Top Spas in Phoenix and Scottsdale

Zagat's new guide tests out and reports back on the 1400 best resorts, spas and hotels worldwide, covering 1,414 of the best places to stay in 106 different countries. The hotels, resorts and spas are rated by no less than 21,783 frequent travelers, and 1,626 professional travel agents, who spend an average of about 40 nights staying in hotels each year. These people see a lot of hotels, so they ought to know what they're talking about.

The top place for spas in Arizona is undoubtedly Phoenix and neighboring Scottsdale, as no fewer than five make the Zagat list. The choices of these top travel experts are:

The Boulders

Described as a "Zen-like retreat" set into the Sonoran Desert on the edge of Scottsdale, its Golden Door Spa is highly rated. So, too, are its golf facilities and its dining. One reviewer said they wanted to live there forever. It has 160 casitas and 55 villas, and is the least expensive of all the places listed by a long way. 34631 N. Tom Darlington Drive, Carefree

Four Seasons Resort Troon North

The Four Seasons has 188 rooms, 22 suites and 25 casitas in a place that's perfect for a remote getaway, with views of the Pinnacle Peaks. Plus points include the casitas which have complimentary star-gazing charts – a neat idea – while the experts' tip is to pay extra for a room with its own plunge pool. The spa has the usual wide range of treatments, and a full-service salon. 10600 E. Crescent Moon Drive, Scottsdale

The Phoenician

The biggest and easily the most expensive of these spas, with 474 rooms, 76 suites and 107 casitas, the Phoenician outscores all the others for its facilities, and gets high praise for its golfing, fine dining, rooms, and quality of its service ("so good it's scary", says one reviewer). 6000 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale

Royal Palms Resort and Spa

If food matters, then the Royal Palms gets the best rating for its dining, out of these five. The T. Cook's restaurant was also recently rated the best in Phoenix, in a Zagat guide that covered the top US hotels and restaurants. The cuisine is Mediterranean, as is the ambience in the Alvadora Spa, and the room rates are reasonable for what's described as "the best-kept secret in Arizona." 5200 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix

Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain

Be prepared to rub shoulders with celebrities like Bono and Jennifer Aniston at the Sanctuary, which manages to be hip and chic but also relaxing. The restaurant's food is matched by its views, the tennis courts are said to be excellent, and the spa is amazing. 5700 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley

Practical Information

To find out Zagat's very personal ratings of the World's Top Hotels, Resorts and Spas, buy the 414-page book, which costs $15.95 in the USA, $17.95 in Canada, and £9.99 in the UK. More details on the Zagat website: www.zagat.com.

The Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain

The Phoenician

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