Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa
<p>At this classic Phoenix inn, low-slung, cream-colored casitas and banks of rooms twist along 125 acres and provide north-facing views of Camelback Mountain. (Named for its shape, the peak really does resemble a camel nestled into what's now the center of metro <a href="/cityguides/phoenix">Phoenix</a>.) Choose from among 45 different room types: eight suites have private pools, and every room is drive-up (a plus in this car-obsessed town). The 1936-era lobby is undergoing a restoration to preserve its original adobe appearance (set for completion in August 2008), and the spa consistently wins awards from local and national publications; town residents favor the hot stone massages. The spa restaurant, Sprouts, serves dishes that are both healthy and tasty; the yellow-pepper gazpacho is a must—and best enjoyed poolside.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> Access to the fitness center typically requires that you purchase a one-hour spa service, which will top $100. But hotel guests can buy a day pass for just $25.</p> <p><strong>Room to Book:</strong> The 600-series rooms were built in 1995 and are more spacious than the older rooms. They're also located at the highest elevation (close to the spa), which means coveted vistas of Camelback Mountain; its rocks are Sedona red and particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset. Rooms 618 and 619 offer extended patios—a plus for the mountain-obsessed.</p>
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