With the warmth of the sun on your face and desert beauty all around, this week our inspired travel for your luxury vacation, is Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. The sun shines more than 325 days a year here, a good reason why this area is lovingly known as “Valley of the Sun”. The gorgeous landscape sets the scene for five-star travel family vacations, weekend adventures and romantic getaways. The Phoenix area is home to real cowboys, red-rock buttes and Saguaro cactus. Wellness, luxury spas, acclaimed golf courses, scenic hiking, mountain biking and shopping, will keep you happy and busy as we pay a visit to one of our favorite areas!
Royal Palms Resort and Spa
Located at the base of Camelback Mountain, nestled between the exclusive Biltmore and Scottsdale areas, is the captivating Royal Palms Resort and Spa. Originally built in 1929, this desert getaway pays homage to the Spanish Mediterranean style with 119 rooms, casitas, suites and six lovely private villas. While on property, enjoy award-winning, inspired cuisine at the nationally acclaimed T. Cook’s, the resort’s signature restaurant. Linger over candlelit meals with an intimate Via Cappello private dining experience where your private dinner is set in one of the resorts “lovers” corners throughout the property, including private patios and gardens. If inventive drinks are your thing, stop by Mix Up, featuring garden-to-glass cocktails. Wellness and relaxation are on the menu at the award winning Alvadora Spa. Try one of the exclusive Botanical Treatments invented by the spa’s in-house Herbalist, blending the practice of traditional herbal medicine preparations and modern applications of plants native to the Mediterranean region and beyond. We love the Coconut Milk & Honey treatment fused with a blend of essential oils and mushroom extracts that are applied during your deeply hydrating body treatment. It has the benefits of antioxidants, minerals, enzymes, and distinctive fatty acids that nourish the skin.
The Hermosa Inn
With 43 hacienda-style casitas, The Hermosa Inn is your boutique desert hideaway. Built in the 1930s as famed artist Lon Megargee’s private home, guests will find Lon’s original artwork seamlessly incorporated into the resort’s warm, Southwestern feel. Fireplaces, secluded patios, and vaulted ceilings add to the relaxed vibe. During your stay here, you might set out to find, one of the more than 200 golf courses in the Scottsdale-Phoenix area, and include courses for players of all levels. There’s the Tom Fazio designed course at Grayhawk Golf Club or Troon North, with two courses offering amazing views of Pinnacle Peak and the surrounding cactus-dotted landscape. The Monument course is more scenic, but Pinnacle is walkable. Let WIT make arrangements for you to play any of these courses with your preferred tee time, clubs and transportation.
Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows
In the Scottsdale area, the stunning Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows is set amid the Sonoran beauty with the Camelback Mountain in full view. The 185 bungalow-style rooms and suites are an eclectic, mid-century modern feel, with rooms featuring a patio or balcony to watch the painted desert sunsets. The Retreat, a retreat within the retreat, has 20 private bungalows, including three Cattle Track Suites, offering an exclusive resort experience with premium privacy and service. Separate from the rest of the resort and surrounding a private pool, this area is ideal for intimate weddings or family reunions. All Retreat rooms include daily breakfast for two, two signature cocktails per day and access to all resort facilities and pool. While on property, we say ‘yes’ to booking a treatment at Palo Verde Spa & Apothecary, where wellness is “illuminated by the natural healing powers of the earth’s most sacred resources”. The menu is curated by a local Sedona botanist, and apothecary consultants will curate an experience that caters to your distinct preferences of lotions and aromatics that blend with desert elements. After hiking or biking the mountain trails, check in for the Juniper Cleanse Massage enhanced with CBD oil for tight muscles, soreness and pain relief.
