Scottsdale is the kind of place where your days can be as relaxed or as busy as you want them to be. Spend the morning hiking desert trails, book an afternoon tee time, explore Old Town’s restaurants and boutiques, then come back to a private pool or hot tub in the evening.
Our Scottsdale vacation rentals give you the space and comfort to enjoy the trip your way. Stay in modern condos near shopping and nightlife, spacious homes for group getaways, or resort-style properties built for longer stays in the Arizona sun. Many rentals include private pools, outdoor lounges, full kitchens, and easy access to golf courses, spring training games, and local attractions.
Explore the properties below to find the right Scottsdale vacation rental for your stay. Plan a weekend getaway, golf trip, family vacation, or winter escape with homes designed to make your time in Scottsdale feel easy, relaxing, and comfortable.
There’s a version of Scottsdale you might picture before you arrive: golf carts, resort pools, and blazing sunshine. That version is real. But it’s maybe a third of the story.
The full picture is a city that genuinely surprises you, one that moves between polished luxury and barefoot ease without missing a beat. A place where you can hike a rugged desert ridgeline before breakfast, spend the afternoon at a spa that belongs on any best-of-world list, and end the evening at a restaurant with a wine list that would impress a sommelier in Paris. All on the same day. All in the same city.
Scottsdale is Arizona’s most celebrated vacation destination for a reason, actually, for dozens of reasons. And if you’re planning a trip here, the most important thing to know upfront is that the city rewards people who do their homework. The right neighborhood, the right home, the right time of year, they all matter. This guide covers all of it.
Good Life Vacations offers a carefully chosen selection of vacation homes across Scottsdale, from intimate two-bedroom retreats to six-bedroom group homes. No matter what brings you here, we’ll help you find the right base.
Scottsdale is situated approximately 13 miles northeast of Phoenix, in the northeastern corner of Maricopa County, bordered by the McDowell Mountains to the north and the community of Paradise Valley to the west. It covers nearly 185 square miles, one of the largest city footprints in the country and that scale reflects the range of what’s here.
The city’s identity was shaped early by its desert setting and its embrace of the American West. Winfield Scott, an Army chaplain who arrived in the 1880s, recognized the potential of the Salt River Valley and played a key role in introducing early agriculture and settlement to the area. Over the following decades, Scottsdale evolved from a farming community into a resort destination driven in part by its extraordinary climate, in part by artists and architects who recognized the landscape’s beauty, and in part by the postwar boom that brought wealth and development to the American Southwest.
Today, Scottsdale is famous for its 327 days of annual sunshine, 200-plus golf courses, world-class luxury resorts and spas, vibrant Old Town dining and nightlife, Western art galleries, and championship courses designed by legends like Jack Nicklaus and Phil Mickelson. The city has also earned a growing reputation as a culinary destination, one that’s evolving quickly and attracting chefs and restaurant concepts that would feel at home in any major American city.
What makes Scottsdale work as a vacation destination isn’t any single thing. It’s the combination: the landscape, the food and drink culture, the outdoor recreation, the events calendar, the quality of the accommodation options, and the fact that 327 days of sunshine mean almost any time you visit, the weather cooperates.
Understanding Scottsdale’s neighborhoods before you book is genuinely useful. The city stretches a long way north to south, and the experience of staying in Old Town is meaningfully different from staying in North Scottsdale or Central Scottsdale. Here’s what each area is actually like.
Nestled within nine walkable neighborhoods, Old Town Scottsdale offers a unique collection of shops, restaurants, art galleries, and nightclubs, as well as contemporary public art installations, world-class museums, and historic sites from the late 1880s.
This is Scottsdale’s most energetic district and the one most visitors gravitate toward first. Old Town’s walkable neighborhoods are home to more than 100 of the city’s best restaurants, craft cocktail bars, swanky lounges, and high-energy nightclubs are active every night of the week, and especially lively on weekends from November through March.
The Scottsdale Art Walk runs every Thursday evening, drawing visitors through more than 80 galleries in a social, unhurried atmosphere that genuinely reflects the city’s arts culture. The Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is an underrated gem.
