Andaz national media highlights

THE LUXURY MAGAZINE FOR AMERICAN AIRLINES & AMERICAN EAGLE PREMIUM CLASS PASSENGERS

September/october 2016

BEHIND THE LENS

B A R H E M I N G WAY I S B A C K

CRUISE CONTROL

P H OTO G R A P H E R M AT T H E W R O L S TO N O N H I S D E S I G N D O M I N ATI O N

T H E L E G E N DA RY R IT Z PA R I S R E C A P T U R E S IT S O P U L E N T S P I R IT

A N E XC LU S I V E J O U R N E Y T H R O U G H T H E B R ITI S H V I R G I N I S L A N D S

THE PL ATINUM LIST h ot e l s & R E S O R T S

FINE DINING

NIGHTLIFE

STYLE

PHOTO COURTESY 21C OKC

Oklahoma City’s 21c Museum Hotel

A RTF U L R ETR E ATS Dramatic installations and inspired style define these new hotels

september/october 2016 • CELEBRATED LIVING

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T H E P L AT I N U M L I S T

h ot e l s & R E S O R T S

FINE DINING

NIGHTLIFE

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2 1 C M U S E U M H OT E L OKL AHOMA CIT Y New location, creative comfort

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klahoma City is a frontier town, home to the proverbial Western hero. The pulse of contemporary OKC still beats for the salt of the earth and working class, and there’s something artistic about that, as demonstrated by the new 21c Museum Hotel.

A rehabilitation project that transformed the historic Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant into a 135-room boutique hotel, 21c offers 14,000 square feet of art-exhibition space open to the public for free, as well as Mary Eddy’s Kitchen x Lounge, the local toast of the OKC culinary scene that serves American contemporary cuisine in a renovated industrial setting. Built in 1916 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the building still has its original casement windows, the former Model T showroom’s original terrazzo floor, entry canopy and marquee. Rates start at $219. 21CMUSEUMHOTELS.COM —ADAM PITLUK

H OT E L S A I N T G E O R G E M A R FA , T E X A S Modern genius in the Lone Star state

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A N DA Z S COT T S DA L E R E S O R T & S PA S COT T S DA L E , A R I ZO N A The perfect picture of desert life

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s you stand on your private terrace at the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa, art and nature collide in spectacular fashion around the 23-acre property.

With the rugged Camelback Mountain in the distance, the 201 bungalow-style guest rooms boast brilliant pops of color and graphic patterns representative of artists Alexander Girard, Frank Lloyd Wright and Paolo Soleri. Rooms and common spaces feature works from the resident artists at Cattle Track Art Compound, a short walk from the resort. As part of a partnership between Cattle Track and the Andaz, guests can sign up for lectures, exhibitions, live performances and workshops at the resort — including pottery and landscape photography — as part of the Artist in Residence program. Rates start at $175.

SCOTTSDALE.ANDAZ.HYATT.COM —SAVANAH DICKINSON

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CELEBRATED LIVING • september/october 2016

PHOTOS COURTESY 21C OKC; CASEY DUNN; COURTESY ANDAZ SCOTTSDALE

hen you decide to open a hotel in a town that boasts one of the largest permanent installations of contemporary art in the world, you’re undoubtedly faced with a conundrum: Do you embrace the art connection or ignore it for fear of not getting it quite right? Fortunately for visitors to Hotel Saint George in Marfa, Texas, owner Tim Crowley opted for the former by installing the works of more than two dozen artists in the rooms and public spaces. Artwork by part-time resident Christopher Wool (whose painting “Untitled [Riot]” sold for $29.9 million at Sotheby’s last year) hangs in LaVenture, the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant. A diptych by Michael Phelan welcomes guests with the lyrics from Neil Young’s song “Fade to Black.” And the best part? The lobby bar is the new artist hangout. Rooms start at $195. MARFASAINTGEORGE.COM —RIMA SUQI

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“Paris is a cinematographer’s dream. No city is more dazzling in the sunshine or, better still, lit up at night.”

