The Smoke Tree Resort

I would have to give Smoke Tree Resort and Bungalows a –5 Star review.
I Recently booked a hotel reservation at the Smoketree Resort through hotel tonight. We were very unhappy with accommodations,
I am going to start with the worst. I was helping my son pull out the couch for bed, when opened there was a dirty toenail, and the sheets were wrinkled and dirty. There was trash and old food under the pull-​out sofa and, believe it or not, my son reached down and picked up a porn magazine and threw it on the bed. Not just a playboy or dirty magazine it was way beyond that. It was not only awkward it was gross… We were not going to sleep in the beds!
We called up to the office, the night manager was very apologetic and said he already talked to the owner, they were aware of the issue. He said our upgrade would be taken care of through their system. I emailed Hotel Tonight the next morning, thinking this would not be a problem since the hotel agreed.
I called Hotel Tonight when I saw our card had was charged. When they called the hotel, the manager said they never agreed to refund our stay. For them to call back the next day and talk to someone in charge.
I called hotel and manager on the phone was coarse and accused me of lying. He said the night manager never told us we would be refunded and that they offered us another room, we should’ve taken it. Would you want to stay there?
They went from refunding our entire stay to refunding one night to not refunding anything and calling me a liar!!!
Hotel tonight cannot do anything for us, which does not make me very happy. Although, they did let me know they will not be working with The Smoke Tree Resort anymore. Which I guess is good for any future visitors.
The video on the website is very misleading, it looks nothing like what they show. When you drive in it looks like the place is closed down. The parking lot has potholes everywhere, the windows to the «restaurant» are boarded up.
We have named the place «Bates Motel», I guess I should be happy we made it out alive! It is obvious the owners don’t care about their customers.
I do not write reviews… I am going to write a review of this business on every site I find them. I have also already filed a complaint with the BBB and Arizona Hospitality and Tourism Association.
I do not see how they are still in business. I am sure they won’t be for very long.

If it was possible to give a 0 Star Review they deserve it.
I am in awe someone has not yet died from one of the moldy air conditioning units. I rarely get sick and in less than 30 minutes I was coughing and sneezing.
I had to leave the sliding door open all night to alleviate some of the smell and had a dream a coyote walked into my room.
When you think «smoke tree bungalow» think also of the words «mold», «weirdly placed tvs without remotes», «broken A/​C», «sliding glass doors with minimal curtain covering», and «meth den».

I had a great experience here. Service was good, the room was clean and spacious and they accepted my dog which is huge for me. There was plenty of outdoor space for him to roam. The pool is enclosed and you are allowed to have your dog there off-​leash. I would come here again.
One bad thing: WIFI was super spotty. Never worked.
Overall this place was great.

Horrible for the price, a huge disappointment. I had a clue when I noticed half the building was empty (where I thought a bar/​restaurant would be) then the dead flowers around the tiny pool, not a good impression. We had a bungalow room, I had to drag my roller suitcase across across a sand area to enter our room, kind of different. We needed to iron before going out, the iron was broken, I called for another, it was encrusted with black goo that distroyed every fabric it touched. There were green paint spots in the bathroom, and a price tag bar code sticker on the base of the sink. The faucet was loose and not totally attached to the sink. There was just no attention to detail. I spend about 70 nights a year in hotels, so I m not a novice, this was way overpriced for what we got. Don t go there! We had the impression the owners are just getting by, waiting for the big offer for the land.

I had stayed at Smoketree Resort over 5 years ago when I came to Scottsdale for a wedding. When I found it was (very) pet friendly, I booked a room for a 3-​day stay when I came to town to visit relatives. The suite was spacious, separate bedroom with two very comfortable queens. Although the resort was built in the 60’s, it had updated décor, flat screen TV in the living room, and was exceptionally clean. Our room opened onto the spacious grass and garden area, with a short walk to the fenced in pool area. It was perfect for my small dog… and there was NO pet fee! Considering we were staying in Paradise Valley I was amazed at the very reasonable rate of $ 110/​night. The staff was all very friendly and helpful… even shipping the magnifying mirror I’d left stuck on the bathroom mirror to me! The signage is easy to miss, and front building doesn’t look like there’s a motel behind it; so it’s a great find! No on-​site restaurant, but upscale AJ’s food store/​deli is short walk down the street. I’m looking forward to a return visit!

