JW Marriott Camelback Inn Scottsdale Resort & Spa
As the first luxury resort in the Scottsdale area, the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Scottsdale Resort & Spa has been a vacationers' destination for more than 70 years. Back when the Camelback Inn opened in 1936, it accommodated only 75 guests. Bill Marriott was familiar with the property as he and his family vacationed there during the 1940s, '50s, and '60s. In 1967, the Marriott Hotel Corporation bought the property, which then had 118 guest rooms. Today it has more than 450.
The Inn, set at the foot of Mummy Mountain, has Camelback Mountain for its backdrop. It sits on 125 acres, hinting at the luxuries you may find inside. The resort underwent a $50 million renovation between May, 2007 and September, 2008, adding such amenities as meeting and convention facilities. The ambitious revitalization touched almost every aspect of the Inn and included a new arrival courtyard, renovated main lobby and garden, refurbished restaurants and meeting areas, and updated guest rooms. Dining options include in-room dining and the seven restaurants on the Camelback premises, and the well-regarded cuisine of the Scottsdale-Phoenix area.
The guest rooms are in luxurious bungalows, which the Camelback Inn calls casitas. Built in a Pueblo style, French doors lead to private outside sitting areas with views of the sumptuous grounds. Among the 453 guest rooms are 18 luxury suites, several with private swimming pools. Whether you stay in a casita or luxury suite, the amenities include private patios or balconies; kitchenettes with a range or microwave, refrigerator and minibar; cordless telephones; bathrobes, iHome clocks/radios/mp3 player; private-label amenities; in-room and laptop safes; coffee makers; fax and computer hook-ups with high-speed Internet access; and voice mail.
The Camelback Inn Spa provides luxury treatments as well as the opportunity to use one of the well-appointed poolside cabanas. Each cabana accommodates up to four guests and has a ceiling fan, private seating, a refrigerator stocked with chilled water and fresh fruit, reading material, and chilled aromatherapy face towels. In-cabana dining and drink service is available from the hotel's Sprout restaurant. Adjoining your cabana there is a table and umbrella as well as two lounge chairs.
Golf lovers who have stayed at the Inn speak fondly of the Camelback Golf Club. It features two championship 18-hole courses, a practice area with a driving range, and chipping and putting greens. Douglas Fredrikson designed the pueblo-style clubhouse, which features one of the world's Top 100 Golf Shops according Golf World Business. Golfers and their friends can relax at the Golf Grill and a lounge with outside seating and a fireplace.
The hotel caters to families, with loads of activities for kids. These include the Jackrabbit Swimming Pool, a playground, and the Pitch N' Putt zone. In addition, during the holidays the resort provides Hopalong College, offered for children ages five to twelve. This provides supervised fun and educational activities for the kids to enjoy, while parents get some quality downtime.
