16 Top-Rated Resorts in the Phoenix Area

Authors Michael and Lana Law toured some of the best resorts in Phoenix while on assignment for PlanetWare.

The sun and warm weather make Phoenix a favorite desert resort destination in the Southwest, especially during the winter months. People come here on golf vacations; spa and wellness retreats; nature getaways; and to take in major events from concerts and NASCAR races to spring training.

The Phoenix Metropolitan Area, which includes a number of cities all clustered in this one area, is very large and spread out. Some of the finest resorts are located in Scottsdale, and many of the attractions and activities are in the south and eastern areas, including Old Town Scottsdale and downtown Phoenix.

But not everyone is here for the city experience, and the luxury resorts offer so many different activities, along with fine dining, that you don't even need to leave the property to enjoy your vacation.

No matter what you plan to do, find the best place to stay with our list of the top resorts in the Phoenix Area.

1. Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North

Accommodation: Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North

Set in a stunning landscape of beautiful boulders and desert flora, the Four Seasons Troon North is an oasis of luxury and tranquility. The mission-style complex blends in beautifully with the surroundings and even incorporates some of the rocks and natural features into the design.

This property has recently undergone extensive renovations, from the rooms to the restaurants and common areas.

Guest rooms, suites, and adobe one- and two-story casitas feature balconies and beautiful decor, including Mexican art and handmade Huichol Indian art. The free-form, bi-level pool provides a beautiful place to relax and soak up the scenery.

Golfers will appreciate the preferred access and free shuttle to one of Arizona's finest courses, the Tom Weiskopf-designed Troon North. The Four Seasons also offers guests a variety of activities, from guided hikes up nearby Pinnacle Peak to stargazing, and activities for kids at the Kids for All Seasons children's camp.

Dining here is exceptional at all restaurants, including Talavera, a Spanish steakhouse, and the more casual Proof, serving comfort food from across the United States in its indoor and outdoor dining areas. Both restaurants offer outstanding views. If you work up an appetite poolside, Saguaro Blossom has you covered with refreshing snacks ranging from ceviche through to kale salads.

The area surrounding Phoenix is a wonderful place to explore, and guests of Four Seasons Troon North have the unique ability to get out and experience it from their "hotel base camp" with customized immersive adventures. Curated, organized, and run by the outdoor experts at REI, a variety of different adventures are on offer, ranging from an e-biking and hiking combo right through to stand up paddleboarding on Lake Saguaro.

2. Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa, A Gurney's Resort & Spa

Accommodation: Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa

Sanctuary Camelback Mountain is an exclusive high-end resort catering to the celebrity and jet-set crowd. By Phoenix resort standards, it's a small property and delivers an intimate atmosphere with a high degree of personal service.

Accommodation is a unique mix of luxury rooms, casitas, and incredible private estate homes spread along the lower slopes of beautiful Camelback Mountain. The resort can accommodate a full range of group sizes with different living arrangements.

elements, the fine dining establishment helmed by Executive Chef Beau MacMillan, has exceptional food that will have you booking a table to come back as you leave. The views from the dining room through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows out over the pool area and across Paradise Valley to Piestewa Peak are fantastic.

The Sanctuary Spa provides a wide variety of services with a focus on Asian-themed treatments. If you want to tune up your tennis game, the resort also has a resident tennis pro and five competition courts.

3. The Phoenician

Accommodation: The Phoenician

At the base of Camelback Mountain, the Phoenician is a beautiful complex that blends well with the desert surroundings. After a recent extensive renovation, the resort offers a new style of luxury and aims to please everyone, from families and couples to business travelers and conference attendees.

The fabulous pools spread across three levels feature an adult-only area on its own level, another pleasant space for children and families, including a separate splash pad area, and plenty of poolside room for people who just want to relax.

