Looking like the entrance to a gated community, the palm-lined approach to the Scottsdale Villa Mirage winds past asphalt parking lots to an adobe-style main office building, one of many three-story structures in the large complex. Landscaped lawns with fountains and herb gardens add greenery to the Southwest architecture and desert color palette. Condos are housed in three-story buildings that lack elevators. The property is owned by Diamond Resorts International, and guests -- most of whom are retirees or families -- should expect to get a time-share sales pitch.

The hotel is a 25-minute drive north of downtown Scottsdale, in an area surrounded by residential subdivisions and business parks. It's a 10-minute drive to TPC Scottsdale Champions Golf Course, which allows the property to draw travelers on golf getaways. It's flanked by an apartment complex and an empty lot on one side, but undisturbed desert sprawls out to the north, with views of the mountains in the distance. The popular boutique shopping district of Kierland Commons is a seven-minute drive south, amid an outlying cluster of restaurants and big box retailers near the Scottsdale Airport. Expect a 25- to 30-minute drive to Scottsdale's Old Town, an arts, dining, and shopping district that also draws a trendy crowd to its happening nightclubs. The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a half-hour drive away.

This time-share property has 224 large Studio, One-Bedroom, and Two-Bedroom units with decor that varies from dated to contemporary. Each unit has a private patio or balcony, with desert views prominent in north-facing rooms. Living rooms have sofa beds and flat-screen TVs, and dining areas have seating for four people. Even the Studios have full kitchens equipped with refrigerators, microwaves, ovens,  two- or four-burner electric stovetops, coffeemakers and dishwashers. One- and Two-Bedroom units add fireplaces and washer/dryers. The bathrooms have walk-in showers, and larger units have separate soaking tubs. 

The Scottsdale Villa Mirage packs in a surprisingly extensive array of outdoor recreation options, including tennis and basketball courts and an activity center that has a bocce ball court, mini-golf, and giant yard chess. Shade canopies provide a thoughtful amount of cover across the grounds, where guests will also find a picnic area with gas barbecue grills and a playground. A big sundeck covered with comfortable lounge chairs accommodates a heated pool and a sizable hot tub. There's also a small kids' pool, and a poolside snack bar with covered seating. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and there's free parking. Note that a resort fee is tacked on to bookings.