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 deliver all the comforts of home with the luxury of a desert escape.
Space to Celebrate the Season
One of the main reasons travelers are choosing vacation rentals over hotels in Scottsdale is simple, the space. During the holidays, families and groups want to stay together and not in separate rooms down the hall. Vacation rentals make it easy to gather under one roof whether it’s a stylish condo in Old Town or a sprawling desert home with panoramic views. Spending the holidays in a vacation rental means you can start your mornings together around the kitchen island, prepare a festive brunch, or relax by the pool after a day of exploring. Many of our vacation rentals feature large living areas, outdoor patios, and multiple bedrooms giving everyone plenty of room to enjoy their stay without feeling crowded.
A Home Away from Home
The holidays are about comfort and connection and Scottsdale’s vacation rentals make it easy to create that feeling. With full kitchens, cozy living rooms, and often private outdoor spaces, these homes provide the flexibility to celebrate the season your way. You can prepare your favorite holiday dishes, enjoy a movie night by the fireplace, or gather for an evening meal under the stars. Hotels often have limited dining options making you stuck with expensive restaurants or room service. Vacation rentals allow guests to make their own traditions whether that means cooking a family recipe, hosting a small gathering, or simply enjoying a quiet dinner for two. You will have everything you need right at your fingertips.
Perfect for Scottsdale’s Holiday Weather
While other parts of the country are covered in snow, Scottsdale enjoys mild, sunny weather during the holiday season. Temperatures often hover in the 60s and 70s perfect for outdoor celebrations. Vacation rentals take full advantage of this with amenities like heated pools, fire pits, and expansive patios. Imagine spending Christmas morning poolside watching the sunrise over the desert or ringing in the New Year with a barbecue on the patio. Many rentals also feature outdoor dining areas and cozy fireplaces making it easy to enjoy Scottsdale’s unique blend of desert beauty and festive comfort. This is when Scottsdale’s outdoor weather truly shines!
Close to Seasonal Events and Attractions
Scottsdale’s holiday calendar is filled with events that make the city shine. The Scottsdazzle Festival in Old Town brings the area to life with lights, live music, and local markets. The annual Christmas at the Princess event at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess features a dazzling display of lights, ice skating, and holiday-themed attractions for all ages.
Vacation rentals offer convenient access to these events while still providing a peaceful retreat when you’re ready to unwind. Many properties are just minutes from Old Town’s restaurants and shops, the hiking trails of McDowell Sonoran Preserve, or the scenic drives that showcase the Sonoran Desert’s beauty.
Privacy and Peace of Mind
Privacy is one of the biggest advantages of choosing a vacation rental for many travelers. You do not have to worry about crowded lobbies, noisy hallways, or limited amenities. Instead, you can relax in your own space surrounded only by the people you’ve chosen to spend the holidays with. This added privacy also makes vacation rentals ideal for remote work or extended holiday stays. With more travelers combining work and vacation time, the flexibility and comfort of a rental home make it easier to balance both.
A More Authentic Scottsdale Experience
Staying in a vacation rental allows you to experience Scottsdale like a local. You can shop at neighborhood markets, dine at local restaurants, and explore the city’s vibrant art scene at your own pace. Whether you’re visiting for golf, hiking, or simply soaking up the desert scenery, having your own home base gives you the freedom to design your perfect holiday getaway. Each neighborhood from the lively Old Town district to the peaceful desert foothills offers something different. Spending a month or even a few weeks in a rental allows you to immerse yourself in Scottsdale’s unique rhythm and charm.
The Smarter Way to Stay This Holiday Season
It’s no surprise that more travelers are choosing vacation rentals over hotels during the holidays. In Scottsdale, they offer the best of both worlds: the comfort of home and the luxury of a resort-like escape. With space to celebrate, privacy to relax, and amenities that make every moment special, a vacation rental transforms a simple holiday trip into an unforgettable experience. You can find these incredible features and much more in our very own vacation rentals. Book your favorite today and see just what is waiting for you in Scottsdale this holiday season.
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, with your partner, with your family, or with your best friends. There is something to do for everyone here, even during the ‘cold’ winter months. Scottsdale never gets that cold, even during the dead of winter, so it means you can do SO much more than you could in other places. Check out our ultimate winter Scottsdale vacation guide below and plan the ideal winter trip!
Grab Breakfast with Your Family
One of the best things to do with your family while you are on a bonding winter vacation is to go to breakfast! Luckily for you, there are tons of spots for you to go during your stay here. You don’t have to choose somewhere that is cheap and out of the way — all of our luxurious rentals are right in the heart of the city, so you are just minutes away on foot from the best brunch spots, cafes, and cool coffee shops the entire state has to offer.
