What is the recommended lodging for this trip?

This plan centers on booking one entire rental home near Old Town, ideally with a private heated pool, at least three bedrooms, and space for all six friends. It should be confirmed as soon as possible.

What kind of vehicle is needed for the Sedona day trip?

For the Sedona day trip, you'll need to collect one seven-passenger minivan or full-size SUV from a central Scottsdale Enterprise branch to comfortably transport all six friends together.

How should we coordinate the spa appointments for a group of six?

It is strongly recommended to call VH Spa directly when your travel dates are firm and ask the spa coordinator to align six appointments within the same two-hour window, as group inventory is limited.

Is it possible to do a desert hike with less strenuous activity than Camelback Mountain?

Yes, if the Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain is too strenuous, the plan suggests an alternative: the gentler, nontechnical 4.5-mile Gateway Loop Trail at McDowell Sonoran Preserve.

When should we book the celebration dinner at Café Monarch?

Book Café Monarch when its reservation calendar opens, commonly about one month ahead. A table for six is harder to place, so confirm the current release timing directly.

Saguaro cactus and a desert mountain ridge against a pink and orange sunset

Sample itinerary · 4 days

4-Day Scottsdale Girls' Trip Itinerary

Six of you, and a pool day that doesn't eat the whole trip.

Going to: Scottsdale, Arizona
Length: 4 days
Travelers: Friend groups
Trip total: $3,471–$5,630

$3,471–$5,630

The total covers flights from Minneapolis, Minnesota, getting around and tickets and tours for the whole party, plus food, gas and parking estimated in the breakdown below.

Things to do

Private pool and unpacking time (Day 1)
Cocktails at The Beverly on Main (Day 1)
Early Echo Canyon hike (Day 2)
Group spa afternoon at VH Spa (Day 2)
Private pool and celebration downtime (Day 2)
Late drinks at AZ88 (Day 2)
Collect one seven-passenger rental vehicle (Day 3)
Bell Rock Pathway (Day 3)
Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village (Day 3)
Final private-pool morning (Day 4)

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Why this plan works

The arrival day stays intentionally light: settle into the group’s private home, have an easy shared-table dinner and begin the celebration at one Old Town cocktail bar. All destination movements use one XL rideshare so the six friends remain together.

Open this day in Google Maps

6:30 AM
Breakfast at Stone Arch in MSP
6:30 AM
It accounts for breakfast en route without adding a stop in the departure city.
After reaching Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, order a quick breakfast in Terminal 1 before boarding.
8:45 AM–10:20 AM
Typical nonstop departure · MSP → PHX
8:45 AM–10:20 AM
A morning nonstop preserves a relaxed first afternoon and avoids consuming the day with a connection.
Operating airline: Delta Air Lines or Sun Country Airlines; realistic departure around 8:45 AM from MSP and arrival around 10:20 AM at PHX; nonstop routing, approximately 3 hours 35 minutes with the local time change; arrive at MSP 2 hours before departure. Confirm the terminal when checking in.
10:45 AM–11:25 AM
UberXL or Lyft XL · PHX to Old Town Scottsdale
10:45 AM–11:25 AM
One XL rideshare keeps the full party together without maintaining a rental vehicle in town.
Collect bags, request one XL vehicle with six passenger seats and travel approximately 10 miles to Old Town. Confirm that luggage capacity is sufficient before the driver departs.
11:45 AM–1:00 PM
Lunch at Diego Pops
11:45 AM–1:00 PM
It is an upbeat, group-friendly first meal in Old Town and requires no cross-city detour.
Book ahead · Call ahead: most restaurants open tables about a month out, and large parties often need longer
Share tacos, Brussels sprout nachos and bowls on arrival. Request one table for six; lunch generally offers more flexibility than dinner.
1:15 PM–1:35 PM
XL rideshare to the rental home
1:15 PM–1:35 PM
The short transfer positions the group for a restful afternoon.
Travel together from Old Town to the selected central Scottsdale rental.
1:35 PM–2:00 PM
Private-pool rental home near Old Town
1:35 PM–2:00 PM
One entire home honors the literal lodging request and keeps all six friends together; a three-bedroom configuration avoids sofa-bed dependence while the central location limits XL rideshare time.
Book one entire rental home sleeping all six adults, ideally with at least three bedrooms, three queen-or-larger beds, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a private heated pool. Target the Southwest Village or Old Town edge within roughly 10 minutes of the evening venues.
2:00 PM–5:15 PM
Private pool and unpacking time
2:00 PM–5:15 PM
A long open afternoon provides the requested pool and resort-style downtime after the flight.
Unpack, swim and relax at the rental home. Arrange grocery delivery for breakfast supplies, water and poolside snacks.
5:45 PM–6:00 PM
XL rideshare to The Mission Old Town
5:45 PM–6:00 PM
Rideshare removes parking and designated-driver concerns before the first night out.
Travel together in one six-passenger rideshare.
6:00 PM–7:45 PM
Dinner at The Mission Old Town
6:00 PM–7:45 PM
The restaurant handles celebratory groups and begins the Old Town dinner-and-bars request at a polished but approachable level.
Book ahead · Call ahead: most restaurants open tables about a month out, and large parties often need longer
Reserve one table for six for modern Latin dishes designed to share. Ask for the dining room or courtyard when booking; confirm the current reservation-release window, commonly several weeks ahead.
8:00 PM–10:00 PM
Cocktails at The Beverly on Main
8:00 PM–10:00 PM
It supplies a genuine Old Town bar night without stacking multiple venues onto the travel day.
Book ahead · Call ahead: most restaurants open tables about a month out, and large parties often need longer
Walk about five minutes to this dark, celebratory cocktail lounge. Arrive near opening-night hours and request seating for six together; confirm current hours before leaving dinner.
10:00 PM–10:20 PM
XL rideshare back to the rental home
10:00 PM–10:20 PM
No one needs to drive after cocktails.
Return all six travelers together in one XL vehicle.

