Arizona’s International Spring Escapes
Writer Shannon Severson
As winter fades and spring fever sets in, the urge to escape to exotic destinations grows stronger. But what if you could experience the passion of Paris, the allure of Andalusia or the magic of the Mediterranean without leaving Arizona?
In a world where time is precious and budgets can be tight, an enchanting escape may be closer than you think. Nestled throughout the Valley are hidden gems that serve as portals to far-off lands, where exquisite design, culinary artistry and indulgent spa experiences converge to transport visitors on a sensory journey across the globe.
From the moment you cross these thresholds, prepare to be swept away by sights, sounds, scents, tastes and textures that defy geographical boundaries. These Arizona resorts offer more than just a change of scenery — they provide a passport to adventure, renewal and cultural exploration, all within reach of home.
This spring, Images Arizona invites you to explore four local resorts that promise international flair without the jet lag. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or a full spring break adventure, discover how the most extraordinary global experiences can unfold right in your own backyard.
The Global Ambassador
The Global Ambassador is one of the newest — and buzziest — hotspots in the Valley, offering a perfect spring escape to Europe without leaving Phoenix. Its European architectural and design style leans heavily toward the great buildings in Paris, with an exterior that hints at Haussmann-style architecture. The clubby interior’s wood-paneled walls and pressed-tin ceilings are punctuated with chic, modern furnishings, shades of olive green and brass accents.
While the ambiance evokes Parisian charm, the guest experience spans the globe, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the cultures of the Mediterranean, Mexico and Peru without ever leaving the property. As temperatures warm and spring breezes blow, the resort comes alive with international flair.
“The intention, from design to cuisine, was to deliver an experience that’s not necessarily Arizona-based,” says Geoff Gray, the hotel’s managing director.
Inside, one of the hotel’s signature restaurants is the moody and romantic Le Âme, a chic Parisian steakhouse that marries European flavors with developer Sam Fox’s vision for bringing consistently palate-pleasing restaurants to life. An ideal spot for a sophisticated evening, the eatery prides itself on its wine and cocktail offerings and was recently recognized as a 2024 Restaurant Award winner by Wine Spectator.
At the more casual Le Market, a French bakery and bistro with cane-back chairs reminiscent of famous Parisian street cafes, guests can enjoy flaky pastries and coffee along with daily breakfast and lunch. The sun-drenched patio offers a perfect setting for a leisurely spring morning.
Visitors can lounge by the ground-floor pool deck, a vibrant space that transports them south of the border with its playful, classic beach club atmosphere. As spring temperatures rise, the adjacent Pink Dolphin restaurant offers a taste of Peru and Mexico with its menu of ceviche and mariscos.
The spectacular, partially glass-enclosed 20,000-square-foot rooftop — the largest of its kind in the state — is adorned with olive trees and convivial open-air bars. Here, you set foot in the Mediterranean at Thea Restaurant.
Thea offers a Mediterranean escape with its menu of meze specialties, including Spanish crispy octopus, spiced beef-filled manti dumplings and flaming saganaki. The restaurant’s accolades, including recognition from Wine Spectator, ensure a world-class dining experience.
The rooftop comes alive in the spring air with sweeping views of Camelback Mountain and the city lights. Weekend evenings bring a lively atmosphere reminiscent of Mediterranean hotspots like Ibiza and Mallorca, creating an energetic scene perfect for spring revelry.
Gray says the hotel has a steadily loyal customer base that enjoys staycation deals, special spa offerings and the award-winning restaurants. The hotel’s new culinary program, featuring collaborations with celebrated chefs, adds another dimension to this internationally inspired escape.
Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia
The Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia offers an immersive taste of Andalusian culture. This luxurious retreat transports guests to the sun-drenched streets of Spain, particularly enchanting as spring temperatures mirror those of Southern Spain.
According to Garnet Encinas, the resort’s marketing manager, the owner who took over in 2004 traveled through Spain and Morocco to collect more than 200 artifacts that would go on to create an authentic environment in the desert.
Visitors can immerse themselves in centuries of Andalusian history and culture from the moment they approach on the grand drive where 18th-century palace doors from Córdoba in southern Spain become a portal to the country.
“I like to tell people that everything has symbolism and meaning,” Encinas explains. “Our goal was to bring Spain to the Sonoran Desert, offering guests the experience of travel without a passport.”
These pieces of history clothe the resort from head to toe, giving guests the feeling of meandering through traditional plazas and walkways, such as the Alhambra walkway that recalls Granada, Spain’s Generalife Gardens. Spring brings these gardens to life with blooming flowers and fragrant citrus trees, creating an authentic Spanish atmosphere.
Guests can sample mesquite wood-fired tapas and a selection of sangria, cocktails and wine at M Bar and Prado. For a more formal experience and a culinary tour of Spain with a sprinkling of Sonoran influences, Prado Restaurant is an award-winning gem, celebrated for its authentic Spanish cuisine.
“We want to create a fusion of Sonoran Desert and Spain,” Encinas explains. “We use local ingredients like prickly pear and mesquite wood for the grill. Our executive chef is Herve Cuyeu, originally from Bordeaux, France. He grew up cooking Atlantic coastal dishes, and he loves cooking seafood because of its delicate nature, which takes a lot of patience.”
The resort offers enchanting evening experiences that capture the essence of Spanish culture. On Thursdays, passionate flamenco dancers captivate guests with their performances. Fridays bring the resort’s “Sunset Tradition,” where guests gather on the Casbah patio to sip sangria, listen to a special poem and toss coins into the “wishing fountain” for good fortune. As the sun sets, flamenco dancers sway to the strumming of Spanish guitars, creating a magical springtime ambiance.