T H R E E P E R F E C T D A Y S P A R I S P. 3 2

H E A R T O N YO U R S L E E V E

THE HEMI Q& A: AL GORE

1- 5 - O C A N A D A

How wearable tech will change dating forever P. 2 0

The former vice president returns with ‘An Inconvenient Sequel ’ P. 4 6

150 reasons to celebrate our northern neighbor’s sesquicentennial P. 5 3

Guest Room as Gallery

Arizona’s Andaz Scottsdale Resort and Spa, which opened in December, has partnered with the nearby Cattle Track Arts Compound, an 80-year-old collective of jewelers, potters, blacksmiths, and other artisans.

Guests can tour artist studios, create their own works, or simply soak in original artworks, seen everywhere from wall art to restaurant dishware to staff name tags.

Here, a look at a few of the hotel’s contributing artists. —SOPHIA DEMBLING art

The keycard sleeves feature a two-dimensional version of Hanger 10, a sculpture made

by Matt Magee from cut-up detergent bottles. Magee says the original work, which can be found in the Girard House suite, “is meant to be seen as a kind of diagram, each color and shape referencing the next.”

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Donny Osmond of The Osmonds smonds in Mulan (1998)

Donnie Wahlberg of New Kids on the t Block in Band d of Brothers rothers (2001) 001)

Justin Timberlake of *NSync in Black Snake Moan (2006)

Chance Phillips used needle felting—a craft in which a barbed needle is poked repeatedly through wool fibers—to create World So Full, an installation of colorful fabric balls near the hotel’s entrance. She says of her whimsical felted dolls, which are sold in the gift shop, “I often start with something in mind, and the little guy just takes on his own personality and turns out entirely different.”

Much of the dishware at Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen is the work of ceramicist Mary Van Dusen, a retired teacher and tennis pro. The resort’s style inspired her to move away from her normal earth tones and into pure, bright colors, which, she says, “released a lot of creative juices.”

Mark McDowell, a former oil painter who now works primarily with colored pencils, created a sketch of Scottsdale landmark Camelback Mountain as seen from the resort. The image is used on employee name tags and on sketch pads sold in the gift shop.

Santo Press, the studio of printer Brent Bond, created much of the art on property, such as Bond’s Bounce series and Koryn Woodward Wasson’s Pear of Thieves I, a linocut of prickly pears. Each room has a copy of Janet Towbin’s etching and collage Kaleidoscope. “I digitally manipulated Kaleidoscope in various color stylings,” Towbin says, “to complement the color palette of the gorgeous midcentury fabrics at Andaz.”

COURTESY OF WARNER BROS. (STYLES); BUENA VISTA PICTURES/COURTESY EVERETT COLLECTION (MULAN); HBO/PHOTOFEST (WAHLBERG); PARAMOUNT CLASSICS/BRUCE TALAMON/PHOTOFEST (TIMBERLAKE); DON RIDDLE (FELT BALLS, DISHWARE); MATT MAGEE (HANGER 10); SCOTT JOHNSON (BRENT BOND)

This month, One Direction member Harry Styles makes his acting debut in Christopher Nolan’s World War II movie Dunkirk. But he’s not the first boy bander to get into uniform for a role. (JULY 21)

SOUTHWEST THE MAGAZINE

ou rk id

What are

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JANUARY 2017

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More than 300 days of sunshine and countless outdoor activities attract travelers from around the world to this Arizona oasis. Add in picturesque resorts, 800-plus restaurants, and the design influence of one of America’s most notable architects, and you have “The West’s Most Western Town.” By Susan B. Barnes 86 southwest january 2017

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SCOTTSDALE CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU

SCOTTSDALE

S PIRIT

SPIRIT OF SCOTTSDALE SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

LDV Wine Gallery hosts tastings, workshops, and regular winemaker dinners.

