Editor’s Choice Award: The Phoenician is Where Couples Commemorate Their Relationships

The Short Version: In 1988, one of the Southwest’s first luxury resorts opened in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Phoenician combines the beauty of the Sonoran Desert with distinct, European touches and award-winning service. The property has maintained its AAA Five Diamond status as one of the top resorts in the United States for more than 18 years. Couples who stay here enjoy the many signature offerings, including a variety of entertainment and dining options. Nature lovers can stroll through its Cactus Garden or hike Camelback Mountain, followed by a pampered Forbes Five Star spa experience. For helping couples celebrate relationship milestones in luxurious style, The Phoenician earns our Editor’s Choice Award.

The Phoenician provides an unforgettable backdrop for a variety of special occasions, from enjoying a long anniversary weekend, to getting married on its scenic grounds. In creating a memorable and personalized experience, its team always listens to what guests want and need.For instance, the resort added a state-of-the-art, two-story athletic club in 2018, in response to guest requests.

The Phoenician resort offers couples luxurious, romantic options for celebrating relationship milestones.

It is all part of the resort’s commitment to providing visitors with a comfortable yet sophisticated stay.

“We offer approachable luxury, presenting the highest-quality service and amenities within a relaxed and comfortable setting,” said Denise Seomin, The Phoenician’s Director of Public Relations and Marketing.

From 2016-2019, The Phoenician undertook the most extensive renovation project since it was built in 1988.

“Virtually every part of the property was touched,” Denise said.

The athletic club provides guests with a 4,600 square-foot fitness center, in addition to virtual instructor-led classes, and also includes seven tennis courts and two pickleball courts. The center is the only one of its kind in the region.

The Phoenician also constructed a new three-story spa. Now couples can spend an entire day or weekend pampering themselves while celebrating their relationships. Options include couples massages, a Quiet Relaxation Room, vitality pools/hot tubs, a Drybar for hairstyling, a rooftop pool, and a nail salon.

All spa treatments begin with an Energy Balancing Ritual, which promises to harmonize “the physical, mental and spiritual self; allowing for a restorative feeling of equilibrium, openness, and relaxation.”

Guests can enjoy stunning views of the Sonoran Desert.

Couples seeking privacy to reconnect in their relationships can stay in a quieter part of the resort. The Phoenician offers residential-style casitas, accommodations with doorstep parking that provide additional seclusion, and The Canyon Suites, a boutique hotel located on the property.

“The Canyon Suites is a more intimate experience. The only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star hotel in the greater Phoenix area, it offers exclusive amenities, including an infinity pool. You’re tucked away, but you have access to everything on the entire resort grounds,” Denise told us.

Couples who want a livelier experience, or who want to bring the kids, can choose The Phoenician main building itself so they can be in the center of everything.

Its diverse lodging options ensure the resort is welcoming for all types of guests.

“We’re always working to enhance our resort experience, based on guests’ wants and needs. Our service culture is all about providing a unique and personalized stay for everyone,” said Denise.

Some couples desire a relaxing vacation but don’t want to spend time hunting down places to eat. The Phoenician offers eight restaurants and bars to ensure couples don’t have to leave the grounds to find a romantic experience.

The most intimate restaurant, J&G Steakhouse, is located on the top level of the resort. There, couples can enjoy steak and seafood, along with cocktails, while taking in the view.

“We are home to one of the most dramatic views in the valley, and offer a beautiful location from which to watch the sunsets. Arizona is known for its sunrises and sunsets, and they certainly provide a wonderful backdrop for an unforgettable meal,” Denise told us.

Mowry & Cotton is a down-to-earth eatery that also attracts locals. The restaurant offers bold American cuisine designed to be enjoyed together. It’s also a social hotspot that encourages connection between guests.

Many couples enjoy romantic dinners on the J&G Steakhouse patio.

For couples who like a laid-back atmosphere, Denise recommends The Phoenician Tavern, which serves up polished pub grub, including burgers, beers, and fish and chips, in a casual setting.

The Thirsty Camel lounge is a sleek, sophisticated bar that has been on Forbes’ list of the World’s Best Hotel Bars. Guests can enjoy whiskey, bourbon, and handcrafted cocktails, along with small bites while taking in the view of the resort and valley beyond. Many offerings are inspired by the local Sonoran Desert, including the El Dorado cocktail, made with tequila, jalapeño, pineapple, lemon, grapefruit zest, and bitters.

Like everything at the resort, the dining options allow couples to plan a stay that’s unique to them.

“The diversity of the amenities and the personalization of the service is what makes The Phoenician so special,” said Denise.

Couples frequently celebrate their relationships at The Phoenician because they can select the type of experience they prefer. Couples wanting to unwind can enjoy the resort’s five pools, complemented by a private cabana and the Mediterranean-inspired cuisine of Kalio Kabobery. The next day, they can play a leisurely 18 holes at the resort’s golf course.

Outdoorsy couples choose the resort for its location at the base of Camelback Mountain and its 254 acres of combination desert/tropical landscaping. They also appreciate The Phoenician’s two-acre Cactus Garden, which is home to more than 250 species of cacti.

Old Town Scottsdale, with its nightlife and shopping, is only a five-minute drive away.

The Phoenician has been a timeless choice for relationship celebrations for many generations. Denise shared the story of a family who came to the resort every year for more than two decades, when their two daughters were young. One of the daughters saw a wedding at the resort and said she wanted to get married there when she grew up.

Watch on

The Phoenician team plans luxury weddings with care, providing couples with everything they need to make their ceremonies stress-free, including a rehearsal, an audio technician, dressing rooms, valet service, and a honeymoon suite for the wedding night. Brady’s Floral Gallery, which is on the resort’s grounds, provides flowers, as well.

But not every wedding hits as close to home with The Phoenician team as the one for the little girl who grew up to realize her dream of getting married there.

“She invited all the staff to the wedding because she considered our associates family. That speaks volumes regarding our commitment to our guests, and the experience we provide,” Denise said.