Arizona is one of our nation’s most enchanting states. This southwestern paradise is full of deserts, forests, mountains, canyons, and diverse and abundant flora and fauna.

The Grand Canyon State is a lovely place to visit at any time of the year. As a result, it’s no surprise that it’s home to quite a few impressive and upscale Resort properties that draw visitors from all over the world. There are dozen of these types of accommodations all over the state that are extremely highly rated by those who visit them and are very well regarded by groups and organizations that rate these types of properties as well.

If you’re planning to visit Arizona and wish to stay in a resort, you may have trouble deciding which one to choose. Here, we’ve put together our list of the best resorts in Arizona with explanations about why we think each stands out from the pack.

Hopefully this list will help you to refine your choices so you can stop thinking about going on a resort vacation in Arizona and can instead book one and go! So sit back, and read on to learn more about the best of the best.

TL;DR

• Best Budget Resort: Royal Palms Resort & Spa
• Best Mid-range Resort: Sanctuary Camelback Mountain
• Best Luxury Resort: Castle Hot Springs
• Best All-inclusive Resort: Canyon Ranch Tucson
• Best Resort for Outdoor Activities: JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort + Spa
• Best Resort for Self-Care & Pampering: Canyon Ranch Tucson
• Best Resort for Golfers: Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain
• Best Resort for Quiet Relaxation: Castle Hot Springs
• Best Resort for Adults: Castle Hot Springs
• Best Family-friendly Resort: Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
• Best Pet-friendly Resort: Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain
• Most Unique Resort: Under Canvas Grand Canyon

1. Enchantment Resort

Address: 525 Boynton Canyon Road, Sedona, AZ 86336

The first resort on our list, Sedona’s Enchantment Resort, is a great place to start. This private resort is on 70 acres in Sedona and it’s surrounded by incredible views and towering red rocks. It welcomes families as well as individuals and couples; guests can choose a casita-style room or a suite. Rooms come with minibars and private decks, and suites have fireplaces, kitchens, and outdoor grills, too.

The standout features of this resort – besides the scenery – are the many activities offered on-site. There’s an 18-hole championship golf course here, a spa with a huge range of treatments and services, a large outdoor pool with a hot tub, a high-end gym that offers fitness classes, five tennis courts, and hiking and biking trails on the property.

Guests can choose from four on-site restaurants, including the Che Ah Chi fine dining option. You’ll love this very special resort, and if you haven’t been to a resort in Arizona before, this one has a bit of everything and is a solid choice for all.

Attractions Near Enchantment Resort

• Verde Canyon Railroad
• Hiking all over Sedona – amongst the red rocks and along Oak Creek!
• Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
• Sedona Open Air Bus Sightseeing Tour

Pros

• Sedona is beautiful
• Great views from all rooms
• Excellent golf course on site
• Five very good restaurants

Cons

• Daily resort fees
• Extra charges for many activities

See Related: Best Resorts in Sedona, Arizona

2. Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, Paradise Valley

Address: 5700 East McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253

This resort is only a twelve-minute drive from downtown Scottsdale, but somehow it feels like you’re far away from everything. That’s the perfect mix for many travelers. Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort is made up of 109 elegant suites that include private outdoor spaces. Some even have outdoor tubs!

The views from most rooms are lovely, and there’s also plenty to do onsite. You’ll love the indoor/outdoor holistic health spa, the farm-fresh restaurant, the fitness center and its included classes, the tennis courts, and the pool.

One big highlight of this resort is the bar – the drinks are creative, and the views are incredible. You’ll also love the nightly turndown service, which includes candles. It’s a very nice touch at the end of a very busy day of relaxing and enjoying yourself.

Attractions Near Sanctuary Camelback Mountain

• Sonoran Desert Guided 2-Hour ATV Tour
• Scottsdale Marketplace
• Party Bike Pub Crawl of Old Town Scottsdale

Pros

• Small but lots to do onsite
• Close to Scottsdale
• Outdoor tubs
• Farm-to-table restaurant

Cons

• Daily resort fees
• Lots of walking and stairs

See Related: Best Things to Do in Arizona & Places to Visit

3. Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

Address: 10600 East Crescent Moon Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85262

The Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North is an excellent luxury choice in the Scottsdale area. It’s right at the foot of Pinnacle Peak, which means it has lovely Sonoran desert views and scenic trails to enjoy. There are 210 rooms here that are spread out over twenty-five adobe-style buildings; it feels more like a small village than a resort.

Families and active folks love the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale because there’s plenty to do for all. There’s a two-level pool that includes bar service, cabanas, and a children’s area, a high-end spa with fourteen treatment areas and its own separate bar, two tennis courts that are lit at night for evening matches, and a modern fitness center with classes and a sauna and steam room.

Golfers can take a free shuttle to two nearby championship golf courses, and kids can enjoy the free kids’ club for kids ages five to twelve. There are several great restaurants onsite, too.

