Hotel Snapshot

In Scottsdale, Kimpton Miralina brings the desert indoors and keeps the energy outside.

It’s easy to get to—set right in Paradise Valley, nothing complicated about finding it or pulling in. What takes a second is realizing how much has changed. The property used to be the Scottsdale Plaza, a place that was always pleasant enough but never especially memorable. Now it’s something else entirely. The full 40 acres have been reworked with a clear point of view, and you feel the Sonoran Desert in just about every detail.

Design & Character

The lobby is open and bright, built around a curved bar that people naturally drift toward. Large textile pieces by Mariella Motilla soften the space and carry through into the restaurant. In the mornings, there’s complimentary coffee set out in the shared areas; by evening, things shift into Kimpton’s wine hour, which gives the place an easy, social rhythm.

Outside is where things really open up. The Canyon Pools stretch across a few levels, with cabanas and daybeds filling in as the day goes on. The bar out there becomes the center of everything by midday. Around the lawn, there are these “Desert Reveries” installations—wind chimes, misting spots, and sculptural setups meant for lying back and looking up at the sky. It’s playful, but it works.

The Rooms

The rooms stick with the desert theme without overdoing it—light neutrals, some dusty rose, and wall treatments that shift in tone like the sky at different times of day. The headboards have a soft, sculpted look that adds a bit of character. A few details still feel slightly dated, but nothing that gets in the way. If you can, ask for a room facing the lawn and pools; otherwise, you may end up looking out over the parking lot. The casitas along the edges are a good option if you want more space—they come with living rooms and wet bars.

Food & Drink

Hecho Libre is the main restaurant, a collaboration with LA chef Wes Avila, known for Guerrilla Tacos. The menu leans into Baja and Sonoran flavors—fish tacos, wood-fired steaks, big prawns, all done well. Cima Bar handles the poolside food, and the nachos are kind of a must.

Amenities

Spa Miralina is on the smaller side, but it’s solid. The treatments—desert stone massages, Hungarian mud wraps, Osmosis facials—are handled by therapists who clearly know what they’re doing.

Location & Neighborhood Recs

At night, people drift back out to the terraces, the valley lights come on, and the whole place settles into itself. 

Fast Facts

Location: Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Arizona

Rating: Four-Star

The Vibe: Sonoran-inspired, Baja-inflected, and built around a spectacular pool complex with the warm social energy Kimpton does better than almost anyone.

Food + Drink: Hecho Libre for Baja-Sonoran cooking anchored by smoky prawns, and exceptional tacos; Cima Pool Bar for casual poolside fare and margaritas.

Amenities: Three-pool Canyon Pools complex; multi-tiered sun decks and cabanas; Spa Miralina with a dry sauna, cold plunge, and hot tub; Desert Reveries sensory installations, including stargazing structures; fitness center; complimentary morning coffee and nightly wine hour; dog-friendly throughout, with zero fees or restrictions.

Our Favorite Thing About the Hotel: The stargazing structures on the main lawn and the circular sofas built for lying flat under the Sonoran sky. There's nothing else quite like it in this market.

What's Nearby? Old Town Scottsdale is less than ten minutes away; Camelback Mountain trailheads are minutes from the property; McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park is within walking distance.

Any Personal Neighborhood Recs? Walk Old Town and sit down for the famous chopped salad at Beginner's Luck. Book an Ayurvedic happy hour treatment at Second Nature Clinic. Spend an afternoon with Arizona wines at The Wine Collective. Hike the Gateway Loop with Cliff Creek Outfitters and recover over dinner at Virtu Honest Café, which is exactly as good as everyone says.