What it’s like to stay at one of the cheapest luxury resorts in the United States

It’s usually for my four-year-old son Jimmy that I pull out the stain stick, but on my family’s flight to Arizona, the stain stick went straight to my husband, who juggled with “Bluey” on an iPad with a cup of coffee. After all, traveling early in the morning with a toddler is hard work. We were on our way to the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale in Troon North, where all was quickly forgotten when we discovered amenities like free, DIY laundry stations scattered across the 40-acre property.

At this hotel, one of the least expensive Four Seasons in the country, these laundry stations blend artfully with the 212 single- and double-story Adobe-style casitas that instantly provide a sense of place and calm. While other Four Seasons I’ve stayed at have been located downtown and several floors higher, the rooms and suites here have a still luxurious but much more relaxed vibe.

The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North is nestled in the foothills of Pinnacle Peak, visible from many rooms and while walking the grounds. There’s no noise or light pollution, making it feel like an oasis just an hour’s drive from the Phoenix airport.

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From nature to fitness to arts and crafts, there’s fun for all ages at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale in Troon North.

When we arrived, the staff told us about free guided stargazing with an astronomer and explained that the daily list of free or low-cost activities for all ages was in the lobby and a copy was located also in our room.

I was interested in $10 yoga, while my husband prepared for the morning guided hikes. For my four-year-old, there was the Kids For All Seasons kids’ club, where free arts and crafts are offered, as well as several rooms with activities for all ages. He enjoyed the costume collection and diverse selection of Barbies while doing his best Ryan Gosling impression. For older children, there are air hockey and video game rooms for platforms like Nintendo, Xbox and PlayStation.

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The walking trails at this Four Seasons Resort are very suitable for families and children.

Even with a $47 daily resort fee (which includes a shuttle to the Troon North Golf Club, use of the driving range, tennis and pickleball clubs), the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North still shows up as one of the least expensive of the brand. expensive American hotels. This summer, rates are as low as $369 per night.

I loved the resort’s paved path which creates a mini “hiking” trail for young children, and the gardens are fun to explore for otherworldly flora and fauna compared to our home on the East Coast. My son loved seeing blooming cacti, curious quail, and crawling lizards.

Sip and soak in the sun at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale in Troon North

One of the main draws of this Four Seasons is its four pools, all shallow enough for babies or toddlers to just start to get their sea legs. Even with pool noodles and floats and lots of families with kids, the peace and quiet of the desert meant it was relaxing to relax and soak up the sun after a cold spring for us Bostonians.

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Thoughtful touches included free swim diapers in the restroom and a small stand to purchase supplies (like children’s glasses) that might have been left at home.

The resort’s casual restaurant is perfect for little ones with a big appetite

Four Seasons’ hallmark is providing a sense of place and it doesn’t stop at aesthetics. In addition to the estate’s fragrant floriculture, carefully placed smokehouses exude a decidedly Southwestern aroma. This extends to Proof, the resort’s casual restaurant, where the signature dishes are barbecue. The wet wipes were just as helpful for my husband as they were for my son, and we enjoyed some slow-smoked ribs.

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There’s a kids’ menu with staples like grilled cheese and chicken fingers, and every time we were seated, my son was given kid-sized pencils and cutlery. We were also impressed with the attention to detail when it came to food allergies. The chef came to personally reassure us during a busy breakfast about the safety of the gargantuan-sized pancakes and waffles.

Small touches add up to a bigger picture

The “little” surprises added up to a greater sense of fun for all of us. At Proof, there’s a fun “candy bar” at the bar, where treats like jelly beans and rock candy lollipops cost $3 a pound.

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The staff asked my son to give him bubbles and stuffed animals right after checking in, and there was a child-sized bathrobe and slippers in our room. In every common area there was someone offering us free bottles of iced water, and as an early riser, I loved the free coffee station from 5:00-7:00 with delicious muffins.

Enjoy a room with a view, and more

We’re more of a family that wants to get out and explore rather than spend a lot of time in a hotel room, but lounging in the 500 square feet of the first casita was pretty tempting. The room category typically costs just $20 to upgrade from the resort’s “smallest” 480-square-foot room, and the former includes a neat outdoor patio with a TV. But even my son wasn’t tempted to turn it on and instead chose to watch the birds, rabbits and lizards.

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We loved that the spacious bathroom included a toddler tub and that a gas fireplace was standard in every room (not just in upgraded accommodations, as would be the case in most hotels) . Although my son slept with us in the king bed, the sofa bed was very comfortable and we could easily have stayed here with two children.

There is plenty to explore further from the resort

Arizona is known as a golfer’s paradise, but we had fun pursuing other activities unique to the area at the Phoenix Desert Botanical Garden, where we did light hikes and marveled at cacti of all shapes and sizes. From late April to June these beauties bloom and we’ve spotted hundreds of splashes of color. There were even more hues at the butterfly pavilion, where my son gasped at the pollinators flying just inches from us.

Later, at the free-entry McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, we rode around in an authentic Pullman car and marveled at the sights of the mavericks who founded the Southwest. In addition to several playgrounds, we enjoyed the huge indoor model trains and the carousel and toy steam train rides (ride tickets are only $2.50 or $3). Luckily, traveling is faster than a train these days, and we’ve already talked about taking a round trip to Arizona, including to revisit one of the most affordable Four Seasons resorts in the country.

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