We have never stayed at The Phoenician before so when we knew we were heading to Arizona and had the opportunity to review the Canyon Suites in Scottsdale, we were thrilled. Surrounded by palm trees and lush vegetation, there’s a magical serenity about this property.
This upscale resort on 250 acres is 7.8 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and only six miles from the Desert Botanical Garden. In other words, its very conveniently located.
Walking around the property is breathtaking. It is so serene.
It’s easy to see why its an award-winning Luxury Collection. Guests can opt to stay at The Phoenician (the main hotel), The Canyon Suites or The Phoenician Residences. While we briefly visited the Residences to see the lobby area, we didn’t stay there this time around. A stone’s throw away (they are all very close together), are the Canyon Suites which is where we spent most of our time.
The suites are a great choice if you want a combination of space, suburb service, luxury, comfort and nature.
The Phoenician Canyon Suites: Vegetation, trees, flowers and cactus around the property
Nature & Serenity
We think that the best feature of this award-winning property are the grounds themselves. Trees, fountains, statues of American Indians, cactus, flowers and more. It’s so serene and relaxing, making a perfect getaway anytime of year.
The stunning nature on the properties – taken in front of our favorite spot (and the views we had during breakfast each day)
The Pools at the Phoenician
There are countless pools at the Phoenician however given that we were at a conference every day, we only had a short window to test out the one at the Canyon Suites (at night). Next time, I hope to lounge by this pool with a great novel in hand. Oh yeah, and sipping on a Pina Colada.
They just underwent some renovations and upgrades as well. There are Upper Pools and a Lounge Deck, a Center Island offering reserved Cabana and Lounge seating, a Mother-of-Pearl Pool and reserved Cabanas with adjacent adults-only hot tub (YES!!!!!) and for kids, a 197 foot twisting waterslide.
Below are some photos we took of the pool at the Canyon Suites — pure bliss and serenity on all sides. Magical, right?
The Phoenician Pool at the Canyon Suites — look at the gorgeous back-drop. You won’t want to leave!
Look at the stunning backdrop of the pool at the Phoenician Canyon Suites — gorgeous, right? You won’t want to leave.
The Phoenician Canyon Suites Pool (and cabanas)
They also have a Kid Zone with a suspension bridge and tree house complete with swaying bridge, sails and helm for children’s inner pirate to explore, which is right next to something they call the splash pad which has spray-guns, falling buckets of water and shooting water spouts.
As noted under Dining, they have a restaurant where you can order poolside called the Kalio Kabobery, which features Mediterranean-inspired fare
Unique Artistic & Cultural Touches
The Phoenician houses 11 sculptures by the renowned Native American artist, Alan Houser (Haozous). There are so many unique sculptures and pieces of art throughout the property, you could get lost and absorbed in the collection alone.
Breakfast at the Phoenician
Our favorite part of the day was having breakfast at the Phoenician in the main lobby area of the Canyon Suites. Even though it was between 101 and 109 degrees for the entire week we were there, we dined outside.
Luckily, it was just moderate enough early in the morning to handle the dry desert heat. We loved our corner table we retreated to each day because it was quiet, peaceful and overlooked waterfalls, cactus and flowers. And, the service was outstanding.
Fresh blueberries and kiwi with yogurt and cranberries – oh so healthy!
Above and below, the “fruit art” was done by Sharon, the Breakfast Canyon Lounge Attendant who also has an Instagram feed @sharangel2017
Even though we got engaged awhile ago, our waitress said we hadn’t celebrated HERE yet, and so she whipped this up for us. Sweet right? A desert scene out of Cantaloupe melon — what a way to celebrate and at breakfast to boot?
Above and below, breakfast at its best at the Phoenician – Canyon Suites main lobby area, where you can dine inside or out. Outside, there are beautiful views of a waterfall, cactus and flowers throughout.
Dining at The Phoenician
The Phoenician offers private dining, casual options like the Kalio Kabobery poolside or the Thirsty Camel for drinks. In total, the Phoenician offers eight dining options including more luxe options like the J&G Steakhouse and Mowry & Cotton, where we dined. If you have kids in tow, then the Relish Burger Bistro is a great option and there’s also The Marketplace where you can get to-go items as well. While we didn’t have try their Afternoon Tea, it’s a nice classic thing to do if you have the time.
