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About The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona
There is a total of 585 accommodations - 450 guestrooms, 107 casitas, 26 suites, and 2 presidential suites. Guestrooms average a spacious 600 square feet with private balconies or patios. Oversized bathrooms feature Italian marble accents, double vanities, Roman oval bathtubs, separate showers and separate water closets. Robes, make-up mirrors, a scale, hair dryers, and toiletries can be found in all rooms. Beds are covered with imported Frette Italian linens and the walls feature original signed artwork.
A daily resort fee of $45 covers in-room wifi, outdoor morning yoga classes, tennis, pickleball, 2-hour bicycle rentals, and craft beer tasting. Dogs less than 40 pounds may be brought on property.
Amenities include 9 pools, a 165-foot water slide, 8 dining and drink options, a spa, tennis courts, a kids’ club, splash pad and playground. They also have a 27-hole golf course, a lake, a retail corridor, and complimentary wine tastings.
Charles Keating, the founder of The Phoenician, first bought the resort’s acreage in 1985. The purchase included land occupied by the historic Jokake Inn and Elizabeth Arden’s Maine Chance Spa. Keating set out to create The Phoenician as the “eighth wonder of the world”.
Interesting Facts About The Phoenician
There are more than 54,000 hotels in the U.S., only 119 of which are AAA Five Diamond. The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona has earned this honor for 17 consecutive years, along with many other awards during its 33-year history.
There are 600 palm tree species planted at The Phoenician. Workers from the island of Tonga were hired to give the resort a tropical feel to complement its Sonoran Desert surroundings.
The most popular spa treatment at The Phoenician Spa is a massage. The Phoenician Spa is the only Forbes Five Star spa in Scottsdale.
The sculpture in the main lobby of The Phoenician is made out of custom metal. The sculpture symbolizes the release of one’s daily stresses and responsibilities; giving over to the peace of The Phoenician guest experience.
President Obama stayed at The Phoenician while in office. Every U.S. President, since and including Ronald Reagan, has stayed at The Phoenician after leaving office.
The original owner of The Phoenician, Charles Keating, regularly had ice cream flown in from Cincinnati to the resort. The Phoenician now has their own ice cream flavor, produced locally, call Phoenician Crunch which consists of chocolate, Heath Toffee Bars, and Grape-Nuts cereal folded into a vanilla ice cream base.
The Phoenix area’s first golf course opened in 1945 on what is now The Phoenician grounds. In 2019, The Phoenician’s 27-hole course was redesigned by Architect Phil Smith.
Bermuda grass is planted on The Phoenician Golf Course fairways. At The Phoenician, golf carts are outfitted with high-def touch screens, built-in speakers for playing music and sports, and GPS for yardage tracking.
The Thirsty Camel is the name of The Phoenician’s lobby bar - it’s named after the rock formation at Camelback Mountain. The Thirsty Camel has been named one of the “World’s Best Hotel Bars” by Forbes Travel Guide. It offers 8 signature cocktails and 14 brands of Tequila.
The Cactus Garden was originally created to divert run-off from Camelback Mountain. Every December The Phoenician decorates the Cactus Garden with holiday lights for a festive backdrop during guided tours.
There are over 250 varieties of succulents and cactus in the Cactus Garden. The Cactus Garden is also home to local “residents” including quail, rabbits, chipmunks, and chuckwallas.
Upon its completion, the Mother of Pearl Pool was the most expensive pool in the country, built at a cost of $1 million. All tiles were hand-laid.
The first couple to be married at The Phoenician was Karen and David Shields on November 5, 1988. One of the most popular sites for wedding ceremonies on the Phoenician grounds is the Orchid Lawn.
Cactus Garden
The Cactus Garden was originally created to divert run-off from Camelback Mountain. Every December The Phoenician decorates the Cactus Garden with holiday lights for a festive backdrop during guided tours.
Fun Fact: all cacti are succulents but not all succulents are cacti. What makes a cactus a cactus are its thorns (spines) which are like the plant’s leaves.
Located at the north end of the resort at the base of Camelback Mountain, the Cactus Garden is also home to desert animals, including Road Runners, Chuckwalla lizards, Cactus Wrens, and 14 known varieties of Hummingbirds.
Guided tours are led by the Resident Horticulturist on Fridays at 9 am (set an appointment with the concierge) or you can explore at your own pace without any time.
Pools
The upper level is more family-friendly and described as ideal for aquatic recreation, the middle level is adult-only (yay! 🎉) and the lowest level is a tranquil oval-shaped pool, known as the Mother-of-Pearl Pool. Upon its completion, the Mother of Pearl Pool was the most expensive pool in the country, built at a cost of $1 million. All tiles were hand-laid.
