The adorable Teddy Bear Cholla is equal parts puff and prickles, a fine disposition for a Sonoran Desert cactus. While the coat of silvery spines looks soft, each spine wears a menacing backward-facing barb and can jump onto the skin of an admirer who gets too close. She stands, curvy branches among some 250 varieties of cacti and succulents in the Cactus Garden at The Phoenician Scottsdale. A magical paved trail skirts the resort, winding through Banana Yucca, Spineless Pricklypear, and our favorite, the Cow Tongue Pricklypear. Large sculptures by Native American artist, Allan Houser dot the property, complementing the landscape and showcasing the history and native culture of the Southwest. Houser was awarded the National Medal of Arts from President Bush in 1992 and this wide collection of his work is a destination in itself.
The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort in Scottsdale is spread across 254 acres, with 450 guest rooms, more than 100 elegant casitas, and a collection of luxury and presidential suites (all with Frette Italian linens). Eight pools, 18 holes of golf, an extensive athletic club (earning five stars from my super jock sister), pickleball, tennis and nine dining options keep guests happily on campus. The Forbes Four-Star spa offers more than 30 wellness treatments, from head to toe. The pool, lounge, tubs, sauna and steam are just for spa guests (quiet, adult-only, meditative vibe). My 50-minute Restorative CBD Scrub provided nourishment and stress relief with an exfoliating and hydrating cranberry seed and hemp flower sugar scrub. A full-body application and massage follow using a blend of highly concentrated CBD Gold Oil. The ensuing bliss continued as we watched the sunset over the desert from the balcony of J&G Steakhouse.The meal was excellent but the service was the star of the show. Each member of the wait staff brought a unique story to the evening.
AAA Five Diamond Phoenician stands sentinel at the base of Camelback Mountain, wrapped in the lush Sonoran Desert.
The Phoenician is just 15 minutes from Old Town Scottsdale and the cultural center of the vibrant city, which celebrates a modern landscape and a funky salute to the Old West, with western-themed shops, art galleries, and enough margarita flavors to make your head spin.
The stand-outs though, are two museums on the same block. Our favorite is the Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West with art and artifacts that bring the nation’s Western heritage to life. The front gallery is all about the cowboy, from saddles to stirrups with a deep exploration of knives, bags, and boots. The museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate and it shows.
The Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) is a compact collection of color, shapes and boundary-pushing pieces that are refreshing and thought-provoking.
Sit and gather your thoughts over lunch at the nearby Pinyon Coastal Mediterranean where house-made pita is baked fresh daily and an array of hummus and dips could make a meal, but save room for the salads and pasta.
The culture, shopping and resort life is a vibe that Scottsdale has polished.
But, we wanted to flip the record and explore ranch life in the country too, so we checked into The Saguaro Lake Ranch, less than an hour of town in the Tonto National Forest. The 20 rustic cabins are lined up along a wide green lawn with a sparkling pool and a fire pit for guests. Down the hill are the stables, along the shore of the Lower Salt River. Yes, there's kayaking in Arizona with access from the Ranch. You can hop on a kayak or SUP board and paddle a few hours, passing thousand-foot cliffs and majestic Saguaro Cacti in the Sonoran Desert. You'll likely pass wild horses crossing the river and a plethora of birds flying overhead.
Meals are served family style, with guests sharing their excursions and inspiring one another to try it all - hike, bike, wander, paddle, or ride horses. There are no TVs in the cabins, so bring a book or borrow a Louis L'Amour western from the Ranch's library to help settle into the scene.
Scottsdale has many faces. Meet them all.
She stands, curvy branches among some 250 varieties of cacti and succulents in the Cactus Garden at The Phoenician Scottsdale.