Far from being a mere desert flyover state, the best resorts in Arizona have cemented it as something of a wellness mecca in the last decade, with world-class spa menus, organic farm fresh cuisine, unparalleled mountain biking tours, and postcard-worthy hikes through carmine-tinted sandstone. It’s a place for luxurious, all-inclusive retreats, equestrian adventures, and, yes, many championship golf courses.
Whether you’re heading to the Grand Canyon State for a bit of old-fashioned Sedona mysticism, a yoga-centric digital detox, or simply a rollicking pool scene with an expertly crafted cocktail program, we’ve got the skinny on the best resorts in the business. Read on for our top picks, from Ayurvedic spa escapes to dreamy adobe cottages. Read on to learn about the 11 best resorts in Arizona.
Castle Hot Springs
The vibe: Elegant all-inclusive miles from civilization
Bed & bath: Varies by accommodation
Top amenities: Natural hot springs, included farm-to-fork cuisine, private soaking tubs, on-site via ferrata
Best for: Relaxing couples’ spa getaways
The word “spa” is an acronym for the Latin phrase sanus per aquam, or “healing through water,” and it’s hard to imagine a place that embodies that ethos more than Castle Hot Springs. Situated at the end of a dirt road, surrounded by cacti and boulder-strewn peaks, the resort is a hidden oasis full of five-star food, service, and amenities. Accommodations here are mostly studio-style bungalows, complete with fireplaces, indoor and outdoor soaking tubs, private patios, and spa-inspired bathrooms. Though it can be tempting to hole up in your cozy casita for the entirety of your stay, we recommend venturing out for a few of the resort’s bespoke activities, like guided on-site farm tours, yoga and meditation classes, and, of course, taking a dip in the wild mineral hot springs.
L’Auberge de Sedona
The vibe: East coast chic meets Sedona’s wellness culture
Bed & bath: Varies by accommodation (most are 1 bed, 1 bath)
Top amenities: World class spa, on-site fine dining, private decks, fireplaces
Best for: Meditative spa retreats or romantic weekends in Sedona
L’Auberge de Sedona somehow manages to capture the chakra-balancing healer culture that Sedona is so known for and distill it into a luxurious five-star escape with so much on-site that visitors might not ever want to leave. Sip coffee on your own private veranda while listening to the meditative burbling of Oak Creek, treat yourself to a desert flower massage, complete with calendula and jojoba oils, meander between koi ponds under the shade of verdant sycamore trees, then cap it all off with a plate of Moroccan Spiced Hamachi at Cress, the property’s delectable creekside restaurant.
Four Seasons Scottsdale
The vibe: Upscale adobe casitas given the famous Four Seasons treatment
Bed & bath: Varies by accommodation (1-3 bedrooms available)
Top amenities: Shuttles to championship golf courses, luxe on-site spa, private terraces, gas-burning kiva fireplaces
Best for: Couples or groups of friends with diverging retreat goals (spa for her, golf for him)
In true Four Seasons style, each of the meticulously designed casitas at this Scottsdale resort is lavishly equipped with locally inspired artwork, comfy seating areas, plush bedding (one king or two doubles), and private outdoor living areas. Pair that with the hotel’s unique add-ons (think sunrise hot air balloon rides, private hikes with picnic lunches, and shuttles to two championship golf courses) and sumptuous spa, and you’ve got a perfect excuse for adventurous girls’ weekend or splurge-y couples’ getaway. Pro tip: book their one-of-a-kind Golfer’s Massage for targeted post-course stretching and therapeutic hot stone techniques using warmed golf balls.
Enchantment Resort
The vibe: Poolside lounging in a striking red rock canyon
Bed & bath: Varies by accommodation
Top amenities: Majestic pool views, tennis court, adventure concierge, on-site spa, wellness program
Best for: Hip couples and groups of friends looking to soak up Sedona’s nature in style
With jaw-dropping sandstone outcroppings surrounding the hotel, colorful Southwestern textiles adorning every room, and a first-class on-site spa and wellbeing space (Mii amo), Enchantment Resort is a definitive example of Sedona’s iconic nature-meets-New Age aesthetic. From the pool, to the tennis court, to the private verandas off each guest room, travelers here are treated to panoramic views of Boynton Canyon’s tree-speckled crimson cliffs. After a day of guided Grand Canyon hiking or dusty Sedona mountain biking (the resort’s Trail House boutique is your hub for all things adventure), kick back with a Fire Flower margarita and some venison mole while the sun sets over Che Ah Chi, the resort’s signature restaurant.
The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain
The vibe: Elevated desert enclave
Bed & bath: Varies by accommodation
Top amenities: Deep marble soaking tubs, mountain views, golf course, three pool areas
Best for: Golf phenoms and spa-seeking families
Whether you’re looking to explore Saguaro National Park, hit a few balls at one of Tucson’s infamous golf courses, or spend a full day unwinding by the pool and at the spa, the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain is sure to please even the choosiest traveler in your crew. Situated amidst the secluded Tortolita Mountains, this five-star hotel is elegance made manifest, from its 400-thread-count Frette linens, to its Asprey bath products, Nespresso machines, and signature terrycloth robes. Kids will fall for the ranger-led petroglyph hikes and 235-foot pool slide, while grown-ups can get their crystal healing on at the property’s 17,000-square-foot spa and fitness center.
