Scottsdale Blog - Things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona » Fairmont Scottsdale

Celebrate Spooky Scottsdale Events this Halloween

Whitney Willis — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:45:23 +0000

With Halloween less than a week away, it’s time to start looking at all of the spooktacular events that Scottsdale has to offer.

Start out the Halloween season by visiting the Desert Botanical Garden’s 8^th annual Great Pumpkin Festival Oct. 22-Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Experience a weekend festival that brings the true feel of autumn to the desert. The Great Pumpkin Festival comes to life with pumpkins, hayrides, country-western entertainment and carnival games. Don’t miss the hay bale maze and the Arizona Big Train Operators’ interactive exhibit. All activities are included with Garden admission. Prices are $15 for adults, $13.50 for seniors, $7.50 for students ages 13-18 with proper I.D., $5 for children ages three to 12 and children three and under are free.

Halloween Day festivities begin 10 a.m. and continue through 5:30 p.m. as Adelante Gallery at el Pedregal celebrates the Dia De Los Muertos holiday featuring Day of the Dead Art and Imagery by four local artists and festive live music by Louis Castro on the courtyard stage. View unique, hand-crafted works of art such as paintings, custom-made sugar skulls and jewelry showing the holiday’s famous skeletons. Specialty margaritas will be available in addition to homemade “Pan de Muertos” (Day of the Dead Bread) by Chef Christine Wieland. Admission is free.

And to finish off your spooky night, attend The Fairmont Scottsdale’s Haunted Hotel Halloween Ball at Stone Rose Lounge. Starting at 9 p.m. on Oct. 31 Scottsdale’s most sophisticated Halloween event begins featuring music, classic cocktails, celebrity guests and the Valley’s best costume contest with a variety of cash and prizes. The Haunted Hotel Halloween Ball in partnership with 944 Magazine offers a lavish twist on classic Halloween festivities with a decadent “Haunted Hotel” theme hosted by one of Scottsdale’s hottest outdoor nightlife destinations. Fortunetellers and tarot card readers will entertain partygoers throughout the evening along with a surprise live act by performance artists, and the best part is – admission is free!

A weekend with Natalie Gulbis at Fairmont Scottsdale

Josh Kenzer — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:20:43 +0000

The sensational Fairmont Scottsdale and the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course are the venues for an amazing weekend of golf with one of the best athletes on the LPGA Tour. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Book today.

Package includes:

• Two nights in a luxuriously appointed Fairmont guest room
• Two full American breakfasts
• Golf demonstration with Natalie Gulbis
• One round of golf at TPC Stadium, where Natalie will play several holes with each foursome
• One welcome reception with Natalie Gulbis at Stone Rose Lounge
• One dinner at BOURBON STEAK with Natalie Gulbis
• Discounts on golf at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course
• Discounts on treatments at Willow Stream Spa
• Welcome amenity from adidas

Book Now

UPDATED: The Power of Pink at the Fairmont Scottsdale

Josh Kenzer — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:11:49 +0000

It’s about “thinking pink” at Willow Stream – The Spa at Fairmont Scottsdale, where a treatment room has been painted pink to support breast cancer awareness. When guests book a Pink Massage or Pink Pedicure, 5 percent of the proceeds benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation during Willow Stream’s “Power of Pink” program running October 1, 2009 – October 1, 2010.

The Pink Pedicure uses a decadent pomegranate sugar scrub provided by the pink Whish body product line…and toes can even be topped off with OPI’s special “Pink of Hearts” polish. All Whish products are also 15 percent off in the Spa Boutique, such as sugar scrub, body butter and shower gel. On “Pink Mondays,” breast cancer survivors receive 15 percent off spa or salon services. While enjoying any of these treatments, spa-goers also enjoy use of Willow Stream’s 44,000 square-foot luxury facilities.

The “Power of Pink” program is in conjunction with Fairmont Scottsdale’s on-going effort to support breast cancer research with several employees participating in both the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk for the American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure each year. The resort’s Princess Shop also offers special pink products the month of October.

UPDATE: Here are some additional details about the spa services being offered.