For shopping, the Fifth Avenue district in Old Town has a mix of boutiques, art dealers, and Southwestern gifts worth an afternoon. The Scottsdale Waterfront, just east of Old Town along the Arizona Canal, offers a scenic stretch of restaurants, shops, and public art with outdoor seating that comes into its own in the cooler months.
Who it’s best for: Couples, bachelorette and bachelor trips, first-time visitors, guests who prefer walking to driving for evening entertainment.
Browse through GLV properties in or near Old Town
Central Scottsdale is where Scottsdale sheds the tourist energy and settles into something more genuinely livable. The anchor of this area is McCormick Ranch, Scottsdale’s first master-planned community, covering approximately seven square miles with two championship 18-hole golf courses, more than 25 miles of bicycle paths, parks, public tennis courts, and 130 acres of man-made lakes.
Today, more than 27,000 residents live in McCormick Ranch. The two 18-hole courses, the Palm Course and Pine Course, wind through the heart of the community and are parkland-style layouts with mature trees, water features, and views of Camelback Mountain from many points on the course.
Central Scottsdale also puts you close to the Scottsdale Fashion Square, which is the largest upscale shopping center in the American Southwest with over 240 stores, including Louis Vuitton, David Yurman, and Zara, plus a growing number of excellent restaurants and bar options on the property itself.
Who it’s best for: Families, couples who prefer a quieter base, golf-focused guests, guests who want easy access to both Old Town and North Scottsdale without being in either.
Browse through GLV properties in or near Central Scottsdale
Northern Scottsdale is where the city opens up into something more dramatic. The terrain shifts, the McDowell Mountains loom larger, the desert feels more present, and the pace is noticeably calmer. Communities like Grayhawk, Kierland, DC Ranch, and Troon sit among golf courses and desert preserves, offering a luxury residential experience that attracts both long-term residents and visitors who want their stay to feel like a proper retreat.
Northern Scottsdale prioritizes residential tranquility and outdoor recreation over the tourist-heavy entertainment of Old Town. You trade walkable bar-hopping for private desert hikes and resort-scale wellness experiences, resulting in 70% fewer tourists per square mile than Old Town on peak winter weekends, with no compromise on quality.
Grayhawk Golf Club, with its two championship layouts, Raptor and Talon, is one of the best publicly accessible golf experiences in the state. Troon North, further north, is arguably the most celebrated public-access course in all of Scottsdale, set dramatically into the McDowell foothills. Kierland Commons is the area’s central gathering place: an outdoor walkable village with a strong mix of independent restaurants, national retailers, and relaxed outdoor spaces that are especially pleasant in the evenings.
Who it’s best for: Golf trips, spa-focused getaways, guests who want resort-adjacent luxury in a private home, corporate retreats, families wanting space and quiet.
Browse through GLV properties in or near Northern Scottsdale
Properties along the Thomas and Osborn corridors, and in the broader southern Scottsdale residential areas, offer a smart middle ground: close to Old Town, well-connected to the rest of the city, and typically more accessible at nightly rates than peak Old Town or Northern Scottsdale addresses. These areas are genuinely well-located and suit guests who want comfort and convenience without paying a premium for a specific neighborhood address.
Browse through GLV properties in or near Southern Scottsdale
Scottsdale is known as “The World’s Finest Golf Destination,” and it’s easy to see why when you consider the city’s roster of luxury resorts, 330 days of annual sunshine, and high-caliber courses like TPC Scottsdale, Troon North, and Grayhawk.
TPC Scottsdale is the crown jewel for most visiting golfers, home to the annual WM Phoenix Open, the most-attended tournament in PGA Tour history. The Stadium Course at TPC is an experience in itself, particularly the iconic 16th hole, which draws a crowd even during regular play. The Champions Course is more accessible and equally enjoyable.
Troon North’s Monument and Pinnacle courses wind through dramatic McDowell Mountain terrain, desert arroyos, boulder outcroppings, and saguaro-framed fairways that feel like nowhere else in the world. Book early; it fills up.
Grayhawk’s Raptor Course is one of Scottsdale’s most visually dramatic layouts, consistently ranked among the top public courses in the state. The McCormick Ranch Golf Club’s Palm and Pine Courses offer more accessible, parkland-style play without compromising on quality.