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort and Spa
The vibe: High desert spa minimalism enveloped in craggy, arid peaks
Bed & bath: Varies by accommodation
Top amenities: Award-winning spa, accessible casitas, pet-friendly, phenomenal mountain views
Best for: Romantic spa-cations, escaping the stress of the city
At Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort and Spa, a luxurious wellness resort set on 53 acres of pristine Arizona desert, the Sanctuary Spa reigns supreme. With its 12 indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, Zen meditation garden, co-ed quiet area, and extensive menu of exotic services (think Sumatran coconut body rituals, relaxing Reiki massages, and muscle-balancing acupuncture sessions), this award-winning wellness mecca is a huge draw for visitors across the country. Sure, the hotel’s spacious casitas, desert vistas, and mixologist-crafted cocktails are noteworthy features, but at Sanctuary, serenity and rejuvenation are serious business.
Canyon Ranch
The vibe: Elevated fitness and mindfulness retreat with mind-blowing spa options
Bed & bath: Varies by accommodation (most are 1 bedroom, 1 bath)
Top amenities: Extensive daily class schedule, on-site wellness specialists and experts
Best for: City dwellers who need a serious reboot
Canyon Ranch’s Tucson location is part transformative fitness retreat, part spa vacay, all gorgeous desert hideout. This wellness center is nestled in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains and is centered around several expert-curated programs (including sessions on personal discovery, outdoor escape, and reconnecting with joy). Apart from the resort’s upscale Sonoran desert-inspired rooms, featuring luxe Mascioni Italian linens, iPhone docking stations, and stunning natural light, Canyon Ranch is home to an Eden of spa treatments, from detoxifying sea salt and algae baths to aromatherapy scalp massages and toxin-lifting mud cocoons.
Civana Wellness Resort & Spa
The vibe: Fabulous spa menu for a meditative wellness-focused retreat
Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Top amenities: Private patios, massive soaking tubs, included fitness and yoga classes, unparalleled spa menu
Best for: Soulful wanderers seeking serenity and spa
It’s hard not to be wowed by nearly everything at Civana Wellness Resort & Spa. From its locally sourced seasonal cuisine, to its airy Zen guest rooms and inspired spa menu (think sound healing, Sonoran rain dances, and marine superfoods wraps), it’s a veritable haven for balance seekers of all sorts. The best part? Civana makes it a cinch to stack (or space out) your stay however you like, whether it’s by taking advantage of their class schedule which offers Kriya breathwork and walking meditations or kicking back in a plush bathrobe on your private patio overlooking the Continental Mountains.
The Canyon Suites at the Phoenician
The vibe: Plush executive suites with a hint of Moroccan poolside flair
Bed & bath: Varies by accommodation
Top amenities: Epic poolside views, on-site golf club, Luxury Collection bedding, and a myriad of on-site dining options
Best for: Fine diners who want to golf and lounge in gorgeous Scottsdale
A state-of-the-art fitness center, rejuvenating spa, colorful pool scene, and 18-hole golf course combine to make the Canyon Suites at the Phoenician an unforgettable Scottsdale stay. As the only AAA Five Diamond hotel in the Phoenix area, rooms here are tasteful, if a bit simple, but the on-site amenities truly make this hotel shine. Practice your putting at the property’s par 71 course, then jet off to a moisturizing facial or exfoliating body scrub. No matter how you spend your day, you’ll be well fed by the end of it–from the rooftop J&G Steakhouse to the modern American fare at Mowry & Cotton, there’s no shortage of excellent dining.
The Wilde Resort and Spa
The vibe: Quirky decor, chef-driven dining hub
Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Top amenities: Hip on-site restaurant, fitness studio, outdoor yoga, pet-friendly, rooftop views
Best for: Younger couples and friends seeking a budget-friendly (but still fab) Sedona spa sanctuary
You don’t have to spend a thousand dollars a night to indulge in all the yoga, hiking, restaurants, and wellness rituals Sedona has to offer, and the Wilde Resort and Spa is proof of that. With haute holistic treatments—palo santo-infused massages, Japanese bathing treatments, and stimulating cupping sessions—and a stellar poolside scene (try their Pink Javelina cocktail), it’s a newer resort that holds its own against established desert haunts. When it’s time to catch some Zs, you’ll do so in plush bedding with a backdrop of towering red rock formations.
Miraval Arizona
The vibe: Spiritual minimalism meets swoon-worthy Sonoran desert scenery
Bed & bath: Varies by accommodation
Top amenities: Equine program, Ayurvedic-focused spa
Best for: Digital detoxes, new beginnings, spiritual spa stays
Bright whites, contemporary furnishings, and exposed wood beams blend perfectly at this luxe oasis overlooking the arid Santa Catalina Mountains. Mindful living is front-and-center here, which is why every stay includes a $175 nightly resort credit to be applied to lavish spa treatments (like weightless Vasudhara bodywork and Ayurvedic warm herbal oil massage), equine therapy, or fun extras like archery and aerial yoga. But Miraval’s notable amenities don’t stop there. Savor healthy farm-to-table food at the newly-renovated Cactus Flower restaurant, then hit the hay in Miraval’s signature bedding overlooking cacti and creosote from your room’s private patio.
Tanque Verde Ranch
The vibe: Historic dude ranch-turned-opulent desert getaway on 60,000 acres
Bed & bath: Varies by accommodation
Top amenities: All-inclusive horseback packages, kids program, private fireplaces, Rincon Mountains views
Best for: Team building adults and families with equine-loving kids
With a whopping 60,000 acres of Tucson desert landscape for guests to explore (an area that rivals many national parks), Tanque Verde Ranch is a wonderland for adventure lovers who want a Wild West escape without bedding down in a drafty tent after supper. A series of pink adobe casitas adorns the ocotillo-studded hillsides, furnished with comfy seating areas, geometric curtains, mini fridges, coffee makers, and kiva-style fireplaces for when guests aren’t taking the reins. If you don’t fancy yourself a cowboy, don’t worry; Tanque Verde offers a whole host of lively activities, from guided mountain biking trips to hikes in Saguaro National Park. Wind down with a prickly pear margarita and a dreamy sunset vista.