First off, we have Arcadia Farms Cafe. If you are in the mood for a casual, cozy, and laid-back atmosphere that will keep you warm on a cold winter day, Arcadia Farms Cafe is your best bet. We love coming here and sitting on the heated garden patio and gazing out at the incredible views over the rolling hills. Plus, the farmhouse aesthetic and open-air feel make this cafe feel like you are sitting in the south of France as you eat the savory and delectable croque-monsieur crepes! And when you order the scones and high tea, you might even feel like you are in the English Countryside in the Cotswolds. If you would rather have something savory for brunch, you can’t go wrong with the pulled pork hash or the healthy spinach and leek tart with a hot cup of joe to start the day.
If the idea of a patio sounds inviting, even during the brisk winter months, Lon’s at Hermosa is the best spot for you to sit outside, soak in the views, and enjoy a brunch meal with your guests. And when you vacation in Scottsdale, you can rest assured it won’t get too cold. You might even find yourself sitting in sunny and warm 70-degree weather in the winter when you go for a holiday in this sunny state! We recommend heading here any time after 10 am on Saturday or Sunday to feast on a huge brunch plate, like the fresh-baked monkey bread or short-rib hash, and then wash it all down with a beer or a mimosa.
For vacationers who have picky eaters in the family, the safest spot – with incredible food –is Herb Box. Even if you have no dietary restrictions, this is still a MUST visit for your holiday! Herb Box is arguably the top spot for people who are gluten-free or vegan, offering smoked salmon hash, kale and brie omelet, pancakes that are suitable for vegan eaters or those with celiac disease, and French toast that is simply to die for.
Doesn’t that sound nice and inclusive? We think so, too! If you are in the mood to go only to eateries and restaurants that use fresh ingredients that are locally sourced, Virtu Honest Craft is a tasty spot that is popular among tourists and locals alike. This Mediterranean-influenced eatery offers fresh cuisine and local fruit and vegetables that bring their plates to another level. We love the pork ragu as a meat-heavy dish, eggs fresh from one of the local farms, Parmigiano crepes for a savory French-inspired start to the day, and the grilled octopus to split with the table. Trust us!
Hit the Golf Course During Your Scottsdale Vacation
Even during the winter months, you can still whip out your nine iron and test your luck at getting a hole-in-one. Scottsdale is home to pristine weather all year round, which often means that it doesn’t snow here, or snows very little. No snow means you can hit one of the super-green golf courses that dot the rolling hills surrounding this bustling city when you head here on a winter holiday getaway!
We recommend starting at the infamous Kierland Golf Course in the Sonoran Desert. What could be better than being on the putting green, looking at the red rock desert out of the cornea of your eye, and seeing the Pinnacle Peak in the distance? Try your best not to get distracted by the jagged peaks, breathtaking scenery, and the hills and valleys of the golf course. It is difficult! And make sure you marvel at the pristine care of the golf course. The fast Bermuda grass is famous around the world for its high quality, featuring a bright emerald color, flat condition, and a variety of holes for golfers of all abilities.
Another cool golf course that you can hit up during your winter stay in Scottsdale is the Estrella Golf Course at the Estrella Mountain Ranch community. This is consistently ranked as one of the top 20 courses in the entire state due to its incredible views of the nearby Estrella Mountain Range, desert ranges, rolling green courses, natural surroundings, and first-class service.
For those who want another challenge during their winter Scottsdale getaway, TPC Champions Course is a fun afternoon out with friends! This famous course was built in 1986 by Randy Heckemper and features an 18-hole Championship style challenge that is right by the desert, featuring unique features like natural terrain and shrubbery.
Lastly, no visit to Scottsdale is complete without at least a half-day trip to Quintero Golf Course. Rees Jones created this masterpiece back in 2000 by using unique bunkers, long stretches of green, several tee boxes for different levels of golfers, pristine and flat surfaces, and a high level of service for tourists and locals alike. This course is so good that it has been consistently ranked as one of the ‘Best Public Golf’ courses by Golf Advisor for multiple years running!
Scottsdale Winter Events
When you go to Scottsdale during the winter months, you should also check out a few annual events that you won’t be able to enjoy or see at other times of the year. Scottdale is always a fan of holidays and parties, so it is no surprise that they throw annual winter events between October and January that are sure to have you raving for hours and hours on end!
One of the biggest events that bring in people from all over the world is the Sing-Along and Tree Lighting Ceremony. Even if you are not a huge fan of singing along to Christmas carols, this exciting event brings the community together and can be a great way to meet people, spread the holiday cheer, and snack on some sweet holiday treats.
