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| - I'll say up front that it is not my usual style to stay in 5 star resorts when I vacation. For business trips, I like 4star, and abroad I'm a fan of bed and breakfasts or even hip hostels.
However, there's a very good reason to stay at a resort in a desert climate: you want a fun pool environment. The Phoenician was absolutely excellent in this aspect, as well as pretty much everything else. The staff was very friendly and professional, willing to go that extra mile.
We got a double upgrade to a casita. These are the units to stay in....not only did we have a pool view, but rising just above it was Camelback mountain. I chose to get the ground floor so we could just walk right out onto the grounds for an easy stroll to the pool complex.
Food:
Poolside service is great during the week, as there are much less patrons. You'll wait longer on the weekends, but nothing to complain about. The kobe burger was EXCELLENT. The ice cream parlor was perfect for a low-key breakfast and other snacks. I didn't eat dinner at the restaurants, as I wanted to check out the Scottsdale scene.
Pool:
Multi-level pool complex. The upper decks are active, and even have a basketball hoop. Mid-level has a beautiful Mediterranean tiled spa with pools and waterfalls. Lower level is the mother of pearl star pool, meant for serenity and quietness. I really loved this setup.
Grounds:
The grounds are immaculate. Since this is the desert and there are numerous water features here, naturally you will hear a lot of animals. Countless birds sing at the pools, and there are many bunnies hopping around.
Room:
Spacious and beautiful. Had a large bathroom with a vanity and separate closet with a walk-in shower. The soaking tub was a bit shallow for my taste. The linens are top quality and the room is decorated in very neutral tones. As this is a top resort, of course everything is an add-on: no coffee maker, no mini-frig (well there is, but it's full and sensored). You even are supposed to call room service for ice! This isn't necessary though, because a portion of the service closets aren't locked where you can get your ice.
Spa:
This will be a separate Yelp review.
Value:
Our experience amounted to about $600 a night if we had paid the full price. Hotwire gave me a great discount. The casitas I say again are the place to stay in this resort. You are steps away from your car (private parking), have a view of the mountain and pools, and you don't have to walk through lots of hallways to reach other parts of the resort. This was a fantastic experience, much better than my stay at JW Marriott at Desert Ridge. Phoenician is still a large property, but the service sets it apart....and the casita...oh the casita...
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