Attractions Near Four Seasons Scottsdale

• Sonoran Desert Jeep Tour at Sunset
• Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center
• Old Town Scottsdale
• Half-Day Lower Salt River Rafting Tour
• Taliesin West

Pros

• Lots of beautiful trails
• Kids club for the little ones
• Very nice pool with cabanas

Cons

• Extra fees for WiFi and parking
• Large property with lots of walking

See Related: Best Restaurants in Scottsdale, Arizona

4. Under Canvas Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon Junction

Address: 979 Airpark Lane, Grand Canyon Junction, AZ 86046

Under Canvas Grand Canyon is one of the best resorts in Arizona. But you’ll find that it’s quite different from the others on this list and that it is, without a doubt, the most unique one on our list.

This resort is not open year-round, so you’ll have to visit from April to October – the reason for this schedule is simple, and the clue is in the resort’s name. The accommodations at Under Canvas are indeed under canvas, but they are nothing like the Boy Scout camp tents you’re picturing. These are glamping tents with wood floors and air conditioning and electricity, and West Elm furnishings, and Under Canvas has won numerous awards for being one of the best resorts in Arizona.

In addition to unique, classy, rustic, comfortable tents, this resort offers incredible food made from locally-sourced ingredients, tours including hiking, bike, and stargazing tours plus Jeep safaris, yoga, live music, painting, outdoor games, movie nights, trivia, scavenger hunts, and more. Under Canvas is a wonderful way to experience the Grand Canyon area while camping a little, but not too much.

Attractions Near Under Canvas Grand Canyon

• The Grand Canyon and everything related!
• Ride the Grand Canyon Railway

Pros

• Camping vibe that’s perfect for The Grand Canyon
• Great activities
• Very good food and you don’t have to cook it yourself!

Cons

• They’re very nice tents, but they’re still tents.
• Only open for the summer season – not year-round

See Related: Where to Stay in Grand Canyon National Park

5. Royal Palms Resort and Spa

Address: 5200 East Camelback Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018

The Royal Palms Resort & Spa is located between Phoenix and Scottsdale and offers fantastic views of Camelback Mountain; you’ll enjoy gazing at it from your room’s balcony or patio. There are 119 rooms at this resort, and they are designed to be comfortable and private.

Built in 1929, this property was once a private Spanish Colonial residence, and you’ll love the 250-year-old fountain at the entrance. It’s not the only fountain on the property, either – you’ll find twenty around the property.

As you might imagine based on the description above, this is one of the most visually impressive properties on our list, and you’re sure to find it to be both elegant and opulent. Further, it has all the modern amenities that resort guests likely seek, like a world-class spa, a fine dining restaurant, and a large, heated outdoor pool with private cabanas and an adjacent poolside cafe. If you’re looking for a high-end, classy option, then you’ll love the Royal Palms Resort and Spa.

Attractions Near Royal Palms Resort and Spa

• Desert Botanical Garden
• Phoenix Art Museum
• Guided Arizona Desert Tour by ATV
• Half-Day Casual E-Bike Tour with Guide

Pros

• Historical vibe
• Great spa
• Classy and high-end energy but at a fair price

Cons

• Daily resort fee
• No golf course
• Fee for parking

See Related: Best Day Trips from Phoenix, Arizona (+ Map)

6. JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort + Spa

Address: 5350 East Marriott Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85054

The largest resort on our list is the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort. This property has 869 rooms and two championship golf courses, plus a 4.2-mile jogging course, a spa with forty-one treatment rooms, and four pools, including a 1,600-foot-long lazy river that weaves its way around the grounds.

Popular with families, business travelers, couples, and friend groups, the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort offers plenty of places to go and things to do to keep you busy for as long as your stay lasts.

You can dine in any one of the resort’s ten restaurants during your stay as well, and you can play tennis on its eight illuminated tennis courts whenever you like. This property also offers vast meeting space and a live music venue – you’ll stay busy!

Attractions Near JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa

• Musical Instrument Museum
• Children’s Museum of Phoenix
• Morning Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Phoenix
• Ghost Walking Tour of Phoenix

Pros

• Ten restaurants on site
• So many amenities
• Great service and staff

Cons

• Too large for some
• Noisy and overactive for those seeing a very relaxing vacation

See Related: Where to Stay in Phoenix: Best Areas & Fun Neighborhoods 

7. Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

Address: 2400 E Missouri Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85016

Like the Royal Palms Resort listed above, the Arizona Biltmore was built in 1929, but unlike the Royal Palms, this property has been a resort all along. It has hosted hundreds of famous guests over the past near-century, and that alone is a draw for many.

However, there are a lot of other great things about this resort as well, including the fact that it has 740 elegant, stylish rooms, most with a private balcony or patio, five dining and bar options including a swim-up bar, eight swimming pools and a 92-foot-long waterslide, and more.

There’s a kids’ club for the little ones, a huge 20,000-square-foot resort spa and fitness center, seven tennis courts, and a vast number of other amenities and upscale features. Further, it’s adjacent to two 18-hole PGA golf courses. Families, business travelers, couples, and any other type of traveler will be comfortable at the Arizona Biltmore, and your visit to this resort is sure to be one that you’ll always remember.