With over 200 courses across Scottsdale and the greater Valley, including courses designed by legends including Jack Nicklaus and Phil Mickelson, there is genuinely no shortage of great options at every price point.
Camelback Mountain is the signature hike. The Echo Canyon and Cholla trails both reach the 2,704-foot summit, offering 360-degree panoramic views of the Valley. Neither trail is easy. Camelback is steep, rocky, and demands proper footwear and plenty of water. Go early, especially from April onwards. The summit views are among the best in the entire Phoenix metro area.
McDowell Sonoran Preserve is the larger and more varied option. With over 200 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails across a preserved desert habitat, the Preserve offers options for seasoned adventurers and families looking for a gentler nature walk alike. Tom’s Thumb Trail, a 4-mile round trip with 1,000 feet of elevation gain, delivers some of the most dramatic ridge views in all of North Scottsdale. Gateway Loop is a well-signed, accessible trail that gives a genuine taste of Sonoran Desert scenery without a technical challenge.
Scottsdale’s spa culture is not an afterthought. Popular Scottsdale resorts with an emphasis on spa treatment and relaxation include the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, The Phoenician, and CIVANA spa and resort. Most are accessible to non-resort guests by appointment, which means staying in a GLV vacation rental doesn’t mean missing out on the city’s best wellness experiences.
The Spa at Camelback Inn and Sanctuary Spa at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain are two of the most celebrated resort spas in the country, both offering everything from therapeutic massage and body treatments to full-day wellness programs. Book several weeks in advance during peak season.
Scottsdale’s dining scene has matured significantly over the past decade and shows no signs of slowing down.
FnB in Old Town remains one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Arizona, known for its Arizona-sourced menu, natural wine list, and Bib Gourmand recognition. Café Monarch is widely considered one of the best fine dining experiences in the region. The Mission brings modern Latin cuisine and craft cocktails to one of the best-designed dining rooms in Old Town.
The newest arrivals are raising the bar further. Catch, the upscale seafood and steakhouse brand with locations in New York, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, has landed at Scottsdale Fashion Square, bringing big-city energy and signature dishes like the Catch Roll and Cantonese lobster. Heritage Kitchen + Cocktails in North Scottsdale brings modern American and Mediterranean flavors under Chef Christopher Brugman, whose background includes luxury resort kitchens and a passion for the coastal flavors of Spain, Italy, and Morocco.
The Thursday Night Art Walk is the most accessible entry point a free, weekly evening through more than 80 Old Town galleries where artists are often present, and the social atmosphere is genuinely enjoyable. No tickets, no reservation, just show up.
The Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is one of the best Western art and history museums in the country, rotating exhibitions drawn from a wide collection covering 19 states’ worth of stories, landscapes, and culture. Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and studio in the McDowell foothills, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an extraordinary architectural experience available via guided tour.
The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) is worth a visit for modern and design-focused travelers, with a consistently interesting program in a beautifully designed space in the heart of the Old Town arts district.
Hot air ballooning at sunrise is one of Scottsdale’s most memorable experiences. Floating above saguaro forests as the desert light shifts from purple to gold is genuinely unforgettable — worth every minute of the early alarm. Several operators run daily flights from the Scottsdale area; most include a champagne toast upon landing.
Desert Jeep and ATV tours take small groups off-road into the Sonoran Desert north of the city. A few hours of rugged terrain, desert wildlife, canyon washes, and horizon-spanning views give you a completely different perspective on a landscape that rewards close attention.
Horseback riding through the desert, MacDonald’s Ranch in North Scottsdale is the most established operator, offering guided trail rides for all experience levels. It’s a slower, more immersive way to experience the desert than hiking or driving.
OdySea Aquarium at the Arizona Boardwalk is the largest aquarium in the Southwest and a legitimately excellent family attraction. Butterfly Wonderland next door is the largest indoor butterfly conservatory in America. Together, they make for a strong family half-day.
Our Scottsdale collection spans 15 properties across the city’s most popular neighborhoods. Every property is professionally managed, consistently maintained, and listed accurately. What you see is what you’ll find when you arrive.
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