Royal Palms Resort and Spa

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.

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. 

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. 

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.