Exclusive villas recognized among North America’s most elite luxury accommodations 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Privado Villas at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has earned the coveted AAA Five Diamond designation, placing the ultra-luxury enclave among an elite group of hotels and resorts recognized for delivering the highest levels of service, sophistication, and comfort. Due to its secluded location on property, Privado bills itself as a place apart that is perfectly connected – as guests enjoy enhanced service and amenities. 

AAA Five Diamond status is awarded to fewer than one percent of the more than 27,000 properties evaluated annually by AAA. The designation honors establishments that demonstrate exceptional attention to detail, refined elegance, and a consistently memorable guest experience. 

Nestled within the renowned Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Privado Villas offer an elevated resort experience defined by privacy, bespoke service, and residential-style luxury. Guests enjoy expansive villa accommodations, dedicated concierge and villa host services, exclusive pools and dining venues, and seamless access to the resort’s award-winning amenities. 

“This recognition reflects the extraordinary commitment of our Privado Villas team to delivering personalized, world-class hospitality,” said Jack Miller, Regional Vice President and General Manager of the Princess. “Earning AAA Five Diamond is a testament to the passion, precision, and care our colleagues bring to every guest experience.” 

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has long been celebrated as one of the Southwest’s premier luxury destinations, and the AAA Five Diamond distinction further underscores Privado Villas’ position as a top-tier offering for discerning travelers seeking privacy, exclusivity, and uncompromising service. 

“The level of care that a Five Diamond designation requires doesn’t come from checklists. It comes from pride, discipline, and a team that understands what luxury feels like. It is because of this commitment that Privado has earned a AAA Five Diamond Service rating,” says Thomas Overton, Director of Rooms. 

AAA inspectors conduct anonymous, in-person evaluations that focus on service quality, cleanliness, comfort, and overall guest experience. Five Diamond properties represent the pinnacle of luxury and hospitality excellence. 

About Privado Villas at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Privado Villas is an exclusive, gated enclave within Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, offering refined villa accommodations, personalized services, and a private resort experience in the heart of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. Designed for travelers seeking the ultimate in luxury and discretion, Privado Villas blends residential comfort with the amenities of a world-class resort. 

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Named AAA Timeless Diamond Hotel

Scottsdale, Ariz. — The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is proud to announce that it has been named an official AAA Timeless Diamond hotel by AAA’s Diamond Program – the only hotel on the West Coast to earn this distinction. This prestigious distinction marks an enduring legacy of luxury and service excellence since the property first earned AAA Five Diamond status in 1991.
The AAA Timeless Diamond designation is reserved for AAA Five Diamond properties with an exceptional and consistent level of service and hospitality over time. With the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess holding the Five Diamond rating since 1991 it is Arizona’s largest and longest running Five Diamond resort.

The resort features 750 guest rooms, including the newly renovated Privado Villas, six heated swimming pools, world-class dining a Toro Scottsdale, Bourbon Steak and La Hacienda, a 44,000 sq ft Well & Being Spa, and adjacent championship golf at the TPC Scottsdale.

“Fairmont Scottsdale Princess isn’t just a remarkable resort; it’s an unforgettable experience,” said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. “For nearly 35 years, the Princess has been raising the bar to deliver dream stays for AAA members and all guests. What the team has created and continues to build on is nothing short of amazing. We congratulate the Princess for its commitment to excellence and creativity.”

AAA inspectors evaluate hotels on the 4 Cs: Cleanliness, Comfort, Cuisine and Consistency – a rigorous yearly process that less than 1 % of 27,000 inspected properties achieve at the Five Diamond level. On top of the 4 Cs, hotels are evaluated on personalized, anticipatory service and a highly trained professional staff. Further, to earn a Five Diamond distinction, evaluators are looking for properties to deliver a transformational experience rather than just a stay, with guests often describing their experience as effortless luxury – where every detail, big or small, contributes to a sense of ease and indulgence. AAA defines these hotels as “the ultimate in luxury, sophistication, and comfort with extraordinary physical attributes, meticulous service, and impeccable standards of excellence.”

