Marriott Canyon Villas-which unit or building?

[Auger]

Staying at MCV the week of January 17-24. My wife and I for an escape (no kids). Enjoy the pool or view of golf course (weather dependent). Any unit or location suggestions? Also, restaurants or things to do (we have a rental car).
Thanks

 

[GreenTea]

Staying at MCV the week of January 17-24. My wife and I for an escape (no kids). Enjoy the pool or view of golf course (weather dependent). Any unit or location suggestions? Also, restaurants or things to do (we have a rental car).
Thanks

Go to Cowboy Ciao in old Scottsdale. Order a Stetson salad and the mushrooms!

Also Roy's at the JW has (or had the few times we were there) happy hour from 4-6. Cocktails and appetizers are $5 each. Great deal and a great setting.

 

[AlmostRetired]

Staying at MCV the week of January 17-24. My wife and I for an escape (no kids). Enjoy the pool or view of golf course (weather dependent). Any unit or location suggestions? Also, restaurants or things to do (we have a rental car).
Thanks

I am at the resort right now. My first time in Phoenix. I would stay in the 2700 building. It is close to the pool and the health club. I believe it has been renovated but check.

Two good restaurants for Mexican are Jalapeño Inferno and las Reyes de la torta. At la torta, you must try the torta sandwich. Italian, you have Italian Grotto. For Bbq you have Bobby O's.

A fun day was the Sedona/Grand Canyon all day tour. The concierge will sign you up. You will get 10% off with the marriott vp card given at checkin. Take it Tuesday or Friday to get Les. He was great and doing it for 20 years. It was an expensive add on but my wife and I did the helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon. Les mentioned it during the drive when we started. The Frank Lloyd Wright Taliesin West tour was also 90 minutes well spent. Tuesday's and Wednesday's are discount.

 

[Bogeygirl]

We were at Canyon Villas in April and stayed in the 2800 building on the top floor and that also faces in towards the pool. There are numerous restaurants at Kierland Commons which is a short drive away down Scottsdale Road. I second Roys at the JW - plus the lazy river pool at the JW is great.

 

[BJRSanDiego]

We were there a couple of weeks ago.

In the past, we had stayed in the 2800 building and the 2700 building and both were nice. We wanted to be close to the main pools. This time we had a choice between 1st floor of the 2800 building or a 2nd floor in the 2500 building. We chose the latter. We found that it was more quiet and peaceful in the 2500 building. So next time we're going to request either the 2500 or 2600 buildings. I think that they are in lower demand so the chance of getting a top floor unit is better. Also, in January (like December) the air temp can be cool and the prospect of going from the warm pool to your unit can be chilling. There were only a few kids using the pools when we were there.

BTW, unless you have reserved a 2 BR unit, don't bother requesting buildings 2300 and 2400. All of the units are 2 BR non-lock off.

In 2500, the unit had been refurbed. It looked very nice. But the fabric on the couch was "slippery" and we found ourselves slowly sliding off the couch. We would sit down upright and within a few minutes had slid almost horizontal. The fabric looked nice but apparently the Marriott designer failed to properly test it before selecting it for use.

For restaurants, here are some I'd try:
Pinnacle Peak Patio - very casual place with good steaks and eclectic saloon atmosphere
The Jade Palace - good chinese but call to get their address as the internet address is incorrect.
Tryst Cafe - across the street on Tatum and inexpensive
Humble Pie - ditto
Mimi's - fairly cheap and good food. At Tatum

 

[GreenTea]

Here is the restaurant I recommended: http://www.cowboyciao.com/about.php

 

[Ggatorgirl]

MIM

The Musical Instrument Museum is about 5 minutes away and well worth a couple of hours.

Organized by continent, with most countries represented with video clips of locals singing, dancing, playing the instruments, as well as native costumes and lots of instruments.

The USA area is broken down by genre...lots to see and get nostalgic about.

A not-to-be missed outing anytime we bring new visitors to Canyon Villas.

 

[n777lt]

What Ggatorgirl said.Where else can you find a museum dedicated to musical instruments from around the world?? It provides a fascinating day.
The Desert Botanic Garden is also fun. Cocktails in the lobby of the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Biltmore Hotel.
Also, if you have a rental car, you can drive yourself to Sedona, go into town and look for the trails around Bell Mountain or Courthouse. Easy walks (take plenty of water) gorgeous scenery. Lots of cute galleries. It's a full day's trip and you're probably going to be driving back in the dark, this time of year...which might be a reason to take a tour and leave the driving to someone else. But it's not really necessary.
Have fun!

 

[BJRSanDiego]

The Musical Instrument Museum is about 5 minutes away and well worth a couple of hours.

Organized by continent, with most countries represented with video clips of locals singing, dancing, playing the instruments, as well as native costumes and lots of instruments.

The USA area is broken down by genre...lots to see and get nostalgic about.

A not-to-be missed outing anytime we bring new visitors to Canyon Villas.

I went there abt 10 days ago. It was very interesting. I recommend arriving around 10:30 and then plan on having lunch there. They have a very respectable café.

There is a LOT to see. You may run out of energy and time. My recommendation when you get to the second floor is to go to the US/American area first and then the European section, etc. They are more interesting than the other sections up there.

 

[SunandFun83]

Things to Do

I second the Musical Instrument Museum. We also enjoy The Desert Botanical Gardens and Sedona for a day trip. Grand Canyon is a very long day.

We always go for Gelato in Phoenix, Gelato Spot is easy to find 3-4 locations. The best Gelato is a little shop on the square in Old Town, all the way back by the Playhouse.

Where to eat: Mimi's at Desert Ridge Mall, Paradise Bakery for Breakfast, (Starbucks is next door if you gotta have their coffee)Tryst Cafe for brunch/lunch. White Chocolate and Elephant Bar for elegant dinner. Pinnacle Peak Patio for a Cowboy Experience.

Best Golf Course, Wildfire is good. Troon is good, but tricked up. The Boulders is good and Kierland is not. My favorite this year was Quinterro, 30 minutes NW off I17. My golf buddy loved Southern Dunes.

 

[SRTopDog]

Highly recommend...

When my wife and I were in that area about 5 years ago, we went to Mastro's two different restaurants, one for Seafood and one for Steak, and they were both excellent....

I know this sounds crazy, but if you have the time, you should stop by the Four Seasons in Scottsdale and get the chips and salsa in the outdoor bar area....I hate salsa and this was the best one of the top 10 things I've ever eaten in my life...it was that good, and they give the recipe out! It was called their Saguaro blossom salsa or something like that....

And just last year we we visited Frank Lloyd Wrights house in the same area and it was interesting....but I was a pre-architecture major in college....so maybe not for everyone, but they had art work and other intriguing stuff there, too.....

Have a great time!

 

[Cmore]

Best Golf Course, Wildfire is good. Troon is good, but tricked up. The Boulders is good and Kierland is not. My favorite this year was Quinterro, 30 minutes NW off I17. My golf buddy loved Southern Dunes.

Quintero is great - I play it every time I am in Scottsdale. Another good choice is WeKoPa - they have 36 holes the Cholla and Saguaro courses. I prefer the Cholla course. Quintero is out out West a ways - a bit past Lake Pleasant.