Recommend February 2011 - (Page 50)

starry ARIZOnA continued from page 48 goers? McCreary points to the Desert Lavender Massage. “It’s one of our signatures.” Accommodations, too, were thoughtfully designed. “Every detail in the rooms was considered for the delivery of optimal relaxation. From the plantation shutters on the windows to the location of each outlet, every room is outfitted for comfort,” describes McCreary. Accommodation choices run the gamut from Deluxe and Signature, to the Executive King—with two walls almost entirely composed of glass. There are also suites, which, says McCreary, are “ideal for weekend getaways”; two exclusive 1-bedroom suites; and the presidential suite, with unmatched views of Mummy and Camelback mountains. “There really is no other property here like Talking Stick,” McCreary stresses. Emphasizing that it, “sets a new standard for Arizona destination resorts.” Room rates start from $159 now through April. something old(er) Over in Phoenix, there’s the darling, AAA four-diamond Royal Palms Resort and Spa, which is certainly not new—it was originally built in 1929 as a summer retreat for Cunard Steamship executive and financier Delos Cooke and then re-opened after extensive restoration in 1997—but it’s that very Old World ambiance that caught our eye and we’ve been doing you a disservice by not featuring it more often in the pages of Recommend. This Mediterranean villa-style property, managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts, feels like an oasis in the desert with a 250-yearold fountain in a circular porte cochere, Spanish colonial architecture, Become certiﬁed in AZAP, the Arizona Accreditation Program and learn why the Grand Canyon State is your new inspiration. Beneﬁts include: grounds brimming with magenta bougainvillea, lush flower gardens and exotic plants, French doors, ornate antique iron gates, and 119 custom-appointed casitas and guestrooms. “Once you step foot past the front drive,” says Erin Stremcha, the hotel’s director of marketing, “you feel whisked out of Phoenix and the desert atmosphere. Our property is covered in lush gardens, winding cobblestone walkways, original courtyards and beautiful fountains, which make the grounds unparalleled to any other property in Arizona.” And that Mediterranean feel is felt throughout the property with guestrooms and indoor dining areas—including the much-talked-about T Cook’s—designed with rich gold, teal, and burgundy colors. “Much of the architecture has been here,” says Stremcha, “since the original Cooke estate was built in 1929, which gives the property a great history and lots of charm.” That charm is on full display in the accommodations, which include numerous suites and one-of-a-kind villas, as well as the Montavista Collection—with dramatic views of Camelback Mountain—and the Designer and Valencia Casitas. There are 17 Designer Casitas, featuring custom furnishings designed by members of the American Society of Interior Designers, and 29 Valencia Casitas, with wrought-iron fourposter king or queen beds and many with fireplaces. In other words, accommodations here are not cookie-cutter. “Very popular guestrooms for our clients are our casitas,” says Stremcha. “They are private, bungalow-style rooms with their own entrance…very secluded….” But it’s the six Alvadora Spa Terraces that Stremcha can’t say enough good things about. “Those are arguably one of our nicest accommodations,” she gushes. “They are the most Zen/modern looking of our rooms, with dark hardwood floors and light interior colors. They are part of the Montavista Enclave that was built in 2007. They have a living room area with a day bed, flat-screen TV, a large open bathroom with a steam shower and European-style deep-soaking tub…and breathtaking views!” And, of course, the kicker here is that guests of these accommodations can expect in-room spa treatments. Which leads us right to the Alvadora Spa, which opened in 2002 and has won numerous awards since then, including the Forbes Four Star Spa Award (2004-2011). It’s an all-natural spa—no chemicals used— that’s Mediterranean-inspired to fit in with the rest of the property and featuring eight treatment rooms, a Watsu pool, separate men’s and women’s locker rooms and indoor/outdoor relaxation rooms. Stremcha recommends the 90-minute Acqua Dolce Rituals treatment, which includes a full-body aromatherapy scrub, candlelit bath and full-body massage. “It’s one of our most unique and popular treatments,” she says enthusiastically. Lured by the aforementioned amenities as well as more quirky ones like a “Director of Romance” and a “Director of Shopping” (who can plan a shopping day catered to your client’s preferences), it’s not surprising that, as Stremcha points, the hotel’s target clientele is primarily 35 and over. “Royal Palms differentiates itself by always striving to go above and beyond in the areas of customer service,” she stresses. “We realize that our property is beautiful, but it is the personalized service that truly keeps our guests coming back—approximately 30 percent of our guests are repeat.” Rates through April start at $299, and then from May to August start at $109. we recommend... n At Miraval Arizona in Tucson, it’s more than just fab spa treats and 50 february 2011 JOB: AOT_3959_RecommendFEB11 PUBLICATION: Recommend 1/10/11 2:33 PM Print AOT_3959_RecommendFEB11 R2.indd 1 INSERTION: February 2011 SIZE: 3" x 4.875" COLORS: 4C BLEED: No recommend.com http://arizonaguide.com/travel-professionals http://arizonaguide.com/travel-professionals. http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend February 2011

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk
Tour Talk
Crystal Cruises' Serenity
Flights of Fancy With One&Only Cape Town
South African Airways
South Africa Set to Score Big in 2011
Fantastical Fiji
Luxury Lands in Puerto Rico
Grenada
Barbados: High-End, Low-Key
Bermuda Scales Back
Peru is Gaga Over Luxury
Starry Arizona
Acqualina Resort & Spa, Florida
Baden-Baden, Germany
New Choices in Luxury Tweak Mexico's Landscape
Invigorating Girl Escapes

Recommend February 2011