SAVOR

With two locations (and a third on the way), Hash Kitchen takes Sunday Funday to another level with its extensive brunch menu, live DJ, and stellar bloody mary bar. Choose from a variety of mixes and more than 40 toppings for a delectable DIY drink. Opt for a sweet and savory meal by pairing the Nutella doughnut holes with one of six signature hash dishes. Our pick? The lump crab and sweet potato hash with Old Bay aioli and hollandaise sauce. Later on, swing by neighborhood favorite Craft 64 for a caprese salad, focaccia bread sandwich, or a wood-fired pizza—you can’t go wrong with any of them thanks to

Wright’s home is inspired by the desert landscape.

88 southwest january 2017

incredible house-made, hand-pulled mozzarella. Pair any pie with a Four Peaks Double Knot double IPA, one of more than 30 Arizona-brewed beers offered.

SIP

In less than a decade, the number of winemakers in the Grand Canyon State has grown from 18 to more than 100. In downtown Scottsdale, Carlson Creek Vineyard and LDV Wine Gallery invite oenophiles to sample vintages in their tasting rooms. If you prefer your drink shaken or stirred, pop into Counter Intuitive for an ever-changing cocktail menu that keeps even the regulars on their tipple-toes.

SEE

The influence of American architect Frank Lloyd Wright is felt throughout Arizona, but one of the best places to get up close to his design details is on a tour of Taliesin West, the architect’s personal winter home, studio, and “desert laboratory.” Located in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, Wright’s masterpiece is also a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can explore the architect’s home office, draft ing studio, and living quarters, as well as a sculpture garden, music pavilion, and carefully designed hexagonal cabaret theater. Nine different tour offerings make it easy to further customize your experience.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF DEBBY WOLVOS (HASH KITCHEN), JENELLE BONIFIELD (LDV WINE GALLERY), AND THE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT FOUNDATION (TALIESIN WEST)

Build your own bloody mary at Hash Kitchen.

A costume event at the Arabian Horse Show features horses and riders in traditional garb.

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Nearly 2,400 horses and their handlers will compete when the 62nd Annual Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show takes center stage Feb. 16-26 at WestWorld of Scottsdale. From humble beginnings in 1955 when 50 Arabian horses were shown on the grounds of the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, the event is now the largest of its kind, attracting hundreds of thousands of spectators to its competitions, seminars, family-focused events, and galas. Proceeds of the show benefit Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund, ASU Western Equestrian Team, SCC Equine Sciences, Horses Help, and March of Dimes.

90 southwest january 2017

Mid-century modern design pays homage to Hotel Valley Ho’s historic past.

STAY

Bing Crosby, Tony Curtis, and Janet Leigh all stayed at Hotel Valley Ho after it first opened in 1956. A 2005 restoration debuted modern spaces while maintaining the original aesthetic, garnering recognition from author and architect Alan Hess as “one of the best-preserved midcentury hotels in the country.” For a newer minimalist escape, check out the recently opened Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa. Casita-style bungalows with attached patios dot its landscaped grounds while, inside, works of artists from the nearby Cattle Track Arts Compound bring local color to the earthy decor.

Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa bungalows include an outdoor terrace.

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF APRIL VISEL PHOTOGRAPHY (SCOTTSDALE ARABIAN HORSE SHOW), HOTEL VALLEY HO, AND ANDAZ SCOTTSDALE RESORT & SPA

SPIRIT OF SCOTTSDALE SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

July 2017

KFR: CAN YOU ADD A TOUCH MORE BLOND IN HER ROOTS SO THE ‘P’ AND ‘S’ BECOMES A LITTLE MORE LEGIBLE

Keegan-Michael Key Gets Serious

French Revolutions

Cycling a stage of the Tour de France

Tasty Stays

The world’s most delicious new hotels

+Sneakers

and spritzes for summer

The World’s Most Delicious New Hotels Forget Provence and Tuscany. From Cornwall to the Scottish Highlands, the British countryside is emerging as Europe’s most exciting rural foodie getaway.

Courtesy of the Dewberry Charleston; Shu!erstock (key)

The World’s Most Delicious New Hotels

Hotel dining used to mean room-service club sandwiches and limp iceberg lettuce salads at the brightly lit lobby bar. Not anymore. Now, the best meals to be had on the road—from Berlin to Brooklyn—are an elevator ride away.

