September is National Honey Month, and Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows is celebrating
all month long! It is the perfect time for Andaz because they have an on-site managed bee
community. Honey from its busy bees is being highlighted at Andaz in some of its spa services,
during special events and in highlighted offerings during dinner at its Weft & Warp Art Bar +
Kitchen.
We kicked off our stay with a fascinating talk and demonstration by representatives of Alvéole
— the company that manages the bee colony housed at Andaz. They brought out honeycomb
panels from the bee colony and educated our group about different kinds of honey. Bees make
honey by “drying it out”— fanning it with their wings, and when the honey is perfectly dried of
its water content, each honeycomb chamber is sealed by bees with beeswax. The beeswax
“cover” is eventually cut from the honeycomb, the honey is drained, and then spun in a
centrifuge. The result is pure honey that is perfect to use for just about anything and I grabbed
a petite jar of the sweet stuff to take home.
The next honey related event happens 3 p.m. Thursday, September 26 at Andaz Scottsdale at
the complimentary “Meet the Bees” Workshop. Alvéole will provide a glimpse of a day in the
life of a beekeeper by opening and inspecting a real working beehive, find out what worker
bees do, then touch, smell and taste the bee’s handiwork. You could even meet the hive’s
queen — Lady Andaz. The event is open to hotel guests and Valley residents and will include
lots of buzzy photo opps! This is a unique opportunity for both kids and adults!
Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen
Chef Sam DeMarco or “Chef Sammy D.” as he’s affectionately known, has brought creativity
and culinary excellence to Andaz Scottsdale’s signature restaurant — Weft & Warp Art Bar +
Kitchen. Honey Month is represented in the kitchen with a few sweet offerings. Kicking off our
meal, we enjoyed the Bee’s Knees cocktail that incorporates gin, honey and lemon juice, topped
with a lemon twist garnish.
The Whipped Feta Crostini was a delightful appetizer, and perfect for two people to share. It
featured plump fresh slides figs, crunchy pistachios, arugula and a honey drizzle, set atop hearty
Noble bread.
My entrée was the Wild Striped Bass, an outstanding dish that combines a unique variety of
tastes and textures that together, create one of the most stellar dishes served in the Valley.
Complimenting the excellent bass fillet were tomatoes, tangy green olives, spinach and basil,
highlighted in a beurre blanc sauce that included a dash of Calabrian chili oil for an extra dash of
flavor. The bed of lemon orzo was the winning flavor accompaniment that didn’t overpower
any of the other ingredients.
The other entrée at our table was the Grilled 12 oz. Prime Strip Steak. The Linz wet-aged steak
was topped with a tangy chimichurri and we chose a side of Yukon gold potato puree with
gruyere and mascarpone cheese, chives and truffle butter. The two items together were
heavenly! To properly appreciate the entrée and thought that goes into presentation, we
stopped by the exhibition kitchen to watch Chef Sammy D. and his crew plate up the dish after
our meal. It was like watching an orchestral performance, and each member of the staff added
something to the dish — one right after the other. The placement and quantity of each
ingredient was thoughtfully applied and placed, creating the culinary symphony that was then
eventually presented to guests.
Dessert was a tasty finale to round out dinner. The honey gelato with honey drizzle was also
cleverly topped with freeze dried honeycomb, which gave it a slightly crunchy finish. What an
exceptional way to end the culinary offerings celebrating National Honey Month. Prepare to
“bee” impressed. For an extra flight of fancy, request the chef’s table located inside the
exhibition kitchen.
Palo Verde Spa & Apothecary
Boasting treatments created from desert botanicals and aromatics, Palo Verde Spa & Apothecary is always a relaxing escape whether you’re staying at Andaz Resort or stopping by
from elsewhere in the Valley. For National Honey Month, the Just Bee Massage, Bee Natural
Facial, Meant to Bee Scrub and Bee You Manicure and Pedicure are designed as sweet
treatments featuring honey. Queen bee, Lady Andaz gives these sweet Palo Verde Spa
treatments four wings up!
I enjoyed the Bee Natural Facial, a superbly moisturizing organic treatment that included warm
steam, exfoliation, a few moisturizing applications and was topped off with a decadent honey
lip butter. As a bonus, I was able to go home with a wildflower seed mix that will “bee” perfect
to eventually attract adorable and important honeybees to my own garden.
The Sweetest Bungalows and Views
To understand the beautiful history of Andaz Scottsdale, one must look to the past. It was
originally opened in 1980 as The Alamos Resort before being renamed a few variations of the
Cottonwoods Resort moniker. It reopened in early 2017 after a thorough $75 million renovation
that brought the world-class Andaz name to the property. Andaz is present in the finest cities
around the globe and the unique brand incorporates laid-back luxury with approachable
opulence and a local twist that makes each property inherently unique.
The views of Camelback Mountain are a highlight, overlooking the resort and its sparkling pool
at a mid-range distance. Art abounds in all areas of Andaz Scottsdale, from the moment you
step into the spacious reception area to the adorably fun stocked gift shop area. Local art
compound, Cattle Track has its artists featured throughout the property on a rotating basis,
giving it a distinctly local vibe and visual appeal.
The gems in this resort’s crown are the spacious and bright bungalows, separated by small
rolling grassy hills that make for many lush and manicured walking paths throughout the resort.
Each bungalow boasts a front patio with padded seating area and a table — a nice welcome,
and a perfect spot to relax when there is decent weather.
The mid-century modern décor is punctuated with modern style Southwestern flair. Light
streams into each bungalow from front to back and back to front. The huge bathroom is a fun
space to discover, with a shower is possibly the largest that I’ve encountered in any hotel room
anywhere. A private enclosed back patio with lush surrounds and chaise lounge chairs is a nice
bonus.
A creative and modern “deconstructed” open closet provides space for everything, including a
full-size umbrella, iron and ironing board and two plush bathrobes and slippers. A mini fridge,
coffeemaker, stocked mini bar, a few complimentary snacks a large screen TV round out the
room offerings. The bungalows are quiet because of how they are spaced on the property, and
a nearly silent air conditioning system and the plush and comfortable beds and pillows ensure
you’ll enjoy a good night’s rest.
Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows is located at 6114 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale, 85253.
Visit the www.andazscottsdale.com for a list of events and offerings during National Bee Month
and bee-yond!