Every year for its “World’s Best” Awards survey, Travel + Leisure Magazine asks readers to vote on their travel experiences around the globe: to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines and more. Over 186,000 readers completed the 2024 survey, and Arizona’s best resorts for 2024 include an impressive six properties around Scottsdale and Paradise Valley.
For each, voters could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final tallies rated rooms, facilities, location, service, food, and value.
According to T+L, new and old collide at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, a Gurney’s Resort & Spa. The resort reopened under Gurney’s management in 2021, but it has a history that stretches back to the 1950s when it was born as a Palm Springs-inspired Paradise Valley Racquet Club.
Mountain Shadows brings more midcentury vibes: Founded in 1959, the site was rebuilt and reopened in 2017 under new ownership, with a modernist design that nods to its glory days as a Rat Pack hangout. These days, though, the atmosphere is more family-friendly.
Three of the top resorts this year are in Sedona, the artsy town two hours north of Phoenix known for its new-age hotels and stunning scenery. The newest is Ambiente, making its debut on the list at number 10. Opened in 2023, Ambiente made the list for its unique accommodations: 40 cube-shaped elevated cottages, each with glass walls offering 180-degree views of the red-rock desert.
“This place is phenomenal,” one voter said of their stay. “As close as you can get to sleeping under the immense night sky with all its stars,” but with air conditioning and indoor plumbing, too.
The winner, however, comes out of Morristown – about an hour north of Phoenix, depending on traffic. Castle Hot Springs was also Arizona’s original wellness retreat, founded in the late 19th century and later visited by the likes of the Rockefellers and Roosevelts.
Castle Hot Springs, which moved up from No. 2 last year, offers 30 standalone cabins and cottages on 1,100 acres – a location chosen back in the 1890s for its natural hot springs high in magnesium and lithium, which now feed the resort’s three geothermal pools. Guests at the inclusive property can also enjoy complimentary activities like guided hikes, south baths, meditation, tai chi and yoga classes, wine tastings and farm tours.
Farm-to-table dining is the focus at Harvest, Castle Hot Spring’s on-site restaurant. Serving breakfast, lunch, and a chef’s tasting menu for dinner, the culinary and farm teams work together to create an elevated dining experience for each and every meal.
Here are the Top 10 Best Arizona Resorts in 2024:
1. Castle Hot Springs: Morristown, Arizona
2. Sanctuary Camelback Mountain: Scottsdale, Arizona
3. The Hermosa Inn: Paradise Valley, Arizona
4. L’Auberge de Sedona: Sedona, Arizona
5. Enchantment Resort: Sedona, Arizona
6. The Canyon Suites at the Phoenician: Scottsdale, Arizona
7. Royal Palms Resort and Spa: Phoenix, Arizona
8. Mountain Shadows Resort: Scottsdale, Arizona
9. Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North: Scottsdale, Arizona
10. Ambiente: Sedona, Arizona
Nature lovers, spiritual seekers, golfers, hikers, and travelers of all types will find the perfect destination at Arizona’s resorts. Just make sure to remember your swimsuit! For more information, visit travelandleisure.com.
