After a long Midwest winter, a few days in the Arizona sunshine sounded like the perfect escape. Our trip to Scottsdale turned into a relaxing mix of spring training baseball, great food, and a comfortable resort stay — with Luna along for the adventure.
From watching the Cubs at Sloan Park to discovering a charming local bookstore and enjoying several great meals around Scottsdale, the trip ended up being a great balance of activity and downtime.
If you’re planning a trip to Arizona during spring training season, this guide covers where we stayed, where we ate, and a few dog-friendly spots nearby.
Flying to Phoenix with Luna
Luna traveled with us on United Airlines and did great on the flight. Since she is a service dog, she flew in-cabin and sat comfortably at my feet in our first-class seats.
The flight from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) was just under four hours, and Luna handled it like a champ.
One thing we noticed right away when we arrived was the time difference. Because of daylight saving time changes in Illinois, Arizona ended up being two hours behind us, which took a little getting used to.
The weather made up for it immediately. It was sunny and hot the entire trip, but the dry desert air made it feel much more comfortable than the temperature suggested. Coming from the Midwest, the dry heat actually felt pretty nice — though someone used to desert climates might disagree.
Staying at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas
For this trip we stayed at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas, which ended up being a great home base for exploring the area.
Check-in was quick and straightforward, and the resort itself feels fairly large — especially if you’re staying in the villa section like we did.
Guests staying in the main hotel building might not even realize that there’s an entire separate villa area on the property.
The Villas
The villas felt spacious and comfortable, with recently renovated interiors that made them feel more like a small condo than a typical hotel room.
Our villa included:
- A full kitchen with dishwasher, refrigerator, and cookware
- A large living area
- Two bedrooms
- Parking directly outside the villa
- Single-level buildings with no stairs
One of the biggest conveniences was being able to park right outside the villa, which made coming and going extremely easy.
The only minor downside was that you could occasionally hear neighbors through the walls, though the resort overall still felt fairly quiet.
Resort Atmosphere
Aside from music near the main pool area, the resort had a very relaxed and peaceful atmosphere.
One interesting detail: the lobby area has a noticeable perfumed scent that’s pumped through the space.
The daily resort charge included several perks like guest internet access, self-parking, bottled water, fitness classes, and even discounts at nearby golf courses, spas, and activities.
It also included a $20 discount at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar (with a $100 purchase), which ended up working out perfectly for one of our dinners.
By the end of the trip, we all agreed that we would absolutely stay here again.
Dog Friendliness at the Resort
Although Luna is a service dog, we still try to choose places that are generally pet-friendly so our experiences are helpful to readers traveling with dogs.
According to the resort’s website, pets are allowed with a $75 non-refundable fee and a maximum weight of 75 pounds.
We stayed in the villa section, which had walking paths and grassy areas nearby that made it easy to take Luna out.
We also noticed several other dogs around the property, and staff seemed to enjoy seeing Luna throughout our stay.
That said, there were not many dining options at the resort where dogs could join.
The on-site steakhouse, Fleming’s, does not offer outdoor seating, and dogs are not allowed on the pool deck where the outdoor bar is located.
A Visit to Chaparral Dog Park
Since Luna travels with us, we also like to find places where she can stretch her legs during the trip. One convenient option near the resort was Chaparral Dog Park, located just 1.7 miles from the resort.
The park has separate sections for calmer dogs and more energetic dogs, which helps keep things comfortable for different play styles. There was also plenty of parking available near the entrance, making it easy to stop by for a quick visit.
The side we visited had more dry grass and fewer shade trees, which is pretty typical for the desert climate. Coming from the Midwest where everything is bright green, it definitely looked a little different — but Luna didn’t seem to mind at all.
One thing to note is that the water fountain is located outside the gated dog area, so it’s a good idea to grab water before heading inside if your pup needs it.
While many of the dogs were busy running and playing, Luna had a slightly different strategy. Instead of chasing the other dogs around, she tended to wander over to people instead — making sure she got plenty of pets from anyone willing to give them.
Cubs Spring Training at Sloan Park
One of the highlights of the trip was heading to Sloan Park in Mesa for a Chicago Cubs spring training game.
While Luna relaxed back at the villa, we drove about 9.5 miles (roughly 20–30 minutes) to the ballpark for the 1 PM Cubs vs. Dodgers game.
Traffic around the stadium can get congested, so we recommend parking in the Red Lot and arriving a little early.
The atmosphere inside the park was fantastic. The stadium was packed with Cubs fans, and the energy felt like a smaller Arizona version of Wrigley Field.
One thing we especially appreciated was that most of the seating areas were shaded, which made a big difference in the afternoon heat.
It was also my first time visiting Sloan Park, and it definitely lived up to the hype.
A Stop at The Bookish Shop
While the rest of the group headed to the Cubs game one morning, I made a stop at The Bookish Shop in nearby Gilbert.
The shop was fairly busy when I visited around 11:30 AM on a Saturday, which isn’t surprising given how charming the space is.
Parking was a little confusing depending on the route Google Maps gives you, but the easiest option is to park in the nearby parking garage, which sits just outside the shop.
The café offered drinks and pastries, though I didn’t notice any full meal options — which wasn’t a problem since there were plenty of restaurants nearby.
For anyone who loves books, it’s definitely worth a visit.
Dining Around Scottsdale
One of the highlights of the trip was getting to try several great restaurants around the area.
Veneto Trattoria
Just 0.1 miles from the resort, Veneto Trattoria made for a very convenient dinner our first night.
The atmosphere was casual Italian, and when we arrived around 5:30 PM it was fairly open. By the time we left, however, the entire dining room had filled up and people were eating out on the patio.
Salt & Sol
Salt & Sol, located at the resort, offers food and drinks next to the pool. The desserts were very good, though the pork tacos were just okay.
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
For our “nice dinner” of the trip, we chose Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, which is conveniently connected to the resort.
The food was excellent, and the atmosphere felt upscale but still relaxed.
Reservations aren’t required, but they’re recommended. When we arrived around 5:30 PM on a Saturday, it wasn’t too busy yet. By the time we finished dinner, the restaurant had filled up and people were waiting for tables.
Thirsty Lion Gastropub
After the Cubs game, we headed to Thirsty Lion Gastropub for dinner.
We ended up waiting about 30 minutes for a table, likely because many fans had the same idea after the game.
The restaurant was busy both inside and outside, but it had a fun, energetic atmosphere.
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream
To finish the evening, we stopped at Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream in Hilton Village for dessert.
There was a short line, but the staff moved quickly.
I ordered Birthday Cake and Brownie Dough ice cream topped with marshmallow and a cherry, which was the perfect sweet treat to end the night.
Final Thoughts
Our Scottsdale trip turned out to be the perfect mix of relaxing resort time, great food, and a fun spring training experience.
Between the sunny desert weather, the welcoming atmosphere around the city, and our comfortable stay at the Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas, it made for a great getaway from the Midwest winter. From cheering on the Cubs at Sloan Park to wandering through a bookstore and letting Luna stretch her legs at a nearby dog park, the trip had a little bit of everything.
And of course, Luna enjoyed the adventure too — even if she spent the Cubs game relaxing back at the villa before making plenty of new friends (and collecting lots of pets) at the dog park.
If you’re planning a spring training trip to Arizona, Scottsdale makes a great home base for exploring the area with — or without — your pup.
Paws and love,
Lauren & Luna
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