Elite Traveler Spring 2019

121 elite traveler SPRING 2019

There are many ways to explore the Sonoran Desert. Experience the unique landscape up close by hiking through it: some of the most popular are Pinnacle Peak, Camelback Mountain (beware, this one’s only for experienced hikers) and McDowell Sonoran Preserve , which has over 200 miles of trails for all levels, including the famous Tom’s Thumb Trail . If you prefer a gentler pace (and a paved path), visit the beautiful botanical gardens. To admire the views from above, take to the skies in a hot-air balloon with Hot Air Expeditions . It’s no surprise that the desert means incredible golf. Scottsdale has dozens of courses, although many are private members’ clubs. If you don’t have a connection, don’t despair, there are plenty of excellent public courses. Troon North Golf Club has two 18-hole golf courses, both designed and updated by TomWeiskopf, set in the foothills of Pinnacle Peak. Grayhawk Golf Club ’s two 18-hole courses — Raptor by Tom Fazio and Talon by David Graham and Gary Panks — take you to the edge of steep drop-offs and through the desert landscape. TPC Scottsdale hosts the city’s premier golf tournament, the Phoenix Open, each January. With superb mountain views, We-Ko-Pa’ s two courses feature target-style desert golf at Cholla and a traditional course at Saguaro. After you’ve got your fill of the great DESERT DIVERSIONS

outdoors, spend an afternoon exploring Old Town ’s historic Western buildings and Southwestern shops (Scottsdale’s motto is “The West’s Most Western Town”), then stop by one of Old Town’s charming restaurants for dinner. On Thursdays, the city’s galleries open for an Art Walk , which is a fun way to see all the new shows. Despite its size, the city has a booming art scene: Old Town has several top-notch galleries, where you’ll find everything from Banksy and Andy Warhol at American Fine Art , to local painter Charles H Pabst, who uses a pallet knife and paintbrush to create stunning Southwestern landscapes at Signature Gallery . Design aficionados should flock to Taliesin West , Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home and a National Historic Landmark, to marvel at his groundbreaking architecture and uncompromising vision. Wright created Taliesin West as both a winter escape and a school for his apprentices. Deeply influenced by Arizona’s raw beauty and natural materials, he employed desert-masonry techniques using large desert rocks and concrete, which makes you feel as if he found these rock walls and built his modern retreat around them. climbcamelback.com, mcdowellsonoran.org, hotairexpeditions.com, troonnorthgolf.com, grayhawkgolf.com, tpc.com, wekopa.com, scottsdalegalleries.com, franklloydwright.org

Clockwise: Enjoy stunning vistas from a hot-air balloon; Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home; Grayhawk Golf Club

SANDY HIDEAWAYS

Four Seasons Resort Tucked into the mountains of northern Scottsdale, Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North has a remote vacation feeling, despite being just a 30-minute drive fromOld Town. It’s a prime location for hikers (Tom’s Thumb Trailhead and Pinnacle Peak are nearby) and golfers (it’s located next to Troon North Golf Club), and it has a lovely spa with destination-inspired treatments, four delicious restaurants and a beautiful pool. Stay in the Three-bedroom Pinnacle Peak Suite, whose focus on indoor/outdoor living makes the most of the incredible weather. There is a plunge pool, terrace with fire pit and large living area, all with views of Crescent Butte Mountain. Three-bedroom Pinnacle Peak Suite from $6,270 per night. Contact scottsdale.reservations@fourseasons.com, +1 888 207 9696, fourseasons.com

Royal Palms Resort and Spa The former private estate of the Cooke family was inspired by grand European manors. Situated at the base of Camelback Mountain, it keeps the feel of a charming home with its lush grounds, including a magical orange grove. The award-winning spa is not to be missed, nor is T Cook’s, one of the city’s best restaurants. Rest your head in the 1,700-sq-ft Presidential Villa, which has a living room, dining room, butler’s kitchen, master bedroom with a large fireplace, and a glass-enclosed indoor/outdoor shower. During the day, enjoy your prime views of Camelback from one of your three patios. If traveling with a group, you can add a second bedroom. Presidential Villa from$1,699 per night. Contact Samantha Timbrook, marketingmanager, +1 603 283 1234, samantha. timbrook@royalpalmshotel.com, royalpalmshotel.com

Sanctuary Resort You can’t get much closer to Camelback Mountain than Sanctuary Resort: The pool looks out onto the iconic camel-shaped mountain’s ‘head.’ The luxurious resort places a strong focus on health, offering guided hikes, standup paddleboard yoga, tennis, nutrition workshops and fitness classes, and it has an award-winning, Asian-inspired spa with unique treatments. For the ultimate wellness retreat, check into the Villa del Sol, a four-bedroom, 3,500-sq-ft paradise. It has an in-house treatment room for private therapies, as well as a pool, large lawn and fitness room where you can bring in a wide range of expert instructors. Villa del Sol from $3,200 per night. Contact Stacy Komer, reservations manager, +1 480 607 2346, skomer@sanctuaryaz.com, sanctuaryoncamelback.com