AZ Insider’s Guide 2024: The Best Arizona Resorts

Photo courtesy The Global Ambassador

From time-honored establishments to the latest and greatest locales in town, get ready to play, stay and indulge in the best in golf, dining, resorts, shopping and more!

This story is from our special edition IN AZ 2024 issue. Read the full issue online here for more inside intel on where to stay, dine and everything in between IN AZ this season and all year round.

Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

Photo courtesy Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort was famously designed with Frank Lloyd Wright’s influence. Throughout the decades, the Arizona Biltmore was a hangout spot for such Hollywood stars as Marilyn Monroe and Frank Sinatra. In the Biltmore’s near century in business, the resort has expanded massively to include multiple dining options, pools and villas. From cottages and suites for a romantic getaway, to villas for the whole family, there are accommodations for everyone. Enjoy breakfast in bed or at McArthur’s to start your stay with healthy and wholesome choices. Hit the pool for snacks and drinks at Saguaro Pool Bar or the Paradise Pool’s Cabana Club. Cool down at Cup & Cone, an Art Deco-inspired coffee and gelato shop with a Sonoran twist. Have dinner at Renata’s Hearth for whimsical Latin cuisine or back at McArthur’s for more relaxed fare. Finish your night at the Spire Bar or The Wright Bar, where the hotel’s version of the Tequila Sunrise cocktail was created. Enjoy tennis and pickleball or hit the spa and take a class at the gym. Relax at Saguaro Pool cabanas, the Biltmore’s 24/7 oasis with food and drink service for adults only. For the whole family, check out the Paradise Pool, complete with a huge 65-foot triple water slide. www.arizonabiltmore.com

Caesars Republic Scottsdale

Photo courtesy Caesars Republic Scottsdale

Caesars Republic Scottsdale introduces a fresh lifestyle hotel experience and the first nongaming hotel from Caesars Entertainment in the U.S. Adjacent to Scottsdale Fashion Square, this innovative concept captures the distinctive essence of the city to deliver an unparalleled experience. Scheduled to open in March 2024, this contemporary 11-story future landmark will present 265 luxurious guestrooms, 20,000 square feet of event space, SEVEN—an upscale rooftop pool and lounge boasting panoramic views of Camelback Mountain—a second pool and bar named Cleopatra’s Pool & Bar, and two signature restaurants created by celebrated chef, author and television personality Giada De Laurentiis. www.caesars.com/caesars-republic-scottsdale 

Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix

Photo courtesy Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix

This urban oasis in downtown Phoenix is ranked #5 Hotel in the West & Southwest by Condé Nast Traveler and #3 Hotel in Central Phoenix by U.S. News & World Report. Check out the buzzing nightlife on Roosevelt Row, head to a Suns game, visit all the local museums or explore the city via bike or light rail. Just minutes from Chase Field and the Footprint Center, Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix is the perfect staycation for sports fans. For a more arts-oriented stay, visit the Phoenix Art Museum, the Herberger Theater Center or Arizona Opera. The area is great for families with The Science Center and Children’s Museum of Phoenix just a short walk away. The hotel’s newly-opened Eden Rooftop Bar serves craft cocktails and light Mediterranean fare while offering a beautiful view of the city. Blue Hound Kitchen’s new American-style shareable plates and refreshing cocktails are served in a modern space with an open patio. Reserve a cabana at the rooftop pool or explore the sights of Phoenix with bikes provided by the hotel. Each room comes with a yoga mat that guests can use during on-demand pilates and yoga classes. For pet parents, Kimpton offers free Wag! Premium for the duration of your stay with in-room water bowls and free courtesy bags for walks. There are no limits on pet size or number of pets, so all your furry friends can come with. www.hotelpalomar-phoenix.com 

Moxy Phoenix Downtown

Photo courtesy Moxy Phoenix Downtown

Downtown Phoenix is now home to an eclectic international hotel concept, The Moxy. The playful hotel is located in the historic Luhrs Building, which turns 100 years old this year. The first floor functions as an inviting lobby, bar and game room while floors two through nine house the hotel rooms. The state-of-the-art fitness center is located in the basement and the top floor continues to function as a law office. In addition to 164 rooms, luggage lockers, a luxury gym and a business center, guests and passersby have access to the bright and open “Plug and Meet” gathering areas with modern ergonomic seating and 55-inch TVs for presentation projection. The lobby also has a cutting-edge video wall and 24/7 food and beverage, offering a wide selection of snacks and drinks. All guest rooms are equipped with 55-inch flat-screen TVs, built-in USB ports and complimentary Wi-Fi. Other hotel amenities include an à la carte food and beverage menu and a complimentary welcome cocktail for every guest upon check-in. Ideally located for convenient transportation opportunities, the new hotel also offers quick access to the Valley Metro light rail, allowing connections to other parts of downtown. Other nearby attractions include numerous bars and restaurants, as well as CityScape, Stand up Live, Copper Blues, The Phoenix Art Museum, Heritage District, The Van Buren, Chase Field and the Footprint Center. www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/phxod-moxy-phoenix-downtown

