My Magical Christmas at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Okay, so imagine this: you’re in the middle of the Arizona desert, it’s December, and you feel like you’ve been teleported into a Hallmark Christmas movie. That’s exactly what happened when I visited the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess for their famous Christmas at the Princess celebration. Spoiler alert: it was everything—twinkly lights, sweet treats, magical moments, and serious holiday vibes. 🎄
This was our first time at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, and it totally blew my Christmas-loving mind. I went with my mom, Nana, and Papa back in 2020. Even though we had to wear masks (thanks, COVID), it was still one of the most magical trips ever.
✨ Welcome to a Real-Life Snow Globe
From the second we walked into the lobby, I felt like I was in the middle of a snow globe. There was a massive Christmas tree, sparkly garlands, glowing poinsettias everywhere, and the entire place smelled like cinnamon and holiday cookies. Honestly, I expected snowflakes to fall from the ceiling. It was that magical.
But once we stepped outside the lobby—whoa. We entered a full-on Christmas village, and the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess had over 6 million lights wrapped around every building, tree, and pathway. It was dazzling. Like, “my eyes can’t even keep up” kind of dazzling.
🎢 Holiday Fun: Rides, Lights & The Cutest Yeti Ever
Stepping outside the lobby was like stepping into the North Pole—but cooler. The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess transforms into a full-blown Christmas village with glowing lights wrapped around trees, rooftops, and walkways in every direction. It felt like stepping straight into a holiday dream.
There was a real Desert Ice Skating Rink right in the middle of the resort and the Princess Express Train that chugged through enchanting themed zones like Nativity Garden, Twinkle Town, Elf Land, Frosty’s Fairways, and Santa’s Secret Headquarters.
Oh, and the Ice Slide? SO fun! Add in a Ferris wheel, carousel, and build-your-own s’mores stations, and I was living my very best Christmas life. Our suite even came with a s’mores kit ready to go!
And my favorite part? The characters. From elves to princesses to my fluffy fave—the Yeti! He is sooo cute and gives the best photo ops. Plus, I got a safe, socially distanced visit with Santa, and YES, he totally approved of my travel wish list.
🎄 VIP Cozy Moments + Light Shows
At night, the property truly sparkles—especially with their 3D projection light shows on the resort walls and trees. You can even book a VIP firepit experience with cocoa and yummy snacks. It’s like luxury camping…if you were camping inside a Christmas snow globe.
🛏 The Suite Life
We stayed in a two-bedroom suite, which was perfect since it was me, my mom, my Nana, and my Papa. The space was huge, comfy, and came with a magical view of the lights. It made going back and forth between rooms so easy, especially with all the excitement.
And here’s one of the coolest surprises ever: when we got to our room, there was a plate of cookies and milk with my name on it—just for me! It seriously made me feel so special. Sometimes hotels only think about the grown-ups, but this made me feel like I was truly part of the celebration. It’s little things like that that make a trip unforgettable.
🍴 Let’s Talk FOOD (YUM!)
One thing about the Princess? You will never go hungry—and every bite is worth it. We mostly ate at Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar, and let me just say, the food and service were AMAZING. We tried so many delicious things—like sushi rolls and Latin-inspired dishes—and everything was full of flavor and totally crave-worthy. The staff made us feel super welcome and everything came out chef’s kiss perfect.
We also had cozy dinners at Ironwood American Kitchen, where the vibe was relaxed and family-friendly. And the real fancy treat? Bourbon Steak. It’s one of those restaurants where the food is almost too pretty to eat… but don’t worry, I totally ate it anyway. 😋
No matter where we ate, the service was incredible, and they totally made it feel special—even during covid. Bonus points for holiday menus and fun desserts!
💦 Pools + Shopping = Holiday Heaven
The Princess has six pools—including a rooftop adults-only pool, family pools with waterslides, and even a sandy beach lagoon. And yes, even in winter, you can swim here thanks to Arizona sunshine and heated water.
And OMG—the Christmas shopping village! It’s like a holiday market with festive treats, cozy gifts, and adorable ornaments. I scored the softest hot cocoa-themed onesie pajamas (I wore them basically the whole trip), plus a few super cute ornaments to remember the experience. It’s the kind of place where you want to do your holiday shopping—everything feels extra magical.
🌟 Why You’ll Love It
Whether you’re traveling with tiny toddlers or chill teens (like me!), this resort is PACKED with fun, food, sparkle, and unforgettable moments. You seriously never need to leave the property—everything you need for the ultimate Christmas vacay is right here.
📚 Educational Moment: How Do They Freeze Ice in the Desert?
So here’s your Harper-approved science question: how do you make ice rinks in the desert? Turns out, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess uses special chillers that freeze water into ice even in warm temps. The rink stays cold thanks to a network of tubing underneath that circulates coolant. Science is cool—literally.
🎁 Fun Facts:
- Scottsdale gets 330+ sunny days a year, so you can enjoy winter without the frostbite.
- The Princess is a AAA Five Diamond resort, which means it’s super fancy but still super fun.
- The event runs mid-November through early January, so you’ve got plenty of time to plan.
- Want extra magic? Book a VIP experience, stay in a suite, or get one of their holiday packages for perks like character visits and ride wristbands.
- Fun Fact: Scottsdale is known as “The West’s Most Western Town,” but it also has more luxury resorts and spas per capita than anywhere else in the U.S.—so it’s fancy AND fun!
So yeah, if you’re looking for the ultimate Christmas family getaway that’s equal parts luxury and magic, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is IT. I made memories that still make me smile—and trust me, the Yeti agrees. 😉
🎄✨Until next adventure—Harper out!✨🎄
