Arizona is a hot spot for luxury travelers .

The state is known for its award-winning travel offerings, from high-end resorts and spas to pristine golf courses and awe-inspiring desert landscapes.

This is especially true in Scottsdale .

In 2023, the city outside Phoenix hosted roughly 11.2 million tourists, from day-trippers to overnight visitors, who spent a total of $3.5 billion, according to a 2024 business report by the Government of Scottsdale .

I visited the Southwest desert town in April and stayed at two of Arizona's four-star hotels — The Phoenician in Scottsdale and the Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley , a nearby town known as " the Beverly Hills of Arizona ."

The Phoenician was named "Arizona's Leading Resort" in the 2023 World Travel Awards . It also received the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Award in 2024 for the 22nd time in a row, according to the hotel's website.

Meanwhile, the Hermosa Inn is a boutique establishment that Travel + Leisure named the best hotel in Arizona in 2023.

I had top-tier VIP experiences at both establishments, but the vibes at each couldn't have been more different. Ultimately, I think they were made for two different vacations.