Even with the Valley’s world-class resorts, sometimes locals need a weekend away. Out of state—but not that far—here are Arizonans’ top...
Escapes 

Best Las Vegas Casino
Mandalay Bay-2011 Winner 
One of the hottest casinos on the Vegas Strip, Mandalay Bay boasts a 135,000-sq.-ft. gaming environment where players can enjoy a variety of casino games from Baccarat to seven-card stud and everything in between. Best of all, the casino is set in a tropical backdrop of flowing water, lush foliage and exotic architecture. www.mandalaybay.com.

Best Las Vegas Pool
Encore Beach Club, Encore/Wynn-2011 Winner
The epitome of luxury, the Encore Beach Club at the Encore/Wynn Las Vegas makes loungers feel like they just stepped into a European paradise. The 60,000-sq.-ft. venue features 40-foot palm trees, three tiered pools and 26 cabanas outfitted with refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. www.encorebeachclub.com.

Best Los Angeles Resort
L’Ermitage Beverly Hills Hotel-2011 Winner 
L’Ermitage Beverly Hills stands among the finest of Beverly Hills luxury hotels and still draws in guests from all over the world. This resort encompasses some of the finest dining, nightlife and amenities that 90210 has to offer while remaining just a short distance away of Los Angeles’s most famous attractions, like world-renowned Rodeo Drive. www.lermitagebh.com.

Best Las Vegas
Resort Wynn-2011 Winner 
Touting gorgeous designs and views, technologically advanced facilities and award-winning staff and service, Wynn is the perfect place for anyone planning an unforgettable trip to Sin City. Whether you want to lounge by the pool, play a round of golf or plan a wedding to remember, this is a resort that truly has it all.www.wynnlasvegas.com.

 

Best Orange County Resort
St. Regis Monarch Beach-2011 Winner 
With 400 guestrooms, this gorgeous beachside resort sits against the bluffs of Dana Point, overlooking the shimmering Pacific Ocean. Guest will enjoy the full five-star treatment of an exclusive beach club with butler service, three beautiful swimming pools, award-winning Spa Gaucin, on-site championship Monarch Beach Golf Links, scenic beach trails and six ocean-view restaurants. www.stregismb.com.

Best San Diego Resort
Tower23 Hotel-2011 Winner 
Tower23 Hotel is San Diego’s only luxury lifestyle hotel on the beach, borrowing its unique name from lifeguard tower 23 positioned on the Pacific Beach. The daring and contemporarily designed resort sits just minutes away from downtown San Diego, the airport, major business centers and popular area attractions like San Diego’s vibrant beach life. www.t23hotel.com.

Best Travel Web Site
Kayak.com-2011 Winner 
Co-founded by Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz in 2004, Kayak was built to take on a unique approach to travel searching. The Web site enables viewers to easily compare hundreds of travel outlets at once. In one comprehensive, fast and intuitive display, the site is able give viewers the choice of where to book including airline, hotel, car rental and online travel agency sites—all for free. www.kayak.com.