IVY MORRIS 2022-08-30 11:30:08
Some travelers see their accommodations as just a stopping off point, a place to drop your bags and rest your head. But these luxury resorts are the destination. Places where guests receive treatment that’s above and beyond the expected, and where overnight stays transform into memorable, unforgettable getaways that you dream about for years. From fine dining and personalized amenities to pillow menus and top-notch concierge experiences, these Forbes Five Star/AAA Five Diamondaccommodations will forever redefine the way you view hotels. An enclave within The Phoenician—which is a fabulous resort in and of itself—The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician in Scottsdale makes luxury amenities standard. Tucked away at the base of Camelback Mountain, 60 secluded suites and guest rooms include Frette 400-count Italian linens, Nespresso coffee machines and patios overlooking the pool or golf course. Resort amenities include a Canyon Suites-exclusive infinity pool, chauffeur service to and from Fashion Square Mall, and an executive breakfast featuring artfully carved fresh fruit, lox, croissants that taste like they were made in Paris, and more. The pampering starts before you arrive with the Luggage Liaison program, which can ship your suitcase directly to the resort, where it can be held until your arrival—or, your items can be unpacked in your room. At the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, mornings begin with a stroll through the resort’s orchard, where guests can pick oranges, tangelos and grapefruits to be used in fresh-pressed juice. Then, take your pick of three courses for a round of golf, including a world-class, 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course amid the Tortolita Mountain range. By afternoon, perhaps some hydrotherapy at the spa? Or a guided hike to ancient petroglyphs? Or perhaps a whirl down a 235-foot slide at one of the resort’s three pools? Remember something in the middle of the night? No worries— the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain offers 24-hour guest service. Kai at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass is the state’s first AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-star restaurant. Showcasing American Indian cuisine with global accents, dining at Kai isn’t just a meal and beverages—it’s an entire dining experience. Menus showcase watercolor paintings by Joshua Yazzie, while traditional Native flute music plays in the background and—if you’re lucky, which is often—an Arizona sunset paints the sky, best viewed from the patio or through Kai’s floor-toceiling windows. Get the most of your meal by ordering the sevencourse tasting experience, which features heritage ingredients such as Ramona’s Farm tepary beans and 60-day Pima corn, as well as Arizona ingredients including Peterson honey, Crow’s Dairy goat cheese, and wines from Rune. Escape to a Casita Suite at the AAA Four Diamond El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort to experience a luxurious home-away-from-home. These one-, two- and three-bedroom accommodations feature private patios, desert and mountain views, and access to an adults-only pool. When you’re ready to venture beyond your secluded enclave, indulge in Southwest-inspired cuisine at Epazote Kitchen & Cocktails, set against the dramatic beauty of the Pusch Ridge. The El Conquistador also encourages outdoor adventure. On property, play tennis, swim in the sparkling pools or play golf on three remarkable courses. Off-property, take in the beauty of the Sonoran Desert with a hike on the 2.5-mile Linda Vista Trail or numerous trails at the adjacent Catalina State Park. Or rent a bicycle—included in your nightly resort fee—and take your pick from more than 30 marked bike paths in the Oro Valley. What began as a home and artist’s studio for cowboy artist Alonzo “Lon” Megargee has evolved into The Hermosa Inn, a quaint boutique resort. Located in Paradise Valley, this Southwestern hideaway is historic, with updated haciendastyle casitas with cozy fireplaces and secluded patios. Wander the property on a self-guided art tour of Megargee’s original pieces; The Hermosa Inn’s lush grounds are a work of art themselves, featuring fuchsia bougainvillea, golden Arizona poppies and a rainbow of penstemon. Don’t miss a meal at LON’s Last Drop or LON’s Restaurant, where the food is so good, it brings locals in— overnight stay or not. The accommodations at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale are just the beginning. Choose a casita with a private patio and cozy firepit, or a two-bedroom suite with multiple private patios, plunge pool and telescope. Then, make your stay your own. Create a custom scent at the spa’s Aroma Design Bar, where a spa alchemist assists you in designing your own aromatherapy products. At the resort’s Spanish-themed steakhouse, Talavera, the signature dish is a colorful paella with carabinero prawn, clams, lobster and mussels. Reserve a cabana by the Four Seasons’ bi-level pool, complete with a private bar stocked with beverages, unlimited chips and salsa, and even sunglasses cleaning by request. Five restaurants, a spa, golf— there’s something for everyone at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. This dog- and family-friendly resort is the longest-running AAA Five Diamond resort in Arizona. If you’re having a hard time finding your fit, talk to the resort’s Leisure Concierge, who assists with everything from local adventure recommendations to tee times at the TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, host of the PGA Tour WM Phoenix Open. Swim in a different pool nearly every day of the week at the Princess—there are six on-property, including one with two 200-foot water slides, and another that’s beach-esque, with white sand beneath palm trees. If you’re more “lay back” than “dive in,” relax during an Arizona-inspired treatment at the renowned Well & Being Spa. After a vacation like this, you may never want to return to reality.
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