The complex has a new spa, fitness center, tennis courts, and a beautiful new 18-hole golf course. The resort offers 645 rooms, including 60 canyon casitas, where you'll find the ultimate in luxury and exclusivity. This area is set off on its own with a separate pool and top-end amenities.

The grounds of the resort are an oasis in the desert and are truly spectacular. As you marvel at the lush greenery, keep an eye out for the 11 works of art by renowned artist Allan Houser. The sculptures are large in scope and focus on the Indigenous culture of the Southwest.

Inside the resort buildings, especially in the lobby areas of the Phoenician and the Canyon Suites are pieces of artwork in various mediums by local and international artists. A complete list of artworks and their location is available on the resort's website.

4. JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

Accommodation: JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

This huge resort has it all and more: expansive pools, a lazy river and waterslide, two championship golf courses, and the Revive Spa Fitness Center.

All the guest rooms and suites have recently been renovated to four-star standards and most rooms have balconies with views out to the mountains, the golf course, or the pool area.

Six restaurants on the property offer a wide variety of cuisines. For those just needing a caffeine fix, there is also a Starbucks.

This resort also caters to business groups and is frequently the site of meetings and conventions. JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort and Spa is in the far north end of Phoenix and makes a convenient base for doing day trips from Phoenix to areas farther north, like Sedona, Prescott, or Jerome.

5. Hotel Valley Ho

Accommodation: Hotel Valley Ho

For a unique experience that screams hip and fun, the Hotel Valley Ho is the place to stay. Located in Scottsdale, this mid-century modern hotel brings you back to the fun times of the 1950s and 60s.

Once the haunt of TV and movie stars, this classic hotel has been completely renovated to its former glory, but with the addition of present-day upgrades and luxury standards.

Rooms and suites feature different floor plans and designs but all rooms have patios or balconies and cool retro decor. Music from the period plays in the lobby and around the main pool, creating a unique ambience.

This is not a huge, sprawling resort but does have enough space to let guests find what they're looking for. Two large pools, one known as the OH Pool, and the other known as the OHasis Pool, offer a choice between an active and vibrant scene or a quiet place to read a book or soak up the sun.

For guests who want to get off the property and enjoy a bit of the city without having to drive everywhere, this resort is also in a great location. You can walk into trendy Old Town Scottsdale to explore the galleries and shops or enjoy meals and entertainment.

6. Royal Palms Resort & Spa

Accommodation: Royal Palms Resort & Spa

The historic Royal Palms Resort offers an oasis of calm with its beautiful gardens and courtyards. Much of the 1929 architecture has been retained and enhanced with modern touches. A lovely pool, quiet sitting areas, fountains, and cozy interior rooms will allow you to find a place to relax and unwind.

Dining options include the well-regarded T Cooks, with indoor and outdoor dining. The service here is outstanding, and guests can expect requests to be handled quickly and efficiently.

Accommodation options include estate rooms, casitas, luxury suites, and villas. The resort is also pet-friendly. Up to two pets are allowed per room and an additional fee is charged; however, Fido gets special foods and dining bowls, a Royal Palms bed, and unlimited tennis balls during their stay.

No overview of the Royal Palms would be complete without a mention of the truly wonderful Alvadora Spa. The spa has a program of Mediterranean treatments, Vichy showers, custom botanicals, and an extensive menu of skin services. An eight-foot-high waterfall provides a soothing background soundtrack.

Every weekend at 9 am, complimentary instructor-led yoga takes place outside on the lawn near the Alvadora Spa. Saturday features Yin & Yang Yoga; Sunday features Yoga Nidra.

7. The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

Accommodation: The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

One of Scottsdale's most family-friendly resorts, the Westin Kierland has everything to keep young and old entertained for hours on end. Some of the highlights include a waterslide, a lazy river pool, and a man-made wave known as the FlowRider, to bring out your inner surfer or wakeboarder.

