SCOTTSDALE TRAVEL NEWS: NOVEMBER 2008

www.ScottsdalePressroom.com

SCOTTSDALE’S ONLY FULL-SERVICE ALL-SUITE RESORT COMPLETES MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR RENOVATION

On Oct. 8, 2008, Marcus Hotels and Resorts re-launched Resort Suites Scottsdale as the new Xona Resort Suites after a comprehensive, multi-million-dollar renovation of the property. The hotel boasts a new lobby and porte cochere, re-designed and updated guest suites, the new Asada Desert Grille restaurant specializing in regional cuisine, the new Orange Iguana indoor/outdoor lounge, and renovated pool areas. Boasting 431 all-suite guestrooms that are one-, two- and four-bedroom suites, Xona Resort Suites allows families, groups and business travelers to each have their own bedroom and private bathroom, plus the convenience of a fully equipped kitchen, dining area and living room as well as the option of pre-arrival grocery service. The hotel also caters to golfers with on-site golf experts who assist guests in planning their golfing excursions with preferred tee times, direct billing with select golf courses, and insider knowledge of the region’s finest fairways and greens. For more information, visit www.xonaresort.com or call (888) 222-1059. For media information only, contact Amie Rubenstein at Amie@GlodowNead.com or (415) 394-6500.

INTERCONTINENTAL MONTELUCIA TEMPTS TASTEBUDS WITH DISTINCT RESTAURANTS

InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa opens this month in Scottsdale, bringing Andalusian-style luxury to the city’s list of world-class properties. In addition to the 31,000-square-foot Joya Spa, the property also will boast five pools, 27,000 square feet of indoor meeting space, and a private wedding chapel with cathedral ceilings and wooden beams. Guests can enjoy activities such as wine tastings, star gazing and cigar rolling in addition to a myriad of new restaurants, including the following:

Prado is the signature eatery for the property and offers wood-fired grilling with Spanish accents, reflecting the resort’s Andalucian theme. Fresh, healthful ingredients are used to prepare Chef Claudio Urciuoli’s traditional Old World Spanish meals at the restaurant, which also boasts a wine cellar and patio dining with direct views of Camelback Mountain.
Crave Café serves up fresh coffee, mouth-watering gelato, chocolate treats, and more. In addition to classic breakfast pastries and savory meals, the gourmet food market also offers an extensive selection of wine, premium tequila and liquors available for purchase by the bottle. Guests can enjoy their meals on the café’s patio or opt for a to-go order to take back to the privacy of their own room.
Kasbah is the resort’s casual, pool-side restaurant and bar serving food and cocktails to guests in a relaxed setting. Premium rums from key regions of the Western hemisphere are served in addition to a custom cocktail cart that provides hand-made, fresh-squeezed drinks with fruit and herbs. Food items on the menu include more than a dozen varieties of French fries from around the world.
For more information, visit www.montelucia.com or call (480) 627-3200. For media information only, contact Kirsten Schaefer at kirsten.schaefer@ihg.com or (480) 627-3141.

COUPLES ESACPE TO SCOTTSDALE FOR A TRULY ROMANTIC RETREAT

Let’s face it, even the best of relationships need a little rekindling every once in a while. Not even Brangelina can be that crazy about one another all the time! Between kids, careers and every day responsibilities, couples may find themselves in dire search of a little “us” time, and Scottsdale grants several opportunities to spark up the flames of love all over again.

            The Ultimate Indulgence package at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa lets lovers spoil themselves with a bit of quality time, fine food and fancy accessories. In addition to luxurious casita accommodations, the deal includes a romantic staple of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries, elegant dinner for two at elements and a $1,000 shopping spree at Molina Fine Jewelers including a champagne toast and roundtrip limousine service. For more information, visit www.sanctuaryaz.com or call (480) 948-2100. For media information only, contact Patricia Nugent at pnugent@MG-PR.com or (212) 284-9935.

            For a romantic rendezvous of a more racy kind, sneak away to the W Scottsdale Hotel & Residences. The property’s Feel the WUV package indulges couples with a bottle of bubbly, late 2 p.m. check out, and a box of Max Brenner Chocolates made especially for their visit. And, the lovebirds won’t find any reason to leave the room – simply ring the W Scottsdale’s Whatever/Whenever service for in-room couple’s massages, a romantic dinner for two delivered to your door, WUV-potion cocktails, and more. The special also includes a Jimmyviane SPIN ME game in addition to other goodies to help make your stay memorable. For more information, visit www.whotels.com/scottsdale or call (480) 970-2100. For media information only, contact Jan Bracamonte at jan@crosby-wright.com or (480) 367-1112.

