10 Ways the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Spreads Christmas Cheer
Few family resorts transform for the holidays quite like the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Now back for its ninth year, this year’s Christmas at the Princess festivities are bigger and better than ever. With more than 4.5 million twinkling lights, specialty pop-up shops, and its famous Desert Ice Skating Rink, here are just a few ways you and your family can make memories at the Princess.
1. Santa’s in Scottsdale
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a place so sweet even Jolly Old Saint Nick can’t stay away. You can visit Santa Claus himself every night through December 24, 2018 at his secret headquarters. To top it off, guests can even stay in the specialty Santa Suite (decorated by his most trusted elves!) throughout the month of December. Call 480-585-4848 to learn more about reservations.
2. Desert Ice Skating Rink
Ice skating in the desert, you ask? The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess says, “Why not?” The huge, 6,000-square-foot ice rink brings some serious winter fun to the heart of the Sonoran Desert. There are even rink-side snowfalls each night! To enjoy it to the full effect, be sure to reserve a rink-side VIP fire pit in advance.
3. Specialty Cocktails
The acclaimed bartenders at the helm of each of its on-site restaurants show off a little bit during the holiday season. Specialty beverage menu items and pop-up specials include Flip Nog cocktails at Bourbon Steakhouse and Flaming Coffees at La Hacienda.
4. Family-Friendly Activities
Holiday character shows, pop-up shops, ice slides and the Princess Express Train are just a few of the ways your family can enjoy the holidays at the Princess this year. After you’ve met the holiday characters like Shivers the Yeti and Princess Noel, hop aboard the Princess Express Train, which tours the resort’s lagoons and magical holiday light displays. Note: Holiday character appearances occur at 5pm and 9pm daily. The group performs a special dance in front of the four-story tree in the Enchanted Plaza nightly.
5. Holiday Light Displays
More than 4.5 million lights are used throughout the property to create the Holiday Lagoon Lights and Nativity Garden. These aren’t your average Christmas lights though. You’ll see swans and penguins, mermaids and pirates standing alongside candy canes, menorahs, and toy soldiers.
6. Let-It-Glow Spa Treatments
While the kids are ice skating or riding the holiday train, the parents can slip away to the Well & Being Spa for a Fa-La-La-La Facial, Winter Warm-Up Massage or a Mistletoe Pedi. These specialty spa treatments are infused with holiday aromas that are sure to keep you relaxed all season long.
7. Decadent Brunches
Seasonal menus are available every weekend at the Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar. With sugar, spice and everything nice on the menu, we have a feeling you won’t want to leave.
8. Plaza Shows
Be sure to stop by the Enchanted Plaza to take your family photo with the resort’s signature Christmas tree that has 70,000 lights dancing and twinkling to 17 classic Christmas songs. And make sure to stay for the one-of-a-kind HD light show projected on the resort’s façade.
9. Gimme S’more
Travel through La Hacienda Plaza into a real-life winter playground called S’mores Land for boys and girls of all ages this year. Featuring a Christmas tree forest, carousel, ice slide, Ferris wheel and — of course — plenty of s’mores opportunities, S’mores Land is truly a spectacle to behold.
10. Giving Back
It’s the season for giving, not just receiving. This year, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has partnered with Cox Charities to provide a magical holiday season to foster children in the greater Phoenix area. A portion of all guest proceeds from the #LoveUp room package or a skating pass to the Desert Ice Skating Rink will go directly to the #LoveUp Foundation.
