Phoenix, Scottsdale & The Valley of the Sun
With a sushi bar, spa, and second-story swimming pool that has windows above the hotel's entry, the W Scottsdale, 7277 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale (tel. 888/625-4988 or 480/970-2100; www.whotels.com) is downtown Scottsdale's new hot spot for trend-setters and fashionistas. If, on the other hand, you're looking for old-world sophistication, check out the new InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa, 4949 E. Lincoln Dr., Paradise Valley (tel. 888/424-6835 or 480/627-3200; www.montelucia.com), which was scheduled to open in November, 2008. This sprawling resort has great views of nearby Camelback Mountain.
The Camelback Inn, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa, 5402 E. Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale (tel. 800/24-CAMEL or 480/948-1700; www.camelbackinn.com), long one of Scottsdale's top resorts, has finally finished its $50 million renovation. You'll find a new entrance, lobby, bar, and a big new courtyard complete with waterfalls and fire features.
On the Scottsdale/Phoenix restaurant scene, local restaurateur Peter Kasperski, owner of Cowboy Ciao, Sea Saw, and Digestif is set to open a Mexican restaurant, Mexican Standoff, in the SouthBridge development. Eddie Matney, long one of the Phoenix area's top chefs, also has a new Scottsdale restaurant called Eddie's House, 7042 E. Indian School Rd. (tel. 480/946-1622; www.eddieshouseaz.com). The menu, as at Matney's past restaurants, is a melange of Mediterranean dishes and familiar comfort foods with quite a bit of fun fusion dishes thrown into the mix. If you're shopping up in north Scottsdale and suddenly get a craving for pizza, check out the outstanding pies at Humble Pie, 6149 N. Scottsdale Rd. (tel. 480/556-9900; www.humblepieusa.com). If you want to listen to some sultry jazz with your dinner, don't miss Scottsdale's Vocé Ristorante & Lounge, 9719 N. Hayden Rd. (tel. 480/609-0429; www.voceristoranteandlounge.com), where local chanteuse Khane Cole performs. Way out on the east side of the valley, in the city of Gilbert, Joe's Farm Grill, 3000 E. Ray Rd. (tel. 480/563-4745; www.joesfarmgrill.com), which is pretty much my favorite place in the valley for a burger, is now open for breakfast daily from 7 to 11am. On the flip side, Dish, a combination restaurant and gourmet market in north Scottsdale, has gone out of business.
From November 22, 2008, through May 31, 2009, the Desert Botanical Garden, 1201 N. Galvin Pkwy. (tel. 480/941-1225; www.dbg.org) will be presenting "Chihuly: The Nature of Glass," an exhibition of art glass by world-renowned "artist" Dale Chihuly. The artist's colorful and contorted works of art-glass will be tucked amid the cacti and succulents on the grounds of the botanical garden. This show is expected to be so popular that reservations are being taken for admission to the garden while the show is up. You can make reservations at the Desert Botanical Garden website.
If you've been thinking about catching a show at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale (tel. 480/994-2787; www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org), you should be aware that the center is undergoing a major renovation and most of its shows will be held at other venues around the valley. If you've got tickets to a show, be sure to check where the performance will be held.
Central Arizona
A friend visiting Prescott came home raving about Maya Mexican Restaurant, 512 S. Montezuma St. (tel. 928/776-8903), an inexpensive little place that makes its own limeade and serves some unusual tacos, including tacos made with cactus strips and either fish, potatoes, or eggplant.
The Gallery on Oak Creek restaurant has changed names. It's now called Hundred Rox and features an upscale California-Italian menu. You'll find Hundred Rox at the Amara Resort and Spa, 310 N. Hwy. 89A (tel. 866/455-6610 or 928/282-4828; www.amararesort.com).
Northern Arizona
Horizon Airlines (tel. 800/252-7522; www.alaskaair.com) now flies between Los Angeles and Flagstaff, which makes getting to the Grand Canyon from the West Coast a lot easier. Now you don't have to fly in to Phoenix or Las Vegas.
In the summer of 2008, Grand Canyon National Park operated a shuttle between the park's Grand Canyon Village, on the South Rim, and the nearby community of Tusayan. This pilot shuttle bus was such a success that the test program was extended beyond its original schedule. If canyon visitors are lucky, the shuttle will be operating again in 2009. By riding the shuttle from Tusayan, you can avoid parking problems within the park. Be sure to check the park website to see if the shuttle will be operating when you visit. Also, as a reminder, Hermit Road and the Rim Trail, both of which head west along from Grand Canyon Village, will be closed until at least November 2008.
Tucson
Serving modern comfort food, Jax Kitchen, 7286 N. Oracle Rd. (tel. 520/219-1235; www.jaxkitchen.com), is a tiny new restaurant that has quickly developed a loyal following for its succulent grilled whole chicken. If you're a fan of traditional western art, which is also known as cowboy art, then don't miss A Place of Refuge: Maynard Dixon's Arizona at the Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave. (tel. 520/624-2333; www.tucsonmuseumofart.org). The show, which runs from October 11, 2008, through February 15, 2009, features the work of famed western artist Maynard Dixon, who made his winter home in Tucson.
Southern Arizona
There are two new wineries worth checking out near the community of Elgin in southern Arizona. Canelo Hills Vineyard & Winery, 342 Elgin Rd., Elgin (tel. 520/455-5499; www.canelohillswinery.com) is located 7.5 miles southeast of Sonoita next door to Callaghan Vineyards. Canelo Hills is open for wine tastings Friday through Sunday from 11am to 4pm. A little farther along the same road, you'll find Kief-Joshua Vineyards, 370 Elgin Rd., Elgin (tel. 520/455-5582; www.kiefjoshuavineyards.com), which is open daily from 11am to 5pm. Also, note that Gathering Grounds, 319 McKeown Ave., Patagonia (tel. 520/394-2097; www.mygatheringgrounds.com), now serves sandwiches at lunch and is open for dinner Thursday through Sunday from 6 to 8pm. If you're looking for someplace to stay in this area, try the Spirit Tree Inn B&B, 3 Harshaw Creek Rd., Patagonia (tel. 866/394-0121 or 520/394-0121; www.spirittreeinn.com), which is in a beautiful rural setting outside of town.
Western Arizona
The Agave Inn, the hippest hotel in Lake Havasu City, has changed its name to Heat Hotel, 1420 McCulloch Blvd. (tel. 888/898-HEAT; www.heathotel.com) and has added a bar with a patio overlooking the London Bridge. There are also six large, new suites.