabs, adds to the cool factor.

SID

EBA

R P

HO

TOS

CO

UR

TES

Y, F

RO

M T

OP

: FN

B, M

US

ICA

L IN

STR

UM

ENT

MU

SEU

M, A

RIZ

ON

A O

UTB

AC

K A

DVE

NTU

RES

RES

OR

T P

HO

TOS

CO

UR

TES

Y F

OU

R S

EAS

ON

S R

ESO

RT

SC

OTT

SD

ALE

AT

TRO

ON

NO

RTH

STORY BY CHRISTINE DEORIO