Below are a few delicious dishes from our dinner experience at Mowry & Cotton, which we heard a lot of positive reviews about from locals in advance. We included Mowry & Cotton in our Phoenix & Scottsdale Restaurants round-up — it’s a great choice and the ambiance is wonderful (inside or out)
Seared tuna heaven
We can never pass up a good beet salad.
The meatballs were out of this world at Mowry & Cotton
Our favorite dish all night was oddly a dessert. Yes, this apple crumble creation was THAT GOOD!
The Spa at the Phoenician
The Phoenician Spa has a variety of offerings and is oh so luxe in every way. In addition to massages and facials, there’s a nail spa and a drybar. They use Essential Oils & Aromatherapy Blends, offer Harmonic Bowl Healing, couple offerings, as well as body treatments, such as wraps and scrubs.
They also offer meditation, tarot and hypnotherapy as well as fitness and movement options. Be sure to read our standalone spa review.
The jacuzzi at the Phoenician Spa
Below, a Tibetan bowl in one of the massage rooms.
The Phoenician: Signature Activities
A few things worth noting you can do during your stay. Sadly we didn’t have time to try any of these but hope to on a future trip to Scottsdale and we can elaborate a bit more.
The Golf Cart Safari sounds like a blast — you explore the native and natural wonders of the Sonoran Desert on a unique and informative 90 minute tour around our property. where you discover local flora and fauna, majestic views and diverse wildlife. Being big into nature and birds, this is a must for our next trip.
There’s also a standalone tour on birds only where you learn about the indigenous birds of the Sonoran Desert. They offer a Camelback Mountain Hike as well (Cholla Trail), where you learn about the natural beauty of the indigenous flora and fauna led by a knowledgeable guide.
Their Cactus Garden is a two-acre retreat, located along the northern edge of the resort grounds, which features 250 varieties of cacti. The Garden also serves as home to numerous desert inhabitants. You can also rent bikes (complimentary for guests who pay the Resort Charge) and then there’s a Bunny Hoppy House where you head to the Funicians Club to pick out your very own plush bunny Phoe-Phoe to take home. I SO wish we did this!
You can also learn some of the secrets (and taste them) of some of their cocktails. How fun is that?
If you’re into art as we mentioned above, the Phoenician has the beautiful work of Native American artist, Alan Houser (Haozous). Other activities are available as well and the on-site concierge can walk you through it all. There are no shortage of things to do for children as well.
The Phoenician: Canyon Suites vs the Hotel
Upon booking your reservation you will be contacted by an ambassador to confirm your travel plans and make arrangements for spa, golf, cabana rental and other recreational activities.
You will be welcomed to your suite with a thoughtfully prepared amenity by our Executive Chef. You are invited to be our guest in the elegant Canyon Suites Lobby for artisan breakfast, teas and fruit each day.
The Phoenician: an outside view while walking around the property after breakfast one morning (Canyon Suites)
Coffee maker, tea, water, drinks in our suite
Painting in our bathroom at the Phoenician Canyon Suites
A luxury show and double sink in the bathroom
Our bathroom at The Phoenician Canyon Suites. Photo credit: The Phoenician
Unique modern artistic flare at the Canyon Suites
The lobby area at The Phoenician Canyon Suites
The lobby area at The Phoenician Canyon Suites
A beautiful cheese, fruit and olive platter left in our suite.
The contemporary Southwestern rooms, suites and casitas have 40-inch flat-screen TVs, iHome speaker docks and marble bathrooms, minibars, and private terraces or balconies.
Amenities include nine pools (yes, really), a 165-foot waterslide which is great if you have kids in tow, eight dining and drinks options, including a Jean-Georges Vongerichten Steakhouse, the spa as noted above, tennis courts, and a kids’ club, splash pad and playground. There’s also a 27-hole golf course, a lake, a retail corridor and free wine tastings.
Above, a one bedroom suite. Photo credit: The Phoenician.
Above, a one bedroom suite at the Phoenician.
- There are plenty of mountain views and fountains on well-manicured lawns.
Above, a one bedroom king with a mountain view the Phoenician.
DETAILS
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