Cabanas are available by reservation on all three levels. My personal favorite was the center level - not only because it’s adult-only but also because there’s stunning views from every angle. Behind you are views of the Camelback Mountain and below you is the Mother-of-Pearl pool and Phoenician (which also has a smaller peaceful rooftop pool)!
Food and drinks are available for purchase at the Mediterranean-inspired Kalio Kabobery or you can order from the poolside waitstaff.
There’s a full-service bar with frozen drinks, sandwiches, salads, ice cream and more. The Phoenician Pools are exclusive to resort guests.
The Phoenician Spa
I have to say…I 💯% agree! The Phoenician Spa is the only Forbes Five Star spa in Scottsdale. The most popular treatment is a massage (which is what I got)! The Spa offers nail and hair services in addition to typical spa treatments.
The Phoenician Spa is grand and gilded in gold from the moment you step foot onto the property. After checking in, you’re shown to the gender-specific locker rooms and shown the hot-and-cold hydrotherapy room which includes a sauna, a steam room, and a vitality hot tub. Enjoy with some cucumber mint spa water and a small snack of nuts or chocolate-covered cherries. (Definitely come early before your treatment so that you have time here!)
Once it’s time for your spa treatment, you walk downstairs to a dimly lit quiet room area. My 50-minute massage was with Cher and she was amazing! After your treatment, you can relax in the post-treatment lounge area or at the rooftop pool.
The rooftop pool is exclusive to spa guests (the spa is adult-only, ages 18 and up).
The rooftop pool provides dramatic views of both the resort and Camelback Mountain. It was the perfect place to relax as a tranquil retreat following my spa service.
I loved my day at the Phoenician Spa; I highly recommend it! You won’t be disappointed!🧖♀️
The Phoenician Golf Course
Image courtesy of The Phoenician.
In 2019, The Phoenician’s course was redesigned by Architect Phil Smith. There’s a cohesive 18-hole course that showcases the beauty of the desert. It plays to a par 71 and offers 4 sets of tees, ranging from 4,575 yards from the forward tees to 6,518 yards from the players’ tees.
Bermuda grass is planted on The Phoenician Golf Course fairways. At The Phoenician, golf carts are outfitted with high-def touch screens, built-in speakers for playing music and sports, and GPS for yardage tracking.
After golfing, you can visit the Golf Shop, locker rooms, and 19th Hole dining venue.
Afternoon Tea at The Phoenician
This English tradition includes finger sandwiches, scones with Devonshire cream and preserves, pastries and a selection of fine tea blends. I selected the Longjing dragon well green tea and it was simply lovely!
>>> Learn more about Longjing dragon well green tea from my trip to Hangzhou here! <<<
First, finger sandwiches are presented to you on a tasteful chic plate.
English cucumber (2nd fav!)
Hickory smoked salmon (my fav!)
Classic egg salad
Phoenician’s lemon & thyme chicken salad
Asparagus & garlic herb mousse
After you’ve had your fill of sandwiches, you get to try a buttermilk and cranberry scone. To me, they tasted more like biscuits, which I loved! The scones were complimented with devonshire cream, lemon curd, and fresh strawberry preserves.
Finally, for tea pastries, you got to taste:
Coffee opera
Scottish shortbread
Fruit tartlet (2nd fav!)
Milk chocolate bavarois
Chocolate dipped strawberries (my fav!)
Fresh macaroons
Mango mousse tartlet
While you enjoy your tea, you can listen to contemporary piano music.
Gluten Free, Vegan and Vegetarian menus are available with 24-hour advance notice. Afternoon Tea is available on Thursday through Sunday from 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Full Tea starts at $72 per person.
The Verdict
Though I’d love if this property was adults-only, there are plenty of areas to enjoy quality adult-only time, like at the adults-only pool and at the Phoenician Spa which is for ages 18 and up. The resort is serene, peaceful, and well-manicured throughout. Though The Phoenician is in a convenient, central location within Scottsdale, you may find that you don’t want to leave the grounds during your stay because there is so much to do and see on property!
Author bio
Known as The Jet Set Blonde, Brittany Ryan inspires others to add more adventure to their childfree travel experiences. Brittany has visited 23 countries (and counting!) Connect with her to get access to detailed childfree travel itineraries, travel guides for weekend getaways, and updates on adult-only hotels, resorts, cruises, and other travel amenities.
