Last night, we were hosted by my friend Jessica in Scottsdale, AZ at the amazing Westin Kierland Resort. After 11 days on the road staying in Super 8’s, hostels, and other “budget” hotels, we were ready for something different.
We almost missed the hotel driving by in the dark, until SammyB pointed out the ridiculous looking complex set way back from the road down a palm tree-lined drive…and there it was…the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa…it was a 5 minute walk just to get from the public parking lot to the main entrance….then into a giant two-level lobby with library overlooking a fire-pit outside which sat on the edge of the TPC golf course….
Jess is on a project in Scottsdale, so she’s there Mon.-Thurs. She was a great host…took us to dinner at The Greene House:
2 Johnny Black and sodas before dinner
Steamed Mussels in a savory broth for appetizer
Braised Short Ribs with a veg. puree
Amazing food!
SammyB had the organic pork chops with stone fruit glaze
Jess had the Angus Ribeye with mashed potatoes and red cabbage
After dinner we went back to the hotel and met up with Jess’ coworker Mike for drinks outside by the ginormous fire-pit overlooking the golf course…more Johnny Black along with Kir Royale’s for the ladies (which includes Mike “I’ll have what Jess is having” Turon)…apparently Jess had been a little drunky the night before at the fire-pit and had gained some notoriety with the other guests (she was recognized by more than one guest by name, but she didn’t recall any of them)…..hmmm…drunky Jess is apparently fun Jess!!
Had a great night in a room overlooking the golf course and woke up to a beautiful 70 degree Thursday with a clear blue sky and the hotel’s heated saltwater pools waiting….ummm….make that 2 heated saltwater pools AND a fully-functioning lazy river and waterslide….with full poolside service….what are the poor people doing?!!
Less then two days after below-zero ass-freezing in Salt Lake City and driving through a blizzard, I got sunburned in Scottsdale courtesy of the wonderfully generous Jess!!! Awesome! Video is on the way…keep checking back!