5200 East Camelback Road, Phoenix, Arizona, United States | (618) 248-8274
Located between Phoenix and Scottsdale, with spectacular Camelback Mountain
views
Several room options with lots of space and
luxury touches
Rooms offer private patios or balconies, and room service
Large pool with private cabanas and poolside cafe
Fine-dining restaurant and cozy, elegant bar with private
spaces
World-class spa with various treatments and full-service
salon
Fitness center with a full range of cardio and weight-training equipment
Lush grounds with intimate courtyards and over 20 fountains
Small business center plus extensive event space
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Among the most expensive resorts in the Valley
Daily resort fee and fee for parking
No resort shuttle service
No on-site golf course
The five-pearl Royal Palms Resort and Spa is an opulent
resort tucked away in a lush garden setting near the majestic Camelback
Mountain. This former private residence is smaller and perhaps more exclusive than many other luxury
resorts in the area, with its spacious Suites, Casitas, and Villas designed to
maximize residential-like comfort and privacy. All 119 units are individually and
ornately decorated, and a fine-dining restaurant and world-class
spa are part of its appeal. But guests of the Royal Palms pay some of the
highest rates in the area, plus additional daily resort and parking fees. Travelers could also consider other luxury
alternatives such as the iconic Phoenician and Arizona Biltmore, which, unlike the Royal Palms, have their own golf courses.
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Scene
A serene and private garden resort in the desert
The Royal Palms Resort and Spa gives their guests a memorable and dramatic introduction to the property as they travel up the paved stone entrance past soaring palm trees and views of majestic
Camelback Mountain that's directly behind the resort. A 250-year-old fountain marks the entrance, while the quaint lobby reveals the resort’s roots as a private Spanish Colonial residence dating back to 1929.
Rough-hewn beams run across the ceiling, and rustic wood furniture and floors are
accented by light-pink sofas and reddish pink walls. Outside, stone
paths wind through the serene and meticulously landscaped grounds, revealing
more than 20 fountains, numerous fireplaces, and seemingly endless secluded spots
to relax and take in the lush surroundings. It’s easy to understand why this
opulent resort is popular with discerning travelers who enjoy the finer things
in life, as well as corporate groups looking to impress clients or reward their
staff.
Location
Set off busy E. Camelback Road, between Phoenix and Scottsdale
The Royal Palms is located in the heart of the Valley of the
Sun, set back off the busy E. Camelback Road between Phoenix and Scottsdale, but closer to Scottsdale, with Old Town Scottsdale’s numerous shops and restaurants
about 10 minutes away by car. The must-see Desert Botanical Garden also is a
10-minute drive, as are the adjacent Papago and Rolling Hills golf courses. The
Echo Canyon Recreation Area, with trailheads leading up Camelback Mountain, is a seven-minute drive. Arizona State University’s campus in Tempe is 20
minutes away by car, and it takes about the same amount of time to reach the Phoenix Sky Harbor International
Airport and notable attractions in the downtown Phoenix area including the Heard
Museum, the Chase Field, the Talking Stick Resort Arena, and the Phoenix Convention
Center. A bus stop is about a one-minute walk from the resort entrance, but it
typically takes significantly longer to travel anywhere in the Valley by public
transit. While there are numerous restaurants along E. Camelback, none of them
are within reasonable walking distance of the resort.
Rooms
Ornate and individually decorated rooms with lots of space and luxury touches
The hotel offers 119 units, ranging from regular hotel rooms to huge stand-alone villas. The resort’s 30 Valencia Casitas located in the Valencia Gardens, for example, were renovated in 2012 to reinforce their Mediterranean design, with butter-yellow walls and fabric accents in hues of eggplant, crimson-red, and kiwi lime. Casitas include wrought-iron, four-poster king or queen beds and French doors. Suites come in various sizes and configurations, such as one-bedroom Montavista Terrace Suites and a two-bedroom Presidential Villa with a butler’s kitchen and a glass-enclosed, indoor/outdoor shower. Rooms are individually decorated by top designers, so their opulent decor varies. That said, all the rooms have a high wow factor, with rich color combinations and luxury touches designed to create a
residential ambiance, including one-of-a-kind European antiques. Some rooms
include kiva-style fireplaces. Vibrant colors, bold patterns, and plush
furniture such as stylish leather chairs and ottomans are typical. Beautiful tile
or dark-wood floors are partially covered by plush, designer rugs, and
aged ceiling timbers can be seen in many rooms. Rooms feature comfortable pillow-top mattresses, and some offer sleeper sofas. Other amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, and coffeemakers, and housekeeping is offered twice a day. All rooms
have private balconies or patios with spectacular views of Camelback Mountain or the resort's tiered gardens and fountains. The spacious bathrooms include cosmetics mirrors, robes/slippers, large walk-in showers and separate tubs, and Destination Earth toiletries.
Features
Valet parking, opulent spa, fine-dining, concierge, and heated outdoor pool with cabanas
As a top-shelf resort (with the prices to match) the Royal Palms has plenty of posh features. The fine-dining T. Cooks restaurant serves
breakfast (for a fee), lunch, and dinner, and offers covered outdoor seating. There's also a poolside cafe and the elegant
Mix Up Bar. Another ritzy feature is the heated outdoor pool lined with mother of pearl tile and paired with a large whirlpool hot tub. The pool area is surrounded
by lush landscaping, private cabanas, and a croquet lawn. The world-class Alvadora Spa features a full-service salon and wide range of facials, massage, and body treatments in posh, Spanish Colonial surroundings. It includes secluded relaxation areas with fireplaces, indoor and outdoor treatment areas, covered, private outdoor whirlpools, and Vichy showers. And the fitness center includes a full range of cardio and
weight-training equipment as well as free weights. The resort also offers a large amount of event space that's often rented out for weddings, corporate retreats, and other
business and social functions. There's a small business center that has a
computer station with Internet access, and Wi-Fi is covered by the daily resort fee. Concierge services, dry cleaning, and laundry services are also available. Free newspapers and cold fruit drinks
are available in the lobby. There's a fee for both valet self-parking, which come with unlimited in/out privileges. The resort does not operate a shuttle service, but the hotel does offer discounted rates with a local transportation company.