July 2017 ! ! "#

FOR A LESSON IN ARIZONA AGRICULTURE The Andaz

the biggest grower of lettuce in the United States. Or that Arizona produces almost as In December, chef Adam Sheff debuted much dairy as Vermont. Or there’s the pecan Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen at the story. Housing developments really started stunning new Andaz resort in Scottsdale, in Arizona in the ’50s and ’60s because air Arizona, introducing visitors and locals conditioning became a reality for residences, alike to contemporary Sonoran cuisine, and all the little trees they would put in the which sees him topping trout with pecan housing developments were pecan trees. romesco, pairing watermelon with tangy Now, there’s an industry around it. At first, goat cheese, and making venison, duck, it was overwhelming. There are so many and quail jerky. Here, he shares his shock ingredients, and there’s so much history, and at discovering Arizona’s bounty. there’s no single narrative to follow. It took me a few months of taking all of that in. Andaz “I came here from New York, and my impresis very much about telling stories—it’s about sion on the way out here was, “It’s Arizona. being true to your place. I felt like that was There’s nothing but desert. What am I a great thing to do with the food, as well. actually going to cook with?” So Contemporary Sonoran gives it I did a lot of research and talked a sense of place; it puts it someto a lot of people, and I realized where physically, and that gives that I had been lied to my whole you the chance to tell the story Above: the buttercrunch life about what was actually out of what the farmers are doing salad at Weft & Warp, here. I could go on and on about and the history of Arizona, which made with local lettuce what I found out that’s incredibly and radishes and topped has to do with the culture and with trout roe CARPENTER surprising, like how Arizona is the food.” —ELLEN-CARPENTER Rush Jagoe (oysters); Don Riddle (salad)

SCOTTSDALE﹐-ARIZONA

For Drinks That Pop Catahoula Hotel | NEW-ORLEANS

On a quiet street in NOLA’s Central Business District, the 35-room Catahoula Hotel— housed in an 1845 Creole townhouse—is transporting guests from the heart of the city to Peru. While its Pisco Bar offers an array of classic cocktails highlighting its namesake liquor (think pisco sours and pisco punch), the menu’s “Just for Fun” section includes elaborate concoctions like the A Huevo (pictured), which features passionfruit, blended eggs, and the jambu flower, an Amazonian bloom that will make your tastebuds tingle like you’ve just swallowed a mouthful of Pop Rocks. —LV July 2017 ! ! "#

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Now officially open to guests, the new Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa is more than just a hotel, it’s a design and art lovers dream. And costing a cool $75 million to turn this piece of property (formerly a Cottonwood Suites) into the hidden oasis that is, was no small feat and no detail went unnoticed.

Everything from the carefully curated art in the 201 casita-style guestrooms to the open lobby design (a concept I wish more hotels would get on board with), everything on this 23 acre piece of property has been carefully thought through and executed to near perfect Sonoran standards. And as one of the brand’s newest resort ventures (there’s only a handful in the world), this is a side of Andaz that one can only hope the world sees more of. ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Not far from the base of Camelback Mountain, the hotel is tucked back in a part of Paradise Valley that feels both secluded from the world and yet completely close to everything. Hiking is just minutes away, and wine tasting, great food (I can’t recommend FnB enough) and the Desert Botanical Gardens are all within a 15 minute drive (preferably in the hotel car, which happens to be a new Tesla).

Inside the $75 Million Resort Thanks to the Spanish style layout of the rooms, strolling through the property’s grounds is actually enjoyable and gives you a chance to stop and take in the fresh desert air (something more enjoyable in the winter months, of course). Like a mini Sonoran sanctuary, there’s a respect for the local elements that the resort has really embraced, and the way the casitas naturally weave through the grounds somehow feels comforting. The casitas were after all one of the first elements of the resort – even

though they were basically gutted and re-envisioned, they were still a part of the previous structure.

New builds on the property include the Guest House (which is what the resort is calling their lobby area), the attached restaurant, standalone meeting spaces, main pool and the retreat area (where the spa is located). ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Inside each of the casitas there’s a clearly Sonoran influence. The vibe is industrial, yet cozy and the touches of bright colors, folk art and cultural patterns really bring the spaces together. The rooms are small, averaging between 350 to 500 square feet, but with so many things to do outside, that’s not something you’ll even notice.

