Hotel Review • United States • Arizona • Scottsdale

Kimpton Miralina Paradise Valley Review: A Fresh Take on Desert Living in Scottsdale

A review of Kimpton Miralina in Paradise Valley, Arizona, featuring Baja-Sonoran dining, expansive Canyon Pools, spa treatments, stargazing installations, and renovated desert-inspired rooms near Old Town Scottsdale.

A review of Kimpton Miralina in Paradise Valley, Arizona, featuring Baja-Sonoran dining, expansive Canyon Pools, spa treatments, stargazing installations, and renovated desert-inspired rooms near Old Town Scottsdale.

The Review

Why it works

Courtesy of Kimpton Miralina, Credit Joe Thomas

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.

Courtesy of Kimpton Miralina, Credit Joe Thomas

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.

Gallery

A closer look

Courtesy of Kimpton Miralina, Credit Joe Thomas

Courtesy of Kimpton Miralina, Credit Joe Thomas

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