If you fall behind

What to cut if you fall behind: skip the cocktail bar and enjoy drinks by the rental-home pool instead.

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Bookings & costs

$3,471–$5,630

No stay price yet for 3 nights (after day 1, 2, 3), so they aren't in this figure.

0 of 11 bookable items booked

Food not included: about $3,100, listed below

0 of 11 bookable items booked

Locked in

paid or reserved

Still to book

$3,960

est. $3,060–$4,860 · 11 items

Gas & parking

$590

est. $411–$770

Booked prices are exact. Everything else is an estimate.

Know before you go

Practical notes for this trip — the things worth sorting before you leave.

Booking windows & timing

Reserve one entire-home Airbnb near Old Town as soon as possible; confirm that the private pool is heated in March, since unheated desert pools can be too cold for comfortable swimming.
Time-sensitiveCheck in · Private-pool rental home near Old Town
Call VH Spa when your travel dates are firm and ask the spa coordinator to align six appointments in the same two-hour window. Ask directly whether six treatments can run in the same window on your date — an appointment showing online for one person does not mean six are available.
Time-sensitiveGroup spa afternoon at VH Spa
Book Café Monarch when its reservation calendar opens, commonly about one month ahead. A table for six is much harder to place than a table for two, so confirm the current release timing directly.
Time-sensitiveCelebration dinner at Café Monarch

Getting around & driving

Request UberXL or Lyft XL for every in-town movement so all six travel together; standard rideshare vehicles generally cannot carry the group. Allow extra matching time after dinner in Old Town.
For Sedona, reserve a seven-passenger SUV or minivan rather than a nominal five-seat SUV. Leave Scottsdale early, download offline maps and avoid returning through the busiest Phoenix traffic window if possible.
Time-sensitiveCollect one seven-passenger rental vehicle
Sedona trailhead and scenic-area parking rules can change with congestion. Confirm current Red Rock Pass and shuttle requirements shortly before the day trip, and keep valuables out of sight in the vehicle.
Bell Rock Pathway

Crowds & timing

Camelback Mountain parking and trail traffic build rapidly after sunrise. Use rideshare, carry a headlamp for the opening section and turn around at the planned time rather than treating the summit as mandatory.
Early Echo Canyon hike

Weather & packing

March mornings can feel cold before sunrise while afternoons become warm and intensely sunny. Bring a light layer, two liters of water per hiker, sun protection and shoes with strong traction for Camelback’s exposed rock.
Early Echo Canyon hike

Health & safety

Echo Canyon is steep scrambling rather than a casual desert walk. Anyone uncomfortable with exposure should take the full swap to the flatter Gateway Loop instead of separating from the group mid-hike.
Early Echo Canyon hike

Money

Cards are accepted almost everywhere in Scottsdale and Sedona. For six-person table service, inspect the bill before adding a tip because some restaurants apply an automatic large-party service charge.

Want this trip on your dates?

Make this yours — free, no account, no card.

Plan a trip like this

Questions about this plan

What is the recommended lodging for this trip?: This plan centers on booking one entire rental home near Old Town, ideally with a private heated pool, at least three bedrooms, and space for all six friends. It should be confirmed as soon as possible.
What kind of vehicle is needed for the Sedona day trip?: For the Sedona day trip, you'll need to collect one seven-passenger minivan or full-size SUV from a central Scottsdale Enterprise branch to comfortably transport all six friends together.
How should we coordinate the spa appointments for a group of six?: It is strongly recommended to call VH Spa directly when your travel dates are firm and ask the spa coordinator to align six appointments within the same two-hour window, as group inventory is limited.
Is it possible to do a desert hike with less strenuous activity than Camelback Mountain?: Yes, if the Echo Canyon Trail on Camelback Mountain is too strenuous, the plan suggests an alternative: the gentler, nontechnical 4.5-mile Gateway Loop Trail at McDowell Sonoran Preserve.
When should we book the celebration dinner at Café Monarch?: Book Café Monarch when its reservation calendar opens, commonly about one month ahead. A table for six is harder to place, so confirm the current release timing directly.