Nestled on 250 acres, this upscale resort features luxurious Southwestern rooms, stunning landscapes, a 27-hole golf course, and top-notch dining options.
"This AAA Five Diamond resort is ideal for luxury travelers, families, and golfers. The 250-acre resort features 645 rooms, nine pools, a 37,000-square-foot spa, nine restaurants, and an 18-hole golf course. The resort also offers a variety of activities including wine and beer tastings, art history tours, and craft classes. Rooms start at 600 square feet with plush beds and marble bathrooms, while suites are 1,200 square feet. Rates start at $343." - Travel + Leisure Editors
"Located in Scottsdale, Arizona, this resort features seven sun-baked tennis courts and a modern Athletic Club, with year-round tennis possibilities."
"One of Scottsdale’s most iconic resorts, the Phoenician’s unbeatable location on 250 acres at the base of Camelback Mountain, as well as its magical spa, multiple pools, several dining options, and wide array of onsite outdoor activities make the property an excellent option for just about any type of traveler looking to stay at a luxury property. The crowd varies depending on where you are within the resort. Over at the three tiers of pools during a late spring weekend visit, couples in stylish swimsuits lounged around the adult’s only pool, groups of friends sipped margs while wading in the main Mother-of-Pearl pool, and kids frolicked in the separate splash pad area. Conference-goers are often ducking in and out of the big ballrooms day and night and the lobby is nearly always abuzz with travelers coming and going" - Lizbeth Scordo
"Why book? One of Scottsdale’s most iconic resorts, the Phoenician’s unbeatable location on 250 acres at the base of Camelback Mountain, as well as its magical spa, multiple pools, several dining options, and wide array of onsite outdoor activities (including a top-ranked golf course) makes the property an excellent option for just about any type of traveler looking to stay at a luxury property. Set the scene Just driving up to the resort sets the tone here with its long, winding driveway, dramatic fountains at the entrance, and luxury cars parked out front. The crowd varies depending on where you are within the resort. Over at the three tiers of pools during a late spring weekend visit, couples in stylish swimsuits lounged around the adult’s only pool, groups of friends sipped margs while wading in the main Mother-of-Pearl pool, and kids frolicked in the separate splash pad area. Conference-goers are often ducking in and out of the big ballrooms day and night and the lobby is nearly always abuzz with travelers coming and going. Outside, golfers zip down cart paths as they traverse the 71-par course, and the pickle ball and tennis courts are in use most of the year. The backstory When he began construction of the property in the mid-1980s, developer Charles Keating went over-the-top, importing the lobby’s marble floor from Carrera, Italy and spending $1 million on mother-of-pearl tiles that line one of the pools. The resort began a three-year renovation in 2016, remodeling all of its rooms, lobby, and complex and building a new three-story spa and 4,600-square-foot standalone fitness facility, which opened in 2018. The rooms Even the standard guest rooms have a good amount of space (starting at 600 square), and the style feels contemporary and understated with rooms done in tan desert hues with natural stone glass showers, double sink vanities, and oval tubs, plus large balconies or patios. Go for one overlooking the pool in the main building, or against the boulders on the backside of the complex across from the main entrance. Guests can also opt for casita rooms and suites set within multiple two-story buildings spread out around the property (some of which come with fire tables on their private patios), or book accommodations at the separate and more intimate Canyon Suites, with just 60 total rooms and suites, where you’ll get access to an exclusive pool and breakfast spread. Food and drink The all-day Mowry & Cotton with its upscale Americana interior and expansive patio has an approachable menu of seasonal salads, steaks, seafood, and flatbreads from the wood-burning oven along with crafty cocktails including a smoked Old Fashioned that’s torched tableside. For something higher-end, head up to the J&G Steakhouse, which boasts big-time views from its fifth-floor location. The menu is centered around classic steakhouse fare and decadent dishes like a Wagyu Tomahawk ribeye, sauteed Dover sole, and lobster-laced mac and cheese. Downstairs, the lobby’s Thirsty Camel bar—with its daily live music and backdrop of glass overlooking the resort and surrounding scenery, plus a patio dotted with fire features—becomes a prime people-watching spot just about every night of the week. The lobby also hosts a traditional high tea service Thursday to Sunday afternoons accompanied by a live piano player. The neighborhood/area You’ve got one of the Phoenix area’s most popular hikes—Camelback Mountain—right in your backyard, along with some of the area’s most magnificent (and expensive) homes. Old Town Scottsdale is just a quick and easy ride away. The service Polished and on the formal side, the service here is always on. Multiple concierge members can help point you where you need to go, make dinner reservations around town, or set up something special. For families The resort is family-friendly, with a selection of daily children’s activities at the kids’ club and a separate splash pad pool area with a waterslide, shooting waterspouts, treehouse and more. Still, adults without children definitely seem to outnumber guests here with little ones. Accessibility There are a total of 21 hearing accessible rooms, 18 mobility accessible rooms within the main resort, and six ADA rooms within Canyon Suites. The Spa It’s worth booking a treatment just to have access to this stunner of a spa (clocking in at 40,000 square feet with more than two dozen treatment rooms). The facilities feel super luxe with art, sculpture-like sconces, iridescent mosaic tiles, and skylights throughout and well-stocked lavish locker rooms. Expect a long menu of treatments including massages, facials, and body treatments along with some signature offerings. (I loved the Phoenix Rising, a combo of a gentle scrub with a magnesium-rich body polish and a full-body massage.) There’s also a placid rooftop pool with a bistro where you can order salads, snacks, and smoothies. After your treatment, hit the hydrotherapy area for a round of sauna, steam, a circulation-boosting cold shower, and hot tubbing. Anything left to mention? The gleaming new fitness center is one of the most impressive I’ve experienced at a hotel, possibly ever. Made up almost entirely of TechnoGym equipment, there are more elliptical machines, treadmills, weight machines, and Peloton bikes than there are gym-goers so you can access anything you want without ever having to wait. And the wall of glass provides panoramic views to accompany all that sweating. There’s also a separate movement studio with on-demand classes guests can stream on a flat-screen TV." - Lizbeth Scordo
"Bradley went to work as sous chef of the award-winning Mary Elaine’s at The Phoenician in Scottsdale before becoming executive chef at the acclaimed Scottsdale restaurant Vu." - Edward Barsamian