So my fiancé went down for spring training and got a great price for a «resort» from Hotwire ($ 70 per night). When we arrived at the Cottonwood Suites, we were told that they had overbooked, and we were going to have to be transferred (at the same rate) to another hotel. Not too happy, but considering the fact that our «resort» was only $ 70 per night, whatever. When I asked what our choices were, the gal at the front desk (who seemed genuinely apologetic), said we could have our choice of the the Mariott Residence or a local Scottsdale resort. When I asked her which was nicer, she replied without much conviction that she preferred the Smoke Tree Resort. Being the non-​conventional types, we chose the Smoke Tree. However, I did insist on on up-​grade for the trouble.
How lucky were we? Awesome place, lots of peace and quite, beautiful grounds, large flat screened T.V., extremely nice staff (one person actually). Very pristine 60s-​70s vibe, cinder-​block walls, one bedroom suite, microwave, fridge, coffee, sort of multi-​bungalow, separate patio and chairs overlooking the grounds, small kidney-​shaped pool with lots of lounge chairs, cool furniture — just extremely clean, private and comfortable. Much, much better than a big, conformist 500 person «resort». A big grill by the fenced in pool. Bacchi (sp?) ball court. Stone and gravel walkways. Lots of bunnies. Really, really nice staff, very efficient cleaning folk – always lots of X-​tra towels (at least four large bath – very impt. for girls with hair!)
When looked up the prices on the web-​site after we returned, found our room went for about $ 150. Would pay that in a heartbeat for such a natural and unique place. This is not the place for folks looking for lots of luxury and pampering. You are pretty much left to yourselves and there is no happy hour bar. But there is a very delux grocery store right next to the resort, with lots of fine wine and nibbles – can’t think of a better way than to spend a pre-​evening out with some good wine out on the patio looking at the beautiful grounds. After «cocktail» hour, we would call a cab or hop on a bus and be in downtown Scottsdale in about 5 minutes. This place is family-​owned and has been around for 20 years or so and is well-​worth the money they charge. The concierge/​owner/​check-​in guy told me that if I wanted to come back, to call instead of booking over the internet as my rates would probably be better. How refreshing! Small, family-​run business like the Smoke Tree are very rare in this day and age, especially in this economy. I hope they survive – they are definitely a diamond in the rough.

True Story:
I heard that Robert McGrath was renovating the old Smoke Tree Resort. Drove by a few times and then noticed the REM sign (It was kirei board!) and there was a small hand-​written sign beside the door with the hours posted for lunch. (I should backup and say that this occurred last July 2007.) We went for lunch, walked in the door, no-​one around, went towards the restaurant and noticed a group of 3 guys having lunch. There was an old-​school vibe, no music, old-​school furniture, and also new silverware selections, drawings and blueprints on a large cluttered table, etc.
The waiter comes out a few minutes later and brings the menu — 3 items — A salad, pulled pork sandwich, and a chili I think. The menu was printed on a sheet of paper, bold lettering, no descriptions, so classic… just the item and the amount. It was pretty obvious that they were either testing menu items, or…, not sure why else that it would be open?! The experience was worth us coming back again. So anyway, we came back the following week. Nothing had changed, same old-​school, stumbled upon feeling.
At the end of our meal, we realized that we didn’t have any cash! Sharing this with the waiter, he actually said — «That’s ok, pay me the next time you come in.» !!@#$%& How cool is that? We scoured her handbag, my wallet and came up with just enough.
I am looking forward to REM opening — maybe I can have the same deal?