Recently in Scottsdale Category

Nightlife and hospitality in Scottsdale just got kicked up a few notches with the opening of the W Scottsdale, the sleekest new destination in this gorgeous southwestern city. The hotel's 224 luxurious rooms offer the perfect balance of comfort and style, with stunning views of the desert, the latest in technology, the signature W bed, a delightful Munchie Box, Bliss Spa sinkside six, and much more. But the fun doesn't end when you leave your room. Hit the beach at WET, a second-floor pool with a beach theme, underwater lighting and music, daybeds, lounging pods, and the sunset.beach poolside bar. Indulge in a pampering treatment at Bliss Spa, which offers massages and facials in an environment of jazzy blues tunes, glass-tiled steam showers, and delightful spa snacks. Or savor a gourmet meal at Sushi Roku, a glamorous offshoot of the Los Angeles legend that serves the freshest seafood in town using innovative techniques and presentation that make every meal a culinary adventure. To check out this exciting new destination, take advantage of the W Presents W Scottsdale! package, which comes with two cool cocktails at Shade, a custom W case and stylin' shades, Bliss Spa Tan for All Seasons, Signature Eats compliments of Sushi Roku, and a spectacular room you'll love. Book and stay by December 30, 2008 and see how far this desert town has come.

Lucy Williams is an Orlando-based writer for Starwood Vacation Ownership and thelobby.com's expert on the subject.

Nestled at the base of Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona is The Phoenician resort, a luxurious oasis where you may relax in unrivaled accommodations amid serene desert beauty. And now you can enjoy a lifetime of exquisite experiences within The Phoenician resort with a unique fractional ownership opportunity. As a Member of The Phoenician Residences, The Luxury Collection Residence Club, Scottsdale, the distinctive pleasures of The Phoenician become yours to savor. Exquisite two- and three-bedroom floor plans are currently available. Select features include imported Irish linens, rich hardwood floors, a travertine fireplace, a private plunge pool, LCD televisions and an outdoor summer kitchen with gas grill. Amenities vary from Residence to Residence.

Here you may indulge in an outstanding array of amenities and pleasures. Enjoy three nine-hole championship golf courses surrounded by the rich colors and textures of the desert. Play an invigorating match at the Tennis Garden, with eleven lighted courts and four unique surfaces. Or simply unwind at one of eight shimmering pools, where you may enjoy private cabanas and a 165-foot water slide.

Lucy Williams is an Orlando-based writer for Starwood Vacation Ownership and thelobby.com's expert on the subject.

The Travelocity Roaming Gnome is on another adventure, and this time he has been seen at several different Starwood Vacation Ownership resorts. When you stay at one of these resorts in 2008, you can go on a Roaming Gnome scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes. Roaming Gnomes will be hidden in secret spots around the resorts. Participants will receive a clue sheet with hints as to where they are hiding. Once you complete your clue sheet, you can redeem it for a prize at the resort. You will also be entered into a grand prize drawing to win a five-day, four-night resort stay, plus two airline tickets worth up to $750 each. The contest began on May 1 and will continue through the end of 2008. The grand prize winner will be chosen at the end of the year.

Participating Starwood Vacation Ownership resorts are: Sheraton Vistana Villages and Sheraton Vistana Resort in Orlando, Florida; The Westin St. John Resort & Villas in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands; The Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas in Maui, Hawai'i; The Westin Princeville Ocean Resort Villas in Kaua'i, Hawai'i; The Westin Mission Hills Resort & Villas in Rancho Mirage, California; Sheraton Desert Oasis and The Westin Kierland Villas in Scottsdale, Arizona; Sheraton Mountain Vista in Avon, Colorado; Sheraton Broadway Plantation in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Sheraton PGA Vacation Resort in Port St. Lucie, Florida; and Vistana's Beach Club in Jensen Beach, Florida.

Sometimes travel can lead to ... more travel. SPG is offering up to 1,000 bonus Starpoints for visits to some of the most beautiful places on the planet this summer. Register here and book a Sunday through Thursday stay at a participating property in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, or Hawaii and your summertime adventure will earn you bonus Starpoints that can be redeemed for great rewards, one-of-a-kind experiences, or the vacation of your dreams. Racking up the Starpoints is as easy as frolicking in the blue waters of St. John at the Westin St. John Resort & Villas (pictured), where an outstanding spa, health club, private beach, and Westin Kids Club ensures that every visitor has the time of their lives. Or take to the desert at the Phoenician resort in Scottsdale (a member of Starwood's Luxury Collection) and experience the ultimate in pampering, service, and amenities against a stunning backdrop of blue sky and red rocks. Or maybe your travel dreams have you heading north this summer. Le Méridien King Edward in Toronto has welcomed discerning guests for over 100 years with old world charms, sophisticated comforts, and easy access to the Harbourfront. Wherever you decide to go, the trip will be that much sweeter knowing that it can lead to further adventures around the world. Start by entering your SPG number right here and then get traveling. Far away is closer than you think.

How does a grand getaway to a beautiful locale this May sound? Time is running out to take advantage of special rates at some of Starwood's greatest properties, so choose your destination and then start packing. Book by April 21, and enjoy some of the most exciting destinations, relaxing resorts, and hidden gems this May, at tantalizingly low rates. If a Caribbean beach retreat is your cup of tea, you might want to check in to the Westin St. John Resort & Villas (pictured). Rates start at $349 for this island paradise, where you're free to do anything you like, or nothing at all. Perhaps a western town is more your thing. The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona has rates starting at $319, which means you could be relaxing in one of nine sparkling pools, playing a round of golf, or savoring some of the best food in the southwest in no time. If Canada's your thing, how about a springtime jaunt to Montreal? Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel has rates starting at 179 Canadian dollars, while the chic W Montréal starts at 209 Canadian. With so many options, it can be hard to decide, so check out the list of destinations and get ready for an adventure this May.

Lucy Williams is an Orlando-based writer for Starwood Vacation Ownership and thelobby.com's expert on the subject. Today, she takes us to Orlando, Florida and Scottsdale, Arizona for some spring training.

Each February, Major League Baseball teams head to Florida and Arizona for spring training, a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training attracts fans who travel to the warmer climates to enjoy the weather and watch their favorite teams and players prepare for the new season.

Some of the teams that train in Florida include the Atlanta Braves, the Baltimore Orioles, the Boston Red Sox, the Detroit Tigers, the Houston Astros, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the New York Mets and the New York Yankees. If you would like to watch these teams in action during spring training, consider visiting Orlando, Florida. Sheraton Vistana Resort or Sheraton Vistana Villages (pictured), both located in Orlando, feature roomy villas and world-class amenities.

Lucy Williams is an Orlando-based writer for Starwood Vacation Ownership and thelobby.com's expert on the subject. Today she takes us to Arizona for Super Bowl weekend.

Soon, throngs of football fanatics will flock to Arizona, eager to watch two talented NFL teams battle for the Super Bowl XLII title. The event will be held February 3, 2008 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, a unique venue featuring a retractable roof and retractable natural-grass field.

If you would like to get closer to the action for Super Bowl XLII, consider visiting Scottsdale, Arizona. Even if you're not a football fan, you'll discover plenty of ways to entertain yourself in the Southwest. Sheraton Desert Oasis (pictured) and The Westin Kierland Villas, both located in Scottsdale, offer spacious villas amid desert splendor. You can enjoy spectacular scenery while riding horseback through the desert, biking through the craggy mountainside or taking to the sky in a hot air balloon. Or simply relax and savor a break from the everyday in the comfort of your resort.