“Our undying commitment to our culture, built on love, respect, joy and collaboration, has been the guiding light of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Our team is passionate, dedicated, innovative, and relentlessly guest-focused – they are truly the heartbeat of this property,” says Jack Miller, Regional Vice President and General Manager of the Princess. “It’s their drive and creativity that have shaped the Princess into an iconic destination – one where the community gathers at our events and guests celebrate their milestones with us. From creating traditions like Christmas at the Princess to delivering world-class experiences every day, our people are the reason we continue to raise the bar. We have lived these values since 1991, and that is what has made the Princess Arizona’s largest and longest running AAA Five Diamond hotel.”

For travelers seeking a luxury resort experience that stands the test of time, the Timeless Diamond recognition further validates Fairmont Scottsdale Princess’s status as a benchmark property. Guests can have confidence in the resort’s longstanding dedication to delivering elevated guest experiences – from luxury accommodations and dining to immersive resort amenities and cultivated service.

The resort photo gallery can be found here: ScottsdalePrincess.com/Press.

About Fairmont Scottsdale Princess:

Set in the Sonoran Desert, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess combines Spanish-colonial-inspired architecture, lush gardens and resort-scale amenities to deliver an immersive luxury experience. Guests enjoy signature dining venues – including Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina, La Hacienda by Richard Sandoval and Toro Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar – six pools, championship golf at TPC Scottsdale, a full-service spa and more.

About AAA’s Diamond Program:

AAA’s Diamond Program is a respected, industry-recognized hotel and restaurant rating system. Inspectors conduct unannounced evaluations across Canada, the United States, Mexico and Costa Rica. Fewer than 1 % of the nearly 23,000 properties inspected achieve the Five Diamond level. Properties that sustain that level over multiple years may be recognized as Timeless Diamond.

Media Contact:

John Glynn

Director of Public Relations

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

7575 East Princess Drive

Scottsdale, AZ 85255

Phone: (480) 585-2706

Email: John.Glynn@Fairmont.com

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Arizona’s largest and longest running AAA Five Diamond hotel, has been recognized as the #1 in the Southwest in the 2025 Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards.

“This prestigious award exemplifies the hard work and dedication our team puts into every detail for our guests,” says Chris White, director of sales and marketing. “Competition in our market is stiff, so we must work hard to innovate and give our guests the best experience possible. We thankful to be recognized as the best resort in the Southwest and will continue to elevate our guest experience in new ways.” 

The 2025 Readers' Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveler's website at cntraveler.com/rca and covered in their November issue.

Other recent awards the Princess has won were a Gold Badge award by US News & World Report’s Best Hotels in the USA in 2024, Newsweek’s Best Christmas Light Display in 2024, and Golf Digest’s list of 75 Best Golf Resorts for 2025-2026.

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The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Arizona’s iconic AAA Five-Diamond resort, today proudly announces it has been named a recipient of the distinguished Blue Zones Award, a global accolade recognizing excellence in promoting well-being, sustainability, and healthy living.

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[Scottsdale, AZ, September 27, 2024] – On September 28, 2024, Toro Scottsdale by Richard Sandoval will begin igniting the tastebuds and imagination of diners, inviting guests on a culinary journey through the vibrant flavors and diverse culinary history of Central and South America. After a complete renovation, Toro’s atmosphere will be a sultry mix of textures that will accentuate the food and dining experience. Rich leathers, vibrant greens, moody lighting inside, the bright Sunset Bar on the patio outside all overlooks the 18th hole of the iconic TPC Scottsdale. Toro Scottsdale will be open for lunch and dinner, with a weekend brunch offering shortly after opening.

A Toro dining experience will ignite a sense of mystery in diners, with unexpected pairings, unique flavor profiles and an inventive menu developed by chef Gage Smit, who worked with chef Richard Sandoval to encapsulate all that is Toro Scottsdale. Toro's culinary philosophy is a harmonious blend of elevated sophistication and inviting accessibility, embodying the essence of contemporary Latin cuisine without borders. Drawing inspiration from the culinary traditions of Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, Venezuela, and beyond, Chef Richard Sandoval's vision celebrates the diversity of pan-Latin cuisine.

