Scottsdale is basically the golf and spa capital of the American Southwest. You’ve got hundreds of options. But when people talk about the heavy hitters, The Phoenician Luxury Collection Resort usually leads the conversation. It’s sitting right at the base of Camelback Mountain. It looks massive because it is.
Most people think it’s just another high-end hotel where you pay too much for a room. Honestly? That's a huge misconception. It’s more like a self-contained ecosystem of luxury that has managed to survive several different eras of travel trends without losing its soul.
The Phoenician Luxury Collection Resort: Beyond the Gilded Lobby
When Charles Keating built this place back in the late 1980s, he spent a literal fortune. We're talking about $300 million at a time when that kind of money was unheard of for a desert resort. He imported Italian marble. He brought in rare crystals. He even had workers hand-etch the ceilings. It was meant to be the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Then, the whole Lincoln Savings and Loan scandal happened, the government seized it, and for a minute, the future of the resort looked pretty shaky.
It survived. It didn't just survive; it thrived.
Marriott now manages it under their Luxury Collection banner. What's interesting is how they’ve toned down the "80s opulence" while keeping the "wow" factor. A massive $90 million renovation a few years back stripped away the heavy drapes and the stuffy vibes. Now, it's airy. It’s light. It feels like the desert, not like a palace in Europe that got lost and landed in Arizona. If you’re walking through the lobby today, you’ll see floor-to-ceiling windows that frame Camelback Mountain so perfectly it looks like a painting.
The Canyon Suites vs. The Main Resort
Here’s something most travelers miss. There are actually two distinct experiences here. You have the main hotel, which is grand and bustling. Then you have The Canyon Suites.
Think of The Canyon Suites as a "hotel within a hotel." It’s a Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond retreat that has its own pool and its own lobby. If you want privacy, you go there. If you want to be where the action is—near the tiered pools and the restaurants—you stay in the main building. The price gap is real, but so is the level of service. In the Suites, they basically anticipate what you want before you even know you want it. It’s kind of eerie, but in a good way.
What You’re Actually Paying For
Let’s be real. You aren’t just paying for a bed. You’re paying for the 250 acres of land. You’re paying for the fact that you can wake up, hike Camelback Mountain, and be back in time for a massage at a spa that actually deserves its reputation.
The Phoenician Spa is a three-story temple of relaxation. Most hotel spas are an afterthought in the basement. This one has a rooftop pool. They have a "Post-Treatment Quiet Room" that is actually quiet. No screaming kids. No loud phone calls. Just silence and views of the valley. They use local ingredients in their treatments, like desert botanical oils and salts, which makes the whole thing feel grounded in the location.
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The Golf Situation
If you’re a golfer, you know the name. The course here used to be 27 holes, but they redesigned it into a tight, challenging 18-hole championship course. It’s manicured to a level that seems impossible given that it’s in the middle of a desert. Phil Smith handled the redesign, and he made it more "playable" while actually making it look more natural.
The greens are fast. The bunkering is strategic. It’s not just a flat resort course where you can spray the ball anywhere. You have to think.
Eating Your Way Through the Property
Food is usually where these big resorts fail. They try to do everything and end up doing nothing well. Not here.
- J&G Steakhouse: This is the crown jewel. It’s a Jean-Georges Vongerichten spot. You’re eating prime cuts of meat and fresh seafood while looking out over the entire Phoenix skyline. Pro tip: Get there before sunset. The way the sky turns purple over the city is something you’ll remember longer than the steak.
- Mowry & Cotton: This is much more casual. It’s "Modern American," which basically means really good charred vegetables, hearth-fired breads, and great cocktails. It’s where you go for a long lunch when you don't want to get dressed up.
- The Afternoon Tea: Yeah, they still do high tea. It feels very old-world. Finger sandwiches, scones with Devonshire cream, and a huge selection of blends. It’s popular with locals, too, which is usually a sign that a hotel amenity isn't a total tourist trap.
Is it Family Friendly?
Some luxury resorts make you feel like your kids are a nuisance. The Phoenician is the opposite. They have the "Phoenician Explorers" club. There’s a splash pad. There’s a movie theater. They even have a cactus garden where kids (and adults) can learn about the different species of desert flora.
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But, because the property is so big, you can still find adult-only pockets. The tiered pool system is great for this. The lower pools are usually full of families splashing around, while the upper tiers remain a bit more sedate.
The Sustainability Elephant in the Room
Living in Arizona means being honest about water. A massive resort with lush grass and multiple pools in a drought-prone state is a tough sell for the eco-conscious. To their credit, the resort has implemented some serious water-saving tech. They use reclaimed water for the golf course. They’ve swapped out a lot of thirsty tropical plants for indigenous desert landscaping that requires way less hydration. It’s a work in progress, but they aren't ignoring the reality of the climate.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
If you're planning to book, don't just click "reserve" on the first site you see. There are ways to do this right.
- Check the Seasonality: Arizona summers are brutal. 115 degrees is no joke. But, if you can handle the heat, the rates at The Phoenician drop by 50% or more. You can stay in a five-star suite for the price of a budget motel in July.
- Book the "Resort Credit" Packages: Often, the hotel offers deals that include a $50 or $100 daily credit. Since a burger by the pool or a round of golf adds up fast, these credits usually pay for themselves within the first few hours.
- Hike Camelback Early: There is a private access point near the resort. Use it. But start at 6:00 AM. If you wait until 10:00 AM, the sun will destroy you and the trail will be packed with people in flip-flops who have no idea what they’re doing.
- Join Marriott Bonvoy: Even if you hate loyalty programs, join this one. Since The Phoenician is a Luxury Collection property, you can rack up serious points or use them for a free night. Sometimes they offer "Members Only" rates that are hidden from Expedia or Booking.com.
- Request a South-Facing Room: If you want those famous views of the Phoenix valley and the "City of Lights" at night, ask for a high floor facing south. If you want to stare at a majestic rock face, ask for a north-facing room looking at Camelback.
The Phoenician Luxury Collection Resort isn't trying to be the trendiest hotel in the world. It’s not trying to be a minimalist boutique. It’s trying to be a massive, indulgent, desert oasis that handles the basics perfectly. Most of the time, it succeeds. It’s a piece of Arizona history that has managed to stay relevant by knowing exactly when to change and when to stay exactly the same.