HotelChatter

When I was in college (several years ago) the Mondrian was a Holiday Inn! The first time I stayed there a few years ago it was retro boutique hotel The James. It was only last year that the hotel got a complete makeover and became the Mondrian.

Now the lobby is awash in white and reminiscent of the Morgans Hotel Group's other famous hotels like the Shore Club in Miami or Miami's Delano Hotel. And the Patrick McMullan photos on the walls remind me a bit of NYC as does the restaurant, Asia de Cuba, where I frequent for lunches when I'm home.

Unlike the resort/spas that draw many visitors to Scottsdale, The Mondrian caters to a younger, hipper guest who wants to have a little fun while they're in town. Arizona Cardinals star Matt Leinart shuttled friends, including his BFF Nick Lachey, there for a weekend to celebrate his birthday and I once saw the guys from Maroon 5 playing cards poolside.

For those like myself who aren't fans of driving, especially after drinking their pitchers of margaritas by the pool all day (where you can find me if there in August when it's 105 degrees or January when it's in the 60s), the hotel is conveniently situated in the middle of Old Town Scottsdale near the most trendy bars and clubs and a short walk from Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall.

Better, they have the lavish lounge the Red Room on-site and Skybar, where you can sip cocktails while sitting on a couch by the fire - outside under the stars.

For those looking for more of a rejuvenating vacation, you can do what Jamie Lynn Sigler and a few of our friends did when they stayed at the hotel and get massages and spa treatments in a cabana steps from the beds around the pool, work out in the large gym that overlooks the pool or escape to the serenity pool.

If you really want get away, you can melt into the comfy beds and choose one of 60 on-demand movies to watch on the 42-inch plasmas or, like me, just plug your iPod into the iPod docking station and read a book or do yoga on the patio, safely shielded by lots of lush foliage.