This is the second installment of our Arizona AAA Five-Diamond Resort Tour.  It is also our third installment as The Phoenician Resort also has a boutique resort within a resort called The Canyon Suites, which is also a AAA Five-Diamond Winner.

Scottsdale, Arizona’s Phoenician Resort sits on 250 picturesque acres at the base of Camelback Mountain, and features 643 accommodations ranging from newly renovated guestrooms, suites, casitas, and even a choice of four presidential suites.

There are nine swimming pools, ten dining options, 11 tennis courts, a 22,000 square-foot spa (The Centre for Well-Being), retail boutiques, a USGA Championship golf club, a $25 million art collection to tour, and countless other incredible amenities to make for a most memorable experience.

And, for the most discriminating of travelers, there is also The Canyon Suites, which is a boutique resort within a resort.  That’s where we want to stay for our next visit!

We started our stay-cation having lunch with The Phoenician’s marketing director, Denise Seomin, at the resort’s brand new Relish Burger Bistro.  Located in the resort’s golf clubhouse, this casual eatery features 12 signature burgers highlighted by the “Five Diamond” burger.  This baby consisted of a bun-less (Knife & Fork Style) Kobe beef burger, sautéed crab meat, bernaise sauce, with a sunny side up egg plopped right on top!

This was unquestionably the best burger I have ever had. In fact, we were back for seconds the next day!

After a very nice visit with Denise, and a marvelous lunch, we made a beeline for our private pool cabana to spend the rest of the day.  What a wonderful way to lounge at the pool.  Our cabana featured a couch, a small table/eating area, a telephone, wireless Internet, a refrigerator stocked with water, sodas, and Red Bull, and a fresh fruit basket. And if this weren’t enough, we even enjoyed freshly baked cookies, and a little care package with lip balm and sun screen.  Everything we needed to relax and enjoy the pool was thoughtfully provided.

After many carefree hours of pool lounging, we headed to our room to clean up for our 7:00 reservations at the resort’s AAA Four-Diamond Il Terrazzo restaurant.  It was fabulous, but I will give you all the details in a separate post.

The next day, before we checked out, we rose early to enjoy the spa (The Centre for Well-Being).  Carol greatly enjoyed a shea butter wrap, while I put in an hour on the elliptical machine, and then enjoyed a wonderful eucalyptus steam bath.  What a way to start your day!

After cleaning up, we headed back to the resort’s main building to tour their $25 million art collection.  Just like  you would find at the nation’s best art museums, The Phoenician has created a free audio tour, complete with a specially designed headset, that will take you on a 45 minute journey through the resort’s art collection.  Since moving to Arizona, I have become a big fan of Allan Houser, and the resort has a number of his sculptures.

The Phoenician is a fabulous resort.  The staff went out of their way to make our experience memorable, we were constantly pleased with little touches that demonstrated a desire to create experience, and we definitely look forward to another stay with our friends at The Phoenician.

We can confidently proclaim that this AAA Five-Diamond resort is well worth your great consideration.

I (David) only have one regret.  I forgot to sample their home-made gelato, and I also missed out on their famous chocolate, dark cherry sour-dough bread from their new Grape & Grain retail outlet.

Oh!  Major Bummer!

Disclosure:  our remarkable stay-cation was provided by The Phoenician.  Thanks!

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