The Saguaro, Scottsdale

Upon approaching the hotel, the exterior seems quite tame, with a nice, clean, white façade greeting guests from afar. But once close, signs of life start to show, with pops of color emanating from various sides and unexpected places. For example, the porte-cochère’s underside is a lovely surprise, painted with the yellows and light greens from the hotel's palette of desert wildflowers: Staghorn Cholla, Sunflower, California Poppy, and Lantana Camara.

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The lobby was designed to stimulate the guests as they made their way through the hotel. Featuring custom color banquettes from Knoll Textile, custom-dyed Equipale furniture, Bertjan Pot's Random Lights from Moooi, a Merida Meridian runner, and Mexican Fan Palms, the lobby is an inviting place to lounge and relax.

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The Sydell Group was very particular in choosing the decorative pieces and Equipale furniture for the guest rooms. The word "Equipale" comes from the Indian Nahuatl word "icpalli" (chair for the gods), which were historically used by those in Aztec high society. Today, these furnishings are created from varieties of leather and wood, and are a staple in Mexican interiors.

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The colors used in the public spaces flow right into the guest rooms. Each of the 194 abodes is unique, but all are colored with solid hues and balanced out by monochromatic vintage photographs of Saguaro cacti. When questioned about their decision to withhold prints and patterns from most of the spaces, the designers explained, "the lack of prints adds a boldness to the spaces. Dimensionality and texture are added through the natural texture and authenticity of the Equipale furniture and [custom-crafted] blankets. The rooms also contain custom Knoll textiles and pigskin desks."

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The bathrooms follow suit with the brilliance of the rest of the property. Again, bold colors mark the walls.

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Walking in the bar feels like walking into an old Western saloon, reimagined in a modern way. The walls are paneled with weathered barn siding, with niches painted with wildflower colors like Desert Mariposa Lily, California Poppy, Sunflower, Red Desert Globemallow and Staghorn Cholla, adding an element of excitement and depth to the space. The bar’s sitting area is made extra comfortable with plush loungers upholstered in Knoll Textiles.

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The property has multiple leisure amenities, including a spa, a fitness center, and two heated outdoor pools surrounded by cabanas. The outdoor fireplace, which is located right off of the bar, is made even warmer with the color of Red Desert Globemallow. The base is painted the color of Scarlet Hedgenettle, and the orange outdoor seating from Sunbrella rests on a tailor-made purple indoor/outdoor carpet.

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By the "Picante Pool," the walls are painted the colors of Desert Mariposa Lily and Red Desert Globemallow. The landscaping furthers the feeling of oneness with nature, which is most evident here. The architects noted, "Our brilliant landscape architect, Chris Winters, incorporated indigenous plants to the property with a focus on sustainable succulents and the flowers from which the colors were inspired." In many ways, Stamberg and Aferiat made sure that the Saguaro Hotel "belongs" in its surroundings as much as the cactus it is named after. In turn, its playful aura surely inspires optimism, fun, and joy from its guests, just as the designers hoped for.

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