Berkeley Alvarado and Christine Lord are not princesses, but they are goddesses. More precisely, they are the resident Tequila Goddesses at La Hacienda, the state’s top-rated Mexican restaurant that happens to be located inside the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.
Each year, these certified tequila experts and bar storytellers visit Mexico to continue their libation education and, most importantly, taste and select an exclusive barrel from the El Tequileno distillery that is then returned to La Hacienda.
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Courtesy of Fairmont
“I can’t wait to share the wonderful memories I’ve made,” says Alvarado. “Specifically the love and passion that goes on behind the scenes when making tequila.”
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Courtesy of Fairmont
It’s a similar passion for quality that you’ll find at Arizona’s largest and longest-running AAA Five Diamond hotel resort. The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a sprawling 65-acre retreat set against the scenic backdrop of the McDowell Mountains. The wide base encourages guests to roam. Spanish colonial architecture is complemented by lush gardens and thoughtfully constructed plazas. A total of 750 guest rooms include a selection of high-end suites and villas, many of which enjoy panoramic views of the adjacent golf course, TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Coursehost of the annual WM Phoenix Open. During the week of the tournament, resort guests even enjoy free access to the 5th fairway.
The Princess offers six unique pool complexes, with lap swimming options, zero-depth entry, a soft white sand beach, a splash pad and a pair of 200m waterslides. The resort’s 44,000-square-foot Well & Being spa houses an adults-only rooftop option. And while you won’t want to swim in the resort’s lagoon, you can drop a line to catch and release a variety of bluefish, catfish, tilapia and bass.
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Courtesy of Fairmont
Now let’s talk about eating. Princess boasts a total of five restaurants, three of which are anchored by renowned chefs; Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina and two Latin American options by Richard Sandoval: Toro, located in TPC Scottsdale’s clubhouse, and the aforementioned La Hacienda, where you’ll enjoy tableside guacamole, house specialties like fresh carnitas and ceviche, along with a selection of over 250 tequila and agave spirits. But it’s that exclusive barrel you’ll want to pour from.
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“The amazing aromas of caramel, honey and vanilla give it just the right amount of sweetness, but still allow the cooked agave to continue to shine,” says Lord. “It’s a high-quality bottle — perfect for new tequila drinkers or tequila connoisseurs. We’re so proud and can’t wait for everyone to try it.”
You heard the goddess, go out to the princess and drink for yourself.