The “Pink Massage” is a 60-minute therapeutic massage provided in Willow Stream’s new “Power of Pink” room complete with pink walls painted in the official Komen for the Cure colors, along with pink blankets provided by Komen and a pink ribbon plaque with inspirational phrases. There is also a dedication poster for guests to sign their name or the name of a loved one. The Pink Massage is $169.*
The “Pink Pedicure” in the Willow Stream Salon offers a decadent pomegranate sugar scrub using the whimsical pink Whish product line … and the toes can even be topped off with OPI’s “Pink of Hearts” pink ribbon nail polish. All Whish products, such as the sugar scrub, body butter and shower gel, are also 15 percent off in the Spa Boutique. The Pink Pedicure is $109.*
“Pink Mondays” are for breast cancer survivors, who receive 15 percent off any spa or salon service.
The Shops at the Fairmont Scottsdale are also offering pink products the month of October, including the Signorelli “Hope” t-shirt, Ballmania Pink Ribbon Lip Balm, semi-precious pink stoned Native American jewelry by Colette Simonetta and the “Power of Pink” bracelet and badge holder by Brighton.
Soft pink robes and Willow Stream pink “blinged” logoed baseball caps with rhinestones will also be available for purchase year-round in the Spa Boutique.

This Fall, It’s a ‘Season of Personal Discovery’ at the Fairmont Scottsdale

Josh Kenzer — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:20:18 +0000

It can be said that one of the best investments people can make is in themselves…and sometimes it’s as simple as the irresistible bliss of being carried away with a good book. This fall, the new “Season of Personal Discovery” offers vacations with an inspiring purpose, giving up-close and personal time with 32 best-selling authors and lecturers over six themed weekends at the Fairmont Scottsdale, a AAA Five Diamond resort located in the Sonoran Desert.

From September 25 – December 6, 2009, the “Season of Personal Discovery” weekends invite travelers to follow their passion and learn life-enriching skills. Each weekend is themed to satisfy every booklover’s fancy:

Living Your Best Life – September 25-27, 2009
The world’s top lifestyle and health writers join together for this inspiring weekend: Chris Crowley, Joseph C. Piscatella, Nicholas Boothman, Sean Foy, Tom Moon and Tom Valenti.

For the Love of Books – October 2-4, 2009
Riveting and powerful, authors Anita Diamant, Debra Dean and Lisa See have each crafted works of literary art.

Ultimate Girls Getaway – October 9-11, 2009
This pampering weekend invites grown-up girls to pack their “little black dress and their pj’s” to spend time together with fun, entertaining events and fascinating workshops led by Nadja Piatka, Beverley East, Kathy Balland, Linda Henley-Smith, Sandi M. Marques and Lisa McKenzie.

Food and Wine for the Soul – October 23-25, 2009
For passionate epicureans, this weekend features these food and wine experts: Michael Mina, Michelle Bernstein, Jamie and Bobby Deen, Karen MacNeil and Robin Goldstein.

Cloak and Dagger – November 6-8, 2009
Gripping and suspenseful, this weekend delves into the minds of masters of mystery: Steve Berry, Les Standiford, Joseph Finder, M.J. Rose and David Morrell.

Grand Finale Weekend – December 4-6, 2009
From a Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist, to crime novelists and global philanthropists, this weekend is literary jambalaya, packed with laughs, mystery and a meaningful punch. Literary Stew includes Dave Berry, Ridley Pearson and Scott Turow, and Small Change for Big Change features Wendy Smith, Jacqueline Novogratz and Jessica Jackley.

Each themed weekend includes a three-day/two-night stay at the resort, exclusive admission to the Friday “Meet the Authors” welcome reception, Saturday readings, demonstrations and “Q&A” sessions, a Saturday evening “Mix & Mingle” reception and gala dinner, a Sunday farewell breakfast and a keepsake “Season” gift. Pricing is $499 per person, based on double occupancy, including gratuities. For complete details and reservations, dial 800-908-9397 or visit www.fairmont.com/scottsdale.

The Fairmont Scottsdale – a Slide Show

Josh Kenzer — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 19:56:31 +0000

Experience National Geographic Explorers Camp

Josh Kenzer — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:53:41 +0000

This last Saturday, I had the pleasure of taking my kids to the National Geographic Explorers Camp at the Fairmont Scottsdale. Usually, parents use resort camps as built in babysitters so they can go out and explore the resort on their own. However, with the National Geographic Explorers Camp, it’s the kids who are getting the once in a lifetime experience. Each camp features a different guest speaker who presents to the kids about their craft and devises ways for the kids to interact with that profession.

