Tired of staying at hotels that seem like they have the same look, no matter the destination? On your vacation to Scottsdale and Phoenix, get a very different experience at Royal Palms Resort and Spa, a luxury Mediterranean-style retreat at the base of Camelback Mountain.
Built in 1929, the resort was originally a summer retreat, and its serene spot among citrus groves makes you feel like you’re miles away from anywhere else. Instead, you’re just a short distance from downtown Scottsdale. Within the walls of the Royal Palms, there are plenty of quiet nooks to get some quality alone time and just enjoy the sunshine.
The 119 rooms scattered among the grounds of the former estate range in size from comfortable guestrooms to bungalow-style casitas to spacious villas. Like the resort, room décor is a rich, Mediterranean-style. Rooms include plush pillow-top mattresses, flat-screen TVs, comfortable robes and 24-hour room service. Rates start at $295, and vary depending on time of year and type of room.
But don’t just stay in your room for all your meals, when you can dine at T. Cook’s, the on-site restaurant. Specializing in Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, the locally sourced menus give you plenty of reasons to return for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Be sure to try the orange marmalade at breakfast, because it’s made from the orange trees on the property. You can even buy a jar to take home.
The Alvadora Spa has a variety of treatments, ranging from manicures to a deep-tissue massage. Check in a little early, however, so you can enjoy the sauna without having to worry about the time. Since the hotel is smack in the middle of citrus groves, the best treatments at the Alvadora Spa are anything that uses citrus—from facials to massage. My favorite was the Citrus Ritual, which includes an exfoliating body therapy, an 8-foot outdoor waterfall shower, an herbal whirlpool bath and a gentle massage.
After an afternoon lounging at the spa or merely in the outdoor gardens at the Royal Palms, it’s easy to forget about all that work stress back at the office.
See more at the official website for Royal Palms Resort and Spa. Check prices online at Hotels.com.
Article and photos by Jill K. Robinson of Danger Jill Robinson.
I was a guest of Royal Palms Resort and Spa during part of my stay in Scottsdale.
