This expansive, luxe resort has ruled Scottsdale for 4 decades

Berkeley Alvarado and Christine Lord aren’t princesses, but they are goddesses. More precisely, they are the resident Tequila Goddesses at La Hacienda, the state’s top-rated Mexican restaurant that just happens to be located inside the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.

Each year, these certified tequila experts and bar-side storytellers visit Mexico to continue their libation education and, more importantly, to taste and select an exclusive barrel from distillery El Tequileno that’s then brought back to La Hacienda.

“I cannot wait to share the wonderful memories I made,” Alvarado says. “Specifically the love and passion that goes on behind the scenes while making tequila.”

It’s a similar passion for quality you’ll find throughout Arizona’s largest and longest-running AAA Five Diamond hotel resort. The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a sprawling 65-acre retreat set against the scenic backdrop of the McDowell Mountains. The expansive grounds encourage guests to wander. Spanish Colonial architecture is complemented by lush gardens and thoughtfully constructed plazas. A total of 750 guest rooms include a selection of high-end suites and villas, many of which enjoy a panoramic view of the adjacent golf course, TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium course, host of the annual WM Phoenix Open. During tournament week, resort guests even enjoy complimentary access to the 5th fairway.

The Princess offers six unique pool complexes, with options for lap swimming, zero-depth entry, a soft white sand beach, a splash pad and a pair of 200-foot waterslides. The resort’s 44,000-square-foot Well & Being spa houses a rooftop adults-only option. And while you won’t want to swim in the resort’s lagoon, you can drop a line to catch and release an assortment of bluegill, catfish, tilapia and bass.

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Now let’s talk dining. The Princess boasts a total of five restaurants, three of which are anchored by renowned chefs; Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina and two Latin American options by Richard Sandoval: Toro, located in TPC Scottsdale’s clubhouse, and the aforementioned La Hacienda, where you’ll enjoy guacamole prepared tableside, house specialties like carnitas and fresh ceviche, along with a selection of 250-plus tequila and agave spirits. But it’s that exclusive barrel you’ll want a pour from.

“Amazing flavors of caramel, honey and vanilla give it just the right amount of sweetness but still allow the cooked agave to continue to shine through,” says Lord. “It is such a high-quality bottle — perfect for new tequila drinkers or tequila connoisseurs. We are so proud and cannot wait for everyone to try it.”

You heard the goddess, get out to the Princess and sip for yourself.