A holiday in Phoenix-Scottsdale delivers the goods, and nothing less
ARIZONA...STAY AWHILE
The din from last weekend’s Super Bowl XLII celebrations in Phoenix may have finally subsided, but with the Valley of the Sun’s idyllic springtime conditions blossoming, tourism season here is only now beginning to kick into high gear, offering plenty for visitors seeking a fine departure from the everyday.
Some 500,000 Canadians flocked to Arizona last year, a testament to this state’s appeal and myriad attractions. Even hard-core urbanites who come for Arizona’s stunning golf courses, luxurious resorts and spas and trend-setting shopping and dining are often tempted to explore this region’s intriguing Native American and cowboy cultures, and the exotic – albeit prickly – Sonoran Desert, whether by jeep, horseback or hot air balloon.
One note: first-time visitors to the Valley would be well advised to rent a car. While public transit is not a hallmark of this sprawling region – now America’s fifth largest urban centre – Greater Phoenix boasts a remarkable road and highway system. For the most
part, motoring here is both a joy and a must, especially if you want to visit some of the area’s far-flung, fascinating niches.
Perusing the charming antique stores of historic Glendale in West Phoenix, browsing the hundreds of fine art galleries that line the covered boardwalks of downtown Scottsdale’s “Old Town,” or exploring the taverns, Western shops and other remnants of Southwest ranch life in Carefree and Cave Creek, north of Scottsdale, are just a few places and ways to while away hours or days.
Among the lesser-known points of interest well worth visiting is the Desert Botanical Gardens in Phoenix. Joining an informal tour led by a volunteer docent will heighten anyone’s appreciation of the Sonoran Desert, a rich, yet otherwise easily misunderstood, ecosystem. With ongoing events like Agave on the Rocks – an evening of margaritas and fine cuisine, this botanical attraction always offers much more than a walk in the park.
With its proliferation of top-calibre chefs, dining out in the Valley can be rewarding. For a taste of fine local fare with a decidedly French twist, consider a special evening at Vincent’s on Camelback. A local favourite for more than 20 years, Vincent’s is the namesake of Chef Vincent Guerithault, a James Beard Award-winning pioneer of modern Southwest cuisine. Expect delicately flavoured dishes and decidedly warm surroundings. Gourmands should also scout Phoenix and Scottsdale’s finer resorts, many of which are known for their top-flight restaurants.
If your vacation plans call for intense R&R and navelgazing, a stay at one of the area’s resorts will all but guarantee your dreams will be realized.
Native lore suggests the spiritually charged Sonoran Desert was a magnet for those seeking respite even long before the region’s first resorts sprang up in the 1920s, when storied properties such as The Wigwam Resort & Spa in Litchfield Park and the iconic Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix got their starts.
Still today one of this region’s finest properties, the Biltmore is a destination unto itself – a landmark steeped in history yet which remains eternally youthful thanks to multimillion-dollar investments in its preservation and upgrades. Originally established as a private retreat of chewing gum baron William Wrigley Jr., the Biltmore’s heritage is illustrious.
Every U.S. president since Hoover as well as the likes of Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Liza Minnelli, Clark Gable and other glitterati over the decades and to this day have graced its manicured grounds.
Remarkably, the Biltmore is anything but pretentious. On the contrary, for all its sophistication this property is decidedly relaxed, by design, naturally.
Sitting poolside under clear blue skies you feel the desert vibe that must have inspired Irving Berlin to pen White Christmas as he did while sitting in this very location. A few days of channelling that energy and you’re all but guaranteed to return home feeling supercharged, ready to take on the world.
Like the multitude of other vacation experiences Arizona offers, rewarding R&R is the bottom line. If there’s one thing that can be said about this state’s well-honed tourism industry, it’s that it has earned its reputation as a favoured destination by satisfying visitors one at a time. In the case of Canadians, that’s about a half million annually, and counting.
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Frank LloydWright-inspired architecture is just one of many hallmarks of the fabled The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa. The
Biltmore spa is another. During the month of February, savour special Valentine’s treatments like a Couple’s Champagne Pedicure or a Romantic Couple’s Massage Under the Stars, a luxurious treatment in the privacy of your own cabana. You’ll fall in love, guaranteed.
Following a combined $48.1-million renovation,
The Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort and the AAA Four Diamond Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort have emerged revitalized.
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch. There is nothing quite like savouring a cool drink and the picture perfect view of the McDowell Mountains at sunset from a perch in the Hyatt’s spectacular Lobby Bar and patio.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort & Spa. OldWorld charm and luxury unite at this expansive AAA Five Diamond resort.Want more? This March, the resort will unveil its new $6.7-million Fairmont Gold guestrooms and lounge
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