Business Traveler, April 2020

A P R I L 2 0 2 0 b u s i n e s s t r a v e l e r u s a c o m 3 3 D E S T I N AT I O N S Arizona is a haven for travelers seeking sun innovative wellness options and Southwestern design centric luxury travelers seeking sun innovative wellness options and Southwestern design centric luxury Born in 1988 The Phoenician is now a Marriott Luxury Collection property formerly Starwood Luxury Collection but in its new branding has not lost one iota of its massive watt luxury status The resorts Canyon Suites the resorts most coveted rooms located cheek by jowl to Phoenixs iconic Camelback Mountain are considered the sine qua non of sumptuous accommodation in Arizona The hotel has added to its portfolio of pleasures with the brand new three story Phoenician Spa opened in 2018 The Spa is minimal chic with natural design elements like stone and wood as well as a featured rooftop pool and Drybar for desert tossed blow outs thephoenician com Also in Scottsdale a twelve minute drive from downtown is the privately owned Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort Originally the Paradise Valley Racquet Club built in 1957 the resort went through various incarnations until becoming Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort in 2001 Features include newly renovated casitas 53 acres of grounds facing Praying Monk Rock and the Beau MacMillan Iron Chef etc helmed restaurant Elements Room options include eight private mountainside villas not rooms villas probably larger than your house as well as mountain and terrace casitas and spa suites sanctuaryoncamelback com Closer to Phoenix itself the Arizona Biltmore Waldorf Astoria opened in 1929 is a treasure trove for art and history lovers The hotels architect was Albert Chase McArthur who was Frank Lloyd Wrights ex draftsman McArthur consulted closely with Wright whose Taliesin West School of Architecture is nearby The hotels iconic textile block design system is said to derive largely from Wright who consulted with McArthur for four months on the hotels design There are three on site restaurants named after the famed architect and his influence on the property Other historic connections of note Clark Gable and Carole Lombard stayed here on more than one special occasion enough to give Gables name to suite 1207 The Tequila Sunrise also saw its dawn here the famed cocktail was invented at the Arizona Biltmore The hotels extensive spa menu includes medical therapies like lip plumping and wellness options like massage with basalt stones and sage arizonabiltmore com Also in Phoenix the massive JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge is located 12 miles from the airport in the planned community of Desert Ridge One of Arizonas largest luxe properties the resorts 316 acres are bisected by a lazy river and a huge five pool water fun complex With amenities with these its not surprising that the complex which also features world class golfing is billed as family friendly luxury marriott com One aspect of luxury and wellness that all of these properties have in common is access to one of the worlds most bracingly beautiful wonder spots The Grand Canyon An all day trip from Castle Hot Springs in Peoria or from any of the resorts in Scottsdale and Phoenix offers the transformational experience of viewing the Grand Canyon in Grand Canyon National Park or in the Native American owned and operated Sky Walk in Grand Canyon West Admittedly the drive takes hours but those hours can be filled with scenic stops like the Red Rocks of Sedona or a lunch stop at the historic Cameron Trading Post Set within the Navaho Nation this outpost is an opportunity for travelers to try traditional Navaho fry bread and locally sourced lamb stew as well as an hour or two of shopping for exquisite authentic Navaho jewelry and rugs At the Canyon itself every vantage point is a great one from the famed 30 million Skywalk over the canyon not for the faint of heart in Grand Canyon West not part of the National Park to views within the park itself the vastness that unfolds right at your feet is heartstoppingly glorious An experience that will make any journey to Arizonas refreshed and reblossoming spas and resorts both an inner and outer rebirth BT BELOW The spa at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort