CHAMPAGNE DREAMS
A night out in Old Town Scottsdale might include rooftop cocktails, thrumming house music and a chef-driven dinner across a series of clubs, bars and restaurants. Now, visitors can enjoy all of these experiences in one place – plus a luxurious overnight option – at The REMI, a contemporary, 12-story boutique hotel that opened in the heart of Old Town in July. Part of the Marriott Autograph Collection, the hotel offers “an odyssey of the senses – a hospitality experience designed to engage sight, sound, taste, touch and scent throughout a guest’s stay,” director of sales and marketing Shy Coleman says. The hotel boasts five distinct dining destinations, including The Lobby Bar, where staff ceremoniously pour Champagne into a tower of coupe glasses each evening. “It’s a daily ritual that blends visual flair with a sense of arrival, setting the tone for the night ahead,” Coleman says. “Our menus are globally inspired but rooted in what our guests crave: drama, flavor and a little showmanship.” The REMI features 161 guestrooms, including 25 suites, and offers exclusive amenities like Côte Beauty bath products and VIP access to Maya Day + Night next door. This fall, guests can expect “thoughtful culinary presentations, creative cocktails and a few signature surprises as the season unfolds,” Coleman says. Peak-season room rates begin at $319/night. marriott.com/phxda
– Madison Rutherford
JUST BACK FROM PORTLAND
Scottsdale real estate broker Ruth Price specializes in “design-led and architectural homes.” When she needs to renew her own creative spark, she heads to her hometown, The City of Roses. “I think that’s the beauty of Portland,” she says. “It is so dense. Most people live in close proximity to each other, and I think it’s so easy to support people doing creative things because everything’s right next door.” Price is bringing that creative collaboration to the Valley this fall with Desert Design Week, a “decentralized festival” for art lovers of all stripes, with multiple events held October 8-15. She shares highlights from her summer trip to Portland – including a little recruiting for DDW.
Portland Japanese Garden
“The garden is beautiful year-round,” Price says of revered Japanese architect Kengo Kuma’s 12.5-acre masterpiece, a “true Japanese garden” with eight distinct garden styles, a teahouse, a cultural center, streams and footpaths in the shadow of Mount Hood. “In the fall, because they have a lot of Japanese maple, it’s absolutely incredible.” japanesegarden.org
Eem
Price says this Thai barbecue spot was part of the “huge foodie movement” that took Portland by storm 15 or so years ago. “These chefs were moving here from New York, from L.A., just opening up their own concepts,” she says. Her go-to dish is the white curry with roasted cauliflower and brisket burnt ends. eempdx.com
G-Love
“They call it a reverse steakhouse,” Price says of this bright and buzzy spot in the Slabtown neighborhood. “The meat is actually the sides, and the vegetables are the main dishes. So, it’s kind of fun – you know, a little healthier and a fun take on a more vegetable-forward menu.” The offerings change seasonally, but Price’s cocktail order is evergreen: “I love their Negronis.” g-lovepdx.com
Hoppe Shoppe
Price is a regular at this “fun homecore slash art object store,” she says. Many of the featured artists and designers are local to the Pacific Northwest. “It’s just beautifully styled and curated.” Price scouted two artists for Desert Design Week at the shop: ceramicist Nik Nik and painter Ben Latham. “He lives up here [in Portland], but he paints the Southwest, which is kind of fun.” hoppeshoppe.com
– Leah LeMoine
NEW AROUND TOWN: NEW ORLEANS
Even if you’re not in town to don feathers and beads for Mardi Gras, New Orleans has plenty of fun to offer. Make sure your fall trip to The Big Easy includes these new-on-the-scene hotels, restaurants and adventures.
Evviva
James Beard Award-winning chef Rebecca Wilcomb has returned to the New Orleans restaurant scene with Evviva, which opened in March. The new Italian joint’s name is inspired by a phrase used to express joy and delight. At Evviva, diners can enjoy signature dishes like anchovy bread, whole grilled flounder and chocolate budino. evvivanola.com
Hotel Henrietta
Oozing with charm and located on historical St. Charles Avenue, Hotel Henrietta offers a beautiful clash of sleek modernism and cozy history. The hotel, which opened in April 2024, offers laid-back luxury with a coffee shop and bar, outdoor balconies and paintings by local artists. hotelhenrietta.com
JAMNOLA
Built to showcase local artists and other creative collaborators, the Meow Wolf-style immersive “funhouse” Joy Art Music New Orleans (JAMNOLA) debuted a new permanent location with 29 exhibits in August of 2020. Only a 10-minute walk from the French Quarter, the complex offers an opportunity for people of all ages to discover the creativity, fun and warmth that the Crescent City has to offer. jamnola.com
– Sommer Bailey