Some of the property’s casitas are also outfitted with private back patios, complete with lounge chairs and blankets, making for the perfect setup for star-gazing (the skies are perfect for that here), day lounging or pre-dinner sunset cocktails. However you choose to utilize this space, the private fence will do just that, keep it private.

The resort’s main pool is outfitted with 13 new cabanas, oversized covered daybeds, plenty of lounge chairs (about 150 in total) and an outside bar, dubbed the Turquoise Bar. And lucky for you, the Turquoise Bar isn’t serving your average pool snacks, these are Executive Chef Adam Sheff pool snacks.

Executive Chef Sheff (a name that has a certain ring to it, don’t you agree?) has been a part of the Hyatt family for some time, and was most recently recruited from the impressive Park Hyatt New York. If there’s one person to know on the property, it’s Chef Sheff.

Whether you’re eating poolside or in the chic Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen (a play on the fabric used to weave something together, another art reference for you artist types), playful additions like popcorn on your pancakes, nitro coffee in your vanilla ice cream float and I can’t forget the homemade hot sauces that turn any dish up a notch (the habanero hot sauce is to die for), are just the beginning of the playful touches that Chef Sheff has managed to add to the dishes you’ll find at the

resort. You try going back to having blue corn pancakes with orange-poppy seed custard and rye whiskey syrup without popcorn after this. (You get my point.) ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

And dining in the beautiful Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen might even inspire you to get creative.

Which is good news for you, because guests are invited to visit the compound where a lot of the art for the property was, and continues to be made. At Cattle Track, an artist compound that’s been around even longer than Scottsdale itself, artists like Mark McDowell and ceramist Mary van Dusen, the artist behind all of the great ceramic pieces in the restaurant and at the hotel, invite you into their studios so that you can see where the art at the hotel came from firsthand. Besides an open invite to tour the compound (which I personally loved), workshops from these same artists (and more) are being brought right to the hotel.

The hotel still has a few final touches to put together, for example the spa part of the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa won’t open until late February, but other than that, the property is open and taking reservations.

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JULY 2017

city CHIC

THE SPA AT FOUR SEASONS HOTEL NEW YORK DOWNTOWN www.americanspa.com

Alila’s New Chinese Resort Spa Takes Wellness to New Heights Alila Hotels and Resorts has opened its second property in China— Alila Yangshuo—in a former working sugar mill. Designed by Dong Gong of Vector Architects with interiors by Ju Bin of Horizontal Space Design, the 117-room property is a mix of modern and retro design (the original sugarcane dock is now a swimming pool), and among its many amenities is Spa Alila. The subterranean five-treatment-room spa is New Spa Sizzles at Andaz Scottsdale

accessible via a modern spiral entryway, and the walls and floors are

With a focus on indigenous ingredients and

made from underground volcanic rocks unearthed during construction,

experiences curated by a local Sedona, AZ-based

which produced the jeweled hues in the cave-like interiors. Guests can

botanist, Palo Verde Spa & Apothecary recently

enjoy a range of treatments either within the spa or outdoors in the Villa

opened at the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa (AZ).

garden. Beyond the spa, wellness-minded guests can take advantage

The 12,000-square-foot, four-treatment-room retreat

of the fully equipped gym, which

features an airy, light-filled, mid-century-modern-

features a cardio theater, a separate

inspired design. Other highlights include a private

weights area, Power Plates, and a

outdoor pool with relaxation areas, men’s and

Kinesis wall as well as adventurous

women’s lounges with eucalyptus steam rooms, a

excursions like rock climbing

coed indoor relaxation lounge, a full-service nail and

among the region’s dramatic karst

hair salon, and a large fitness center. —J.K.C.

landscape.—J.K.C.

