Sunfinder Vacations

What to expect: The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa showcases architecture, art, and décor that is representative of and inspired by Gila River Indian culture. Located 11.5 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the resort is set within the Gila River Indian Community. As the name suggests, more than 1,500 wild horses roam the surrounding lands and frequently visit the corrals.

Amenity highlights: Amenities at the Sheraton include two 18-hole golf courses managed and maintained by Troon Golf, the Koli equestrian center (surcharges), four outdoor pools, a 111-foot waterslide, and four restaurants. Also on site, Aji Spa is notable for Native American influenced treatments (surcharges).

Boats shuttle guests to sites on property and to nearby attractions, including a casino. A seasonal kids’ club (surcharges) occupies ages 4–12.

Insider tip: Complimentary walking tours led by the Cultural Concierge highlight the cultural artwork and architectural significance of the resort. One mile away, the Huhugam Heritage Center is a museum where guests can view Native American archaeological collections and art exhibits, and take classes.

A winding drive delivers guests to a bustling, Spanish colonial-style lobby decorated in desert colors. This Fairmont offers something for everyone: golfers watch the FBR Open and play two 18-hole championship courses; families enjoy the swimming pools and water park; business groups utilize 61,000 square feet of meeting space; and couples like the romantic desert setting and luxurious day spa.

Using a "Treasuring the Essence of Arizona" theme, the resort pays tribute to Arizona's famous landscapes and colorful history. The entry is flanked by 12-foot-tall, cast glass panels glistening with water that trickles down into a bed of river rock. The striking views from the entrance showcase the surrounding mountains & rolling hills of the golf course.

Built in 1918 as an executive retreat, the Wigwam retains its original Western character and part of the original structure. Continuing renovation has created a resort for active families, couples, business travelers, and girlfriend getaways. The lobby art includes a Remington bronze near the fireplace. The Sun Lounge, the original reception area, has rock walls, leather couches, and historic photos of the old Wigwam.

The Phoenician gives the feeling of being away from it all, while offering a location conveniently centered between Scottsdale and Phoenix. The clientele consists of vacationers looking for a desert getaway and businesspeople attending conferences. Families appreciate the nine swimming pools and Funician Kids' Club, and couples enjoy the romantic desert setting and private patios.

Upgraded through a $60-million renovation in 2004, this famed resort grew to 125 acres and 452 guestrooms since opening in 1936, while retaining an easy-going Navajo/Western ambience characterized by the original adobe-brick lobby, including a gas fireplace, leather seating, painted-beam ceiling, and wagon-wheel chandeliers. Highlights of the resort's expansive grounds include bronze Native American sculptures, fountains, boulders, cactus gardens, bougainvillea, desert plants, flowering bushes, and palm trees.

What to expect: Harmonizing with its high-desert setting, this 54-acre resort is planted with saguaro cacti and other native flora and provides scenic views from most angles, encouraging an outdoor experience. Overlooks with seating areas highlight sunset views. The lobby hints at the Old West with studded red-leather chairs, rock walls, a fireplace, and cowhand-style light fixtures. Vacationing couples and families with pets are a growing part of the guest list at this conference-oriented resort.

Amenity highlights: Daily scheduled activities include nature walks, hikes, and nightly campfires with flavored s’mores. A singing cowboy on horseback makes an appearance on Friday nights. Guests can also learn the art of glass making and hone their barbecue skills.

On site are two pools, five lighted tennis courts, a putting green, and bicycle rentals. The spa offers an array of treatments, including the Southwest Soother body wrap and Desert Sundance body facial.

Insider tip: Carefree is 1,000 feet higher than Phoenix. The climate is slightly cooler, and the setting far more rural. Resort staff report sighting quail along the road and say they often hear coyotes and have seen javalina, or wild pigs, on the grounds. The holes in the saguaro may be nests of cactus wrens, and a 165-year-old saguaro stands near the hotel entrance.

Designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright's students, this two-story hotel on 22 acres appeals to golfers, families, couples, and businesspeople. Textural design elements protrude from the hotel's raw concrete exterior, creating ever-changing shadow patterns on the walls. A thoughtfully labeled garden of regional cactuses occupies an intimate courtyard, which has mountain views.

The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale's expansive lobby, furnished in contemporary Southwestern style and decorated with original art, opens onto a 2.5-acre water playground amid grounds lushly landscaped with palm trees and flowering plants. With its beautiful setting, recreational amenities, and conference facilities, this luxury resort attracts couples looking for a romantic getaway, vacationing families, and businesspeople attending conferences.

An intimate, marble-floored lobby opens to a dining nook where breakfast buffets are offered every morning. Business travelers settling in for extended stays appreciate the full kitchens, complete with cookware, dishes, and a dining area that doubles as a work surface.

This cluster of 28 white stucco buildings with red-tile roofs nestles like a mountain village in beautifully landscaped grounds. With 585 rooms, 65,000 square feet of meeting space, and championship golf, this resort attracts a large convention and conference clientele. Families and couples seeking fun in the sun enjoy the Pointe Hilton's setting and variety of leisure and recreational activities.

Set on 53 acres on the north side of Camelback Mountain, this airy resort offers a secluded setting and panoramic views of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. Its modern design highlights bold colors and Asian influences, while its landscaped grounds echo its Southwestern surroundings. The guestrooms are spread among dozens of single-story buildings on 53 acres of Camelback Mountain. Guests include leisure and business travelers.

A wooden ceiling, fireplaces, skylights, and Native American art give the lobby a relaxed, desert lodge feel. Two championship courses attract golfers to this 1,300-acre oasis. Couples enjoy a full range of spa treatments and the individual casitas with private patios, while parents appreciate the opportunity to introduce children to unspoiled desert and the adjacent Heard Museum.