Stay Porter Blog

Where to Stay in the Scottsdale Area: Old Town vs. North Scottsdale vs. Paradise Valley vs. Cave Creek Scottsdale sells itself as one destination, but the area you actually book is four very different bases, and the one you choose shapes the whole trip. Reserve a walkable Old Town condo and you can leave the car parked all weekend. Reserve a quiet resort-style home up north and you will drive...

Pet-Friendly Arizona: Traveling With Your Dog in Sedona, Flagstaff, and Scottsdale Arizona is an easy state to bring a dog to, as long as you respect the heat. Sedona in particular is one of the most dog-friendly places you can hike in the Southwest, with leashed dogs welcome on almost every red-rock trail. Flagstaff’s cool pine forests are a natural summer basecamp for a dog, and Scottsdale’s Old Town is...

The Scottsdale Golf Trip: Best Courses, When to Play, and Where to Stay Scottsdale packs more than 200 golf courses into the Valley of the Sun, which is exactly why a buddies trip here can go sideways before it starts. Pick the wrong week and you either roast in 108-degree heat or pay peak-winter rates on greens that just came out of overseeding. Pick the wrong courses and you burn...

A Girls’ Weekend in Scottsdale: Where to Stay, Eat, and Play Scottsdale has quietly become one of the country’s favorite bachelorette and girls’-trip towns, and it earns the title. In one compact desert city you get boozy brunches, day clubs and resort pools, spa afternoons, Arizona wine tasting, boutique shopping, and a walkable nightlife district where nobody has to drive. Fly in Friday, base everyone in one house, and the...

Scottsdale and Phoenix Hiking Trails: Every Major Hike by Difficulty Scottsdale and Phoenix pack more world-class desert hiking into one metro area than anywhere else in the country, from a flat saguaro-lined nature loop to the boulder scramble up Camelback Mountain. The catch: these trails vary wildly in difficulty, and picking the wrong one is how visitors end up rescued. This guide covers the eight hikes worth your time, organized...

The holidays are a special time in Scottsdale with sunshine instead of snow and desert landscapes decorated with twinkling lights. It is a season that feels both festive and refreshing perfect for a vacation getaway. In recent years, more holiday travelers have discovered that vacation rentals offer the perfect way to experience this unique destination. From private pools and spacious kitchens to stunning views of Camelback Mountain, Scottsdale vacation rentals...

Jumping into the vacation rental business can be a huge commitment, especially for those who have not done it before. A variety of factors can make or break your property’s success, including location, amenities, and features of the home. Luckily, you can make your vacation rental stand out among the rest with a few investment tips. Take a look at our top five tips for investing in a vacation rental...

There is so much for you to do in Scottsdale, so how do you narrow it down to only the best? We have put together a seven-day guide to help you navigate the historical and exciting section of Old Town Scottsdale. This bustling neighborhood truly has it all, featuring culinary restaurants, cool cafes, unique shops, boutique stores, and fun things to do during Scottsdale getaways. Old Town is so special...

Spring Training is one of the best times to head to AZ if you are a sports fan. Even if you have never watched baseball up close and personal before, spending time in the incredible Arizona sunshine, seeing the ballparks in person, and viewing pro athletes is one of the coolest things you can do with your friends or family on your Arizona trips. Looking for Scottsdale Spring Training Rentals?...

Not sure what to do during your winter getaway this year? Well, once you decide where to go, the next step is penciling items into your itinerary. But if you choose somewhere overrun with snow, too cold to go outside, or too busy with tourists, that list dwindles to almost nothing. That is why we think that Scottsdale is a MUST visit vacation spot for you as a solo traveler,...