A roundup of the best in Arizona resorts and dining.
ALWAYS ARIZONA
The first time my wife Louise and I touched down at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport was in 2003. It’s fair to say Arizona romanced us from the start. Our inaugural stay at the posh but understated Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale quickly introduced us to the Valley of the Sun’s blissful state of being. Our mountainside casita at this boutique-scale property looked across pristine Sonoran Desert views to Pinnacle Peak, a sandy colored mountain spire favored by early morning hikers. In the evenings, downtown Scottsdale’s city lights twinkled in the near distance.
By chance, I found myself in casual conversation with legendary Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts in the resort’s lobby. The experience verified what I had heard—that this entire region and its resorts are coveted playgrounds and places of respite for the rich and famous.
Over the years, we’ve stayed at many of the Valley’s best resorts, and others in the spiritually charged environs of Sedona, just two ours north of Phoenix. We’ve discovered that while the entire collection is exquisite each property offers something unique.
In my view everyone should, at least once in their lives, stay at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa. This acclaimed property, founded in 1929 as a private Idaho of chewing gum baron William Wrigley Jr., has hosted every U.S. president since Hoover. Multimillion-dollar upgrades have ensured its enduring prestige.
Sitting by the pool where Marilyn Monroe used to swim and Irving Berlin penned “White Christmas” is inspiring. Late at night, it’s the perfect spot to linger over a fine cigar, aperitif, and casual conversation while lounging around the large fire pits, recently installed at the foot of the inner courtyard’s manicured lawns and gardens. The Biltmore isn’t just a place to stay, it’s an experience not to be missed.
Among the Valley’s other large resorts, another favorite is the four-star Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch. Elegant yet relaxed, this property is especially
terrific for families. The views of the McDowell Mountains, in particular from the resort’s Lobby Bar and northeastern facing balcony suites, are unparalleled. Dining at Vu restaurant and soaking up the good life in the resort’s multimillion-dollar Spa Avania are must-do activities.
For Hyatt guests seeking ultimate privacy—and living space—there is Gainey House. This private, 2,600-square-foot home features two bedrooms, three baths, a designer kitchen, game room, and a full complement of multi-media appointments, not to mention private patios complete with a barbecue. Want to come and go unnoticed? Just use your private driveway and entry.
Another of Scottsdale’s largest, but surprisingly cozy, resorts is the AAA Five Diamond Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Designed in the style of a Spanish village, this sprawling resort is its own slice of paradise.
Even if you don’t stay at the Fairmont, spend a day—literally—at Willow Stream Spa. Easily one of America’s best, this multilevel oasis features a rooftop pool, waterfalls that pummel the strain from tense shoulder muscles, and other amenities that inspire prolonged naval gazing.
For those who put a premium on privacy and quietude, consider Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain. Originally established in the 1950s, this property is elegantly integrated with its Sonoran Desert surroundings. Sanctuary Spa is divine, and the views of Paradise Valley are spectacular, especially from the resort’s signature infinity pool. Make a point of dining at Elements restaurant, a favorite among local gourmands.
If your plans include a trip to Sedona, you’ll find a tidy selection of first-rate accommodations and dining venues, not to mention fresh, pine-scented mountain air. Sedona’s dramatic red rock spires are a main attraction both for those who love to hike around them, and others who simply come for the stunning views.
Amid these captivating surroundings, snuggled into Boynton Canyon, Enchantment Resort tops the charts. In addition to the resort’s Yavapai restaurant, Enchantment boasts Mii amo, a destination spa consistently ranked among the world’s best. For those who gravitate toward the contemporary, consider Sedona Rouge, a hip new resort and spa. Its interior design elements, influenced by Andalusian and North African styles, are also expressed in touches such as rain showers, Turkish terry robes, and lamb’s wool throws. Meanwhile, the chic Reds restaurant makes guests feel at home with inventive interpretations of classic American favorites.
Nearby, nestled amid tall deciduous trees in a calming creekside setting L’Auberge de Sedona Resort and Spa’s lodge and cottages combine rustic charm with an elegant touch that invites cocooning. Even if you stay elsewhere, dining here is a treat. Imagine black-tie waiters serving gourmet French cuisine at tables perched on a pristine forest’s edge.
When you’re not in the spa or sightseeing, Sedona is a fabulous spot to shop for art and collectibles. Be sure to stop by Tlaquepaque [T-laca-POCKy}, an artisan’s village built in the style of a walled Mexican village. Its winding cobblestone pathways and shops beg exploration.
Back in the Valley, we wandered Old Town Scottsdale’s covered boardwalks, stopping in at our favorite galleries and discovering new art purveyors among the hundreds nestled within a few block radius. We also indulged in a special evening at Vincent’s on Camelback, a prized venue that has earned wide acclaim, including making it onto Britain’s respected Restaurant Magazine’s list of the World’s Top 50 Restaurants.
Recognized among the pioneers of modern Southwest cuisine, Chef Vincent Guerithault’s culinary creations are premised on classic French cuisine delicately infused with southwest
flavors like lime, cilantro, sweet and hot Serrano chilis, and smoky chipotle. Like the dishes he creates, the atmosphere in Guerithault’s signature restaurant is warm and comforting.
For those considering a getaway to this luxury-loaded corner of America, I strongly suggest speaking with a travel agent who intimately understands this market. There are so
many fine resorts to choose from—acclaimed properties like those I’ve described, and others such as The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa, Royal Palms, The Phoenician, and Wigwam Resort, and new offerings including the Mondrian Scottsdale Hotel and private estates by Bella Palazzo—you deserve to get what you want. After all, in Arizona it’s all about tuning into the venues that match your idea of perfection.
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