LUXURY L’OCCITANE SPA DEBUTS IN HISTORIC SRI LANKA HOTEL More than 153 years after first opening its doors, The Galle Face Hotel (Columbo, Sri Lanka) has introduced the glam Spa L’Occitane En Provence that pays tribute to the property’s longtime Hollywood connection. The romantic eight-treatment-room, 3,600-square-foot spa features soft textures, teal hues, and clean interiors accented by natural dark ash-stained wooden floorboards, doors, and window frames; recessed Oriental-style rugs; silk screens; and upholstered furniture. Other highlights include a lush outdoor area with daybeds and tropical plants, a nail spa, indoor and outdoor relaxation areas, steam rooms, dry saunas, Jacuzzis, and a fitness area. “This is a spa that strives to transport you to an early Hollywood era, a gentler, more luxurious time when glamour reigned and time moved slower,” says general manager Deni A. Dukic. “We want to ensure that the services offered at the spa are equal to the standards guests from around the world have come to expect of The Galle Face Hotel.”—J.K.C.

Massage Heights Opens New Franchise Locations Massage Heights (multiple locations) is continuing to expand its franchises within the U.S. with six new locations in Fort Collins, CO; Decatur, GA; Austin and Houston, TX; and Morristown and Sea Girt, NJ. Four additional locations have yet to be revealed. Massage Heights aims to have 300 locations open by the end of 2020. To achieve that goal, it is looking for multi-unit franchisees and area developers to grow the brand in states like California, Florida, and Missouri, and specific cities like Chicago, Las Vegas, Nashville, and Salt Lake City through 2017. “As we continue to grow Massage Heights nationwide, we’re eager for these retreats to officially open in Colorado, Georgia, Texas, and New Jersey,” says Tim Hicks, senior vice president of franchise operations and development. “The concept of Massage Heights is to elevate the lives of our members, and I am extremely confident that these franchisees, most of whom are first-time Massage Heights owners, will utilize their previous professional experiences along with the resources that Massage Heights offers to lead successful businesses. We are thrilled to welcome them to our Massage Heights family.”—SAMANTHA REED

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This City Has Some Of The World's Coolest Outdoor Adventures, And It's Right Here In The U.S. Breanna&Wilson&,&CONTRIBUTOR& FEB 15, 2017 @ 11:15 AM !

The Sonoran Desert is a magical place. And lucky for us, it’s right in America’s backyard.

Saguaro-studded landscapes that endlessly roll into majestic peaks and valleys, travelers are ditching crowded beaches and concrete jungles more than ever to head outdoors.

But the American Southwest isn’t a new destination – travelers have been flocking here for years. From snowbirds to art collectors to adventure enthusiasts, Arizona, and in particular, Scottsdale, has been the destination of choice for many, and for many different reasons.

And thanks to the addition of beautiful new hotels, like the recently opened Andaz Scottsdale, travelers looking for the next great off-the-beaten-path destination are paying more attention to cities like Scottsdale. And they’re looking for their next great adventure while they’re at it.

From mountain biking to kayaking, these travelers want to try it all. And because Scottsdale has always been a go-to destination for these things, it’s ready to welcome these travelers with open arms. So travelers of all types – from those curious about sunrise hikes to those who are ready to go canyoneering through the desert’s unforgiving terrain – this is where you can experience it all. And these are the experiences that should be on your radar when you go.

And because I like you, I’ve arranged them in order of difficulty, from beginner to adventure pro. So travel on, new adventure friend.

Adventure Travel 101: Welcome to the Great Outdoors

Spanning 140 acres, the Desert Botanical Gardens are a place to get up close and learn more about the unique desert plants that surround you when you’re in Scottsdale. From the iconic saguaro cactuses to other signature Southwest succulents totaling an impressive 50,000+ plants across the gardens, this is the perfect place for an introduction to Scottsdale’s great outdoors.

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Set across 20 miles of trail with the Superstition Mountains (and all of its tall tales – have you heard the one about the buried gold mine full of lost treasure?) in sight. From your H1 Hummer you’ll climb rocks, cross rivers and wind your way through Sonoran Desert terrain. ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

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Ok, the horse will have a name. But you can still ride through the desert pretending he (or she) doesn’t have one. (Chances are they won’t listen to you anyways, even if you do know it.)