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale
Set up in the hills, Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, is where guests can experience awe-inspiring views of Pinnacle Peak, panoramic views of the city of Phoenix, and stunning desert views. The 210 casita-style guest rooms are designed with luxe Southwestern décor that is accented with handmade Huichol Indian yarn art. All guest rooms feature an indoor gas fireplace and spacious private balcony or patio, where you can watch the stars come out from the privacy of your own room. The resort’s property is adjacent to Pinnacle Peak, which allows guests to leave from the resort and do a casual paced hike to the top. Self-guided or with a complimentary guide, you will savor panoramic views of the Sonoran Desert and the city below. One of the highlights of staying at Four Seasons Scottsdale are privileges at Troon North Golf Club, considered one of the top golf clubs in the US. If traveling with the family, the resort offers the legendary Kids For All Seasons children's program too.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Located in North Scottsdale and recognized as the longest running AAA Five Diamond resort in Arizona, we head over to the majestic Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Prominently placed, at the base of the McDowell Mountains, the Fairmont is set on 65 acres of stunning Sonoran Desert land overlooking two TPC Scottsdale championship golf courses. The newly renovated 750-room resort boasts six swimming pools, Well & Being Spa, Princess tennis center, two championship golf courses, and Trailblazers Family Adventure Center for kids 5-12. Four signature restaurants will keep you happy and satiated during your vacation, including BOURBON Steak, masterminded by Chef Michael Mina, La Hacienda by Richard Sandoval, and Toro Latin Restaurant and Rum Bar at TPC Scottsdale. Be sure to check out the Sunset Beach where you can spend a relaxed day with your toes in the sand at Arizona's only “white sand beach”. With 9,000 square feet of soft white sand (that’s 830 tons), it is the Princess' largest pool area featuring comfy oversized beach chairs, cabana rental and a giant splash pad. If lounging with a good book is more your speed, the adults only, Sonoran landing pool features comfy day beds, floating bean bags and poolside adult beverages. You will love the Well & Being Spa’s thoughtful spa menu and amazing amenities like, the rooftop adult’s only pool, spa cuisine menu, co-ed grotto pool, and an assortment of hot and dry therapeutic experiences, like the eucalyptus aromatherapy room or Swedish dry sauna.
The Villas at Sanctuary
Set in the gorgeous terrain of Camelback Mountain, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain invites you to experience ultimate privacy and peace on 53 acres of paradise. Placed high on the north slope of Camelback Mountain, reside seventy-four newly renovated casitas decorated in bold desert hues, with the most luxe appointments. We simply adore The Villas at Sanctuary: eight, private mountainside vacation villas that come with all the bells and whistles, from game rooms, private pools, tennis courts and secluded patios boasting striking vista views. The resort’s two heated pools are smartly set on the mountainside and the infinity-edge pool is the largest in Arizona. Other hotel features include, a new tennis compound, indoor and outdoor spa, hiking trails & nature walks, golf privileges at nearby world-renowned golf courses, biking, desert horseback riding, jeep rides and hot air ballooning. The dining options will delight with Food Network star, Executive Chef Beau MacMillan whose cuisine features innovative seasonal menus incorporating local, organic produce, sustainable seafood, and hormone-free meat. Make time to visit The Sanctuary Resort Spa with twelve indoor and outdoor treatment rooms where Asian influences will touch every aspect of your spa visit. Use movement with Watsu® Aquatic Massage, or find peace through Sanctuary’s signature Luk Pra Kope, which means “to massage with medicinal herbs”. Your journey will begin with a kaffir lime exfoliation of the feet. Organically grown herbs are steamed, rolled and pressed along the energy pathways of the body. Coupled with Thai massage, the heated herbal compress soothes tired muscles, enhances circulation, and improves joint movement. The spa has an eclectic menu of wellbeing and mindfulness treatments that include acupuncture, hypnotherapy, tarot card reading, guided imagery, meditation labyrinth walking meditation, and astrology reading, to name a few.
It’s an easy ride from any of these exclusive properties to Camelback Mountain for a vigorous hike. The two hiking trails ascend 1,280 feet to the peak at 2,704 feet. It’s worth the effort just to experience the views. Let WIT set up a guided morning hike to Camelback’s Echo Canyon Recreation Area. Admire the flora and fauna of Saguaro Cactus, Palo Verde Cholla and Barrel Cactus, as you hike either Echo Canyon trail or Cholla trail. Both are fairly rigorous, while Echo Canyon is steeper and Cholla is longer. With either one, you will get your workout in while enjoying the expansive landscape, before heading back to your luxe accommodations for a well earned afternoon by the pool.
WIT has very close relationships with these properties, so we can extend exclusive perks and special amenities to our clients. Typically, you will receive complimentary breakfast for two daily, $100 or more resort credit to be utilized during your stay, room upgrade, either at the time of booking or arrival, and early checkin-in/late checkout, both subject to availability.
At Well Inspired Travels, we love being luxury travel consultants and creating the ultimate experiences for you. So, pack your digital bags and follow us as we uncover exceptional luxury and wellness focused vacations. Check-in regularly for our top five-star travel ideas and tips, and as always, we continue to stay strong WIT you!