“I’m excited to share this new chapter of Toro Scottsdale with our guests,” says Jack Miller, regional vice president and general manager of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. “The dining experience at Toro will represent more than a meal – it will be an event. One that will surprise and delight guests, leaving them excited to return and see what’s next. Toro definitely has something to say, but it might take you a time or two to figure it all out.”

South American cuisine has been heavily influenced by Chinese and Japanese immigrants who came to the continent beginning in the mid 19th century. Other influences include those from African and European immigrants – with staple ingredients consisting of corn, potatoes, quinoa and legumes. Reflecting these influences, the wide ranging menu will include sushi, ceviche, steaks, tacos, fresh fish and more, including grass fed beef sourced from Argentina. Dynamism in dining will be central to the Toro experience, with many tableside activations, including the popular La Bomba dessert and new tableside churrasco experiences.

"We are excited to share Toro with the Scottsdale community," said Chef Richard Sandoval. "Our menu reflects the passion and depth of Latin culinary traditions, interpreted through a contemporary lens."

The Toro Scottsdale story is one that embraces fire, flavor and fervor; led by general manager John Adams and executive chef Gage Smit, the Toro Scottsdale team approaches what they do with intensity and devotion. Beverage director John Wilhelm has replaced the previous rum forward cocktail program with one that focuses on underrepresented South American wines, complex smoked cocktails and beverage pairings that will make a meal complete.

Smit has a background befitting of an executive chef for Toro Scottsdale. He was born and raised on a 10 acre Banana farm in Maui, HI, which instilled in him an enormous respect for the land, food and how to prepare it. The culinary diversity and emphasis on Asian flavors are abundant in Hawaiian food - bright acidity and fresh seafood – so it was a natural fit when he took the lead in the kitchen at Toro.

In addition to the new menu and updated concept, guests will enjoy a total transformation of the restaurant. The restaurant will maintain its sweeping view of the iconic 18th hole of TPC Scottsdale, providing a unique setting for a unique experience. The Sunset Bar is the heart of the patio at Toro Scottsdale, where guests can enjoy all the food and drink of Toro, while getting the Valley’s best photo as the sun goes down.

Inside, guests will enjoy a vibrant and energetic atmosphere with large windows, lush greenery and new custom plateware. Bright during the day and moody at night, the ambiance works in harmony with the menu – bright and light sushi and fresh fish; deep, flavorful beef dishes. Paying homage to the Sandoval philosophy of old hands, new ways, the plates in Toro are handmade by local artisan Christiane Barbato of Blue Door Ceramics. The plates are the physical manifestation of the culinary vision of Toro – carefully handcrafted, unique, high quality ingredients turned into something magnificent on the table. Each piece was meticulously chosen by Princess executive chef Conor Favre and Toro executive chef Gage Smit.

Toro Scottsdale features Scottsdale’s most diverse private dining and special event menu – perfect for weddings and other celebrations of up to 500 guests. Menus can be customized for any dietary restriction or preference – and in true Toro fashion, guests can have flamenco dancers, cigar rollers, fireworks, custom signage, and more to enhance their celebration.

The restaurant's commitment to authenticity and innovation ensures a unique dining experience for every guest. From savory tacos to inventive ceviches, Toro offers a fusion of tradition and modernity that caters to every palate. For more information, please visit ScottsdalePrincess.com/toro.

• All requests must be made in writing on the organization’s letterhead and can be mailed to the resort’s street address, emailed to scp.donations@fairmont.com. All requests are reviewed by the Donations Committee.
• If the resort is able to make a donation (typically an overnight stay) the gift certificate will be processed and sent to the contact prior to the event.
• Due to the volume of requests we receive, we are unable to respond on whether a donation request is being granted.
• To have a sense of what the committee is looking for, here are a few guidelines:
• Must be a 501c3 non-profit organization, preferably in the local community
• It must benefit a wide number of people
• When we donate, it often is for a silent auction for a fundraiser
• We are unable to make cash donations
• Preferably charities that benefit children or families in need