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"We have a marriage proposal here just about every day," said Debora Bridges, the spokesperson for the spectacular Phoenician Hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona. And it's no wonder that people frequently choose some spot here -- usually the five-star signature restaurant, Mary Elaine's-- to pop the question. This 250-acre famous 5-star hotel is just brimming with romantic options for proposals, weddings, honeymoons, and marriage renewals.
Not surprisingly, some of the most romantic spots are connected with food. Besides Mary Elaine's restaurant, the Phoenician has another uber-romantic hideaway, a Renaissance-style dining salon called "The Praying Monk." More about that later.
The Phoenician also arranges intimate outdoor dining trysts at two venues, one at their "Garden Retreats." These are not sandwiches-in-wicker-picnic-basket lunches. You are transported to an idyllic private garden spot to dine on the best of the dishes from their top restaurants, served on the same fine linens, crystal and china.
Similarly, you can also arrange a romantic meal for two right on one of their golf courses, at the "Tee Box Eight." From this elevation-- the highest point of one of their three courses-you'll see a panoramic view of the city and mountains of the Valley of the Sun.
You also get a view of your personal tuxedoed-clad waiter-but you won't get any view of golfers. This program is only available at night (or sunrise), or you'd be ducking to avoid a golf ball whizzing by your head. This is a popular resort for golfers.
You don't have to go up that high, though, to have a romantic view. Almost any place on the grounds is spectacular because the Phoenician is nestled directly under the majestic Camelback Mountain. The claim of many hotels to be at the foot of a mountain is often base-less, but here you often have to twist your head up to see the mountain peaks.
Situated to take advantage of this extraordinary view is the Phoenician's own two-acre Cactus Garden. It contains 350 varieties of multi-colored cacti (no, they're not all green or brown), ranging from a few inches tall to 20 feet high. At night, it's all lit up for unparalleled romance.
The other extraordinarily romantic (OK, sexy) features of the Phoenician are their beds and their tubs. The beds all have those oh-so soft cotton Frette sheets, atop mattresses with special cushioning. You can also arrange for an in-room couples massage on those beds, and then slip into the tub for two in the marble bathrooms.
All rooms are unusually large, with 32-inch TVs, and luxurious touches like Frette bathrobes and all-wool Berber carpets. They also have super-sized Italian marble bathrooms with double vanities, along with those romantic oversized tubs for two.
The Phoenician has three 9-hole golf courses on 150 acres of fairways that are so green, you'll think that you're in Ireland. They also have 12 tennis courts in the secluded tennis garden, eleven lighted for night play on four different types of playing surfaces.
There are nine swimming pools (including a separate one for children). One has a bottom made from mother of pearl! That's impressive, but what I liked best here is just one of the touches that rightly made this resort Number 5 for the Best North American Resorts in Conde Nast Traveler. Surrounding the pools are wooden chaises covered with comfortable thick pads you can sink into, not those crummy uncomfortable plastic chairs so many hotels now buy to save money.
There's also a 165-foot water slide and a fountain-studded "Desert Spa" whirlpool with four cross-shaped cut-outs. There, you can have privacy in the corners, away from the other guests in the whirlpool. Speaking of spas, the Phoenician's "Centre for Well-Being" has several outstanding features. But what I liked best was the stunning and extraordinarily relaxing Meditation Atrium, where two can quietly find peace together.
For the more active, there's also a manicured croquet court, a basketball half court, lawn bowling, and specialized tours, such as art, or stargazing at Arizona's shimmering night sky.
THE PHOENICIAN
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