Royal Palms Resort and Spa

Sitting at the foot of Camelback Mountain, with an entrance edged by rows of soaring palm trees, the Royal Palms Resort and Spa creates a striking impression from the moment of arrival. The Spanish colonial mansion, built in 1929 by a nephew of J.P. Morgan, stands in sharp contrast to the bland, corporate architecture that dominates the Phoenix area’s plentiful chain hotels. Here, idiosyncratic touches like Oriental rugs and deep, vibrant colors defy the usual pastel Southwesternisms, making Royal Palms feel as much like a private residence as a resort.

Accommodations range from relatively traditional Estate rooms, which come with balconies and deep soaking tubs, to sprawling freestanding villas set on private courtyards amidst the resort’s gardens. It’s all located just between downtown Scottsdale and the upscale Biltmore area, an easy fifteen minutes from Phoenix airport. Given the location, it’s a fine choice for business travelers, though the secluded environment (not to mention the spa) invites days of leisure.

In the end, that’s the appeal of Royal Palms — a business hotel and a luxury resort, close to downtown but quiet and calm, lavish yet affordable, authentically Southwestern yet distinctly Mediterranean-feeling. In short, for all its character, it’s still the sort of place nearly anyone can get behind.

How to get there:
Royal Palms Resort and Spa is a 20-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).