Another Christmas-themed event that is fun to go to with your friends, family, or kids is the Holiday Lights Tour. This is a fun way to celebrate the winter season and jolly attitude throughout Old Town Scottsdale. Snuggle up and cozy up to your loved ones as you follow a professional and local tour guide as they bring you through the five districts in Old Town Scottsdale, providing you with an immersive way to learn more about the history of the city.
If you are on a Scottsdale vacation with your kids, it can be hard to keep them entertained. However, if you go on one of the infamous Puzzle Rides, we guarantee this is great for young and older teens alike to use their brains and solve puzzles with the entire family! Test your luck at beating the clock as you all go to the golf course with your Puzzle Master as they take you to work together, build teamwork, solve brain teasers, finish puzzles, and have fun along the way!
Enjoy the Best of Winter in Scottsdale
There’s plenty more to enjoy in Scottsdale in winter. Contact us today to book your winter rental property and start planning a fun-filled getaway!
Discover an array of enchanting vacation rentals perfect for your holiday getaway. Explore our holiday rentals in Scottsdale here!
We all deserve to treat ourselves to the finer things in life, and booking a stay at Avifauna will be exactly that. Come experience Scottsdale the way it was meant to be by booking a stay at one of our most spacious and luxurious homes here in the area. Guests will find a variety of unique amenities in the home that make each stay as incredible as possible. Avifauna has everything you could want and is close to many exciting attractions in Northern Scottsdale. Take a look at what this Scottsdale luxury house rental has to offer you:
Desert Oasis
You will find your own personal oasis when you book a stay at Avifauna. This magnificent home is a modern beauty in the heart of North Scottsdale. Avifauna is the perfect property for when you want to spend a vacation getaway with a group of friends or family but want to skip out on booking multiple resort rooms. Avifauna is a massive property with 6,000 square feet of space and a total of 7 bedrooms. The property can comfortably sleep up to 24 guests at once, making it the ideal getaway locale for you. Guests will fall in love with Avifauna the moment they walk up the paver entry path and step through the front entrance. Inside, guests will find open floor plans that feature 12’ high ceilings and extravagant décor. There is plenty of room for everyone to relax, even when you have 24 guests at once. Guests will find a cozy entertainment area that features plush furniture seating and a flat screen TV near the front. As you step back further into the home, you will find the combined formal living room and kitchen space that is an absolute marvel to behold. The living room space features natural wood flooring, a huge sectional sofa, and a gas fireplace for the occasional chilly winter nights that North Scottsdale can experience. Pendant lighting hangs overhead to light up the evenings, and plenty of window space brings in tons of natural light during the day. Take a few steps further back to find yourself in a gourmet kitchen that has about the same amount of space as a restaurant does. You will find stainless steel appliances, including a double stove burner and huge fridge. The black granite countertop meshes perfectly with the oak cabinetry. You will find plenty of countertop space, allowing you to prepare your food easily. There is a separate kitchen island and a huge barstool countertop offering even more space than you are probably used to having. There is a formal dining room area that allows you to enjoy your meal together in peace.
Additional Amenities
Don’t miss out on the additional amenities found inside Avifauna such as the game room. Enjoy a friendly competition of billiards or try your hand at one of the many arcade games set up in the room. A flat screen TV is off on the wall so you can watch your favorite sports game as you enjoy some time in the room. The property also features a theatre room where you can enjoy a movie on the big screen. The black wall paint and entertainment center will make you forget about everything outside of the room as you take in the incredible view. A plush love seat offers the best seat in the home to relax in.
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
Avifauna comes with a total of 7 bedrooms each more comfortable than the last. Each bedroom features a variety of bed sizes from king size beds down to twin bunk beds perfect for the children. Each room also comes with plenty of space allowing everyone to have a bit of privacy. The master suite comes with an additional seating area, four poster bed, and spa like en suite bathroom. The soaking tub and walk in shower are truly a delight and you will also find a work out area just around the corner too. The home features a total of 4 bathrooms altogether, making sure everyone has access during their stay.
Outdoor Fun
Take advantage of the beautiful Arizona weather and enjoy some time on the giant backyard patio at Avifauna. This yard is truly massive, featuring a covered patio area with an outdoor dining table and ping pong table, separate fire pit lounge area, a private pool complete with a waterslide, and an outdoor audio system so you can play music while enjoying your time outside. The kids will have all kinds of fun on the jungle gym and trampoline found further back in the yard.
There truly is nothing that has been left out of Avifauna. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to an incredible experience in North Scottsdale by reserving this luxury property today.