Phoenix Awaits: A Luxury Travel Escape

Stay

When the backdrop for your stay is the majestic Camelback Mountain, you’re already starting strong. Located a short drive from the Echo Canyon Trail, the luxurious new Global Ambassador is the first foray into hotels by acclaimed restaurateur Sam Fox (unsurprisingly perhaps, there are five restaurants on site, including the excellent rooftop-set théa). According to Fox, the design draws inspiration from his extensive travels and was brought to life by Judith Testani of testani design troupe with Nelsen Partners architects. “Interiors exude warmth and refinement, featuring honed marble, wood plank flooring and patinaed metal ceiling panels while guest rooms evoke a European pied-à-terre with rich textures and timeless details,” says Fox. For true luxury, book one of the 30 expansive suites, many of which feature unfettered views of those aforementioned mountain peaks which can be enjoyed while lounging in a plush Frette robe on your private furnished patio or balcony.

Play

The Valley of the Sun is also the valley of golf. Phoenix is one of the most popular destinations in the world to come and tee off. Choose from some 200 local golf courses for your round of 18, and to watch professional-level putting, time your visit for the annual WM Phoenix Open, a tournament that’s come to be affectionately known as “The Greatest Show on Grass.”

Explore

Don’t forget your hiking boots, because to fully appreciate Phoenix’s singularly beautiful desert environs you have to get out in them. Global Ambassador can arrange a guided hike of Camelback Mountain, which at 2,700 feet (825 meters) is the highest local peak and is best suited for seasoned climbers. For more spectacular views and rock scaling, set your sights on the second-tallest mountain, Piestewa Peak. Or, for something significantly more laid-back but no less scenic, try a trail at the 1,200-acre Papago Park, meander the Judith Tunell Accessible Trail or head to the Desert Botanical Garden which boasts the one of the world’s largest and most diverse collection of desert plants.

See

See Phoenix’s beauty isn’t limited to its natural wonders—there is also plenty of art and architecture to behold. The Phoenix Art Museum is one of the largest art destinations in the Southwest (currently the work of iconic photographer Richard Avedon is on display), the Heard Museum celebrates the vast breadth of American Indian art, while the Musical Instrument Museum houses more than 7,500 instruments from over 200 countries including ones played by artists like Johnny Cash. And just outside the city, set on 500 acres in the foothills of the McDowell Mountains, you’ll find Taliesin West, beloved architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and studio, now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Dine

Must-visit restaurant Bacanora is an homage to the cuisine of Sonora, the Mexican state that borders Arizona, and chef René Andrade works magic at the wood fire grill (especially with the forty ounce bone-in rib-eye). After your meal, be sure to sip the mezcal-based spirit for which the restaurant is named. Another top dining option is Fry Bread House, which offers hand-stretched golden fry bread and Indigenous-style stews. For an exceptional selection of shareable small plates, head to the James Beard-nominated Valentine, and be sure to indulge in a dessert crafted by pastry chef Crystal Kass. Lastly, stop by the stunning Wright Bar at the historic Arizona Biltmore (a favorite of Marilyn Monroe) for a tequila sunrise (it was invented here in the 1930s).