Elite Traveler November-December 2015

INSPIRE DESERT ESCAPES

elite traveler NOV/DEC 2015 ISSUE 6 84

Sanctuary CamelbackMountain SONORAN DESERT, US

The rugged mountain location of this 80-room hotel feels off-grid, despite being less than two hours from Dubai (transfer is by white leather-lined Range Rover). The local fishing village was the architectural inspiration so thatched villas, furnished in earthy tones and with rustic touches (such as the rocky outdoor showers), blend into the landscape. Standout service The chance to paraglide into the check-in desk from the mountain top – that’s the most stand-out of all stand-out hotel services we’ve seen. Each villa is also assigned a personal butler to see to your every need. Special amenities Bicycles left outside each room encourage exploration, two restaurants (including one on a hilltop) and a world-class spa that draws on the brand’s Asian wellness ethos. Room to book One of the resort’s two enormous retreats, which featured in our recent Elite Traveler Top 100 Suites in the World Contact Pramod Nair, reservation and revenue manager, resm-zighy@sixsenses.com, +968 2673 5888, sixsenses.com Price From $5,000 per night for the suite. From $125,000 per night for exclusive use (organize one year in advance) One of the most sumptuous retreats in Scottsdale, Arizona, it counts Elton John among its A-list fans. The spa is one of the world’s best and the restaurant is headed up by celebrity chef Beau MacMillan of Food Network fame. Handily, Phoenix Sky Harbor airport (for parking your private jet) is eight miles away. Standout service The swimming instructor is Olympic gold medalist, Misty Hyman, and there are championship tennis courts with daily clinics to brush up on your backhand. Special amenities Bed linen sprayed with lavender and rooms lit with candles during turn-down. Room to book Casa 17, the largest of the estate’s private homes (it’s 4,400 sq ft) with three bedrooms, private swimming pool and a personal tennis court. Contact Jeremy Dougherty, general manager, info@sanctuaryaz. com, +1 844 897 9392, sanctuaryoncamelback.com Price From $3,050 per night for Casa 17 (minimum two nights) Six Senses Zighy Bay DIBBA, OMAN