For adults craving a bit of exercise, there are three Scott Miller-designed golf courses on the property set along the rolling desert scenery. Need to indulge in a bit of shopping or a dinner out on the town? The shops of Kierland Commons are a short stroll away.

If you want a break from the kids, you can relax and recharge in the adults-only pool or head to the Agave Spa, sure to leave you feeling wonderfully refreshed.

8. Boulders Resort and Spa, Curio Collection

Accommodation: Boulders Resort and Spa

Set among the picturesque rocks of the Sonoran Desert in Scottsdale, the Boulders Resort blends gracefully into the landscape. Long a favorite with golfers, this resort features two 18-hole golf courses that incorporate the desert features into the design of the course.

If you'd prefer to be pampered, the 33,000-square-foot spa can help, with its wide variety of treatments featuring local desert elements. Two of the more interesting spa features are the labyrinth and shamanic tipi, specifically designed for those wishing to meditate or be led by a shaman.

Accommodations include casitas, executive suites, villas, haciendas, and the Villa Retreat. On the property are four pools, seven tennis courts, and four pickleball courts. Boulders Resort is part of the Hilton brands.

9. Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows

Accommodation: Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows

The Andaz Scottsdale provides a unique resort experience with its 185 beautifully restored and modernized mid-century modern bungalows and suites spread around the 23-acre property. Camelback Mountain serves as the backdrop.

The Andaz is known for being uber cool and having a unique vibe. The eclectic artwork from the Cattle Track Arts Compound are on display in the rooms and common areas. Pool time is a critical component of any Scottsdale getaway, and the three pool areas here will not disappoint.

Rooms are done up in 1950s decor but with luxurious modern upgrades. The Weft & Warp restaurant serves locally sourced food inspired by the Sonoran Desert.

Palo Verde Spa & Apothecary provides a wide variety of treatments using native plants, including lotions and scents, to provide an aromatherapy experience. Spa amenities include steam rooms, outdoor hot tubs for both men and women, and an outdoor pool. A secluded outdoor lounge area offers unbeatable views of Camelback Mountain.

The Andaz is part of the Hyatt family of hotels.

10. Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch

Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch

The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale is a moderately sized resort with just under 500 rooms and suites. The hotel is especially well-known for its extensive pool areas, which seem to ramble on forever. The property has 10 pools, a 30-foot-high waterslide, whirlpools, and a white-sand beach.

Golfers will find three nine-hole courses at the next-door Gainey Ranch Golf Club. Guests of the resort have exclusive access to this private club. For a bit of rest and relaxation, the Avania Spa offers a variety of skin and body treatments to help you recharge.

Rooms here are large and have all the luxury amenities you would expect to find at a first-class resort. Every room has either a private balcony or terrace with pool, golf course, or mountain views. Dining options are varied, from poolside snacks to the fine cuisine of the Southwest at the SWB.

Not to be missed is Spa Avaina featuring 19 treatment rooms, a French-Celtic mineral pool, a steam room, a sauna, and hot and cold plunge pools.

11. Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

Accommodation: Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

The landmark Arizona Biltmore, built in 1929, was co-designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and is one of the city's classic posh hotels. It is considered by many to be an architectural masterpiece.

This hotel is a vacation destination in and of itself, featuring seven pools, a 65-foot waterslide, two championship golf courses, seven tennis courts, a spa, and seven restaurants to suit all tastes.

Accommodation options include cottages, suites, rooms, and villas. Many of the units have sunny patios and views out over the pool area. The hotel was completely renovated in 2016 and now features all the modern conveniences discerning travelers expect.

The Tierra Luna Spa + Sol Garden is one of the few Phoenix spas with offerings that include indigenous mud treatments, healing crystals, and an on-site astrologist. The Sol Garden is open to the elements and features plunge pools, comfy loungers, and a juice bar.

The Arizona Biltmore is pet friendly.

12. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

Accommodation: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a wonderful place to lounge around a pool, arrange a game of golf, or experience the best of the Sonoran Desert. The resort is set among saguaros, agave, and an assortment of native desert plants on beautifully landscaped grounds.

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a large resort with 750 casitas and suites, most of which have balconies. Some of the highlights are the six pools, including one with a white-sand beach; the incredible golfing at the adjacent TPC Stadium or Champions Courses; and the four on-site restaurants featuring everything from casual to fine dining.

The resort is located in the far northwest of Phoenix and is well located for a visit to Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West.

13. Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale

Accommodation: Mountain Shadows Resorts Scottsdale

The Mountain Shadows Resort occupies an enviable position at the base of Camelback Mountain. This resort has been a Phoenix mainstay since its inception in 1959.

Mountain Shadows resort has the best of both worlds: a hip mid-century modern look and feel, and with a complete overhaul in 2017, the comforts a modern traveler requires.

Each room has a balcony, and the resort's pool is one of the trendiest places in town. The resort also boasts a par 3 golf course called the Short Course, ideal for golfers who are looking for fun and a good shot at getting the coveted hole-in-one.

Hearth 61, the on-site dining establishment, has Chef Charles Wiley at the helm and is well-regarded in the Phoenix foodie scene. Set aside a Sunday evening and swing by for his Sunday Supper Club, featuring a four-course dinner, special guest appearance, and insight from Charles himself.

Mountain Shadows Resort is the sister property to the Hotel Valley Ho.

14. ADERO Resort, Autograph Collection

Accommodation: ADERO Resort, Autograph Collection

New to the Phoenix area accommodation scene, and located in Fountain Hills, is the spectacular ADERO Resort. This midsize resort features 177 rooms and is an ideal destination for those who like to be not only active but also indulged. ADERO is spread out over 17 acres, and access to another 55,000 acres of Arizona wildland is nearby, so bring your mountain bike and hiking boots to make the most of the surroundings. Guests at the ADERO Resort have access to the spectacular Sunridge Canyon Golf Club.

For those looking for a little less activity, consider an afternoon at The Spa at Adero featuring all the latest treatments to relax and ensure that you reach a Zen-like state of bliss. Pool aficionados are well taken care of here, with two pools, one for adults only, and a mountainside hot tub. After your day exploring, book a patio table and enjoy the fine food and views at CIELO.

15. JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

Accommodation: JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

The JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa has been one of the "go-to" resorts in the Phoenix area for over 85 years. The reason it's so popular is easy to see. Set in beautifully manicured grounds spread out over 125 acres, the resort impresses everyone who walks through the front door.

The resort has recently completed an impressive $12.5-million-dollar renovation of its 453 stand-alone casitas, which now feature the latest creature comforts. Stroll out onto your patio or balcony and soak in the views of the Camelback Mountain range while enjoying a cold beverage.

Some of the on-site amenities include The Spa at Camelback, 36 holes of golf, hiking trails, and six tennis courts. The resort has also completely renovated and reimagined the pool complex. A new adult-only pool, a new children's pool, and a major update to the Jackrabbit Main Pool and Hoppin' Jacks Poolside Café have made an afternoon of soaking up the sun here even better.

Dining options are impressive, with seven choices serving all manner of food, from casual right through to fine dining.

16. FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel

Accommodation: FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel

For a more urban, downtown Phoenix experience, the FOUND:RE hotel is a great choice. Rooms are ultra-modern, designed in an urban industrial style with the latest décor. All rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows offering commanding views out over Phoenix to the mountains in the distance.

The hotel is located in the heart of downtown, with sights and attractions like the trails of Margaret T. Hance Park, just a short stroll away. The hotel has a vibrant pool scene, and the Match Restaurant is one of Phoenix's more popular establishments, serving a unique take on Mediterranean cuisine.

FOUND:RE is pet-friendly and one of the rare Phoenix resorts that does not charge an additional fee for your furry pal.

Map of Resorts in the Phoenix Area