Review: W Scottsdale

Old Town Scottsdale is a destination for many partygoers, both young and old. The W Scottsdale has been on the scene since 2011, right in the heart of Old Town’s club district. While the W brand isn’t typically my go-to in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, this hotel has a soft spot in my heart from my younger days in Scottsdale. Let’s check out what staying here as a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum is like.

Location, Location, Location

The W Scottsdale is situated in the middle of Scottsdale's biggest club and bar district. If you're visiting for a bachelor or bachelorette party, or if nightlife is high on your list, this hotel couldn't be more convenient. Dozens of bars, clubs, and restaurants are just steps away, such as the popular Hi-Fi, Maya Nightclub, and Bottled Blonde—no Uber needed. It’s the ultimate "walk out and have fun" type of property, perfect for weekend trips and party-goers.

Parking at the W Scottsdale

The W Scottsdale offers both valet and self-parking options. Valet is $40 per night, and self-parking is $30 per night. I’ll note that self-parking is located across the street at an office complex, and the hotel only has ten spots available. Several other garages in the area offer lower nightly rates.

Check-In

The hotel’s lobby, known as the Living Room, takes up most of the ground floor and is where you’ll find a traditional check-in desk. It’s a stylish spot with a bar open in the afternoons and evenings with craft cocktails, but during the daytime, the space feels surprisingly dark, especially given Scottsdale’s sunny climate.

The W Scottsdale has its branding down.

There’s a restaurant space on the ground floor as well, but that’s currently under construction for a new tenant. Sushi Roku used to be in this space and was one of my favorite happy hours in the Valley.

Believe it or not, this property does not charge a resort fee or destination fee. This is great for all guests, but especially Marriott Bonvoy members, as resort fees aren’t waived on award stays like competitors Hilton or Hyatt.

Room rates can vary greatly on the time of year at the W Scottsdale. During the hot summers, rates dip below $200 per night, but in the busy winter and spring, expect rooms above $500 a night.

W Scottsdale Room Review

We stayed in room 550, and if you’re familiar with the W brand, the style will feel familiar—modern, playful, and a little cheeky. However, our room at the W Scottsdale felt a bit underwhelming. With two queen beds and a compact layout, it might feel tight for anyone sharing.

The bathroom features a frosted-glass sliding door and a shower wall that opens toward the room—not exactly ideal for privacy, but that’s not what the brand is going for. There's even a fun design element to drive this home: a playful sketch of a person holding a camera on the shower wall. For the most uptight of guests, this might be off-putting. For me, I thought the touch was funny!

On the plus side, rooms come with thoughtful amenities like a Nespresso machine, a well-stocked (though pricey) minibar, and premium toiletries from Davines. The view from our room overlooked Camelback Mountain—if you stay here, try to secure this same view to reduce noise from the club district on the other side of the building.

Food & Drink

With one restaurant closed for re-imagining, there are still two full-service restaurants on property. Right next to the pool, you'll find the Cottontail Lounge, which doubles as a pool bar and lounge space. This spot has both indoor and outdoor seating, making it a great place to unwind while enjoying Scottsdale’s sunny weather.

This space was clearly designed with social media in mind, and I liked the rabbit design notes throughout. If you’ve spent any time in the desert, you know we have a ton of these little guys, so it was a fun local touch. I had the Japanese chicken sandwich, and was decently tasty, but a bit pricey at $18.

Donabe, the Japanese steakhouse, is also located on the pool deck. You’ll find sushi and steak inside, and as you can tell from the video above, it’s a small space.

W Scottsdale Pool and Spa

At its core, the W Scottsdale’s Wet Deck is the focal point of the property. This area becomes the heartbeat of the resort during peak times like the Phoenix Open and even the Super Bowl. The pool scene is lively, with DJs, cabanas, and plenty of spots to soak up the sun on busy days. During my visit, the pool was quiet.

An interesting touch: skylights in the valet area below offer an upward view directly into the pool. It’s a quirky element that mirrors the playful, cheeky style you can expect at a W property.

There’s the Bliss Spa located on the ground floor as well. To me, seeing so many resort spas around the world regularly, this seemed small and more focused on retail, but treatments are possible if staying at the W.

W Scottsdale Fitness Center

There’s a small fitness center right next to the pool as well. While it’s stocked with quality cardio machines, free weights, and even complimentary bottled water, the space itself leaves a little to be desired. There’s pump-up music playing, but the gym didn’t quite live up to expectations. However, it gets the job done if you're trying to squeeze in a quick workout.

W Scottsdale Business Center

There are a few meeting spaces on the ground floor for the business traveler and a small space to print out necessities while on site. Much of this space might be used by residents in the building- yes, folks own property above nightclubs in Scottsdale at the W Residences.

Surrounding Scottsdale Area

The W Scottsdale is supremely located for all of the Scottsdale area’s best activities. Nightclubs on the block, hundreds of golf courses close by, and amazing dining await guests at the W Scottsdale.

I’d recommend checking out some of the antique stores in Old Town, which still retains a lot of its original charm. The shops are located just a few blocks away to the west.

Marriott Bonvoy Elite Recognition

Since this isn’t technically a resort, Marriott Platinums and above receive a 4 p.m. late check-out on property. You are also able to select free breakfast for two at the Cottontail Lounge as your welcome amenity.

I received a small upgrade to a Camelback view room, but there are suites on property that I’ve been upgraded to on past visits.

Final Thoughts: Is the W Scottsdale for You?

The W Scottsdale is a trendy, high-energy hotel that caters to a specific crowd. If you’re looking for a quiet, relaxing retreat, this might not be the best fit—it’s loud, social, and in the middle of all the nightlife action. However, for visitors flying into Phoenix for a lively weekend, a bachelorette party, or events like the Phoenix Open, this hotel puts you at the center of it all.

With its rooftop pool parties, unbeatable location near Old Town’s bars, and stylish vibe, the W Scottsdale excels as a destination for those who want to mix luxury with a good time. Just be prepared for compact rooms and a bit of noise.

Would you stay at the W Scottsdale, or is there another Scottsdale hotel you’d recommend for a getaway? Let me know in the comments!