For us, it was wildlife photographer Joel Sartore. Joel’s experience as a wildlife photographer would be diffuclt to match. He had plenty of stories to share of hair rasing encounters with nature each accompanied by fantastic photography. After getting an overview of equipment and a short presentation on taking great pictures, each kid in the camp was outfitted with digital point and shoot cameras. They were divided into smaller groups and sent out on a photo safari, walking around the Fairmont Scottsdale Resort taking pictures from a worms eye view, a birds eye view and a 360 view – Joel’s tip for finding great pictures. Joel jumped from group to group, giving tips to the kids as well as the camp instructors – he was even nice enough to put up with photo questions. As a testament to his teaching, here are a few pictures my kids took. Neither Mayah or Tyler has been allowed to touch my camera, so they were learning for the first time.

Bird in Flight - Photo by Tyler Kenzer

Pink by Mayah Kenzer

After the photo walk, the kids watched a short National Geographic video featuring Joel and ate lunch. They then spent an hour and a half playing in one of the Fairmont’s pools, complete with water slides. The Fairmont’s camp staff was awesome with the kids and ran the camp like a well oiled machine.

After swimming, Joel took some portrait photos of the kids. All said, the full day camp was 8:00 am till 4:00 pm. Parents have the choice of entering the kids for half the day for $59 or full day for $89 – which includes lunch, a backpack, a hat, a water bottole and a great experience. The camp is open to children 5-12 years old.

The guest speaker also sticks around for a Saturday night family dinner presentation. Joel geared it more towards the adults since the kids had heard him talking all day. The presentation was inspiring and engaging. The dinner was buffet style which featured food like mac & cheese, chicken fingers and hot dogs for the kids and Salmon, beef brisquet and roasted chicken for the adults. Diner is $30 for adults and $15 for kids 6-12. 5 and under is free.

There are only three camps left this summer, August 8th featuring Dr. Mireya Mayor – the Female Indiana Jones, August 22nd featuring Dr. Kobie Boykins – Mr. Mars, the NASA engineer, and September 5th featuring Dr. Mark Moffett – Modern Day Explorer. Whether you are visiting for the summer or live in the valley, make sure to get your kids into one of these camps.

Here are some photos I took from the days events:

Free baby sitting for Date Night at Bourbon Steak

Josh Kenzer — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:48:13 +0000

Every Friday and Saturday night, the Fairmont Scottsdale’s Kids Club will stay open until 10 pm so parents can have a romantic evening at BOURBON STEAK. Their Kids Club offers certified child care services for children ages 4 and up. It’s complimentary for resort and local guests with existing dinner reservations. So make your reservation now, (480) 513-6002.

Arizona Businesses Asked to Show their Green Side

Melissa Matthews — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:24:51 +0000

The Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau is encouraging Arizona companies to show off their green efforts and enter the 2nd Annual Scottsdale Green by Design Awards program to be recognized for their sustainability initiatives.

As part of the Scottsdale bureau’s green programming, the Green by Design Awards recognize companies that exhibit outstanding green practices. Companies can nominate their business or another local company for the efforts they have made to become more environmentally friendly.

Awards will be presented in three categories:

Green: For the creation of green projects, programs or campaigns
Greener: For the improvement of pre-existing green projects, programs or campaigns
Greenest: For businesses that have both green business practices and offer green products or services

In all categories, entrants must demonstrate their effort to help preserve the environment or reduce their carbon footprint. This may include, but is not limited to: waste reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation, green meetings, or a green product or service for consumers.

“The Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau is challenging local companies to do their part and utilize sustainable practices,” said Rachel Sacco, president and CEO at the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We want to recognize those who are dedicated to maintaining the vibrancy of our destination, which is critical to our future.”

Visit www.ScottsdaleGreenbyDesign.com to download a nomination form (on the Green Community Resources page). Applications are due Sept. 1 and awards will be presented during a Scottsdale bureau event in the fall.

Winners of the Scottsdale Green by Design Awards will receive special public recognition by the Scottsdale bureau commemorating their efforts, as well as recognition on the Scottsdale Green by Design Web site, in a Scottsdale bureau quarterly e-mail blast to 100,000 leisure visitors, and in the bureau’s monthly “Spotlight on Scottsdale” tourism section in The Arizona Republic.

Last year’s awards were given to Hotel Valley Ho in the Green category, Fairmont Scottsdale in the Greener category and Edwards Design Group in the Greenest category.

