Starwood Preferred Guest - The Phoenician vs. Fairmont Scottsdale

I'm sending my wife on a spa trip to Arizona in September, and am currently holding reservations at the Phoenician.

I've scanned the previous postings re the Phoenician, but was curious if anyone could compare it to the other property I am considering: the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. I'm looking for quality of overall service & facilties, not SPG recognition/upgrades. Opinions/comments appreciated.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by artiem:
I'm looking for quality of overall service & facilties, not SPG recognition/upgrades. Opinions/comments appreciated.</font>

While I've not stayed overnight at both hotels, I have visited both hotels several times.

While both hotels are good, and certainly are not "dumps," I would favor the Phoenician as it has a more interesting resort layout which overlooks the Valley of the Sun (being situated on a hillside), while the Fairmont is on flat ground.

For those who like to dress up, I've seen more tuxedos in the Phoenician's lobby (on a non special event basis) than any other hotel in the area.

Rooms at the Phoenician are large, perhaps some of the largest in the area.

To my mind, the Phoenician is a bit more upscale than the Fairmont.

HTH.

I just completed a 5-night stay at the Phoenician. I have visited the Princess, but have not stayed there. As Globehopper mentions, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is located on flat land in the middle of sprawling Scottsdale. I too feel the location of the Phoenician on the side of Camelback Mountain is much better.

I stayed at the Phoenician with my girlfriend who is not a fan of large impersonal resorts. For example, we stayed at the Westin in Rancho Mirage last year and checked out after one night to move to a wonderful Inn in old Palm Springs. Needless to say, my girlfriend enjoyed her stay at the Phoenician very much. The property is expansive with its own golf coarse, a wonderful cactus garden with over 350 types of cactus, 9 swimming pools, croquet, lawn bowling, putting green, tennis, and The Center for Well being, the resort’s spa. Landscaping is of very high quality, there are two great outdoor spas, and you can also rent poolside cabanas if that’s your thing.

There are three general areas in the resort for accommodation. The main resort building, the “casitas” which are spread around the lake, and the Canyon Building which has it’s own pool and is nestled up against the mountain.

The pools were never too crowded and if you went to the pools in the morning or around 6:00 pm you literally had them to yourself.

The rooms are of high quality with Italian linens and bathrobes, Marble bathrooms with separate marble shower. I was fortunate to be upgraded to a suite that had a 30’ by 8’ balcony, Bose Stereo system, dinning table, and spacious extra ½ bath.

My girlfriend took advantage of two Spa treatments and felt the quality of the service was exceptional. I did not eat at any of the hotel restaurants, but did have room service breakfast a couple of times. The French toast with cherries and pine nuts is delicious! The signature restaurant at the hotel is a 5 diamond 5 start affair and the “menu” is $120 + $55 for paired wine with each course.

I think that the quality of the hotels is roughly the same although they are very different types of hotels.

The Phoenician is glitzier, the Fairmont is quieter. The Phoenician is closer to everything The Fairmont is more removed. Both have excellent pools and golfing. They both have pretty good restaurants on-property, but at the Phoenician you are much more convenient to other restaurants as well.

I just returned from spending time at the Phoenician this week and have to say (with a letter being faxed to SPG in the morning!) that this is one of the BEST hotel stays I have ever experienced! The property is gorgeous (I would strongly recommend staying in a casita if you're not there for business - they are very nice and away from the main hotel - actually, after check-in, the only other time I went to the lobby was to check-out!).

What makes this place so extraordinary though was the staff. I was VERY impressed. It seemed as though if you asked the response was immediately met. Although I was a bit disappointed with the spa services (although the spa itself is gorgeous and the locker room is nice as well), I would say that the spa was the only thing I wasn't thrilled with. Everything and everyone else was just wonderful in all ways. Graciousness, promptness, attentiveness (after just getting one iced tea, the waitress at the pool remembered my name the next time she brought me an iced tea!), friendliness, and professionalism at the highest level. I think this staff should be training everyone at all SPG properties, airlines, rental cars, etc.! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif This was a wonderful vacation - I would HIGHLY recommend this property. I think it should be the standard for ALL travel! (Hmm. . .wouldn't that be nice!?). Can you tell I really like this property? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

FYI

AD in todays Arizona Republic 129USD a nite

You can also get $107.50 with an SPG 50% off award. One of the rare places these come in handy.