Sunset Beach

Would have given 4-5 stars if not for the unacceptable, rude, and appalling service here. I've never wanted to punch a bartender in the face more than I did here. I have had bad experiences in the bar a couple times before, but this last Saturday takes the cake! first I get a completely different drink than I ask for, when I kindly ask for the correct drink, Miss witch-bartender gets upset with me, cuffs the biggest attitude and even yells at me telling me she gave me what I asked for, stomps off, tosses my correct drinks on the counter, and on top of that, overcharges me!! By far the poorest excuse for a bartender I've ever encountered. It's a shame too, because the place is gorgeous, one of the nicest spots in Old Town, and pretty good eye candy. I have come here 7-8 times and always bring out town visitors here, but nothing will compensate the way you are treated here. Unacceptable!

Gorgeous place. Love the area and the staff is very friendly and they show you around make you feel at home if you are from out of state! Highly recommend this place!

I have to say I found this place to be slightly overrated. I was extremely excited to check out the rooftop bar, hoping to recreate the feeling of The Standard in downtown LA. Don't get me wrong the place is beautiful, but it's the kind of obnoxious beautiful that ruins itself by taking for granted the fact that it looks good and therefor lets everything else fall to the wayside. First off, why is there a list? Last time I checked you were just a hotel, right? Last time I checked this was just Scottsdale, right? I didn't really have any trouble getting in, but I don't need some minimum wage bouncer telling me he's feeling nice tonight for letting me in even though I am not on the list. Well, I'm feeling nice tonight too... for not kicking you in the balls. It didn't really piss me off until I got upstairs. Are they just pretending to be exclusive? Do they really think if they act like they're doing you a favor by letting you in that you will fall for all the hype? If you're gonna check me at the door, you'd better bring it. I'd better have just been let into freakin' heaven or something just as spectacular where I feel small and meaningless! Otherwise, cut the crap.That aside, they created a nice little oasis in the desert. Unfortunately, they ruined it by making it overlook some empty dirt lots with the only buildings in view looking like sad little shanties in the light of the moon. I would have appreciated a better view. The cabanas, pool, and floating candle bar were nice touches. I can't complain there. I also can't complain about all the desperate guys with cabana service just looking to flaunt their "wealth" by offering you free drinks. Just make sure you have a sober buddy nearby in case they're roofied.

Ok, now I know what prison feels like.I went there twice already. The first time wasn't that bad. The upstairs bar itself (which is what I will be reviewing) is gorgeous...but please tell me who's smart ass idea was to not have the big resort style pool not blocked off is anybody's guess. I am averaging my 2 times there. The second time was just obnoxious. They let my one friend in and refused to let me in. In fact, I was ignored by security. I don't know what I said in my fit of rage, but they ended up letting me in. (I never felt so hopeless getting into a BAR!!!) My pal and I finally got upstairs...people somehow kept on finding my feet, because I was stepped on at least 10 times. But that wasn't the bar's fault of course.This place was the stereotypical prentious hell that I always try to avoid. If I wasn't meeting a group there, I wouldn't have bothered. (And probably won't ever again) The bartenders there are morons. They have no idea how to make a drink. They ran out of certain liquors. It was madness.The funniest thing was a bunch of girls (who are obviously drunk) took of their clothes and jumped in the pool. Yes, they were escorted out of the hotel. I swear, somebody is going to fall in one day, completely drunk, and either get injured, killed, or just sue the damn place.And yes, I could do without the sand. Ok I am done complaining...next!

I was pleasantly surprised by this place. When we walked up to the velvet ropes to get upstairs, my heart kind of sank when I saw a huge "list" that I was not on. Then it turned out we were allowed to go up since I was with two other girls. Supposedly it's more difficult for guys to get in, but if that's the case I'll let them be the ones to complain about it. The pool area upstairs was beautiful. There are three bars up there and even when it looked crowded, we got our drinks pretty quickly. The free-standing bar in the middle is cash-only and has a limited selection of alcohol, but the other two take cards and are fully stocked.I had two very different vodka gimlets at the different bars. The first one tasted like lemonade and was served in a martini glass. $10 for half a glass of lemonade. The second one consisted of four lime wedges and a full glass of vodka. It was like doing a shot of straight vodka every time I took a sip. I guess they evened each other out.Although they could use a few more heat lamps outside, overall the place was very comfortable, with many different areas for sitting and standing. We got to sit on comfy chairs in front of a cool table with fire coming out of it, even though we didn't buy a bottle. We figured we'd sit there til someone made us move, but that never happened. So that was nice. Overall there seemed like a good mix of people too.

