A longtime favorite resort in metro Phoenix has started hosting guests in high-end new accommodations that aim to provide a more personalized experience.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess just debuted its Privado Villas on a soft opening basis, ahead of a grand opening planned for January 2023.
About 53 of the 119 rooms are ready, remodeled from the resort’s former Casitas. Renovation of the remaining rooms, plus the Casa Grande building housing the private check-in area, is ongoing.
Hotel staff initially anticipated all the villas being ready by this time, but supply chain issues and the summer monsoon caused delays.
Guests at the “hotel within a hotel,” as staff describe it, are anticipated to be executives, celebrities, professional athletes and other affluent travelers, said Amanda Estock, general manager of the villas.
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What to expect at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess villas
Repeat guests will notice a different look compared with the old Casitas. The exteriors are being remodeled and repainted with earthy, neutral tones inspired by the Sonoran Desert. Once remodeling is complete, the buildings will have charcoal black rooftops.
Outside each villa are giant urns filled with succulents and desert plants. A chandelier resembling a colonial lantern hung outside one of the corridors.
Inside, the villas have a residential feel. Much of the furniture is custom made, from the sleeper sofas to the shelving units. First-floor rooms have hardwood floors and second-floor rooms have carpeting.
“Our guests told us they wanted to have a home-like quality, not feel like it’s temporary,” hotel spokesman John Glynn said.
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Room amenities at Privado Villas
A coffee bar in the living area includes a Nespresso machine equipped with a frother. The coffee is complimentary, and so are sparkling water, spring water, cold brew coffee and champagne. A minibar, with drinks for an additional fee, is available.
All rooms have a walk-in closet and a bathroom with two vanities and a walk-in shower. Some rooms, including the two-bedroom suites, have full-size bathtubs.
First-floor rooms have patios and second-floor rooms have balconies. Some of the living room furniture has built-in charging ports for powering devices.
Other complimentary amenities include morning delivery of milk, seasonal juice and pastries; use of the hotel’s spa facilities (services cost extra); valet parking; and laundry service for two articles of clothing per day.
Privado guests also get complimentary chauffeur service in a BMW with a custom interior made from latigo brown leather. Rides are available to and from points of interest within a 3-mile radius of the hotel, including the Scottsdale Airport and Airpark.
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What’s still to come at the Princess
When the Privado Villas are open in full, guests will be greeted at Casa Grande, which will feature personalized check-in by a hotel concierge. Casa Grande will have a reception area and lounge solely for Privado guests.
At check-in, guests will receive destination and activity planning tailored to their interests.
Estock said she’s working on guides to experiences such as restaurants and hiking trails. The concierges will offer personalized plans for guests based on the recommendations outlined in these guides. She said the concierges will only suggest destinations the staff has vetted.
Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @salerno_phx.
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