Trip to Scottsdale - need advice

Mike...Our friends took us here about 2 years ago, and was the first place they went out to eat when they moved to Scottsdale from Tucson a few weeks ago.

Veneto Trattoria
6137 N Scottsdale Rd
Scottsdale, AZ 85250
Phone number (480) 948-9928
venetotrattoria.com

I don't eat out Italian that often since most places pale in comparison to my dear Sicilian grandma's cooking, but this was very good. Have a great trip to AZ...T

 

Mesa airport is pretty far from Scottsdale, but if you are renting a car it doesn't really matter that much. If you are planning on taking a cab, I would probably fly into Phoenix.

For hotels, I would recommend this Hilton Garden Inn Directions to Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale Old Town

It is in the middle of Old Town and you will be able to walk everywhere.

There are plenty or resorts to look at, but it really is going to depend on what you want to spend. You could always try priceline and look for a 4 star resort in Scottsdale. There should be a lot of options.

 

Flying into Mesa will add ~25 miles to your drive to Scottsdale versus flying into Phoenix. The Mesa airport is very small in comparison which has some good points and bad points. Make sure you understand the rental car situation before landing in Mesa, Phoenix will not be a problem with a rental car.

cheers Jim

 

My recollection is that Sky Harbor has a really new, well organized rental car center (to be fair, we arrived off-peak). Wife and I rented were in/out lickety split compared to other large airports we have been to/from recently (w/ the exception of renting from Silver Car, which has thus far been universally w/o a hitch).

I believe that Hertz will also rent you a Ferrari California as part of their "Dream Cars" collection at Sky Harbor, in case you want to roll in style in Scottsdale!

BTW, our friends live in Scottsdale and work in Mesa and they tell us that traffic is not bad as long as you are going against the majority flow, which IIRC is toward Scottsdale in AM and away from Scottsdale in the PM (one of the locals please correct me if I am mis-remembering here)…T

 

Regarding hotels, if you like the Old Town Scottsdale area, I stay at the Hotel Valley Ho.

Hotel Valley Ho | Downtown Scottsdale's Mid-Century Modern Resort + Spa - Hotel Valley Ho

It is a restored mid-century modern hotel and suits me well after staying 1000's of nights in chain hotels and resorts....not for everyone though!

 

1. The Sky Harbor rental car facility is very efficient, but you need to pack a lunch for the bus ride a long distance west of the airport.

2. Hertz has had various luxury cars for rent, including as you noted Ferrari California at, if I recall correctly $2K a day....my wife asked last January. I also noticed that National (now my chosen rental car vendor) had Maseratti available last month in Phoenix.

3. The commute traffic when ASU is in session and the snow birds have arrived is tough on all major freeways. There is a little relief in/out of the center city if you are going the opposite direction of the suburb commuters. Oddly though, 101 will be a parking lot in both direction during the peaks.

 

Its a small airport. I do not know what rental car places support the Mesa airport. They all support the Phoenix airport with thousands of cars.

Cheer Jim

 

The Pavilions are at Loop 101 and Indian Bend
https://goo.gl/maps/Ezy5w

The Ferrari's and Lambo's are at the First Saturday Motorsports Gathering at the Shops at Gainey Village put on by Scuderia Southwest. Their web site is here: Scuderia Southwest
I'll touch base with some of the guys to see if we can to put together a one time get together at the Pavillions.

 

If its been a few years, you will be amazed at the growth of the event.

The number, quality and depth of cars is outstanding, and the crowds keep getting bigger!
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I like breakfast at the Valley Ho, but if you happen to go in search of dinner and only want a very short walk, I was pleasantly surprised by The House Brasserie on my last trip. It is only a block or two east of the hotel. While Anthony Bourdain would probably torch the place for calling themselves a Brasserie, their modern interpretations were actually quite good! As you know, lots of options in Old Town.

The House Brasserie in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona

 

Great restaurant. My wife and I love it along with The Mission (Latin Fusion place also owned by the same people).

 

Restaurants:

Sushi:

1. Roka Akor
2. Nobou at Teeter House (No relation to Nobu at 5th nyc and others)

Italian

1. North at Kierland
2. Avanti
3. Venetto
4. Pizzeria Bianco

Latin and Mexican

1. Deseo at Westin
2. Frank and Lupe's

Thai

1. Thai Rama (Phoenix, there are others but I prefer Phoenix)

Chinese

1. Szechwan Palace in Phoenix (by the chinese culture center)

Hotels:

1. W Camelback
2. Westin Kierland
3. JW Marriott
4. Hilton Scottsdale
5. Phoenecian Camelback

Events:

1. Cars and Coffee at Gainey Village
2. Several track events at Arizona Motorsports Park and Wildhorsepass Racetrack depending on your dates

 

This thread is making me miss Scottsdale...

Second vote for The Mission. So many good places to eat...

 

Mission is great for braised short rib tacos and the guac is amazing. Unfortunately my barometer for recommendation includes how a place treats seafood in this desert and boy did they blow it on that count.

 

+1 for North at Kierland for Italian

Would add Zinc Bistro, also at Kierland, for French...

Ciao!

Hannibal

 

Two more restaurants for you ...

Sushi Ko at 90th and Shea in Scottsdale. I've been going there for 25 years. Place is excellent.

Casa Mia restaurant for Italian. At 136th Street and Via Linda. One of best in town and prices are excellent. One of the owners is the local independent Ferrari service shops

Steve

 

We were surprised to find that Rental cars at the airport seriously gouge you on price and can cost twice as much as the same outfit outside of the airport. While the airport offers convenience and rental pickup 24/7, if you're departing during business hours for your return outbound flight then I suggest you take a taxi to an off site rental agency and save a bunch $.

We found a rental dealership with discount rates just a few blocks away from Valley Ho which makes it very convenient. We fly in and arrive late, take a $20 taxi to the hotel, have dinner, drinks and crash. Get up in the morning walk down the street and check in at the rental dealersip.

For a 2 week trip this saves hundred$

 

TONTO Bar & Grill at Rancho Manana is very good.

BIANCO to me, has the best pizza and pasta. Located in nearby Phoenix, near the Biltmore.
For something quick, In-N-Out burger They have the best service of just about any burger joint.

 

After you hit Cars and Coffee, come up to Fountain Hills for the second annual "Concours in the Hills". Spectator hours are 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Concours in the Hills :: Home It's held right on the grass at the world famous fountain, and this year there should be about 300 cars, mostly collector and exotic stuff. Weather should be perfect. -Steve

 

Not too many hiking trails near Old Town. Echo Canyon is good, but it's Grand Central Station -- wall-to-wall people. However, in NE Scottsdale, there are lots of good trails in the McDowell Mountains, off Shea Blvd and 124th St, and Shea Blvd and 136th St. Perfect hiking weather. -Steve