Nestled in the Arcadia neighbourhood, with downtown Scottsdale and Phoenix in easy reach, this smart home is a great place for explorers to kick back and relax. There are plenty of places to hang out with your loved ones, from the cool and crisp living room to the back yard where you can roast marshmallows by the fire pit. The interior design is effortlessly cool with a touch of desert luxury, and we particularly liked the well-equipped kitchen with a chic little breakfast bar. After a morning coffee, culture vultures can head to Scottsdale Arts District, while hikers can take a drive to the trails of McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Reconvene at one of Arcadia's cafés or restaurants to share stories about your adventures, before heading home to mix some drinks in the cocktail shaker and settle in for a movie night.

Home truths:
* The house rules are quite strict — no smoking and no parties anywhere on the premises
* You'll need a car to get around the area comfortably — the public transport isn't frequent enough
* You might be able to bring your pet, but you'll need to ask the host first