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Marriott Scottsdale McDowell Mountains, AZ [Master Thread]

Old Apr 2, 2019, 11:19 am
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Marriott Scottsdale McDowell Mountains, AZ [Master Thread]

Old Apr 1, 2019, 6:46 pm
  #1  
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Marriott Scottsdale McDowell Mountains, AZ [Master Thread]

Anyone have any recent stays here or feedback. Wife and myself are heading to Phoenix in August just to relax and play a few games of golf. A few reasons why this place caught my eye - price; NO RESORT FEES ; NO PARKING FEES ; very close to a few nice courses; a little pool to cool off in...........seems decent enough to relax. I know it's not high end but we are fine with that.
Just don't see too much about this place. I know, I know it is super hot there in August but we don't mind the heat. I also am aware that prices are substantially less that time of year so wondering if it would be worthwhile to just hang tough and book something later. I just don't know how much cheaper they get. This place is at $133 USD right now pre-paid......Not sure if I should just pull the trigger now or wait.
I don't care if some of the higher end places drop to a reasonable price - I'm sick of paying a $40 daily resort fee with another $20 to park my rental car each night!!! Sick of it.
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Old Apr 1, 2019, 7:20 pm
  #2  
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I suspect that $133 prepaid far in advance is not so good for the PHX area in summer. Look at the Sheraton and Westin in downtown Phoenix (both with lounges if you're Bonvoy Plat+), IIRC an aloft at Tempe/PHX airport and maybe a FourPoints and airport Sheraton too. Scottsdale has a W close to downtown and the iconic Phoenician, including Canyon Suites (LC), which are very nice. Of course, the resort and parking fees are an issue, but last summer I had Andaz (Hyatt) Scottsdale resort for less than this on a Virtuoso rate with no additional fees and some nice amenities included. I've also had the W, Sheraton downtown, and Canyon Suites for very good rates. Look also at the K Pass, although I don't know it; it might be a vacation property.
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Old Apr 1, 2019, 7:33 pm
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Thanks for the feedback!! Maybe I will just hang tough for a bit. No rush but I do like the location - not so worried about lounge access. If I was in Asia then yes, lounge access would be important.
This place really isnt a full resort but definitely has some of the feel and aspects. Having a balcony is key too if possible.
I see a few nice places downtown that you mentioned but that might not be convenient for golf and I honestly have no problem giving my business that isnt nickel and dining for resort fees and parking....... not yet anyway .... unless some really smoking rates show up in the summer for some of the higher end properties....Ill keep an eye on this Marriott I think. Right on the golf course and near all the Snotsdale shopping and restaurants . The only pain is our flight out is early so well have to be up in the middle of the night to get there and drop off the car at the rental building!
Forgot to mention - been a long time but we stayed at the Sheraton Wildhorse about 11 years ago. Really like it a lot - Fantastic food; casino close by; nice spa and golf course on property!
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Old Apr 1, 2019, 7:37 pm
  #4  
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Can you check out and return the car a day earlier, then spend the last night at an airport hotel with free shuttle service?

