Ambiente Sedona
If you’ve never heard of a landscape hotel, Ambiente makes for a fashionable introduction. Situated on three acres, the resort’s 40 cube-like “atriums” prioritize two key elements: luxury and dramatic Sedona views.
Claim to Fame: Carefully positioned atriums that capture views of the forest and rock formations. Each accommodation features 576 square feet of glass-enclosed space with a private rooftop deck. Other amenities include smart-room technology and romantic touches like platform beds and oversized soaking tubs and showers for two.
More Reasons to Go: As the only Two Key MICHELIN hotel in Arizona, this adults-only destination attends to all the details. Spa treatments integrate locally sourced ingredients, and the hotel boasts access to more than 200 miles of hiking and biking trails. Plus: guided stargazing.
Enchantment and Mii amo
There are many reasons that Enchantment is considered one of the most luxurious resorts in the country. One is that guests enjoy exclusive access to famed Sedona spa Mii amo, which recently underwent a $40-million, two-year renovation.
Claim to Fame: The 42,000-square-foot Mii amo welcomes visitors for stays called “Journeys.” These last three, four, seven or 10 nights, and everything is included — dining, daily treatments and activities like guided meditation. Post-renovation, the spa also offers such perks as a sensory garden, signature restaurant and expanded accommodations.
More Reasons to Go: Enchantment resides on 70 acres in Boynton Canyon, and the landscape impacts nearly everything. The best way to immerse yourself in its beauty is through Trail House, which provides bespoke adventures for hikers, mountain bikers and rock climbers as well as private tours of the Grand Canyon. Don’t miss the Artist Cottage, which offers classes for sketching, beading, pottery glazing and more.
The Global Ambassador
Located at the intersection of Scottsdale, Phoenix and Paradise Valley, The Global Ambassador embodies everything that’s desirable about the state’s biggest metropolitan area: urban glam, desert views and five culinary concepts that pay homage to hotelier Sam Fox’s 20 years in the restaurant biz.
Claim to Fame: An attention to detail that appears in the guest rooms as custom walnut millwork, modern fixtures, fabric wall coverings and textural layers in velvet, wood, brass and tile.
More Reasons to Go: Given Fox’s pedigree as a restaurateur, it’s no surprise that the hotel’s culinary offerings routinely involve reservations and waitlists. Top of the pile are théa Mediterranean Rooftop, which overlooks Camelback Mountain, and Le Âme, a Parisian-inspired steakhouse. Also, take a peek at the books sprinkled throughout the property — featuring genres such as style, design, photography, art and fashion, the collection was created by Kelly Croteau of the Los Angeles-based Maison Plage, which specializes in library curation.
Grand Hyatt Scottsdale
Following a $115-million renovation that wrapped in 2024, Grand Hyatt Scottsdale debuted four new restaurants, 496 updated accommodations and enough amenities to rival the championship golf also on offer.
Claim to Fame: As the first Grand Hyatt hotel in Arizona, this property features refreshed rooms and suites, including 18 casitas with pool and golf views, plus the ultra-luxe two-story Gainey House. All accommodations reflect desert design, albeit with a modern twist: crisp whites, honeyed woods and cheerful punches of color like butter yellow and bright pink.
More Reasons to Go: Four of the six restaurant concepts are new and all are helmed by the James Beard-nominated Richard Blais. Check out the globally inspired riff on tapas at Tiki Taka and the modern, Italian-meets-Arizona fare at La Zozzona. And the 2.5-acre pool complex encompasses 10 swimming pools, a sandy beach, a putting green and a three-story waterslide.
Omni Tucson National Resort & Spa
Arizona built its reputation for tourism on golf and spa, and Omni Tucson —which concluded a multimillion-dollar renovation in 2023 — delivers both.
Claim to Fame: Remodeled casitas and hacienda and guest suites showcase an updated take on a distinctly Southwestern aesthetic. Think ceiling beams, patterned rugs, woven headboards and leather accents.
More Reasons to Go: In addition to the 9,000-square-foot Mokara Spa, the renovation added three new restaurant and lounge concepts for a total of six dining destinations. Try Southwestern-inspired bites like waffles with jalapeño-and-cumin bacon at Desert Farmer, or unwind at The Peak, a racetrack-style lobby bar with sweeping views of the Santa Catalinas. Then relax by the resort’s zero-edge pool to soak up the sun in style.
Elizabeth Exline
Elizabeth Exline is a freelance writer and editor whose work has appeared in local and national publications. She believes frequent stops for food is the best way to survive a road trip. Find more of her work at elizabethexline.com.
