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At Your Service: do-it-all concierge agencies
One of the best ways to access Arizona's bespoke experiences is with the help of an expert. Whether you want to explore the Grand Canyon by private helicopter or simply relax at a luxury vacation home with resort-style amenities, Evoque Concierge handles every detail from arrival to departure.
Resort Life: luxury stays and elevated experiences
When it comes to where to stay, several Arizona resorts go beyond the norm.
At Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, visitors can reserve a one-, two- or three-bedroom suite with a private plunge pool and outdoor garden shower—an ideal way to unwind after embarking on one of the resort's adventure offerings such as a Cessna aerial tour, Jeep tour or guided canyoneering trip.
The Phoenician, meanwhile, offers Phoenix's only AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star hotel experience within its Canyon Suites. A veritable resort-within-a-resort, The Canyon Suites consist of 60 accommodations nestled at the base of Camelback Mountain, plus a private pool and dedicated concierge service.
North of Phoenix, L'Auberge de Sedona answers its stunning red-rock scenery with an array of activities (including forest bathing and sound healing) and the showstopping Creekhouse, a five-bedroom, five-bathroom retreat with panoramic views and a location on the banks of Sedona's famed Oak Creek.
Other destinations, like Tucson's Canyon Ranch and Miraval Arizona, recognize wellness as the ultimate luxury. Located amid the Santa Catalina Mountains, both resorts promise personal transformation and a curated experience.
At Canyon Ranch, spend your day soaking up guided activities tailored to your wellness needs—from personal fitness training to spiritual healing—while nights are enjoyed in the Casa Grande, a freestanding, 2,700-square-foot home.
Miraval boasts The Retreat, a collection of four private residences designed for intimate groups. The retreats include a studio and one-, two- or three-bedroom suites—each suite with a reflection pool and a full gourmet kitchen. In the retreat, guests can enjoy chef-led dinners, as well as certain spa treatments and one-on-one sessions with specialists.
Cloud surfing: soar Arizona's sunny skies
From the fruits of the earth to loftier pursuits, Arizona offers it all.
"You can't put a price on the serenity and peacefulness of time spent among the clouds in a hot-air balloon," says Amanda Long, co-president of the family-owned Hot Air Expeditions.
You can, however, transform the already memorable experience with the Phoenix-based company's Soar & Savor Package. It includes a private ride that concludes with a chef-prepared meal and full bar in an open-air teepee in the Sonoran Desert.
Rainbow Ryders also offers several ways to customize a balloon ride. Guests can reserve a private flight with upgraded cuisine and champagne, or celebrate something bigger (including weddings) with custom menus, flowers and launch points.
If flying appeals more than floating, Phoenix's Westwind Air Service offers a selection of aerial tours and private charters. Westwind can fly anywhere in the United States and Mexico, and with timing and amenities up to you during a chartered flight, the sky is literally the limit to what's possible.
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.
