<p>If your idea of luxury is having an attendant a...

<p>If your idea of luxury is having an attendant at your side waiting to wipe the foie gras off your chin, perhaps the Plaza is not the place for you. But they have done a remarkable thing. The Scottsdale Plaza has managed to provide an upscale experience without the snoot. The property and amenities are clearly a cut above, and yet the staff, while professional, are genuinely welcoming and friendly.</p>

<p>The grounds are lush, beautiful and immaculate. In some areas, they literally rise to the level of a botanical garden with little placards providing the name and information about the various species of plant. It was a curiosity that during our 11-night stay, we never heard a mower or leaf blower, and yet there wasn't a blade of grass out of place. Amazing. At night, the property is transformed into an oasis of light. On a warm summer night, the effect is mesmerizing. Seeing Camelback Mountain dimly backlit by the lights of Phoenix only added to the experience.</p>

<p>We were fortunate to have stayed in both the Courtyard and Executive Lodge sections of the hotel. The Courtyard suite was very nice with lots of room and all the amenities necessary for a comfortable stay. When that section of the hotel had to be shut down for maintenance on the Courtyard pool, we moved to one of the Executive Lodges. The Sonoran Suite was extravagant. 1,300 square feet of luxury with living room, dining area, kitchen, wet bar, guest bathroom, huge bedroom, and large master bathroom with jacuzzi tub. It also offered a gated entrance, three patios, and was steps away from the (semi-private) pool.</p>

<p>The summer menu items at the on-site restaurants would best be described as 'comfort food', but that's not to say in any way inferior. It's just not 'haute cuisine', if that's what you're after. Every dish we had was delicious and pleasantly inventive, including the Shrimp BLT, Thai Salad, DL Burger, and Poke. The wood-fired pizza was very good with a satisfying number of variations. The Plaza Benedict was made with the most tender ham steak I've ever had. Unless your palate is a little too fussy, you won't go hungry at the Plaza.</p>

<p>Our experience at the Scottsdale Plaza Hotel was a perfect 10. But you have to be a little wary of reviews that are 100% positive, so I'll offer this one criticism: The guest bathrobes were slightly over-starched . . . </p>