            Romance is in the design at the Royal Palms Resort & Spa. The Spanish Colonial-themed resort, named one of the “Top 50 Romantic Retreats” in the world by Travel + Leisure, is home to beautifully sculpted gardens and walkways and strategically positioned fireplaces that create the ultimate dreamy ambiance. Starry eyed lovers will be happy to know that the property even has a staff member on-hand to cater specifically to their every whim. Robert H. Vickrey, the resort’s new director of romance, plans, arranges and executes romantic gestures for couples – everything from over-the-top proposals to anniversary celebrations that rival the wedding itself. There’s no limit to what Vickrey can dream up to sweep lovers off their feet. For more information, visit www.royalpalmsresortandspa.com or call (602) 840-3610. For media information only, contact Sally Cooper at sally@sallycooperandcompany.com or (480) 946-9446.

 
DESERT ECO TOURS PROVIDE TRAVELERS WITH AN IN-DEPTH EARTHY EXPERIENCE

Beautiful days and cool evenings make fall in Scottsdale the perfect time to explore the city’s lush, desert landscape. With more than 3,500 native species of plants and animals for guests to discover, visitors can enlist one of Scottsdale’s tour companies to get the most from their Sonoran Desert experience.

Travelers seeking adventure can roam the Sonoran Desert with Take A Hike Arizona. The company offers full- and half-day excursions complete with fresh baked snacks, water, use of backpacks and trekking poles. The family friendly company gives children their own camera to document the adventure while guides engage them in educational trivia games. Tours can be customized based on specific fitness levels. For more information, visit www.takeahikearizona.com or call (480) 634-8488. For media information only, contact June Kleier at june@takeahikearizona.com or (480) 634-8488.

Visitors interested in exploring the desert’s floral and wildlife offerings can take a trip off the beaten path with My Arizona Guide. The company provides educational journeys through the desert, and guides bring treasure boxes filled with plants, bones, fossils, gemstones and minerals on every trip to teach guests about Arizona’s ecology. For travelers looking to explore more than just the desert, the company also offers tours through Scottsdale, including the downtown area, Camelback Mountain, and the Desert Botanical Garden. For more information, visit www.myarizonaguide.com or call (480) 970-8186. For media information only, contact Debra Joaquim at djoaquim@cox.netor (480) 970-8186.

Learn how to survive the desert with a Wilderness Survival Tour from Windwalker Expeditions. Guests are educated on important survival tips like finding and filtering water as well as the medicinal and nutritional properties of desert plants. Travelers who simply want to capture the spirit of the Southwest can enlist in one of the company’s photography workshops that teach patrons how to capture the best images. For more information, visit www.windwalkerexpeditions.com or call (480) 585-338. For media information only, contact Jen Wolfe at loupgarou82@gmail.com or (480) 585-3382.

HISTORIC HOMES TURNED RESTAURNTS WELCOME DINERS TO SCOTTSDALE

Known for its charming atmosphere, downtown Scottsdale blends the old and new west to make the most of the city’s historic past. Local restaurants have turned old houses into new ventures, creating intimate dining settings that are as warm and welcoming as your family’s home.

Built in a 75-year-old adobe house, Old Town Tortilla Factory offers guests a historically Southwestern experience. Diners can enjoy one of the eatery’s famous margaritas inside the cozy restaurant or outdoors on the patio. The restaurant’s 1,200-foot flagstone patio is surrounded by lush, 100-year-old pecan trees and serves as a prime spot to enjoy Scottsdale’s bustling arts community. The gazebo bar also features more than 80 varieties of tequila in addition to traditional Mexican beers and liquors. For more information, visit www.oldtowntortillafactory.com or call (480) 945-4567. For media information only, contact Chad Flaum at tortillafactory@aol.com or (480) 945-4567.

Visitors will feel right at home at Arcadia Farms. Nestled in the Scottsdale’s downtown arts district, the restaurant is situated in an old cottage home and serves organic food inspired by the wine country. Guests can enjoy an intimate meal of healthy salads and sandwiches inside the restaurant’s inviting dining room or under one of the umbrella-covered tables on the patio. For more information, visit www.arcadiafarmscafe.com or call (480) 941-5665. For media information only, contact Carolyn Ellis at info@arcadiafarmscafe.com or (480) 947-2596.

            Located in downtown Scottsdale, Grazie Pizzeria & Winebar brings a taste of Tuscany to the Sonoran Desert. Not your typical pizzeria, Grazie’s now-modern digs were once a typical Southwestern home. Diners now enjoy the restaurant’s contemporary art, wrought iron design and stained glass while sipping one of a hundred of Grazie’s Italian wines. And the front patio makes for a great place to enjoy some must-see people watching. For more information, visit www.grazie.us or call (480) 663-9797. For media information only, contact Maurizio Cristiani at (480) 663-9797.

Remember to log onto www.ScottsdalePressroom.com for additional tourism news, press kits and releases, media tour information and more. And, you can always turn to our public relations team for additional assistance, from photo needs and story ideas to help customizing an individual media tour.


Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau Contacts:
Vice President of Communications
Laura McMurchie
Direct: 480-429-2253
LM@Scottsdalecvb.com

Director of Public Relations
Tatum Luoma
Direct: 480-889-2719
tluoma@scottsdalecvb.com 

Communications Coordinator
Katarina Kovacevic
Direct: 480-889-2716
kkovacevic@scottsdalecvb.com