SCOTTSDALE — There is something going on in Scottsdale, AZ. The city has a special vibe unlike anything this traveller has seen in many years of journeys.

During the recent 2024 Brand USA MegaFam, Travelweek had the chance to visit Scottsdale, which is directly to the east of Phoenix in Arizona. The destination was full of surprises, and it certainly has plenty to offer prospective visitors looking for a unique getaway.

It seemed that there was a common theme throughout the city: youthful, stylish and happening people going out and having fun. The upscale venues were packed with patrons throughout the evening and lunch hours, everyone impeccably dressed for socializing in extravagant venues. One interesting fact shared by Stuart Evans, Director Sales at Experience Scottsville, “there are three women for every man in Scottsdale.” This city could easily surprise many clients as they likely wouldn’t expect such a swank, chic and vibrant scene.

The Brand USA MegaFam group got its first taste of the Scottsdale vibe during a Friday lunch at Culinary Dropout. This trendy spot was packed with young professionals enjoying comforting fare in a refined bistro setting.

The next big taste came the same evening at Caesars Republic Scottsdale hotel. The lounges, restaurants, bars and lobby areas were all busy with guests coming in and out throughout the evening.

Caesars Republic Scottdale is brand new; it opened on March 6. It’s the first non-gaming Caesars property in the U.S. Perhaps thanks to its nouveauté, the property matched its clientele: striking and sophisticated.

In high season, rooms cost in the mid-US$500s. Great value can be found in the summer season (June 1 to Labour Day), when room rates are in the mid-$100s. Hotel guests also pay a $45 per night room fee. There are five suites available, and the hotel has a 7,000-square-foot ballroom.

Accommodation at The Global Ambassador

The hotel has a swimming pool on the seventh floor, which is for hotel guests only, plus the Cleopatra pool on the ground floor. A resort pass includes access to the Cleopatra pool. The swanky seventh floor, which includes the indoor and outdoor SEVEN restaurant, offers impressive panoramic views of Scottsdale with head-on looks at Camelback Mountain.

Outdoor pool on seventh floor of Caesars Republic Scottsdale

The next night, the same happening vibe prevailed at the Brand USA MegaFam’s next hotel, The Global Ambassador. The place was packed, with a stream of luxury cars rolling up to valet and police pre-emptively onsite, it was so busy. Don’t worry, major efforts were made to soundproof all the rooms, so guests aren’t disturbed by the festivities.

The tone for this hotspot is set as soon as you walk in the main entrance to find the chic Lobby Bar. French fare can be enjoyed at Le Âme, a Parisian steakhouse, and at the patisserie called Le Market. Mexican and Peruvian-inspired dishes are served up in a vibrant poolside setting at Pink Dolphin. The capstone is théa Mediterranean Rooftop restaurant.

Another newbie (it officially opened in December 2023), The Global Ambassador has 141 guestrooms and sits at the base of Camelback Mountain for unbeatable views. Rates typically run to $650 in high season, $350 in off season. One interesting aspect: all books in the lobbies and rooms were created specifically for the property by Maison Plage.

Accommodation at Caesars Republic Scottsdale

Scottsdale has become a go-to spot for bachelorette and bachelor parties, especially as rates climb ever higher in Las Vegas, another top pick. During the Brand USA MegaFam, there were three bachelorette (and one bachelor) parties on the Air Canada flight to Phoenix from Toronto. The parties could be seen in full force in Old Town Scottsdale, which was flush with pedal-bike pub crawls, and where a bachelorette group even accidentally interrupted the MegaFam’s wine tasting at the Salvatore Vineyards shop while looking for a good time.

Here’s a recommended Arizona itinerary for a one week stay: two days in Phoenix, one day in Sedona, one day for the Grand Canyon, one day in Flagstaff and two days in Scottsdale. Anyone looking to visit Flagstaff from Scottsdale should be sure to spend some evening hours at the Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered.

To learn more about this unique and trending destination, go to ExperienceScottsdale.com. To learn more about travel to all of the U.S., go to VisitTheUSA.com.