The DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Paradise Valley – Scottsdale is a very large property with a distinctly desert Southwest flavor that makes it feel warm and welcoming. There are many things to like about it, as well as a few drawbacks depending on the reason for your visit.
I LIKED:
My room. It was a spacious King room with a patio facing a section of lawn, and a combination living/sleeping area of 19 X 13.5 feet, over 250 square feet. High ceilings with exposed beams made it feel even larger and enhanced the feel of being “out West.”
At first glance, the room seemed set up exclusively for leisure travelers. There is a nice, round table but no work station or task chairs, and the power outlets needed to charge all the gadgets we carry today were mounted inconspicuously in the bedposts: convenient to the night stands but not the table/work area.
In-room amenities include a large flat-screen TV, coffee and tea service, a small refrigerator, and a generous closet with a safe, and iron and board … but no bedside clock. I’m actually seeing that more and more, I suppose because our phones all have clock functionality, but I’m old-school enough to want an actual clock I can see in the middle of the night.
The bathroom was well-equipped with the amenities we expect, if a bit on the small side. One hiccup, though, was that the pipe that held the shower head was pointed toward the wall instead of straight ahead, spraying most of the water on the wall, making it difficult to get wet all over, and then rinse.
Complimentary on-site parking. Need I say more?
I DIDN’T LIKE:
The property’s layout. Two-story buildings with guest rooms line the perimeter of the property, are close to parking and are easy to find. Many others, however, are in smaller groupings inside the “quad” area. These are harder to find and require a long walk from any of the parking lots.
Ongoing construction. Large sections of the property are undergoing renovation and detours force guests to take lengthy detours, often through corridors created by draping tarps over cyclone fencing. Not really a “resort experience.”
The “resort charge”. The hotel’s web site says the resort charge that covers “Guest internet access; two bottled waters; valet parking; 24 hour access to fitness center; access to tennis and basketball courts; dessert with restaurant entree purchase; $10 off golf; $15 off spa; $15 off select off-site activities; local/toll-free calls.”
Most decent hotels offer internet access and use of a fitness center without additional charge. Most of us carry our cell phones so use of a land line is of limited value. Specific to my stay, I was not offered “dessert with restaurant entrée purchase,” and I got one bottled water based on my Hilton Honors status level, so I derived very little value from the resort charge.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
I LIKED:
My room. It was a spacious King room with a patio facing a section of lawn, and a combination living/sleeping area of 19 X 13.5 feet, over 250 square feet. High ceilings with exposed beams made it feel even larger and enhanced the feel of being “out West.”
 |
| Comfy King bed |
At first glance, the room seemed set up exclusively for leisure travelers. There is a nice, round table but no work station or task chairs, and the power outlets needed to charge all the gadgets we carry today were mounted inconspicuously in the bedposts: convenient to the night stands but not the table/work area.
 |
| Sitting area and sliding doors that lead to the patio |
In-room amenities include a large flat-screen TV, coffee and tea service, a small refrigerator, and a generous closet with a safe, and iron and board … but no bedside clock. I’m actually seeing that more and more, I suppose because our phones all have clock functionality, but I’m old-school enough to want an actual clock I can see in the middle of the night.
The bathroom was well-equipped with the amenities we expect, if a bit on the small side. One hiccup, though, was that the pipe that held the shower head was pointed toward the wall instead of straight ahead, spraying most of the water on the wall, making it difficult to get wet all over, and then rinse.
Complimentary on-site parking. Need I say more?
I DIDN’T LIKE:
The property’s layout. Two-story buildings with guest rooms line the perimeter of the property, are close to parking and are easy to find. Many others, however, are in smaller groupings inside the “quad” area. These are harder to find and require a long walk from any of the parking lots.
 |
| Source: Hilton Hotels |
Ongoing construction. Large sections of the property are undergoing renovation and detours force guests to take lengthy detours, often through corridors created by draping tarps over cyclone fencing. Not really a “resort experience.”
The “resort charge”. The hotel’s web site says the resort charge that covers “Guest internet access; two bottled waters; valet parking; 24 hour access to fitness center; access to tennis and basketball courts; dessert with restaurant entree purchase; $10 off golf; $15 off spa; $15 off select off-site activities; local/toll-free calls.”
Most decent hotels offer internet access and use of a fitness center without additional charge. Most of us carry our cell phones so use of a land line is of limited value. Specific to my stay, I was not offered “dessert with restaurant entrée purchase,” and I got one bottled water based on my Hilton Honors status level, so I derived very little value from the resort charge.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
No matter how nice a hotel’s property is, personnel can make a difference, for better or for worse. But well into the 21st century, technology has reduced the number of personal interactions, and it’s now possible to check in, get into your room, check out at the end of your stay, and get your bill, all without ever talking to a human being.
I only had interactions with four people: Patti, who texted me after I checked in online; a front-desk clerk; a room service attendant; and my server at breakfast. All were polite and efficient, and made me feel like a valued guest, so high marks there.
While resorts are designed so that guests can partake of a variety of activities and dining options and therefore never need to go off-property, this DoubleTree is a mile from Old Town Scottsdale and Fashion Square Mall, and offers a complimentary shuttle that will take guests up to two miles away.
I only had interactions with four people: Patti, who texted me after I checked in online; a front-desk clerk; a room service attendant; and my server at breakfast. All were polite and efficient, and made me feel like a valued guest, so high marks there.
While resorts are designed so that guests can partake of a variety of activities and dining options and therefore never need to go off-property, this DoubleTree is a mile from Old Town Scottsdale and Fashion Square Mall, and offers a complimentary shuttle that will take guests up to two miles away.
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Photos by Carl Dombek
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