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Scottsdale’s marriage of arts, shopping and distinct Western flair make it one of the most popular vacation spots in Arizona for a reason.
With more than 300 days of sunshine each year, 200 golf courses, and hundreds of art galleries, Scottsdale is a haven of desert leisure with few rivals. The West’s Most Western Town has come a long way since its 19th century agricultural roots, but it still retains its early charm as a favorable part of the Valley to explore.
One of the best ways to experience Scottsdale is to ditch the hotel for a locally-inspired Airbnb, where you’ll get a better taste of how city and desert converge in a setting that’s traditional and modern all at once.
Here are 12 of the best Airbnb rentals in Scottsdale, from secluded desert studios to designer homes within walking distance of Old Town’s best shopping and nightlife.
1. Scottsdale Casita
Why you should stay: Southwestern take on a traditional B&B stay.
- Sleeps: 2
- Minimum stay: 1 night
- Rates from: $185/night
No one comes to Scottsdale to hang out inside all day, which is why this casita is one of the city’s most popular Airbnbs throughout the year. The shared spaces – pool, hot tub, kitchen and brick oven – rival those of any resort in the area, and hosts Trevor and Susan go out of their way to create a relaxing space for guests to unwind.
There are a few other rental spaces on the 1.3-acre property, but each Airbnb has its own privacy and amenities for a comfortable stay. Being right off the 101 makes it easy to jet around Scottsdale and the metro area as needed.
Check Availability2. The Pink Cactus
Why you should stay: One of the best Scottsdale bachelorette Airbnbs you’ll find.
- Sleeps: 12
- Minimum stay: 3 night
- Rates from: $350/night
Instagrammable backdrops, hip décor and bright spaces make The Pink Cactus the perfect bachelorette party pad for the weekend. Throw in a beauty bar, outdoor bar and plenty of spaces to lounge and you’ll see why this is quickly becoming one of Scottsdale’s premier group vacation rentals.
Host Nicole knows the area well and lives down the block, so if your group needs recommendations – or concierge services at the house — she has you covered.
Check AvailabilityThe Pink Cactus is every girls dream! I couldn’t imagine a better place to have my bachelorette party!
3. Desert Hideout
Why you should stay: Private, desert-surrounded Airbnb that lives up to its name.
- Sleeps: 4
- Minimum stay: 3 nights
- Rates from: $115/night
Sure, this home is technically in Scottsdale, but its far north location has more in common with untamed desert than busy shopping centers. It’s a 45-minute drive to downtown Scottsdale, so it’s not for everyone, but for those looking to visit in the name of solitude, the Hideout delivers.
“We could have never imagined a more perfect getaway. My girlfriend and I had 2 days in Scottsdale with list of plans to do on our itinerary. That all went out the window once we stepped foot on the ranch property.”
The property’s big enough for morning and dusk walks in the desert, but the real treat is nearby hiking – try Tom’s Thumb Trail, Marcus Landslide Trail or Granite Mountain Loop for close-by treks. The rest of Scottsdale’s best hiking options aren’t far, and it’s a 15-minute drive to the Verde River if you need an alternative to the Hideout’s relaxing pool waters.
Check Availability4. Saguaro
Why you should stay: Chic home that’s as functional as it is aesthetically pleasing.
- Sleeps: 8
- Minimum stay: 3 nights
- Rates from: $279/night
The best Airbnbs are often understated: clean and welcoming without feeling over-the-top. Saguaro is one such rental, a well-appointed home near Kierland that features bright interiors and a relaxing backyard escape. The less-is-more approach to design makes the most of the home’s square footage and creates the sense that everything’s in its place.
The home’s subdued, desert-inspired palette makes for comfortable bedrooms and practical spaces to lounge — a contrast to the bold greenery of the backyard and its pool, grassy area and putting green.
Check AvailabilityThe Saguaro home and space Kylee has created is a little peace of paradise in Arizona. Kylee had made it impossible not to fall in love with the space. It is inviting, charming and relaxing.
5. The Zona Rosa
Why you should stay: Stylish South Scottsdale home redesigned by local home designers.
- Sleeps: 5
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $200/night
One of the best places to catch sunset at The Zona Roza is its two hanging patio chairs from Restoration Hardware. Across the way, you’ll also see the backyard’s vintage trailer, set up as an extra space to read or take moody Instagram selfies.
The patio’s a tranquil extension of the home’s interior, where you’ll find more designer touches orchestrated to make the home feel warm and comfortable. The home’s located south of Old Town and not far from popular draws like The Phoenix Zoo, Tempe Town Lake and Mill Ave. If you’re exploring the East Valley beyond Scottsdale, The Zona Rosa’s a great base for hitting it all.
Check Availability6. Resort-Style Home
Why you should stay: Sprawling vintage-southwest style villa with a heated pool.
- Sleeps: 8
- Minimum stay: 5 nights
- Rates from: $425/night
This inviting 2,000-square-foot home near Old Town could just as easily exist in 1970s Palm Springs, which is the vibe Christina and Kele aimed for in the renovated adobe. The home – featured in Sunset Magazine and Phoenix Home & Garden — takes cues from music and a desert leisure aesthetic to create a one-of-a-kind feel that’s hard to forget.
You may need some extra motivation to leave the backyard’s loungers, pool and bocce ball court, but if you do make it out, you’re just a few minutes from Old Town shops and Scottsdale Stadium, where the Giants play during Spring Training.