Royal Palms Resort & Spa

Photo courtesy Royal Palms Resort & Spa

Treat yourself to a royal escape at Royal Palms Resort & Spa. Explore the historic charm and relaxing atmosphere, right next to Camelback Mountain. Relax while taking in delicious sips and bites from T. Cook’s Mediterranean menu on the patio. Stop by Mix-Up Bar + Lounge for delicious cocktails made with luxurious ingredients. Spend the day poolside or at Alvadora Spa for a wellness recharge. This Spanish-style resort is the perfect venue for weddings, meetings or just getting away. Each of the 119 rooms at the Spanish Colonial-style estate features touches of history combined with elegant amenities. www.royalpalmshotel.com

The Global Ambassador

Photo courtesy The Global Ambassador

As one of the Valley’s hottest hotel openings, The Global Ambassador is an internationally inspired hotel that merges impressive hospitality, culinary and wellness experiences within one perfectly and precisely curated destination, where Phoenix, Scottsdale and Paradise Valley converge. Created by prolific restaurant innovator Sam Fox as his foray into the luxury hospitality world, every detail of the well-appointed, 141-room hotel has been meticulously pored over, studied and designed by Fox himself. As a 12-time James Beard award nominee, Fox showcases a lineup of inventive culinary offerings that encompass five original dining venues, including highlights Le Âme, a Parisian steakhouse that celebrates a thoughtful blend of traditional French fare with a twist on the classics; Pink Dolphin for Mexican and Peruvian-inspired dishes and drinks in a whimsical poolside setting; and théa Mediterranean, with dramatic rooftop views of iconic Camelback Mountain and one of the country’s most expansive rosé collections. The hotel’s world-class Wellness Center features an expansive fitness level and ultra-luxe spa where health, beauty and fitness experts curate treatments and practices designed to put the mind and body in perfect balance. www.globalambassadorhotel.com 

The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain 

Photo courtesy The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain 

Located in Marana, Ariz., nestled within the Tortolita Mountains and just northwest of Tucson, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain is a mere 100 miles from Phoenix. This Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond resort boasts top-tier amenities, including a holistic spa, the Dove Mountain Golf Club, private stargazing and hiking. It features three dining options: Cayton’s for lunch and dinner with golf course views and stunning sunsets; Core Kitchen & Wine Bar offering American cuisine with a desert-inspired twist for breakfast and dinner; and the poolside Turquesa Latin Grill for Mexican dishes and cocktails. The Ignite Lounge and Bar serves lunch and dinner, featuring a Southwestern and Asian-influenced menu and a variety of drinks, all with a scenic mountain patio. The resort is designed to cater to both serenity seekers and families, offering activities like the Ritz Kids Rangers program for children ages 5–12, where they can explore local flora, fauna and desert animals. Adults can relax at the Forbes Five-Star spa with holistic treatments, saunas and an adults-only pool. Additional amenities include three luxurious pools, a 235-foot waterslide, over 20 miles of biking and hiking trails, 27 golf holes, and a fitness center with yoga and meditation classes. www.ritzcarlton.com/dovemountain

The Scottsdale Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton

Photo courtesy The Scottsdale Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton

The Scottsdale Resort & Spa is a captivating Spanish-style resort situated within McCormick Ranch, one of Scottsdale’s most sought-after communities. With a history tracing back to 1976 as the country’s first conference resort, The Scottsdale Resort & Spa features 278 spacious guest rooms and suites, where its legacy intertwines with contemporary allure for a fusion of modern sophistication and signature Southwestern charm. Guests savor the art of relaxation by one of the resort’s two distinctive pools, surrender to pampering at Luna Spa, work out in the newly expanded fitness center and get in a round at either of the two championship 18-hole golf courses at McCormick Ranch Golf Club or the resort’s on-site golf simulator. Culinary experiences await under the direction of Area Executive Chef Ken Arneson at La Fogata, the resort’s signature restaurant; Barnaby’s Café, an inviting quick-serve café in the heart of the property; The Madam, a hidden speakeasy harkening to the Roaring Twenties; and Twisted Vine, the leisurely pool bar and grill. Located just 10 minutes from Old Town Scottsdale and the city’s vibrant entertainment, shopping and dining district, the resort offers proximity to the best of the area. www.thescottsdaleresort.com

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