March 5, 2008

US & Canada | US | Arizona | Scottsdale

Scottsdale’s New Hipsters

By Tiffany Hawk

A new W Hotel and a revived downtown district give fresh cred to the "Beverly Hills of the Desert."

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While a Google search for “hip Scottsdale” throws up ads for hip replacement surgery, the desert resort town is in fact much more than a purgatory for retirees. Following the recent reinvention of the 50’s classic, Hotel Valley Ho, and the opening of several trendy clubs (think: Axis/Radius, e4, Myst), a new W hotel is poised to rival last year’s media darling, the Garden of Eden-inspired Mondrian. Debuting this summer, the W has a few design tricks up its own sleeve: a second-floor, glass-bottom pool gives first-floor visitors a view to remember, while the hotel’s all-glass exterior is covered in changeable blinds to give the hotel an ever-evolving look. Plus, of course, there’s nightlife, too — with its “Living Room” cocktail lounge and a sleek poolside restaurant, Sushi Roku.

In the meantime though, there’s SouthBridge — Scottsdale’s revitalized “waterfront” district built on ancient Hohokam irrigation canals. In an effort to be urban, the hood refers to itself as a borough and has banned all chain stores. Instead, you’ll find couture names like Stella McCartney beside upscale eateries and martini lounges. But if you’re looking for Rande Gerber’s umpteenth Stone Rose, go ten miles north to the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (pictured), where the bar just opened along with Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak. It’s all part of a makeover whose crown jewel is the new $6.7 million “boutique resort within a resort.” Unveiled this month, Fairmont’s Gold section offers 69 stylish villas, private entry and a crazy number of dedicated concierges.