Elite Traveler

The Suite

Set within the natural splendor of the Sonoran Desert – and fresh from a recent extensive renovation – the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa is an expansive oasis you won’t want to leave.

And to be perfectly honest, you really don't have to. There is zero chance of boredom at this all singing, all dancing 316-acre luxury resort.

Activities wise, there are five pools (including one with waterslides for the kids and one with luxury cabanas for the adults), 17 pickleball courts and two Arnold Palmer designed 18-hole golf courses complete with PGA professional tuition.

Relaxation is made easy at the hotel’s Revive Spa, home to an expansive day spa with a state-of-the-art gym and an array of nurturing treatments (we especially like the healing Turquoise Ritual.)

At mealtimes you are spoiled for choice with the hotel’s six restaurants, including its newest addition Tia Carmen by famed chef Angelo Sosa.

The newly transformed Presidential Suite is a model of contemporary elegance boasting 2,240 sq ft of living space. Inspired by its lush desert surroundings and decorated in serene natural tones, the suite features a king-sized bedroom with balcony and bathroom with double vanity and freestanding tub with spray jets.

There’s also a study and a separate dining room that will comfortably accommodate six guests. The sumptuous living room with a fireplace provides room for the whole family.

Guests of the Presidential Suite will also enjoy access to the hotel’s exclusive JW Griffin Club featuring a dedicated concierge and an array of culinary offers including a full breakfast with Mimosas and Bloody Marys and evening cocktails.

The Hotel

Nestled in the heart of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, this tranquil resort is the perfect setting to escape the stresses of everyday life. There are plenty of places to cool off from the scorching sun; the hotel is home to an expansive water park with three multi-story slides and an exclusive adults-only pool dotted with cabanas. JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa also features a tranquil spa, fitness center, 17 pickleball courts and two pristinely manicured 18-hole golf courses. The resort runs an array of family-friendly activities from hummingbird feeding and scavenger hunts to flower pressing classes and tennis lessons.

When it comes to dining, chef Angelo Sosa showcases inventive Southwestern flavors at his award-winning eatery, Tia Carmen, and has recently opened a new signature restaurant, Kembara, with a menu celebrating Asian street food culture. Rooms are pared-back and luxurious; many have private balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping mountain views.