Exploring The Scottsdale Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton

Driving toward the valet, I was blown away by the impeccable manicuring of the lawn and foliage, being instantly transported to a tropical getaway unparalleled to any other location in the valley. The front-end staff were incredibly kind and welcoming, offering water upon arrival and making sure I was comfortable in the lobby.

I was blown away by the stylish decor throughout the property, but the lobby was absolutely breathtaking. From the trendy colors and use of organic furniture, to the little details in which books sat on the coffee table, I was able to turn my head to any area of the first floor and find something interesting to look at. The open-concept entrance was wonderful, and allowed me to get a sneak peak into the different culinary options before being formally shown through everything.

While exploring the first floor with the guide, I was treated to a fantastic coffee in Barnaby's Cafe, one of their newest additions to the resort. I said hello to the executive chef and staff during their pre-shift meeting inside La Fogata, their wonderful lunch and dinner spot with amazing ambiance and thoughtful table settings. I also caught a glimpse of the great golfing views from Twisted Vine, which boasts great cocktails and poolside dining.

Climbing the grand staircase, I couldn't help but notice the great lengths that the resort went to during the remodel that took place just two years ago. As we made it to the landing, we visited the Social Boardroom, which has great seating for late-night drinks with friends, and is also a great spot to hang out and play some virtual golf, boardgames and to catch a game of pool.

In the Social Boardroom, the main bookcase holds the best-kept secret of the property. When pulled on correctly, you can enter the secret speakeasy known as The Madam. Climb the stairs behind the bookcase and enjoy an incredibly intimate bar with wonderful craft cocktails and ambiance.

The rooms are impeccable — thoughtfully designed with either a king-size bed or two queens, with a couch and desk in every room. Each room has fantastic natural lighting that compliments the gorgeous art pieces in each room, and offers a sense of calm and serenity. Each room has a special design element, which could be anything from the decor on the walls to the funky wallpaper in the bathroom.

The Scottsdale Resort is a wonderful place to host a wedding, with a gorgeous garden space with grand gates as an entrance, to the amazing ballrooms that are able to be configured to any shape or size for your party. The Scottsdale Resort welcomes your party with a fantastic staff of planners and caterers available on-site. The ballrooms are gorgeous, with vaulted ceilings and crystal chandeliers. The entire south wing of the resort would be perfect for a wedding any time of year.

I would recommend The Scottsdale Resort for a wedding or for family travel, or for groups traveling to experience the fun of downtown Scottsdale. This venue does a wonderful job hosting group travel events, and is prepared to help you cater and create the event of your dreams.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Scottsdale page.