This year, Beyoncé rode into new frontiers with her surprise country album , Cowboy Carter. The world was already in the grip of Swiftie fever, who by then, had been touring Eras for a full year. And now, with Shania Twain performing headline shows at Glasto and BST, are you really a music fan if you don’t own a cowboy hat and a pair of sparkly boots? Beyoncé might famously be from Texas, but don’t think you have to head to the Lone Star state to live out your yee-haw dreams.
In fact, the superstar is a fan of Scottsdale in Arizona, one of the USA’s best-kept secrets, and where Beyoncé and Jay-Z honeymooned. Sat in a serendipitous spot in the Sonoran Desert east of Phoenix and hugged by golden-glow mountains, this subtly stylish city stands out from its surroundings like a couture frock at the rodeo, yet feels exactly where it’s supposed to be. Scottsdale has long been a sanctuary for the Hollywood elite, with stars like Marilyn Monroe and Clarke Gable escaping to the serenity of this desert since the 1950s.
As a result, Scottsdale is rich with beautiful architecture, luxury spas and one of the greatest foodie scenes in the USA. This sub-tropical desert hideaway also benefits from 330 sunny days every year, so it’s fair to say, this western town was dealt a good hand. So, while this ain’t Texas, I headed to Scottsdale to see just what all the fuss was about.
Tucked away in a $2000-per-night casita on the majestic Camelback Mountain, is where Bey and Jay stay.
