Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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hotel within the resort. The Phoenician's steakhouse is operated by Jean-Georges Vonger-
ichten.
6000 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251.
&
800/888-8234
or 480/941-8200. Fax 480/947-4311.
www.thephoenician.com. 643 units. Jan-May from $529 double, from $1,150 suite; June to mid-Sept
from $199 double, from $475 suite; mid-Sept to Dec from $489 double, from $1,100 suite. Children 17
and under stay free in parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $26. Pets accepted ($150 deposit).
Amenities:
3 restaurants; 5 lounges; 4 snack bars/cafes; babysitting; bikes; children's programs; con-
cierge; executive-level rooms; 27-hole golf course; health club; 2 Jacuzzis; 9 pools; room service; spa; 11
tennis courts.
In room:
A/C, TV, CD player, hair dryer, Internet, minibar.
Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain
This visually breathtaking place was
the Valley's first hip resort, and I still like the contemporary rooms here better than those
at other hip hotels around town. Located high on the northern flanks of Camelback
Mountain, the lushly landscaped property has unforgettable views across the Valley,
especially from its restaurant and two bars. The extremely spacious guest rooms are
divided between the more conservative deluxe casitas and the boldly contemporary spa
casitas. With their dyed-cement floors, L-shaped couches, and streamline-modern cabi-
netry, these latter units are absolutely stunning. Bathrooms are huge, and some have
private outdoor soaking tubs. The resort's spa is gorgeous.
5700 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley, AZ 85253.
&
800/245-2051
or 480/948-2100. www.sanctuaryon
camelback.com. 105 units. Jan to mid-May and late Dec $520-$725 double, $650-$1,580 suite; mid-May
to mid-Sept $235-$415 double, $340-$935 suite; mid-Sept to mid-Dec $395-$620 double, $545-$1,370
suite. Children 16 and under stay free in parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Pets accepted.
Amenities:
Restaurant; 2 lounges; babysitting; bikes; concierge; exercise room & access to nearby health club; 2
Jacuzzis; 4 pools; room service; full-service spa; 5 tennis courts.
In room:
A/C, TV/DVD, hair dryer, minibar,
Wi-Fi.
Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
Kids
A convenient location and distinct
sense of place make this one of my favorite Phoenix-area resorts. Located just off Scotts-
dale Road adjacent to the Kierland Commons shopping center, the resort features art-
work by Arizona artists, numerous interpretive plaques, and historical photos that
provide insight into Arizona's cultural and natural history. Guest rooms all have balconies
or patios, and although the bathrooms aren't all that large, this minor inconvenience is
compensated for by Westin's Heavenly Beds, which have incredibly comfortable pillow-
top mattresses. Excellent Nuevo Latino cuisine is served at deseo, and there's a great
cowboy-style bar as well. The main pool area includes a long tubing river, a water slide,
and a beach area.
6902 E. Greenway Pkwy., Scottsdale, AZ 85254.
&
800/WESTIN-1
[937-8461] or 480/624-1000. Fax 480/
624-1001. www.kierlandresort.com. 732 units. Jan-Apr $379-$699 double; May-June $189-$489 dou-
ble; July to mid-Sept $179-$349 double; mid-Sept to Dec $279-$529 double. Children 17 and under stay
free in parent's room. AE, DISC, MC, V. Valet parking $24. Pets accepted.
Amenities:
8 restaurants; 4
lounges; babysitting; children's programs; concierge; 27-hole golf course; health club; 3 Jacuzzis; 4 pools;
room service; full-service spa; 2 tennis courts.
In room:
A/C, TV, hair dryer, minibar, Wi-Fi.
Expensive
FireSky Resort & Spa
An exceptional location in the heart of the Scottsdale
shopping district, a dramatic Southwestern contemporary styling (the focal point of the
lobby is an impressive sandstone fireplace), and a small but well-designed pool area are
the main reasons I like this little resort. Set in a lushly planted courtyard are a small
lagoon-style pool, complete with sand beach and waterfall, and a second pool with flame-
topped columnar waterfalls. An artificial stream and faux sandstone ruins add up to a
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