One Of Arizona's Best Resorts Offers Desert Luxury With Unmatched Mountain And Valley Views

It is extremely difficult to beat the location of Sanctuary Camelback Mountain. The red mountains, featuring two rock formations that form the shape of a camel, are on one side. Paradise Valley, a desert oasis, is on the other. Add chic casitas, top-notch amenities, an award-winning chef, and a massive spa that lives up to its name and you have one of the best luxury boutique resorts in Arizona. If you were not thinking about planning a trip to the Southwestern United States, chances are that you are now.

Sanctuary Camelback Mountain was built as a racquet club by Hollywood investors in the 1950s. The group, including one of Charlie Chaplin's sons, wanted to bring the glamour of Palm Springs, California to Paradise Valley. For years, it did. Eventually, the mountainside property was bought, closed, and transformed into the gorgeous resort it is today. Awards, including a spot on Travel + Leisure's 2025 World's Best Awards, have followed ever since.

The 53-acre resort sits on the north slope of the Camelback Mountain in the centrally located Phoenix Mountains Preserve. It is only 14 miles northeast of Phoenix, one of the best places for budget travelers in America. Its Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) receives nonstop flights from cities all over the world. Tempe, a booming Southwestern town that has a little something for everyone, is only nine miles away. Scottsdale, a great destination for a relaxing romantic getaway, is even closer. Sanctuary Camelback Mountain truly is in a perfect spot.

As soon as you arrive at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, it is obvious that you are in for a luxurious treat. The check-in process is easy and informative, especially if you are visiting the area for the first time. A golf cart will then whisk you off, through the resort's perfectly manicured grounds, to find your casita or suite. Each one is a little oasis — make that a big oasis — with coffee machines, a cozy seating area, sprawling views of the mountains, and local artwork and photography. The bathroom has a skylight and a large soaking tub. Salt & Stone products, which you will covet for your own house, are in there as well.

After settling into your home away from home, it is time to start exploring. Since Sanctuary Camelback Mountain was built as a racquet club, it still has tennis and pickleball courts. You can join a weekly clinic or book a group lesson to brush up on your skills. The resort has a fitness center with daily wellness classes, including sunrise stretching and a bike and hike session to the Echo Canyon Trailhead. There are also three pools tucked around the property. The main infinity pool has poolside dining and full-day cabana rentals so you can sip on those hibiscus refreshers and daiquiris after a dip.

While you sip your signature cocktail near the edge of the infinity pool, you can start to think about the appointments you need to make. Though you definitely do not want to be glued to a rigid schedule during your vacation, you do want to make sure that your dinner and spa reservations are confirmed. At Elements, the resort's main restaurant, you should plan to dine as the sun sets behind the mountain. The restaurant's executive chef, Gregory James, creates seasonal menus based on locally procured ingredients. Depending on the season, you may be able to start with an Arizona sweet corn bisque, try the chicken from Two Wash Ranch, and end with a house-made hot chocolate. The steaming beverage will keep you warm if you are eating outside on the patio while watching the sky light up with stars.

The Sanctuary Spa is the other spot you do not want to miss. The Asian-inspired spa is massive, covering 12,000 square feet. It includes 12 indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, a Zen meditation garden, and a reflection pond. Everything from aquatic massages and seaweed wraps to sound voyages and Reiki treatments are offered. Suddenly, you are not sure if one spa appointment is going to be enough. Since you have the time, why not book two or three pampering sessions during your stay? You are at one of the best luxury resorts in Arizona, after all.