Along with its Green by Design Awards, the Scottsdale bureau’s green efforts include working to promote the city’s sustainable offerings at the Green Build International Conference and Expo in November. To correlate with the conference, the bureau, along with the City of Scottsdale and the Scottsdale Downtown Group, is working on a special Green Street Scottsdale event to showcase sustainable ventures and provide conference attendees an opportunity to experience downtown Scottsdale. The event will include the weekly Scottsdale ArtWalk, live music, artist demonstrations and exhibitions.

Meet the Man Behind the Megafish

Josh Kenzer — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:09:06 +0000

Who: Zeb Hogan – Aquatic Ecologist, National Geographic Explorer

Hogan is third in a series of eight National Geographic Explorers who will be visiting the Valley of the Sun this summer at the new National Geographic Explorers Camp at the Fairmont Scottsdale.

What: National Geographic Explorers Camp is an adventure-based resort kids camp, where children ages 5-12 navigate a GPS to discover desert creatures, go on a photo safari, play on gigantic continent maps and meet real-life explorers. The camp runs Tuesdays-Sundays for overnight guests through Labor Day. The world-renowned speakers are an added feature, approximately ever other Saturday.

More on Hogan: Big fish? Make that megafish. Dr. Zeb Hogan is an aquatic ecologist who travels the world searching for giant, fresh water fish weighing over 200 pounds. As the Director of National Geographic Megafishes Project based in Reno, Nev., Hogan is leading a team of investigators to study freshwater ecosystems on six continents. Hogan’s project is racing against the extinction of bear-size catfish, half-ton stingrays, giant trout and other monster fish. He believes these fish provide insight into the health of ecosystems and that it is just as important to save Mekong catfish and river dolphins, as it is to save tigers and whales. To do this, he involves local anglers in his research, hoping to engender pride in the bounty of their lakes and rivers and encourage sustainable fishing practices.

A native of Tempe, Ariz. and U of A graduate, Hogan is returning to the state to interact and educate youngsters during two Saturday National Geographic Explorers Camp sessions at the Fairmont Scottsdale. Hogan will then keynote a special family dinner event, sharing his expertise, conservation efforts and adventures to save these freshwater giants. The kids’ camp and family dinner event are available for overnight resort guests for a nominal fee.

Where: At the Fairmont Scottsdale, located at 7575 E. Princess Drive in Scottsdale.

Interviews: Available for in-studio interviews, Friday morning, June 26

Photo Ops: On Saturday, June 27, Hogan will “edu-tain” young explorers during morning and afternoon camp sessions. During an informal dinner event for the whole family, Hogan will give a lecture presentation, sharing his adventures:

Best on-site photo opportunity: First Camp Session: 9 am – 10 am *
* Hogan will be fishing with the campers at the resort’s lagoon

Price: Daytime sessions for kid campers start at $59 for a half-day and $89 for a full-day with lunch on a speaker Saturday. Other days, the camp starts at $49 per session. The dinner event is $30 for adults, $15 for children ages 6-12 and kids 5 and under dine free. The camp and dinner are exclusively for overnight guests of the resort.

Summer room rate specials feature the “Summer Splash Package” at $199 per room, per night, which includes a $100 daily food and beverage credit. The camp is a la carte. Room only rates start at $145 per night.

National Geographic Explorers Camp at Fairmont Scottsdale

Mitchell Tay — Fri, 15 May 2009 22:50:03 +0000

Navigating a GPS to discover desert creatures, going on a photo safari, or meeting real-life explorers, the Fairmont Scottsdale is making this summer an adventure to remember. The resort is introducing the first National Geographic Explorers Camp, exclusively for overnight guests.

From May 22 – September 7, 2009, the camp offers discovery-based activities for ages 5-12. Campers trek on a “Desert Discovery” GPS treasure hunt, go on a “Photo Safari,” have fun at a “Geo Bowl” and play on gigantic, highly-detailed maps.

Best of all, eight world-renowned National Geographic explorers share their adventures on select Saturdays beginning May 30. Experts include “Crittercam” inventor Greg Marshall, tornado chaser Tim Samaras and reptile expert Brady Barr.

Families also enjoy waterslides, “dive-in” movies, fishing, a teen “Hang Out” and infant amenities upon request.

Summer rates begin at $199 per night, with a $100 daily dining credit. The camp is a la carte, starting at $49. For details, dial (800) 908-9370 or visit www.fairmont.com/scottsdale.