The 15 best hotels and resorts in Phoenix, according to the experts

With its Spanish-colonial style and meandering trails that wind through the desert landscape, passing private villas, pools, and the full service spa, The Royal Palms Resort is a Phoenix favorite. It’s located near Phoenix’s international airport and at the base of the iconic Camelback Mountain, a perfect place to catch one of Phoenix’s spectacular sunsets.  

The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale is plop in the middle of some of the most astounding Sonoran desert. With surrounding mountain vistas and landscapes spotted with phoenix’s famous stacked boulders and ancient towering saguaros, its views never fail to deliver. This luxurious resort is designed to blend into the landscape with adobe buildings done in Southwestern style and amenities like a world-class golf course that winds through the desert, a renowned steakhouse, three pools, and a spa all hidden beneath the desert foothills.

Inspired by the famous architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, “The Biltmore”, as it’s known to Phoenicians, has a history of acclaimed guests ranging from Marilyn Monroe to Frank Sinatra, and it has long been recognized for its splendor. Located ten minutes from the Phoenix Airport, the resort is convenient for luxury stays long and short. In 2014, the Biltmore underwent massive renovations and now offers its guests over 700 rooms, two golf courses, several pools, and a spa, among other things.

The JW Marriott is one of Phoenix’s most sprawling resorts. It’s located on over 300 acres of desert and has an amenities list so chocked full of pleasing activities and restaurants that one doesn’t even need to leave the resort to enjoy what Phoenix has on offer.  Located in Northern Phoenix near Desert Ridge mall, The JW Marriott Desert Ridge is home to ten restaurants, multiple water features, and a spa. This resort is a stay that the whole family can enjoy.

Hotel Valley Ho is in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, walking distance from some of the most famous bars, restaurants, and art galleries around. It’s perfect beyond dimensions. The rooms are 1950s retro-chic, honoring the hotel’s original design and done with countless touches of elegance. It’s a nice reprieve from Arizona’s desert resorts and offers high-class amenities like a pool and spa, a fabulous restaurant, and exquisite five-star rooms.

The Scott Resort & Spa is equal in extravagance to neighboring resorts but has a unique charm all its own. The long list of amenities includes highlights like all-inclusive wine hour, sandy beach-entry pools, and nighttime s’mores kits, to name a few. It’s more affordable than some of the “fancier” resorts and is perfectly located in Scottsdale’s main center.

Located beside Echo Canyon Recreation Area and at the foot of Camelback Mountain, The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician can feel like it’s in the middle of nowhere. Its grounds span a whopping 250 acres and offer things like tennis courts, a golf course, pools, waterfalls and lush gardens that wind between the many private casitas and more.

As a hotel that just had its 80th anniversary last year, Hermosa Inn is probably one of Arizona’s most well kept treasures. Through many modernizations and enhancements, the resort has retained the historic feel of its original cowboy owner who designed the grounds as a means to escape the bustle of Phoenix, and its sheriff. Guests leave Hermosa Inn feeling pampered and restored while also having touched a little piece of Arizona’s history. Located in the Phoenix suburb of Paradise Valley, Hermosa Inn is central to both Phoenix and Scottsdale areas.

This Westin is expansive and impressive. It offers a water park, tubing river, and a golf course for its guests to escape, but with spacious rooms and private balconies, you may never want to. This resort is great for the whole family and conveniently located in Scottsdale.

The Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia has a Mediterranean feel that brings its own particular charm. Its architecture is inspired by Spain’s Alhambra, which sets it apart from other Arizona resorts. Not unlike other resorts though, at Omni there’s a pool around every corner where guests can enjoy yet another breathtaking mountain vista.

The Kimpton is located in downtown Phoenix, a growing eclectic area, bustling with business activity, sports events, student life, and those drawn to Phoenix’s art and culture scene. The hotel offers over 240 chic rooms and the critically acclaimed restaurant, Blue Hound Kitchen, as well as lots of amenities. It’s the perfect downtown option.

The Hyatt Regency is a compound all its own. Its two and a half acre waterpark alone should convey the magnitude of this massive resort. It’s located beside Camelback Mountain and has amenities like gondola rides over the lake, days spent at the sandy beach entry pool, and live music.

With a backdrop of the McDowell Mountains in Northern Scottsdale, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess promises perfection. Royalty reflects in the Spanish colonial architecture and flows all the way down from the tiled roof to the glittering water fountains. It’s hopping distance from Stadium golf course, which hosts Phoenix’s PGA tour and attracts a wealth of athletes and high-class guests.

Another favorite of Paradise Valley, the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain is just that: a sanctuary. The secluded casitas offer guests a fair bit of privacy with modern Southwestern charm. Many high-profile guests are drawn to the Sanctuary for this very reason. They offer an “Asian-inspired” spa and every year they host a culinary festival that draws big-name chefs and food that is unbelievable, which kind of goes without saying for an Arizona resort.

Another of Marriott’s wildly successful resorts is the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn & Spa. With views of mountains from every side, all 125 acres of this resort are spectacular. The rooms have received many upgrades since their original design in the 1930s, and they now offer guests high-class amenities like their spa, tennis courts, and golf course.