The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale

Hello Fellow Travelers, I just did a Spa Stay Over to do a "me" day which was well needed and hard worked for; however, it ended with billing frustration. The room and spa was excellent. The billing was incorrect in many ways. First, I had to ask for receipts and an itemized bill for both the hotel and spa. Travelers I cannot stress enough how important this is as there a mistake on both billings. I was double charged and their J&G Steak House and the spa did not credit my gift certificate. If I didn't keep recepts or request a itemized billing, this might have been overlooked. I am now in contact with customer service to get this corrected and will let you know if it is handled as quickly as they took my money. Bottom line, be aware and take receipts and ask for the itemized billing. this is something you would never expect for a 5 Star Resort. Rose

The Phoenician Resort is undeniably stunning, from the breathtaking mountain views near our hotel room to the beautifully landscaped grounds, multiple pool options, and towering palm trees that truly make the resort feel like a desert oasis. However, while the scenery impressed us, several aspects of our stay fell short, especially when compared to other top resorts in the Phoenix area. Dining & Amenities: One major concern was the limited dining hours. Most on-site restaurants closed by 5:00 PM, with The Tavern being the only option open until 8:00 PM. As out-of-town guests, this left us with little choice in the evenings aside from room service or ordering out. We expected more flexibility and variety in a luxury resort. Shops & Pool Experience: All shops on the property also closed early at 5:00 PM, and pool amenities, including the water slide, music, bar, and even the water fountains, were shut down around the same time. This was disappointing, as the pool is typically a hub of activity and relaxation, especially in the summer. Children's Activities: We were especially let down by the Funicians Kids Club, which was never open during our stay. This was a major reason we selected the Phoenician, and our children were incredibly disappointed by its unavailability. Summer Activities: We appreciated the advertised “Legendary Summers” theme, but there were no events scheduled during the weekdays only on the weekends. Other Phoenix-area resorts we’ve visited provide daily family-friendly activities all summer long, so the lack of weekday activities was a letdown. Overall, while the resort is visually impressive and offers a serene setting, we felt the guest experience didn’t fully match the high rating and reputation. With a few key improvements especially around extended hours, family activities, and consistent activites the Phoenician could offer a truly legendary experience to match its branding.

Nice 5 days at the Phoenician first week of June, fun, clean, great service and quiet during our time there. Tried most restaurants and all were great for service and food. Joe and Sara by the pool,kept us happy and cool, as well as giving some great local stops!

My husband sent myself and our two teenage daughters for a four night stay at this resort. We had visited before but it had been 18 years. Pros: beautiful resort, really good food, comfy beds , easy access from airport , clean, really nice fitness center , bike rentals Cons: service , service , service Our first day at the resort was the Sunday prior to Memorial Day . Yikes. They were not prepared . No towels , not enough staff, the wait for food was crazy, and I can’t tell you how many times I had to track down our server to order drinks. And even when I did the order came out wrong. Even my bill was incorrect. Yes, I spoke with a “pool captain” as well as a manager when he was able to make time for me. Absolutely no help. I don’t do well with blaming the 60 year old server who is new. If he’s new and overwhelmed then do better , help him. Interestingly, the men seated next to us even commented how the server kept basically ignoring us while their drinks were plentiful …… guess I should have brought my husband? The next few days were definitely better as the crowds were minimized . But even then ….. I opened my own umbrella , my kids filled the water pitcher, just not what I expected or remembered from this resort. Upon checkout the front desk attendant asked how everything was with the stay . I was honest and said great except Sunday was really bad at the pool. “Oh I’m sorry to hear that.” That’s it. Nothing else. I think that kind of speaks for itself. Scottsdale is great and can’t wait to go back - but will be staying at the Fairmont next time. We did have a few employees who were very friendly and helpful and what you would expect from this level of hotel. Steve at the fitness center and our pool waiter, Raymond . Also the ladies who run the marketplace shop - all very friendly and accommodating every morning we visited!

This place is a campus. The grounds and location present a “wow” factor and the Old World glamorous rep of this place proceeds itself so one has an expectation that it’s going to be special experience. Sadly, it is not. The resort is owned by Marriott and so it is mainstream or standard in many ways. I’d say The Spa, Fitness, golf and tennis facilities are extensive and the multiple pool options are as well providing a lot of sport variety. The resort is located at the base of Camelback Mountain so if one wants to hike the iconic mountain and tackle their challenging trails it is easy to access and there is a guided hike offered by the resort as part of resort off site activities. Where the resort falls short of 5 stars is on service - it’s a disappointment. For starters, our room was never made up. My husband and I were out at 7:15am and I came back at 5:10pm to find the room never made up. I was shocked. When I tried to call housekeeping and the front desk it rang and I sat on hold for several minutes. So I have yet to make contact with a manager. I must say the staff at the Spa is very attentive and accommodating and the menu there is lovely. However I’d suggest as a spa listing calorie and nutritional content with the menu - a pretty regular practice at most spas. The hotel itself is sprawling and rooms look as if they have been updated.