How did we get there?
My husband is an Allegiant Cardholder member, and we were looking for a way to travel more for less. As a cardholder member, you can get extra perks like a complimentary in-flight beverage (alcohol included), priority boarding, and airfare specials throughout the year. You can also access a buy one, get one free airfare perk when you purchase a vacation package with four or more hotel nights. We found a great deal leaving out of Cincinnati's airport (CVG) to Phoenix/Mesa, AZ (AZA),which qualified for this special.
Where did you stay?
We selected the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa for the vacation package. We stayed four nights in a king-bed resort casita, which was spacious with beautiful touches. It came equipped with everything you needed and complimentary parking. The resort pool was a quick walk away and was near Old Town, which is full of restaurants and bars. There are a couple of restaurants on-site, as well as a Starbucks. We enjoyed Rita's Cantina and Bar several times for live music, delicious cocktails, and amazing chicken tortilla soup. The pool also had service from Hoppin' Jacks, where you could order food and beverages poolside. The ambiance provided quite the serene oasis; you wouldn't even need to leave the resort if you didn't want to!
What's the best time to visit?
Since Arizona is in the desert, the best time to visit is in the late fall and early spring, when the climate is ideal for poolside lounging and outdoor activities. We went in early June, and the temperatures were record-breaking. It was almost 120 degrees daily, making it practically impossible to do anything outside the pool during peak sunshine. It was our first time in Arizona, but we would return during a cooler season next visit.
What did you do?
For our first time in Arizona, there were a few things we wanted to do. The first was hiking, so we woke up early and did Camelback Mountain. We were 90% of the way to the top when it became rather steep, and I freaked out. Wear hiking boots and proper attire for this one, as it's very rocky, and having plenty of water is necessary. We knew we were underprepared from the start when we compared ourselves to others starting the hike.
Secondly, we did a day trip to Sedona. I recommend doing this, as it's a close drive from Scottsdale, and there is so much to see. The town is unique with its red rocks and abundance of hikes. We did the famous Devil's Bridge in extreme heat conditions. There was a long wait, nearly an hour we heard, to go across the bridge and take pictures, so be prepared. Once the hike was complete, we spent the afternoon grabbing lunch and exploring the local shops in town. We grabbed a drink at Sedona BeerCompany before returning to the JW.
To explore the area further, we decided to go to Old Town and check out the restaurant sand bars. There is also Scottsdale Fashion Square nearby, where you could do some shopping. We ate dinner at Diego Pops and got a cocktail from One Handsome Bastard Distillery for happy hour. The distillery serves Happy Hour Monday-Friday from 4:30-7:30 pm. Another recommendation from the hotel staff was Jade Bar, which was inside another resort nearby. Jade Bar offers a happy hour Monday-Thursday from 4-6 pm. It had remarkable views of Paradise Valley. The dynamic atmosphere and delicious cocktails are undoubtedly worth a visit.
Lastly, we wanted to do something local and new, so we booked a horseback riding adventure. It was around 45 minutes to an hour away from the resort. My husband had never ridden a horse, and it sounded fun to experience together. We booked an hour-long trail through Cave Creek Outfitters. We reserved a morning slot since we knew it would be hot, especially when wearing long pants and tennis shoes. It was a good experience but would've been more enjoyable in cooler conditions.
Did you rent a car?
We rented a car through Turo. I'd recommend renting a car if you want to do any sight seeing during your stay. We made a day trip to Sedona, explored downtown Scottsdale, completed a few hikes, and went horseback riding, so it made sense to rent a car.
It was our second time using Turo then, and it was the only trip we had a bit of an incident. We drove to Sedona for a day trip, and a truck in front of us on the highway ended up chucking a rock at our front windshield, which caused a minor crack. Since my husband and I were both approved drivers on the app, sorting the accident with our private insurance took some time to determine who was responsible for the damage. Luckily, the host of the car was understanding during the time, and we eventually got it fixed. We still use the platform today, but I'd be extra cautious driving in the desert due to debris.
