| less than a mile from shopping in old town scottsdale, this upscale modern resort is a mile from the camelback mountain trailhead. some have lagoon, courtyard or pool views. stylish rooms and suites with patios or private balconies have minibars, flat-screen tvs, ipod docks and free wi-fi. check-in time: 4:00 pmcheck-out time: 12:00 pm. there's a caribbean restaurant and a poolside bar. other amenities include a spa, 2 sprawling outdoor pools and a sandy beach area. a resort fee covers a 24-hour fitness center and valet parking. room service is available
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport 22 min
VH Spa at Hotel Valley Ho (6 min)
Iconic luxury hotel featuring mid-century modern rooms & suites, a pool, spa & an American eatery. OdySea Aquarium (10 min)
Huge aquarium featuring dramatic exhibits of marine life, plus a 3D movie & interactive experiences. McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park (6 min)
Complex with miniature train rides, jungle gyms & a 10,000-sq.-ft. model railroad display. Hole in the Rock (15 min)
Landmark rock formation with multiple cavelike holes in the sandstone created by erosion. Camelback Mountain (10 min)
Well-known peak resembling a camel’s hump, with hiking, climbing & panoramic city views. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (6 min)
Multi-gallery museum with rotating modern art & architecture displays, plus a sculpture garden. Desert Botanical Garden (13 min)
Desert garden with 50,000 plants spread over 140 acres, also offering dining, a gift shop & library. Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West (6 min)
City-owned museum celebrating the American West with paintings, crafts, artifacts & theater events. Taliesin West (20 min)
Tours are offered of Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home, now a campus for an architecture school. Papago Park (14 min)
Expansive hiking & picnicking area that includes the Phoenix Zoo & famed Hole-in-the-Rock formation. Big Surf (13 min)
Popular seasonal waterpark with a 2.5 million-gallon wave pool, many water slides & grassy areas. Heard Museum (23 min)
Exhibits devoted to Native American civilizations, including a big collection of Southwestern art. Butterfly Wonderland (10 min)
Indoor, interactive rainforest habitat housing thousands of butterflies, plus a cafe & gift shop. Talking Stick Resort (12 min)
High-end modern resort with pools, dining & a spa, plus golf, a casino & live entertainment. Phoenix Zoo (14 min)
125 acres of animal exhibits, including a children's area & petting zoo, plus a narrated tram ride. | 
