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Heaven and Hell at the Mondrian Scottsdale

Where: 7353 East Indian School Road [map], Scottsdale, AZ, United States, 85251

While the flagship Mondrian Hotel has seen better days, the Mondrian Scottsdale is getting mixed reviews. It may even be the most conflicted hotel property in Scottsdale.

The whole Good vs. Evil contrast thing starts in the lobby with the white puffy clouds, white puffy curtains, and most famously, white puffy sheep (yes, sheep). It doesn't take much imagination to "get" the Heaven metaphor. Oh, did we mention the gigantic "tree of life"?

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Hotel Openings / Hotel Indigo / Scottsdale Hotel Reviews / Hotel Hell / → All Tags

Narrow Drawers and Cold Wooden Floors Are Modern at Hotel Indigo

Where: 4415 North Civic Center Plaza [map], Scottsdale, AZ, United States, 85251

Ouch. That's all we can say when we read Consumer Affairs' scathing review of the Hotel Indigo in Scottsdale, Arizona.

A review of the Scottsdale Indigo which opened January 4th, says the hotel intended to bring nature elements inside the hotel as a way to give guests a more relaxing and rejuvenating experience. But Dan Schlossberg's recent experience sees this in another way, deciding that "new and trendy" is a synonym for "uncomfortable and unfinished", listing more than 10 complaints after his stay. Highlights include:

Guest room walls are so thin that normal conversations can be heard from adjoining rooms ... the bare wooden floor is cold ... Drawers are far too shallow and narrow

And to top it all off, "the whole place reeks of formaldehyde". How very modern. However, the place just opened so we're assuming they are still working out some kinks. If in a month, the place still smells like the Fisher and Sons Funeral Home, then the hotel has got some 'splaining to do.

Related Stories:
· Hotel Indigo Finds Inner Artist [HotelChatter]
· Fashionable Hotel Indigo to Open in Scottsdale [SW US Travel]
· Trendy Design Trumps Comfort [Consumer Affairs]

Hotel Openings / Mondrian Hotels / Scottsdale Hotel Reviews / → All Tags

Mondrian Scottsdale to Open January 30th

Where: 7353 E Indian School Rd [map], Scottsdale, AZ, United States, 85251

Around this time last year, the James Hotel Scottsdale passed their property to Morgans Hotel Group who went to work on turning the property into a Mondrian.

Now, it looks like the opening of Mondrian Scottsdale will officially be January 30th, 2007, according to a hotel press release.

Drawing his inspiration from the Garden of Eden, [designer Benjamin]Noriega-Ortiz has created a unique sybaritic retreat offering rest, rejuvenation, fun and entertainment in a vibrantly pleasure-driven environment. His thoughtful interpretation reflects the youthful spirit of the thriving city of Scottsdale, while celebrating the senses with luxury, indulgence, and amusement.

The hotel is located in Old Town Scottsdale near the Scottsdale Mall and is so private that only the walls and gardens are visible from the street. Guests will pass through 25-feet gates made from tropical bougainvillea before arriving at the hotel's entranceway where they will find more Garden of Eden influences in the hotel lobby.

Like its sister property, Mondrian LA, this hotel will have an Asia de Cuba restaurant, a Skybar and a new bar, called Red Bar.

As for the rooms, guests can expect patio terraces on the ground floors and private balconies on the top floors. There will be two swimming pools, a 24-hour gym and the Agua spa. In-room amenties include 42-inch plasma TVs, lots of bed pillows, Agua bath products and an iPod hook-up. Maybe a Booty Parlour kit too, if you're lucky.

Thanks Courtney May

Related Stories:
· Back Morgans Hotel Group Launches Mondrian Scottsdale [Morgans Hotel Group: Official Site]

Hotel Openings / Hotel Indigo / Scottsdale Hotel Reviews / Boutique Hotels / → All Tags

Hotel Indigo Finds Inner Artist in Scottsdale

Where: Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Hotel Indigo, the "fashion-foward" boutique child of the old-school Intercontinental Hotels, will open up its Scottsdale property this Friday, January 4.

The hotel will have 126-rooms which are curiously described as "retail-inspired" but were also designed with the intent to "bring nature inside urban spaces."

The soul of Hotel Indigo's branded boutique concept is "renewal" - thoughtful changes that are made throughout the year to keep the hotel fresh. The renewal concept provides even the most frequent guest a unique experience with every stay. Hotel Indigo Scottsdale features elements such as vivid murals, area rugs and plush duvets. Public spaces will also transform seasonally through changing artwork, music, flora, murals and directional signage.

Much of the source of the hotel's artwork will come from a partnership with Scottsdale's Public Arts program and with artists at the  Arizona State University's Herberger College of the Arts.  Indeed one lucky student will be selected/commissioned to do an entire project for the hotel.

This is the seventh Hotel Indigo to open up in the U.S. with other locations being in Chicago's Gold Coast, Dallas, Houston and Atlanta. We are guessing that the hotel brand is trying to crowd in on the W's game but whereas W is like the cool hipster, Hotel Indigo is more like the 21st-century hippie but with free WiFi and haikus.

Related Stories:
· Hotel Indigo Scottsdale Opens [Hotel Interactive]

Hotel Awards / Luxury Hotels / Scottsdale Hotel Reviews / → All Tags

Travel + Leisure's World's Best Hotels for 2007

Travel + Leisure has listed their top 500 hotels in the world and breaking it down by region we see that the Phoenix/Scottsdale area has the top four hotels in the U.S. according to T+L.

At the very top is the Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa which the mag describes as a:

Lavish Sonoran Desert resort with adobe casitas, set among a millennia-old rock outcrop.

The hotel earned this distinction last year and is set to undergo a renovation this year which will ensure its top hotel status at least until the decade is out.

Also on the list?

·   Tops in Europe : Hotel Goldener Hirsch : Salzburg Austria
·   Tops in South America : Llao Llao Hotel & Resort : Argentina
·   Tops in Australia : Hayman : Great Barrier Reef, Australia
·   Tops in the Caribbean : Cap Juluca
·   Tops in Africa and the Middle East: Chobe Chilwero Lodge:Botswana
·   Tops in Canada: Fairmont Banff Springs: Banff, Alberta.

[Photo of Boulders Resort: Kaplesz]

Related Stories:
· Travel + Leisure World's Best Hotels List (2006) [HotelChatter]

Hotels / Scottsdale Hotel Reviews / → All Tags

Who's the Valley Ho?

Where: 6850 East Main Street [map], Scottsdale, AZ, United States, 85251

[Editor's Note: After the jump, Hotel Maven hmlauer checks out the newly redone Hotel Valley Ho. She promises to return soon to get more dirt on the place. Enjoy.]

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