Best Resorts in Scottsdale

This posh Scottsdale boutique resort and spa seeks to recreate the essence of southern Europe in the heart of Scottsdale. Montelucia is inspired by the rich history and sunny climes of Spain's Andalusia region. The resort is at the foothills of iconic Camelback Mountain, offering an ideal location for achieving a quiet, tranquil escape from the city. Enjoy amazing sunset and city views, great hiking, golf, recreation, and easy access to the nightlife, galleries and entertainment that Scottsdale is famous for. Montelucia is also home to the award-winning Prado restaurant and Joya Spa. Guestrooms are comfortably appointed with deluxe furnishings, with many rooms affording great city or mountain views.

The Boulders, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, offers a luxurious and natural retreat in the scenic Sonoran Desert just outside Scottsdale. Guests enjoy endless views of 1,300 acres of the Sonoran Desert and up-close encounters with 12 million-year-old boulder formations. The resort is famous for its breathtaking views of the surrounding desert landscape and its two Jay Morrish championship golf courses. Take a break from the stress of your daily life and retreat into one of the resort's adobe casitas and villas, designed to evoke the colors, tones, and serenity of the desert. The Boulders also offers exquisite fine dining and an upscale shopping district.

If privacy and luxury are what you crave, the Royal Palms Resort and Spa offers the perfect escape. The property consists of 119 private casitas set amidst lush gardens scented with citrus trees and exotic flowers. Stone paths invite guests to enjoy a leisurely stroll across the resort. The decor is Old World elegant, with rooms furnished and decorated with European antiques and artifacts. The Resort is also home to the four-star Alvadora Spa and one of Arizona's most romantic restaurants, T. Cook's. The resort is a favorite destination for weddings, and guests can even consult with the in-house "Romance Team" to create a one-of-a-kind romantic retreat.

Westin Kierland Resort and Spa is a AAA Four Diamond Resort featuring a full-service spa, championship golf, upscale shopping, and award-winning dining. Every room includes a private balcony, many offering magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and a lush golf course. The Resort is home to several popular restaurants, including Deseo, the Brittlebush Bar & Grill and The Scotch Bar, one of the finest and largest collections of Scotch labels in Arizona. Agave, the resort's acclaimed spa, uses traditional native Arizona treatments infused with Eastern traditions. The resort is also family-friendly, offering younger guests fun amenities like the "OK Corral," a poolside space featuring lawn chess, basketball and game tables. The resort is also home to FlowRider, an artificial surf machine that lets guests ride the waves. History buffs will love the descriptive plaques and historic rare photographs on display throughout the resort.

This AAA Five-Diamond resort consistently tops lists of the best resorts in the Valley. The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is home to Willow Stream Spa (ranked as one of the best spas in North America by Travel + Leisure Magazine), four award-winning restaurants, and two 18-hole championship golf courses (one of which is home to the Annual PGA Tour Waste Management Phoenix Open). Whether you come to the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess to relax poolside, play golf, or enjoy world-class amenities, chances are you won't be disappointed. For families, the Fairmont offers the Trailblazers Family Adventure Center, with a kid's club program for children ages 5 to 12.

The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North is nestled at the foothills of Pinnacle Peak, where luxurious Southwestern-style casitas create a warm, comforting ambiance perfect for a relaxing desert getaway. Guests are invited to dine at Talavera Restaurant, a modern take on the classic steakhouse, which offers some of the best patio dining in the city. Guests also enjoy special privileges at Troon North Golf Club and Clubhouse, which earned the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale the distinction of being named one of the top golf resorts in North America by Golf Digest. The spa is open daily from 8 am to 8 pm and features signature treatments like Jojoba and Prickly Pear polish.

This 27-acre resort is situated near downtown Scottsdale, but you'll feel far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city at this oasis of tranquility. Framed by the scenic McDowell Mountains, Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa boasts several unique amenities, including a 2.5-acre water playground, Camp Hyatt Kachina for the kids, and even gondola rides along a series of canal waterways. The Resort is also home to Spa Avania, one of the most popular and highly regarded spas in the city. The resort has several unique eateries, including Alto Ristorante e Bar, serving fresh, seasonal Italian dishes. Guests can enjoy a free gondola ride with dinner.

Where is the hippest place to stay in downtown Scottsdale? Although others may be vying for the title, Hotel Valley Ho continues to be Scottsdale's preeminent hip hotel. Built in 1956 and reopened in 2005, the hotel has a long and storied history as a destination for young and stylish travelers. Back in its early days, the hotel attracted a cadre of young celebrities, including Bing Crosby and Tony Curtis. Today, locals and travelers gather at the Valley Ho to mingle at the oh-so-cool ZuZu Lounge, relax at the VH Spa, or enjoy one of the spacious suites in the seven-story Tower, the elite hotel within a hotel featuring generously sized signature guest rooms.

Talking Stick Resort is one of Scottsdale's newest and swankiest resort hotels. The resort features nightly entertainment, world-class dining, spa services and a popular casino. The fifteen-story hotel is the tallest structure in Scottsdale, affording visitors excellent views of the surrounding city and desert. The resort has seven dining destinations, a popular nightclub with Vegas-style views (Degree 270) and pool parties all summer. Golf enthusiasts flock to the modern resort hotel for a chance to play the Talking Stick Golf Club, which features two distinct courses for various skill levels. The North course is a Scottish links-style course with deep bunkers, while the South Course is a more traditional course with tree-lined fairways and four holes with water hazards. The practice facilities are excellent, featuring a 17,000 square foot putting green with a driving range that is 150 yards wide and 360 yards long. There are no resort fees at Talking Stick.

Atop iconic Camelback Mountain, this world-class boutique resort overlooks the city of Scottsdale and the surrounding Sonoran Desert. Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain is the perfect place to recharge and rejuvenate, featuring 53 acres of desert scenery and some of the best views in the city. Sip on a specialty martini at the Jade Bar, dine at the award-winning elements restaurant, or savor the serenity of the resort's meditation garden and a watsu pool. The resort is a mere four miles from the nightlife, shopping, golf, and cultural life of downtown Scottsdale, but gives guests the serene feeling of being far from the crowds.