Check Availability7. Magazine-Worthy Luxury Home
Why you should stay: Bucket-list Airbnb modeled after one of Scottsdale’s finest hotels.
- Sleeps: 11
- Minimum stay: 3 nights
- Rates from: $828/night
This luxury rental home is less than two miles from the W Scottsdale, a premier hotel that served as the inspiration for the high-end Airbnb. The hosts nailed the posh, colorful vibe so well that the home was featured on the cover of Phoenix Home & Garden.
There’s not a bad seat in the house, but the backyard’s heated infinity pool and fire pit stake its claim as the place to be after nights spent in nearby Old Town.
Check AvailabilityWords can not describe how amazing Marks place is! The house is just BEYOND beautiful. There isn’t a detail missing in his home. Everything is beautiful from inside to outside.
8. Gorgeous Getaway
Why you should stay: Spacious, family-friendly home with room for SO MANY ACTIVITIES.
- Sleeps: 8
- Minimum stay: 3 nights
- Rates from: $258/night
This beautiful Scottsdale home works well for travelers hitting the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Barrett-Jackson auctions, or Spring Training. Its location near Kierland offers easy access to those events and nearby shopping and dining, while not being far from downtown Scottsdale.
Entertainment’s the name of the game here, with a half-acre backyard that includes a pool, built-in grill, basketball court, horseshoes, grassy area and more. Guests with kids will enjoy the property’s amenities and open-layout living room, and the quiet cul-de-sac keeps the family-friendliness to a maximum.
Check Availability9. Scottsdale Casa
Why you should stay: Versatile Scottsdale home just two miles east of Old Town.
- Sleeps: 6
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $255/night
This Airbnb south of Indian School is designed to accommodate the unpredictability of travel during the pandemic. It’s open for short or long-term rentals, and practical living spaces make it ideal for those traveling with kids or dealing with remote work.
Even as a weekend getaway, it’s a casual family-friendly option with above-average amenities, from the pool, hot tub and grassy area out back to the fully stocked kitchen. It’s a quick 5-minute drive to Old Town’s best shops and restaurants, a priceless convenience during peak travel season in spring.
Check Availability10. The Eisenhower
Why you should stay: An artistic departure from bland condos littering the Scottsdale area.
- Sleeps: 4
- Minimum stay: 2 nights
- Rates from: $125/night
From the outside, this condo within walking distance of Old Town seems unassuming. But step inside and you’ll be greeted by a fabulous reimagining of the West through local artwork and bold, colorful living spaces.
There’s nothing shy about The Eisenhower, from the living room’s mural by local stencil artist DadSocks, to the neon-infused artwork lining the bedroom walls. The condo’s affordable, close to the action, and a unique look into the Valley’s evolving art scene – it’s no wonder this place books up fast.
Check Availability11. Schreiber House
Why you should stay: Mid-century gem with history, modern amenities, and close proximity to Old Town.
- Sleeps: 8
- Minimum stay: 4 nights
- Rates from: $575/night
When Phoenix experienced rapid growth back in the 1960s, brothers and architects Chic and Art Schreiber designed a number of homes known for balancing function and form in a way that was affordable and practical to scale around the Valley.
Today, the brothers’ mid-century homes are still in demand, weathering the decades with grace. This Schreiber home just east of Old Town’s been updated with modern conveniences, but the character’s essentially the same: the low-slung roof and high windows make the space feel expansive and damn near outdoors, and exposed beams and symmetrical spaces place an emphasis on the home’s beautiful construction.
Owner Nathalie does a wonderful job meshing old and new in a way that feels fresh and inviting. The mid-century décor and furniture fit the home like a glove, but this doesn’t feel like a museum. It’s livable, and the perfect retro basecamp for exploring the area.
Check Availability12. Family-Friendly Home
Why you should stay: Roomy, stylish home within walking distance of Old Town.
- Sleeps: 12
- Minimum stay: 3 nights
- Rates from: $399/night
This open-layout Airbnb lies just south of the Arizona Canal, an urban waterway you can walk along that leads directly into Old Town. When it’s too hot to explore, opt for respite in the large backyard, where a pool, putting green and built-in BBQ await.
The space and amenities make this an ideal home for families or big groups, and hosts Brandon and Kelsey go out of their way to make the desert-farmhouse vibe comfortable for all who enter.
Check AvailabilityAbsolutely amazing stay, house is beautifully designed, decorated and cared for. We felt like we were at a mini resort as they had EVERY amenity we possible needed.
Plan Your Scottsdale Getaway
Even with the heat, Scottsdale’s a year-round destination with plenty to do in every season. Here’s a rundown of what to plan while you’re in town.
- Visit in January or February for Scottsdale’s busy event season, with the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Barrett-Jackson auction, and MLB’s Spring Training all starting within a few weeks of each other.
- Tour Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s stunning winter home made from local desert materials and designed to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.
- Hike some of the best hiking trails in Scottsdale.
- Hit kid-favorite spots like McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, OdySea Aquarium, and Butterfly Wonderland.
- Dig into history at the Musical Instrument Museum, Scottsdale’s Museum of the West or Alcuin Books, a favorite bookstore of western author Cormac McCarthy.
- Enjoy locally grown produce at Singh Farms or the Old Town Farmer’s Market, open from October to May.
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Seen in: Arizona, Southwest, Where to Stay
