For the Labor Day Weekend, you can always go to Las Vegas, which pops up in just about every list as one of the most popular destinations for Labor Day travelers. Saying Aloha to Hawaii doesn’t seem too shabby either. Or…

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

You could land up at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, AZ and get a taste of both Vegas and Hawaii. That’s because the resort is planning to bring both Las Vegas and Hawaii to its guests on September 3 and 4.

On Sept 4, guests staying at the resort will be able to experience “Viva Las Vegas” with a high-roller buffet and a Zowie Bowie concert.

Vacationers can renew their vows with the resort’s in-house ordained minister and be whisked away in a golf cart trailing with tins cans chauffeured by Elvis. If it walks like Vegas and quacks like Vegas…

On Sept 3, The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess will look like home to a Kamaaina, with a Hawaiian buffet, an authentic Polynesian show of fire and hula dancing on the Lagoon Lawn, with poolside limbo, lei making and dive-in movies.

At the famed and award-winning Willow Stream spa, guests can enjoy a Lomi Lomi Massage along with hula dance classes and mai tais served on the rooftop pool.

One of the resort restaurants will be serving an island dinner with a smoked pull pork Hawaiian burger, pineapple and jalapeno on a house-made Hawaiian bun, and a breezy “Day at the Beach” cocktail. The dessert is Mainland Haupia, made of mango panna cotta, coconut cake and sorbet.

On both nights, there will be a fireworks show and guests will get a chance to win real vacation stays in Hawaii and Las Vegas – at The Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island, The Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui and the Aria Resort & Casino in Vegas. The package includes a late 4 pm check-out on Monday, Sept 5.

Sonoran splash slides

Apart from the aforementioned Willow Stream Spa, the AAA-five diamond resort offers 4 restaurants, two 18-hole championship golf courses, and three parking lots (hybrid owners get complimentary overnight valet and self parking). Not to mention the Sonoran splash slides.

The guest rooms come with a balcony or terrace with table and chairs, and guests can expect an in-room safe, in-room coffee makers, high-speed internet, soak tubs and showers, flat-screens with in-room pay movies and video games.

Photos – Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

More info: The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess – 7575 East Princess Drive Scottsdale AZ 85255; (866) 540-4495

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Food, Luxury, and Relaxation at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Things to do during Labor Day weekend

San Diego Skyline

Labor Day is fast approaching, and if you plan to be in gorgeous San Diego for the weekend, there are still some affordable hotel rooms you can scoop up if you move quickly! Check out these hotels – they’re cheap(er), close to San Diego’s best sites and an overall good value. I wouldn’t recommend these hotels for super romantic getaways for couples, but they’re good choices for families and for couples on a budget.

Best Western Seven Seas

This hotel is on Hotel Circle, an area that has tons of hotels near San Diego’s Mission Valley area. You’ll be less than 10 minutes from the beach with a car, and very close to some of San Diego’s best shopping, too. Rooms are clean and basic.

Dolphin Motel

Cheesy name, but this is a nice, basic hotel with a staff that has a reputation for being friendly and helpful. Don’t judge this motel by its website, which needs some work. The rooms don’t have comforters, really, just white sheets – but this is San Diego people, rarely does it get below 65 degrees, and over Labor Day it’s likely to be in the 80s! The motel is located right on the Harbor.

La Pensione Hotel

Totally renovated in 2003, La Pensione is listed as San Diego’s best budget hotel by a number of sites. All the rooms have a Queen bed, and rates for Labor Day are $90/night. I got a total of $300 for 3 nights, which is fantastic for the holiday weekend! There are two restaurants and underground parking spaces, too. It’s very close to the San Diego airport.

Hope these hotels are a good starting point for you! Happy travels.

Photo Credit: WouteR