The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Gets It: Why Resort Hospitality Matters More Than Ever on Tour

Having spent 35 years watching professional golf evolve—from my days lugging a bag for Tom Lehman to covering fifteen Masters tournaments—I’ve learned that the tour’s infrastructure tells you something crucial about where the game is heading. And right now, what’s happening at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess tells me that luxury hospitality understands professional golf better than most people realize.

Let me explain.

More Than Just a Pretty Place

On the surface, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess sounds like exactly what you’d expect from a AAA Five Diamond resort: impressive acreage, championship amenities, the whole nine yards. But what strikes me about this property isn’t the marketing brochure—it’s the philosophy behind it.

The resort sits on 65 acres with direct access to TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, host of the WM Phoenix Open. During tournament week, that’s not just a selling point; that’s a strategic asset. Tournament week in Scottsdale draws serious money, serious players, and serious hangers-on who expect serious accommodations. In my experience, the properties that thrive during tour events aren’t the ones trying to capitalize on golf tourism—they’re the ones that genuinely understand what tour professionals, their families, and high-end patrons actually need.

The Princess gets it. Six pool complexes, a 44,000-square-foot Well & Being spa with rooftop adults-only options, 750 guest rooms with panoramic course views—these aren’t arbitrary luxuries. They’re infrastructure designed around the reality that tour week isn’t a 72-hour sprint. It’s a lifestyle event that requires comfort, privacy, and options.

Where Hospitality Meets Authenticity

Here’s what really caught my attention, though: the dining philosophy. The resort doesn’t just have restaurants. It has restaurants anchored by renowned chefs—Michael Mina’s Bourbon Steak, plus two Latin American concepts by Richard Sandoval: Toro (in the TPC clubhouse) and La Hacienda.

That matters more than it sounds.

I’ve watched tour venues struggle for years trying to figure out how to deliver upscale dining that doesn’t feel corporate or sterile. You can throw money at a kitchen, but you can’t fake authenticity. What the Princess has done is partner with chefs who have genuine credentials and genuine vision. That’s the difference between a "nice restaurant at a resort" and a destination dining experience.

And then there’s La Hacienda, where the real story emerges.

The "Tequila Goddesses" and Why It Matters

I’ll admit it—when I first read about Berkeley Alvarado and Christine Lord being called the "Tequila Goddesses," I was skeptical. That’s marketing language, and I’ve seen plenty of it in 35 years. But here’s what changed my mind:

"I cannot wait to share the wonderful memories I made. Specifically the love and passion that goes on behind the scenes while making tequila."

That’s not scripted hospitality-speak. That’s someone who actually went to Mexico, visited a distillery, and came back with something genuine to share. La Hacienda doesn’t just stock tequila—it curates an exclusive barrel from distillery El Tequileno each year through hands-on selection. The restaurant carries 250-plus tequila and agave spirits, but the real draw is something you can’t get anywhere else.

Christine Lord describes the exclusive barrel itself:

"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. 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."

Having caddied and traveled on tour in the ’90s, I remember when golf resorts thought "upscale dining" meant steak and lobster, period. The sophistication level has evolved dramatically. Tour professionals and their guests aren’t just looking for quality food and drink anymore—they’re looking for stories. They want to know where things come from. They want authenticity.

The Tournament Connection

Here’s the thing that ties this all together: the WM Phoenix Open is one of the most high-energy, fan-friendly events on the PGA Tour. It’s got the atmosphere of a college football game, the competitive intensity of major championship golf, and the business sophistication of a world-class venue. A resort that can provide sanctuary from that intensity—while still maintaining five-star amenities and world-class dining—becomes invaluable.

During tournament week, guests enjoy complimentary access to the 5th fairway from the resort. That’s not just a perk; that’s integration. You’re not staying at a resort that happens to overlook golf. You’re staying at a golf resort that happens to have world-class hospitality.

What This Really Signals

In my experience, when luxury properties start elevating their dining game beyond the expected standard, and when they invest in authentic experiences (like hand-selected tequila barrels) rather than generic amenities, it tells you something about where the high-end market is heading. The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess isn’t chasing the mass-market resort business. It’s doubling down on discerning guests who expect excellence in every dimension.

That’s smart positioning. And it’s good for professional golf, because venues that truly understand hospitality create environments where great golf happens. I’ve seen it for 35 years—the tournaments that thrive are the ones where every detail, from the conditioning of the course to the quality of the food to the genuine passion of the staff, reflects a commitment to excellence.

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess clearly understands that assignment.