Family Fun at Fairmont Scottsdale: Your Next Arizona Getaway
If you’re looking for the perfect combination of luxury and family fun on your next Arizona family vacation, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort might just fit the bill. With 6 pools, dive-in movie events, fireworks on Saturdays, a spa and fitness center, a kids club, along with multiple on-site restaurants, this Scottsdale family resort truly has something for everybody. It’s easy to see why it’s listed as one of the most fun hotels for kids in the U.S.
Nestled in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess stands as a premier family-friendly retreat. Our recent visit delivered exactly what we hoped for: luxurious accommodations, expansive pools, engaging activities for all ages—and a true desert playground that kept everyone happy.
When we visited the Fairmont Princess, we were just looking for an easy weekend getaway. I wanted a family resort in Arizona with a great pool and property for the kids to enjoy. San Diego to Scottsdale is about a 6-hour drive, so we loaded up early in the morning on a Friday and got to the Princess resort just after 2:00pm.
Here’s an overview of the resort along with my honest thoughts about our stay.
What We Did & Loved at the Scottsdale Princess Resort
Pools & Outdoor Fun
Our family spent most of our time exploring the resort’s extensive aquatic offerings:
- Six pools in total, including an adults-only pool, multiple family-friendly pools, a white-sand beach area, and water slides for the kids (and adults!)
- The kids particularly loved Sonoran Splash and the Sunset Beach pool, complete with a real sandy beach—pure desert bliss
Fun for the Kids
- The Trailblazers Family Adventure Center offered daily kids’ programs (ages 5–12), where children could interact with the resort’s resident animals—like Cecil the Tortoise and Skittles the Bearded Dragon
- The resort also features mermaid programming (“Mermaid University”) for ages 7–12, where kids can learn to swim like a mermaid and even earn a diploma.
- For a charming afternoon activity, children can rent fishing poles (from the front desk) and enjoy catch-and-release fishing in one of three lagoon areas—an awesome hands-on experience.
Adults’ Relaxation & Spa
- Parents found sanctuary at the Well & Being Spa, an award-winning wellness retreat offering massages, facials, body treatments, aromatherapy, and fitness classes inspired by the desert surroundings.
- Meanwhile, adults could lounge poolside—especially at the serene white-sand beaches—and soak up the Arizona sun.
Accommodations at the Scottsdale Princess Resort: Comfort & Variety
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess offers an impressive range of accommodations to suit every need—from cozy guest rooms to lavish private villas.
| Type | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Fairmont Rooms | ~525 sq ft with one king or two queen beds, mini-fridge, espresso maker; views of gardens or Princess Plaza |
| Fairmont View / Deluxe View Rooms | Similar size, with golf course or pool views, plus upgraded features like oversized showers, dual vanities, and plantation shutters |
| Fairmont Gold Suites | ~600 sq ft junior suites with lounge access, complimentary breakfast, happy hour hors d’oeuvres, spa access, patio/balcony, tub and shower |
| Privado Villas | Ultra-luxurious enclave with private villas, exclusive pool, separate check-in, dedicated concierge, and sweeping views of the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course |
| Premium Suites | Ranging up to ~2,600+ sq ft, these suites include multiple bedrooms, parlor areas, dining spaces, wet bars, fireplaces, and scenic views |
Culinary Highlights at the Princess Scottsdale Resort: Dining Options Onsite
Here’s a curated list of standout dining venues—so every meal is a memorable moment:
In-Room Dining – Full-service dining delivered to your room any time—from breakfast to late-night snacks—crafted with local and global flair.
Bourbon Steak – An AAA Four Diamond steakhouse by Chef Michael Mina, renowned for filet mignon, tuna tartare, Alaskan king crab, and rich sides like black truffle mac & cheese.
La Hacienda – Voted Arizona’s top Mexican restaurant. Known for its modern twist on traditional dishes, tableside guacamole, tequila bar, and vibrant atmosphere.
Toro Scottsdale – A South American–inspired venue by Chef Richard Sandoval offering bold, flavorful dining experiences.
Ironwood American Kitchen – Light, casual bistro serving fresh, farm-to-table fare with Arizona-grown ingredients like citrus, heritage grains, and pasture-raised meats.
The Plaza Bar – Chic bar atmosphere with craft cocktails, beer, wine, fire pits, and fine cigars—perfect for evening relaxation.
Princess Pool & Bar – Convenient poolside cafe offering sandwiches, burgers, salads, soft drinks, cocktails, and frozen beverages.
Every Saturday night at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort, they offer a dive-in movie with a fireworks display immediately following. This was a ton of fun for the kids, and made for an easy and relaxing night for the adults.
Additional Guest Amenities
- Spa & Wellness – Alongside treatments, enjoy aromatherapy inhalation rooms, specialty fitness classes, and private cabana access/
- Golf – Nearby championship golf on TPC Scottsdale courses—accessible and scenic.
- Pet-Friendly – The resort welcomes dogs through the “Pupcierge” program with amenities and scenic walking paths.
- A magical Christmastime event during the holiday season. In fact, this hotel is on my list of the most magical Christmas hotels in the U.S.
The only downside I’ve found at the Princess Scottsdale Resort is the cost. Like most Fairmont resorts, it’s definitely on the pricey side. We stayed here right when things were starting to re-open after covid. Lucky for us, there were some stellar deals like 50% off rooms and dining credits during our stay. Since staying there, I get regular offers sent to my inbox for this Scottsdale family resort, so I know there are still deals periodically, but you just have to watch for them. I know I will be.
If you are looking for other resorts for your next Arizona family vacation, check out my other blog posts where I list the Arizona family resorts with the best pools, a complete list of other amazing hotels for families in Scottsdale, along with this list of the best family resorts in Phoenix. Check out this weekend trip packing list to make that task easier as well.
This blog post contains affiliate links that may result in me getting paid commissions at no extra charge to you.
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Jaime
Thanks for reading my post. My name is Jaime and I am a mom to three busy children. When we're not at the soccer and football fields, we try to get away as often as possible. I'm a teacher and my husband is a firefighter, so we mostly get away for long weekends or over the school breaks. I hope to inspire busy families to take time to recoup and relax while making memories on camping trips or cruise ships, or at the fancy resort pool--we love it all! Follow me on Instagram for real-time inspiration.
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