Scottsdale Spas: Your Link to Luxury

Shopping: Scottsdale shopping opportunities are in close proximity to one another, whether you prefer to fill your bags at Fashion Square, the largest enclosed mall in the Southwest, or at the galleries and boutiques in Old Town.

Either way, the VH Spa, at the Hotel Valley Ho, is a chic spot to make a spa pit stop, as well as a convenient place to stash the shopping bags at night. The Valley Ho first opened in 1956, and was the area's first year-round resort, frequented by celebs of the day. The hotel was completely renovated in 2005 yet faithfully maintains its mid-century Modern architecture, décor and details. The hotel's spa is small, but the relaxation room maintains the feel of the '50s, with sleek, gold, satin-like loungers and '50s and '60s music replacing the typical Asian-inspired spa music. Try the Hawai'ian Papaya-Pineapple Enzyme Wrap, in which you're rubbed with a fruit concoction that you could actually eat if you wanted to. It ends with a deeply moisturizing scalp massage.

Speaking of eating, if you're in the market for clothing, you might want to go easy at the hotel's restaurant ZuZu, which serves an upscale take on comfort foods, including homemade potato chips with blue-cheese fondue, and an outrageous meat loaf.

You'll have more "spa food" options (read: lighter fare) if you venture a bit further out to Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain. This boutique resort is still convenient to shopping, but it feels far outside the hustle and bustle. The Sanctuary spa's 90-minute Luxury Facial is meant to be both stimulating (if a masque of wasabi and green tea doesn't wake you up, nothing will) and relaxing (a foot, shoulder and arm massage of hot stones).