Ride into the sunset through the McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Tonto National Forrest as you learn about the lore of the area and the local plant and wildlife. ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Time to Take the Training Wheels Off

Balloon up to 3,000 feet in the air and gently glide over the desert at a smooth five miles per hour. Keep your eyes out for jackrabbits, quails, roadrunners and coyotes as you start to head up to the clouds (or where clouds would be if you were anywhere else but Arizona). I would opt for a sunrise ride if I were you – this tour includes a gourmet champagne breakfast. ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

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Even in the winter months, when navigating the river is a little trickier due to its lower levels, the Salt River is a pretty cool place to spend a few hours. But hey, that’s what inflatable kayaks that for the most part just glide across the surface and a good pair of Tevas are for. Plus, in the winter you won’t have to compete with the crowds of tubers who like to come here to cool off.

Keep an eye out for the wild horses, they make this adventure even cooler. ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

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Put your biking skills to the test as you rip through the trails across the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Bikes, helmets and guides are all provided. You’re on your own when it comes to the bike shorts. ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

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Novice to serious rock climbers find their sanctuary in Scottsdale. The steep cliffs and bold rock formations make for an exciting day of recreational climbing. Choose from top rope, single pitch climbs with an outfitter like Just Roughin’ It Adventure Company, or head off on your own to popular spots like Pinnacle Peak. Or, if you’re feeling really adventurous, head an hour’s drive east to Queen Creek Canyon, which is also near an area literally named Top-OfThe-World, which sounds like a promising place to find some good climbing routes.

Level: Badass

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Don’t be fooled when you hear locals talk about hiking Camelback Mountain – this is not your average hike. Parts of this hike become so steep that there are fences separating you from the vertical cliffsides and handrails to help you make your way up the craggy boulders. And it’s not a short trail either – expect to spend a few hours taking on this adventure. And I beg of you, don’t be that person who tries this trail for the first time in the dead of summer in the middle of the day – everything is against you here, so making it to the top is a real bragging right. !

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Navigating slot canyons, making your way to remote waterfalls and hidden pools and streams all while rappelling your way down steep cliff faces as you go, canyoneering in this area takes you to some of the most remote and unexplored areas of the desert. Between the hiking, rappelling, swimming and wading, you’ll undoubtedly challenge yourself all while taking in one of the most beautiful and unique places in the world. ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

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When the second highest drop zone in the world, after Mount Everest, of course, is only a three and a half hour drive away, adrenaline junkies make it a point to get there. Especially since you won’t regret being able to cross one of the most epic jumps in the world off of your bucket list. Who doesn’t want the bragging rights to say that they jumped from an airplane over the world famous Grand Canyon? And Paragon Skydiving can help arrange a private transfer from Scottsdale, so why not make a group activity out of it. !

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Hyatt’s Andaz brand has opened its first Scottsdale location: the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa, the company’s th 14 such property worldwide.

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Communal guesthouse at the Andaz Scottsdale

Formerly a Cottonwood Suites, Hyatt sunk some $75 million into the 201-room resort, which is located on 23 acres in Paradise Valley, Arizona. Mid-century modern dominates the hotel’s design elements, with a striking guesthouse at the resort’s center serving as a social gathering area for both guests and locals. The design, from Delawie Architects, includes floor-to-ceiling glass walls.

Guestroom interiors from EDG Interior Architecture + Design utilize bright colors, folk art and cultural patterns in homage to artists and designers of the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Bungalow-style guestrooms and suites range from 350 to 1,800 square feet and are set in clusters of four to six units, and individual guestrooms have front terraces with Spanish-style banco seating and contemporary dining tables.

Bathrooms have large showers with windows and skylights and many rooms also include private outdoor patios with chaise lounges and lounge chairs. The hotel’s main pool has a sundeck in addition to 13 private cabanas, of which six are connected to guestrooms and a suite overlooking the pool.

Coming off a two-year stint as executive sous chef at the Park Hyatt New York, Adam Sheff presides as executive chef over the resort’s signature restaurant, Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen.

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