These transportive moments put needed distance between our busy world and the slower-paced life in sunny Andalusia. For ultimate relaxation, the Joya Spa’s signature hammam treatment is the only one of its kind in Arizona, offering an authentic Moroccan bathing ritual that provides a refreshing spring renewal.
Royal Palms
The historic soul and grounds of Royal Palms Resort and Spa are a trip in time as well as place. The original Spanish Colonial Revival-style villa was built in 1926 by New York financier and steamship magnate Delos Willard Cooke.
Finished in 1929, the estate was christened “El Vernadero,” meaning “winter haven.” The original hacienda featured a courtyard fountain, covered walkways and interiors adorned with antiques from the Cookes’ travels. The grounds boasted rare plant species and 900 majestic palm trees.
Over the years, the property changed hands, was altered and expanded and ultimately began hosting guests as the Royal Palms Inn on Feb. 1, 1948.
Today, guests can embark on a Mediterranean-inspired spring getaway, wandering along bougainvillea-draped walkways and gardens bursting with seasonal color. They can indulge in the same luxury once enjoyed by Hollywood icons while staying in one of 119 casitas, estate rooms or villas. Whether cooling off in the pool, savoring a meal at the elegant T. Cook’s or unwinding with treatments at the Forbes Four-Star-rated Alvadora Spa, the resort offers a perfect blend of historic charm and modern luxury.
T. Cook’s, named for the original owner, offers a fusion of Mediterranean specialties. The restaurant’s vaulted ceilings and inviting, lushly planted patio with outdoor fireplaces add to the ambiance. In spring, the patio becomes an especially coveted destination, where views of majestic Camelback Mountain accompany the daily brunch and dinner menus.
“We are a globally inspired restaurant with a Mediterranean base,” says Lee Hillson, the restaurant’s executive chef. “The food is honest, much like you would expect in a European home filled with family and friends. We invite you to our home to join our family.”
For a more casual experience, Mix Up offers artisan cheese, charcuterie and cocktails, while T. Cook’s hosts Friday afternoon ceviche classes that capture the spirit of a Mediterranean spring.
As Royal Palms was originally created with health and restoration in mind, the Alvadora Spa continues the wellness tradition with Mediterranean-inspired treatments.
“Alvadora Spa has long been an oasis for those seeking healing, relaxation and restoration for the body and soul,” says Sara Huddleson, the spa director. “Our mindfully curated menu of services specializes in organic therapies. In addition, our herbalist creates seasonal, wild-crafted services authentic and exclusive to Alvadora Spa.”
Royal Palms offers a unique blend of historic charm and Mediterranean allure. Whether sharing in secluded gardens, indulging in spa treatments inspired by ancient traditions or savoring exquisite cuisine under the stars, guests can create lasting memories in this enchanting oasis at the base of Camelback Mountain.
VAI Resort
Set to begin its phased opening this year, Glendale’s VAI Resort promises a revolutionary blend of live entertainment, luxury accommodations and world-class dining. This 60-acre resort is poised to become Arizona’s largest hotel, entertainment and culinary destination.
Perfect for spring break adventurers, VAI features a 5-acre, mile-long white sand beach with temperature-controlled water and a central party island, Konos Island, designed to evoke the spirit of Mykonos, Tulum and Ibiza.
“We want to give locals and visitors an international destination where people don’t have to bring along their passports,” shares Grant Fisher, CEO and president of VAI. “Guests can experience a Tuscan wine garden, enjoy Mexican cuisine on the beach, or spend an evening in Tokyo — creating a spring break experience that spans the globe without leaving Arizona.”
The resort will offer 1,100 rooms, suites and villas across four hotel towers. It will include 11 signature restaurants, including the first Bar Mar by José Andrés in Arizona, as well as Konos Island, a luxury spa, a nightclub venue, indoor theaters, rides, attractions, curated retail and art installations.
The all-suite Villas tower will offer rooms ranging from 1,100 to 5,300 square feet, crowned by exclusive infinity pools. The private poolside terraces will offer stunning sunset views, transporting guests to a luxurious Mediterranean retreat.
VAI Resort will feature a wide variety of culinary offerings, including a Tulum-style beachfront Mexican eatery, Japanese cuisine, an eighth-floor steakhouse and two Michelin-starred celebrity chef restaurants. With 12 signature dining options, guests can enjoy a world tour of flavors — from alfresco dining overlooking the water to interactive cooking classes featuring exotic dishes.
“We’ve partnered with C3 and Live Nation for main stage performances,” explains Fisher, noting that entertainment is a cornerstone of VAI’s concept. “We’ve built an ecosystem of entertainment; instead of coming for a three-hour performance, guests can make it a three-day experience and extend their fun.”
Among the resort’s unique features will be the 130-foot-high Konos Sky Bar, a 2,000-person indoor multilevel theater and concert venue, and the world’s first Mattel Adventure Park. VAI will also include the first-of-its-kind VAI Amphitheater with an 11,000-seat capacity for live music and entertainment.
Fisher’s team, drawing on international experience, is crafting a new approach to service and guest interaction, aiming to bring the world’s best experiences to Arizona. Whether it’s a sunset cruise on the resort’s lagoon, a mixology class featuring international cocktails or a day of beach club revelry, VAI Resort is designed to create the ultimate spring escape.
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