Also, you might want to take the Marriott now on a *refundable* rate in case nothing better appears.
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Old Apr 1, 2019, 8:29 pm
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Me, I would prepay and lock in that rate. I used to stay here a LOT on business, and found it to be a pretty nice place. It does have a bit of a resort feel, and since there is no lounge the breakfast is complimentary in the restaurant. It's definitely close to several nice golf courses. Could you save a few bucks by waiting to see if rates come down? Maybe, but then again they could also go up. $133 (with no parking or resort fees) is a good enough deal to me that I would be happy with it, and enjoy the no-stress from now 'til August rather than constantly checking rates.
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Old Apr 2, 2019, 12:08 am
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Originally Posted by Bravada04
I know, I know it is super hot there in August but we don't mind the heat.
I haven't stayed there, but my dentist's chair has a nice view of the property. Unlikely they will charge more than $133 in August. BTW August isn't super-hot like June, but can be steamy from the monsoon.
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Old Apr 2, 2019, 5:26 am
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Originally Posted by DJ_Iceman
Me, I would prepay and lock in that rate. I used to stay here a LOT on business, and found it to be a pretty nice place. It does have a bit of a resort feel, and since there is no lounge the breakfast is complimentary in the restaurant. It's definitely close to several nice golf courses. Could you save a few bucks by waiting to see if rates come down? Maybe, but then again they could also go up. $133 (with no parking or resort fees) is a good enough deal to me that I would be happy with it, and enjoy the no-stress from now 'til August rather than constantly checking rates.
Some good points to simply lock it in and not worry about saving a few bucks more! I would love to just take Uber/Lyft from the airport and then just grab a rental car from one of the agencies close by.......only problem is I'm arriving on a Saturday at noon and all those suburban agencies close at noon or 1:00 p.m. on the weekend. I could have just dropped it off on the next Thursday and grabbed a Lyft back to the airport on Friday morning.
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Old Apr 2, 2019, 8:29 am
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The PHX rental car center is a complete pain. It literally adds at least 45+ minutes to any departure or arrival. They are in the process of building a tram, which I believe is three years from completion. I've had a couple stays in Scottsdale this winter and both of my flights out were around 11:00 am, so I had plenty of time to deal with it.

I did just play at TPC-Champions, which is next to the Marriott (looked like a nice property) and was amazed with the number of small planes landing at Scottsdale Airport while we played. I would guess there were 60+. The course was in very good shape. Another nearby that we played that I thought was in great condition was Silverado.

Personally I don't care for prepaid rates, but if you like the rate and enjoy the property, book it. Have fun!
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Old Apr 2, 2019, 8:40 am
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Good to hear.......plan on playing the Champions Course for sure and gonna look at Grayhawk as I have heard good things!

Well, it looks like I will have to suck it up with the rental facility at the airport......not a big deal arriving but our flight is out first thing in the morning when we leave. It will probably be tough trying to find an Uber/Lyft that will fit two sets of golf bags and two suitcases!
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Old Apr 2, 2019, 8:55 am
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Originally Posted by Bravada04
Good to hear.......plan on playing the Champions Course for sure and gonna look at Grayhawk as I have heard good things!

Well, it looks like I will have to suck it up with the rental facility at the airport......not a big deal arriving but our flight is out first thing in the morning when we leave. It will probably be tough trying to find an Uber/Lyft that will fit two sets of golf bags and two suitcases!
As I suggested upthread, consider spending your last night in an airport hotel with free shuttle service, in which case you would return the rental car the evening before your departure.
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Old Apr 2, 2019, 9:50 am
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Bear in mind that this Marriott is located in the no-man's land of Scottsdale between the CAP Canal and the Pima Freeway.

It isn't in North Scottsdale's rural desert, and it is cut off from the central Scottsdale neighborhoods by the knot of the airpark, and it is a good ten to fifteen minute drive minimum south to old town Scottsdale. It is surrounded by small corporate office buildings and apartments for transient white-collar and H-1B workers. It is not really walking distance to anything, as you would need to cross Frank Lloyd Wright to get to the nearest restaurants. Finally, it is right under the flight path for the Scottsdale Airport.

So unlike most central Scottsdale or old town places, it is difficult to walk or bike to good local places to eat or drink, and there are no horse paths in that portion of the city next to the freeway.
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Old Apr 2, 2019, 11:38 am
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Originally Posted by Bravada04
Some good points to simply lock it in and not worry about saving a few bucks more! I would love to just take Uber/Lyft from the airport and then just grab a rental car from one of the agencies close by.......only problem is I'm arriving on a Saturday at noon and all those suburban agencies close at noon or 1:00 p.m. on the weekend. I could have just dropped it off on the next Thursday and grabbed a Lyft back to the airport on Friday morning.
Check Enterprise on McDowell Rd around 48 the street in PHX. I have taken a Marriott shuttle to two Marriotts at the airport and then have them pick me up ! May take some time. Short taxi ride so cabbies get crabby ! Check summer hours.
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Old Apr 2, 2019, 5:08 pm
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Originally Posted by Bravada04
Good to hear.......plan on playing the Champions Course for sure and gonna look at Grayhawk as I have heard good things!