Attractions Near The Arizona Biltmore

• Heard Museum
• Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting
• Salt River Kayaking Trip
• Sonoran Desert Hiking Tour

Pros

• Famous and historic
• Huge spa with great services
• Two golf courses

Cons

• Rather large compared to others on this list
• High rates all year

See Related: Las Vegas vs Phoenix: What’s the Difference?

8. The Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain, Marana

Address: 15000 North Secret Springs Drive, Marana, AZ 85658

The Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain Resort is a breathtaking option that’s just a half hour from downtown Tucson in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. As soon as you step onto the property, you’ll be amazed by the views, and you can continue to enjoy them from any of the resort’s 235 suites.

This resort is known for its five-star hotel spa with spa treatments named after Arizona gemstones, its three Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses, and five excellent restaurants, including a Latin grill, a sushi restaurant, and an American kitchen. Before you eat, take a guided hike, go mountain biking, take an e-bike ride, go on a geocaching quest, or work out in the fitness center.

Further, the three pools and 235-foot-long waterslide are a lovely place to relax and take in the incredible surroundings at the Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain Resort. You’ll feel like you’re a million miles away from everything while you enjoy the quiet serenity here, but if you wish, you can easily pop into Tucson for shopping, horseback riding, visiting museums, and galleries, or additional dining.

Attractions Near the Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain

• Marana Heritage River Park
• Saguaro National Park East E-Bike Tour
• Visit Tucson Botanical Gardens

Pros

• Beautiful setting and views
• Excellent pools and waterslide
• Really fantastic golf courses

Cons

• A bit of a distance from Tucson
• Expensive daily resort fee

See Related: Fun & Best Things to Do in Chandler, Arizona

9. Canyon Ranch Tucson

Address: 8600 East Rockcliff Road, Tucson, AZ 85750

Canyon Ranch Tuscon is more than a resort – it’s also a health spa, and that label is what it’s mostly known as both nationally and worldwide. However, it’s a rather luxurious health spa, and you’ll love everything about this property while you also focus on your health. Further, it’s all-inclusive, so you won’t have to worry about paying for many extras while onsite, although there is an extra fee for some activities like the ropes course, climbing wall, and spa services.

This peaceful and beautiful property is just north of the city of Tucson near the Santa Catalina Mountains. The rooms are lovely and reflect the palette of the southwest. While visiting Canyon Ranch, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in daily wellness classes, fitness assessments, scenic hikes, and other organized activities. You’ll be especially amazed by the attentive staff – you can’t beat the 3:1 employee/guest ratio offered here.

On top of all that, you can relax in four heated pools and jacuzzis, and you can enjoy three included healthy, gourmet meals each day. Keep in mind that Canyon Ranch requires a three-night minimum stay, but once you arrive you’ll be more than happy to stay that long or longer, although we should let you know in advance that there’s no alcohol served here – remember, Canyon Ranch is a wellness resort, after all.

Attractions Near Canyon Ranch Tucson

• Catalina State Park
• Lots of hiking nearby
• Visit the Arizona State Museum
• Go rock climbing up Mount Lemmon

Pros

• Healthy vibe and dedicated to wellness
• Great meals and all-inclusive
• High staff-to-guest ratio

Cons

• Three-night minimum stay
• No alcoholic beverages
• Very expensive

See Related: Fun & Best Things to Do in Mesa, Arizona

10. Castle Hot Springs

Address: 5050 N Castle Hot Springs Rd, Morristown, AZ 85342

Castle Hot Springs is an hour north of Phoenix in the Bradshaw Mountains. This luxury resort and spa is the perfect place to enjoy a quiet vacation full of self-care and pampering. It was first established as Arizona’s first wellness resort in 1896, but the springs were used by indigenous people long before that. Today, you can relax in deep soaking tubs while mineral-rich, geothermal water soaks into your pores and while you enjoy the beauty all around you.

This resort is all-inclusive, so in addition to soaking, you can look forward to farm fresh, five-star meals, yoga, meditation, hiking, biking, archery, axe throwing, horseback riding, and more. The resort also offers pickle ball, paddle board yoga, wine tastings, historical tours, canyon exploration, mixology classes, and mindfulness activities, all of which will keep you busy while onsite and feeling refreshed upon departure.

Spa treatments and private wellness classes are available for an additional cost. Castle Hot Springs is a very special resort, and once you visit once, you’ll certainly want to return again in the future. You’ll love everything about it.

Attractions Near Castle Hot Springs

• Lake Pleasant Regional Park
• Take a boat tour of Lake Pleasant

Pros

• Beautiful hot springs
• Lots of included activities
• Private services for an additional fee
• Beautiful setting

Cons

• High room rates all year round
• Very expensive even for all you get
• Rather isolated

See Related: Best Golf Resorts In America

FAQ

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