This swanky mini-oasis feels more like a private island retreat than a hotel in the desert. The well-apportioned retro rooms are both practical and indulgent. Our first floor room has a sliding door that opens onto a patio right in front of the pool and hot tub. There, you can relax with twenty of your best friends, have a BBQ, or drink at the open air bar. This is more like South Beach than the American West, and I love it. \n\nThe whole place has a relaxed party vibe. (Someone initially told me it was a swinger hotel, and the in-room cocktail shaker/privacy curtains on the patio make me believe it, but nobody's actually hit on me, so...?) Staff are friendly; the cafe serves fresh, tasty food. The gym is also pretty nice--ear buds, towels, iced lemon water and fresh apples complement modern, clean machines. \n\nHotel Valley Ho's location near downtown Scottsdale also doesn't hurt. But really, I could stay here all day and lounge by the pool and drink mai tais. There's not much reason to leave this place if you don't have to. Definitely one of my favorite hotels in the West.