Well, it looks like I will have to suck it up with the rental facility at the airport......not a big deal arriving but our flight is out first thing in the morning when we leave. It will probably be tough trying to find an Uber/Lyft that will fit two sets of golf bags and two suitcases!
We have the same issue with clubs and luggage. I was solo the first trip but my wife was with me on the second and it was a long trip for us (NY>FL>AZ>NY) so we were loaded to the gills. I did drop her of at the skycap area and was able to get the bags checked (on WN) and then dropped the car off. I'm amazed by the number of people that head to the rental car facility with all of their luggage and the others they are traveling with. It's hard enough to navigate through that place and on to the shuttle with minimal luggage alone.

Another course that came up on my radar, but we never made it out to was Quintero Golf Club. It's a bit of a hike and the greens fees are in the high range, but I did find some discounted tee times there. Looks like an awesome layout.
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Old Apr 2, 2019, 7:23 pm
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Have stayed here multiple times - Wilbur's location points are all valid things to think about based on your needs for your needs.

For rooms, then I have had mixed success with upgrades - sometimes nothing, but for my last stay I was a choice of rooms that either had a balcony or a patio area. The hotel is certainly a lot less grand than the Westin Kierland, JW Marriott & Phoenician, but based on your needs and aversion to resort fees in your second post, you have accurately summed up the hotel along what it can and can't offer.

I have played golf a number of times from here, and one of the benefits of the location is for golf,courses, either locally in North Scottsdale or further afield as it's very close to the 101.Can highly recommend a few of the courses mentioned, particularly during the summer when very good tracks are very affordable and uncrowded - Quintero (well worth the drive), Grayhawk, Wildfire, Troon North, TPC Scottsdale, Desert Canyon, WeKoPa are some of the notables, but there are also a lot of mid-range courses within easy commute like Orangetree, Rancho Marana, Dove Valley, McDowell Mountain

Please let me know if you have any other questions!
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Old Aug 31, 2019, 1:24 pm
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Just got back from our stay here.........I ended up locking in an even cheaper BRG rate that I luckily found. Had Super Shuttle drop us off and pick us up for the airport - worked like a charm and didn't have to worry about space for golf clubs and suitcases etc., Ended up renting from Hertz on North Hayden Drive I believe it was. Hotel shuttle took us there and then Hertz said they are associated with the Scottsdale Marriott and just leave the car there when finished - they will give us a call and we will pick it up! That worked out fantastic - I didn't realize but he also said if they would have known they would have dropped the car off for us when we arrived.

A few great employees on site such as Charles & Garrett ( Bell men and shuttle drivers ) , Summer in the Agave restaurant was great too. I had received two emails from the hotel prior to arrival from two different people and requested any type of upgrade or even a balcony I would be happy with as we enjoy sitting outside at night having a drink or two...arrived with really no recognition and then I asked if our room had a balcony or patio and she said "No". So....... I asked again if it would be possible and she looked at a few things and said yeah no problem?? Drives me nuts when the place is not fully booked this time of year and no upgrade offered and I have to ask for something especially after communication with the hotel.

Hotel is dated and you can see it in a few areas such as the elevators and areas where it looks like it already has 10 coats of paint on it! We liked our room. It had a nice view and plenty of large enough with a small fridge which really came in handy. The only negative was it was 40+ degrees each day and our AC barely and I mean barely kept the room slightly cool. We couldn't sleep with any covers as the room was too hot!!!!

Breakfast was offered as a PLAT and it was just fine with good service. You could order off the menu which was excellent. We ate at Agave twice and it was o.k. - not a very large menu the food was average to good.

Would we stay here again. Yes, because the price was right, we had a balcony, it is very convenient to restaurants and golf and MOST IMPORTANTLY - they received our business because they DO NOT CHARGE A RESORT FEE OR PARKING FEES!!!! Each and every hotel moving forward will get my business because of that. I am tired of the scam charges and this hotel is not one of them!

We had a great vacation in the heat - and it was hot. Played 3 games of golf - one of which was on the TPC course that the hotel is on. Great course in excellent condition this time of year. We also played The Boulders and then drove out to Maricopa and played Ak-Chin Southern Dunes.
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