Hotels show why Scottsdale is a hot luxury travel destination

The multimillion-dollar luxury Marriott Hotel opened in 1988 and has been renovated several times to amp up its upscale offerings — most recently in 2018.

The Phoenician has 645 rooms on its 600-acre property at the base of Camelback Mountain. The gated hotel grounds are full of activities ranging from sports to relaxation. It’s the kind of hotel with so much to do that guests could spend their whole vacation on the property.

The vast majority of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley hotels have more than 50 rooms, making the wealthier suburb’s 43-room Hermosa Inn a unique option for those seeking seclusion.

The Hermosa Inn isn’t luxurious in a glitzy sense. Instead, it marvels guests by making them feel like they traveled to the 20th-century Western era.

Its roots as a 1930s cowboy’s home and studio are evident upon arrival with adobe bricks, beehive fireplaces, historic artwork from paintings to silk, and artifacts like worn saddles and Stetson hats.

The Hermosa Inn’s 43 stand-alone casitas are secluded accommodations situated next to discrete exits. Guest service agent Tami Norton told Business Insider that the hotel often hosts celebrities and executives in the public eye, and its small size allows it to accommodate special, personalized requests.

For example, Norton noted a recent guest in town to perform.

“The hours they keep are quite different; they arrive back on the property late at night and need to sleep in during the day,” she said of performers. “So that particular guest needed the room totally blacked out before they came. We blacked out everything from the skylight down to the glow of the thermostat.”

AZ Central reported that Clark Gable, Whitney Houston, David Spade, and Tyrese Gibson have dined and stayed at the Hermosa Inn.

Norton told BI that actors often have strict dietary restrictions that the kitchen accommodates by ordering special ingredients and portioning them out with a scale. She added that guests can also request small appliances in their rooms for protein shakes and other quick meals.

My deluxe room at the Phoenician was filled with modern furniture with Southwestern accents. From the comfy bed and oversized tub to the balcony, the room epitomized 21st-century luxury.

At the Hermosa Inn, I slept in what was essentially a small house. It was easily the biggest hotel room I’ve stayed in.

Unlike the Phoenician, the Hermosa Inn’s room didn’t feel modern at all. The Southwestern vibe was all-encompassing, from the furniture to the decor. It felt more unique than the room at the Phoenician while boasting the same amenities, including a large tub and bed.

The Hermosa Inn room also had a beehive fireplace and a skylight. Rather than a balcony, the one-story accommodation had a private patio.

The high-quality dining at each hotel attracts more than just hotel guests with buzzy, award-winning restaurants.

Three of the Phoenician’s eight dining venues and bars — Mowry & Cotton, J&G Steakhouse, and Thirsty Camel — have received kudos from Forbes Travel Guide, Open Table, and Trip Advisor, according to the hotel’s website.

LON’s, the Hermosa Inn’s only restaurant and bar, is known by Food & Wine for its romantic vibe. It offers outdoor seating surrounded by vibrant gardens and beehive fireplaces. Open Table has included LON’s in its roundup of the best brunch menus in the country for four years running.

In its 2003 renovations, LON’s upgraded its VIP offerings, adding a small dining room in an underground wine cellar and an exclusive tasting menu.

With the most spas per capita in the US, according to Go Banking Rates, Scottsdale is a hot spot for health and wellness tourism.

The Phoenician is ideal for a rejuvenating trip thanks to its award-winning, three-story spa renovated in 2018.

The dramatic entryway greets patrons with an artistic chandelier and golden details throughout the spa. In addition to massage and facial treatment rooms, a sauna, and a meditation room, the facility has two pools — one on the rooftop — a nail salon, and a dry bar for hair styling.

There’s also a fitness room where guests can work with a personal trainer.

The massive Phoenician pool complex includes a splash pad and an adults-only pool.

But the most luxurious of the five is the serenity pool made of Italian Mother-of-Pearl tiles that cost $1 million, according to the company’s website. The hand-placed tiles give the pool an iridescent shine similar to the inside of a sea shell.

I’m no golfer, but it’s easy to see why those who play would stay at the Phoenician.

The 18-hole course and club, renovated in 2018, wowed me with views and high-tech features. Players rode around the pristine course lined with gardens and fountains against a mountain backdrop in golf carts with GPS screens that stream news and entertainment.

After staying at both resorts, there was undoubtedly more to do at the Phoenician. I could see why travelers craving a mega-resort vacation where they don’t have to navigate the city to have a good time would pick the Phoenician for their luxury vacation.

But the Hermosa Inn is a better choice for those desiring a unique and exclusive stay with large, private accommodations and plenty of personal attention.

If you stay at both, as I did, luxury travelers can have it all in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. That’s why I think so many wealthy vacationers choose the Arizona hot spot for their getaways.