So it appears that the poor economy has effected the W. It seems you no longer have to be on the "list". The door guy is excepting $80 in cash for those willing to pay. Are you kidding me? The place is now over run with even more douchebags and boob jobs. However, I will continue to hang here despite the whole retarded scene. I like to watch the douchebags drool and the couches are comfy.

If you want to see, be seen, or just imagine yourself among the stars at a poolside party then this is the place to be! I came to the W for special event, so the top area was closed off to our guests only, and I didn't explore the rest of the hotel at all, but this part was great. If you are the type of person who enjoys ambiance, atmosphere, and a party atmosphere this would be the place for you. Yes the drinks are pricey, but that's to be expected, it's worth it! I just wish that people would behave better when they are in places like this, it's a very nice, swanky place, and those around me acted like rednecks at the farm.

I stayed here this past weekend with my boyfriend who is a regular guest at this W due to traveling for work. They are a service oriented hotel and the word "no" was not uttered to a single request all weekend. The rooms are very cool, modern & fun, and not a single detail seems to be overlooked. The rooms are very clean and for the most part pretty quiet. We had a suite on the second floor and you could hear the party outside, but not at an obnoxious level. I personally love all the goodies they give you as well! The Lobby and bar of the hotel are also very cool. I love they way they have decorated this place, and I could sit down there and people watch for hours. It is obvious that the W is a place to hang out in Scottsdale on the weekends. It was definitely fun people watching, but my one complaint is if you are a guest of the hotel, you have to fight the "line" to even get into the hotel. It is obvious they attract a lot of business on a Friday and Saturday night, but there should be a separate entrance for those going to party. As a guest, I shouldn't have to fight through a pack of people to get into a hotel I am paying to stay at. On the upside, being a guest at the hotel offers you entrance to ANY event they are hosting. So, both nights we were able to walk into each event without having to wait in line, be on a list, etc. Also, they need to lighten up on the scented candles/air freshener they have going throughout the lobby! It is SOOO overwhelming! You can smell it from the street! Other than that, the W in Scottsdale is a very cool hotel, and there level of service is top notch. I definitely enjoyed my stay there this past weekend and I know my boyfriend enjoys coming back to hotel week after week while in town for business.

After getting a few drinks at the W bar downstairs, my friend and I noticed a bunch of dressed up people walking upstairs. We then found it it was a full on lounge! People swimming in the lit up night pool. Full Bar. Tons of people. GOOD MUSIC! Overall I liked the place -- its not loud enough so you can still chat with people and hold a good conversation. I will have to come back here again! =)

This place is off to a bad start attitude wise. The bouncers (not all of them but most) treat you like some bum off the street.I have been around the Scottsdale nightlife scene for 7+ years, so I know lots of people including club owners, etc and a few calls and VIP and in is no problem, but that's not my style because personally I think VIP is cheesy and has mostly wanna be people. Can't tell you how many times I have walked out of VIP after being invited in. Would rather hang outside VIP any day.Anyway back to the "W". On the soft-opening they had in September I went to the "W". A few people gathered around the door and not super busy inside so I figured I would just wait. Well after the door guy letting in a million people, he would not let me in. Was not like I had a crowd with me, I was solo, and I was dressed very upscale. So before I left I asked him his name just for the record, small world and I give people only one chance. I went around the other entrance, I knew the door guy and was in. Walked around for 10 minutes saw all the people who go to these openings to be seen, ran into some people I knew and left. Nothing worse than hanging out in a room of fake "worried about how the world views them" people. All trying to emulate some sort of social status.The prices seemed decent, Mondrian started charging $6 for a Bud Light then you add $1 for tip its $7. There is a difference between expensive and just plain gouging. I think "W" is still good on this area.A few weeks later went back and though there was no over the top scrutinizing at the door but it still had that bad unfriendly attitude.The atmosphere around the pool is cool and the architecture is cool. So if your into that check it out but be ready for the "Kent Dorfman's" doormen deciding your fate if you can come in or not.I'll probably give the place another chance but right now it scores low.