Travel Itinerary
Arizona and Nevada prove that deserts are anything but barren.
Their resorts rise from the sand like modern-day palaces, offering sweeping views, gourmet dining, and unique amenities that turn an ordinary trip into an extraordinary escape.
Guests can wander cactus trails in the morning, sip cocktails by the pool at dusk, and fall asleep under skies ablaze with constellations. It’s a blend of wild beauty and crafted luxury that only the Southwest can deliver.
16. Castle Hot Springs
Tucked away in Arizona’s Bradshaw Mountains, this historic gem offers natural thermal pools flowing with mineral-rich water. The resort dates back to 1896 and has hosted celebrities and presidents seeking healing waters.
Farm-to-table dining features ingredients grown on-site, while digital detox is practically guaranteed – there’s no TV in sight!
15. Sanctuary Camelback Mountain
Perched high on Paradise Valley’s iconic mountain, a boutique retreat feels far removed from the bustle of nearby Phoenix, with desert air carrying a hint of sage and warm stone.
Floor-to-ceiling windows open to sweeping vistas that paint every casita and suite in golden light, creating a stay that feels both sleek and soulful.
Food lovers gather at elements restaurant, where celebrity chef Beau MacMillan crafts seasonal dishes that smell as enticing as they taste. Come sunset, cocktails on the patio glow in amber light, a moment so magical it lingers like the desert breeze.
14. Enchantment Resort
Nestled within Sedona’s crimson-walled Boynton Canyon, this resort practically disappears into its surroundings. Adobe-style casitas blend seamlessly with the legendary red rocks that tower overhead.
Hiking trails begin right at your doorstep!
The on-site Trail House offers guided adventures, while neighboring Mii amo spa provides indigenous-inspired treatments that honor the sacred landscape.
13. Boulders Resort & Spa
Ancient granite formations rise like a prehistoric playground in Scottsdale, their sun-warmed surfaces carrying the dry, mineral scent of the desert.
Some boulders date back nearly 12 million years – talk about aging gracefully into perfection. Casitas appear to spring straight from the rugged landscape, blending stone and adobe into natural harmony.
Out on two championship courses, golfers chase balls between towering saguaros, while inside the sprawling spa, wellness seekers surrender to desert-inspired treatments infused with calming botanicals and the soothing hush of mountain air.
12. The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
Where luxury meets Wild West adventure! This Tucson-area retreat sits within the Tortolita Mountain foothills, surrounded by ancient petroglyphs and towering saguaros.
Kiddos squeal with delight zooming down the 235-foot waterslide. Meanwhile, adults can sip prickly pear margaritas poolside or tee off on Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses that respect the native landscape.
11. Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa
Mindfulness sets the tone at a Tucson wellness sanctuary where cell phones get politely tucked away, leaving the air free of buzzing notifications and full of desert quiet.
Guests instead connect with nature, their inner rhythm, and even gentle horses during soul-stirring equine therapy sessions. All-inclusive offerings flow from guided meditation to the earthy scent of fresh honey in hands-on beekeeping.
10. Canyon Ranch Tucson
Health revolution pioneers created this legendary wellness oasis where medical science meets holistic practices. Nestled in the Sonoran Desert, it’s where CEOs and celebrities come to reset.
Personalized programs might include metabolic testing, spiritual counsel, or rock climbing. The food? Surprisingly delicious despite being ridiculously healthy! Even cooking classes teach you to recreate the magic at home.
9. ADERO Scottsdale
Stargazers, rejoice! A mountaintop retreat shines from one of only 20 certified Dark Sky Communities in America, where crisp desert air carries the faint scent of sage as the heavens unfurl overhead.
Once night falls, constellations sparkle without need for a telescope – though telescopes wait for those who want an even closer look. Each room offers a balcony made for planet-spotting, the Milky Way arching like a luminous ribbon across the sky.
8. Wynn Las Vegas
Vegas glitz meets genuine sophistication at this Strip showstopper. Founder Steve Wynn’s obsession with perfection shows in every detail – from fresh floral displays to the meticulously manicured golf course.
Floor-to-ceiling windows in every room frame the neon cityscape. Hungry? Choose from Michelin-starred dining or casual cafés. Shopaholics can browse Chanel and Louis Vuitton without leaving the property.
7. Bellagio Las Vegas
Those dancing fountains you’ve seen in movies? They’re even more spectacular in person! This Italian-inspired landmark defines Vegas elegance with its Mediterranean-blue lake and choreographed water shows.
Inside, the Conservatory transforms seasonally with elaborate flower displays using thousands of blooms. Art lovers can view original Picassos while sampling handmade chocolates. How’s that for sensory overload?
6. The Venetian Resort
Venice, Italy collides with Nevada desert in a fantasy resort where gondoliers sing as they guide boats along indoor canals, the air filled with echoes of song and the faint scent of polished wood.
Overhead, a painted sky drifts from soft dawn light to golden dusk, tricking the senses into believing time itself bends indoors. Every guest checks into an all-suite accommodation, so even standard rooms feel palatial with their plush textures and sweeping views.
5. ARIA Resort & Casino
High-tech luxury defines this sleek Strip standout where rooms respond to your preferences. Curtains open automatically at your chosen wake-up time, revealing floor-to-ceiling views of Vegas’s glittering landscape.
Art installations worth millions adorn public spaces. Foodies celebrate the restaurant collection featuring celebrity chefs. Environmentalists appreciate the LEED Gold certification – proving sustainability can be sexy!
4. The Cosmopolitan
Hip, sassy, and slightly rebellious – this Strip hotspot attracts a younger crowd seeking Instagram-worthy moments. Those rare private terraces overlooking the Bellagio fountains? Pure social media gold!
Chandelier Bar dazzles with its three-story crystal curtain where mixologists craft specialty cocktails. Secret pizza serves late-night slices down an unmarked hallway. The pool transforms into an ice rink during winter months!
3. Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas
Serenity finds a home right on the Las Vegas Strip, where a non-gaming sanctuary rises above the casino frenzy and greets guests with calm sophistication. A sky lobby perched on the 23rd floor offers sweeping panoramas before check-in even begins, desert light pouring through vast windows.
Tea enthusiasts linger over an afternoon ritual of fragrant hand-selected leaves and delicate pastries, filling the air with soothing aromas.
Downstairs, the spa blends Chinese medicine principles into treatments that restore balance with herbal notes and tranquil silence.
2. Red Rock Casino Resort
Adventure seekers love this west-side escape just minutes from crimson cliffs and hiking trails. Morning rock climbing followed by afternoon poolside relaxation? Yes, please!
Kids go wild for the massive arcade and bowling alley. Parents appreciate family-friendly dining options alongside sophisticated restaurants. The Strip’s energy remains accessible – just far enough away for peaceful desert nights under star-filled skies.
1. The Westin Lake Las Vegas
Morocco meets the Mojave at this Mediterranean-inspired lakeside escape. Located 30 minutes from Strip chaos, it feels worlds away with its peaceful waterfront setting and palm-lined pools.
Water babies thrive here! Kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming in the massive lake provide cooling relief from desert heat. Evenings bring firepits under starry skies and surprisingly good stargazing despite proximity to Vegas lights.