iStock International
Like its namesake – the mythological bird that rises from its own ashes – the Greater Phoenix area rose from a Wild West cow town into the fifth largest city in the country. Today Phoenix and its tony neighbor, Scottsdale, are one of America’s most popular spa, golf, and shopping destinations, attracting more than 13 million visitors annually. Both cities are undergoing a renaissance of sorts. Downtown Phoenix is going through a revitalization intended to make the urban core a place where people live, work, and relax. New construction is everywhere, and a (limited) light rail system debuted in December 2008. Old Town Scottsdale is quickly shedding its Old West theme in exchange for a hip concentration of nightclubs, restaurants, boutiques, hotels, and loft living.
Because you can always bet on great golf, indulgent spas, and lots of sunshine.
$179/nt+: Posh Phoenix resort w/two free massages JW Marriott Desert Ridge
Up to $400 resort credit: Luxury US hotel stays Waldorf Astoria/Conrad Collection
$139/nt+: 5-star Fairmont Scottsdale Expedia
$89/nt+: 3-star Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort Expedia
$99/nt+: 4-star Arizona Grand Resort - formerly Pointe South Mountain Expedia
$129+: Discount flights to Phoenix (round-trip) Travelocity
