
The Phoenician, Scottsdale
Best for families, golfers and travelers who want many on-site activities and multiple pools.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
The Phoenician, Scottsdale is a large, activity-focused luxury resort at the base of Camelback Mountain; read this if you want lots of pools, golf, family amenities, and on-site programming. Royal Palms Resort and Spa is a smaller, Spanish Colonial–style luxury property near Camelback Mountain; read this if you prefer a quieter, romantic, historic-feeling stay.
Updated · about 1.2 km apart

Best for families, golfers and travelers who want many on-site activities and multiple pools.

Best for couples and travelers who want a smaller, historic property with Spanish Colonial character and intimate dining.
When The Phoenician, Scottsdale wins: choose The Phoenician if you want a broad slate of activities on property — multiple pools including family and adults-only options, 36 holes of golf, a large spa, daily programmed activities, and many dining choices.
When Royal Palms Resort and Spa wins: pick Royal Palms if you want a quieter, romantic, boutique-feel stay with Spanish Colonial character, fewer rooms, a single pool complex, and a smaller-food-and-drink footprint anchored by its signature restaurant.
Bottom line: both are five-star Camelback-area properties; The Phoenician is the bigger, program-heavy resort for families and activity seekers, while Royal Palms offers a more intimate, historic, romantic alternative.
| Category | The Phoenician, Scottsdale | Royal Palms Resort and Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Expansive resort campus with resort programming, championship golf, and family amenities | Smaller, romantic historic resort with Spanish Colonial character |
| Location (Camelback area) | At the base of Camelback Mountain in Paradise Valley; resort borders the Cholla Trailhead | In Camelback East near Camelback Mountain and Scottsdale Fashion Square |
| Size | Large property on about 250 acres; dozens of event spaces and many pools | Smaller footprint with 119 guestrooms and a more intimate layout |
| Rooms | 21 room types including suites, presidential suite and family-friendly room configurations | Room types include 1 King Bed Junior Suite, 1 King Bed Casita, Villa (Montavista), Presidential Villa and others (119 guestrooms total) |
| Pools | Multi-tiered pool complex with nine pools, family splash areas, adults-only pool and a sand beach area | One outdoor pool, poolside bar, cabanas (surcharge) and one hot tub |
| Restaurants & bars | Several on-site venues (J&G Steakhouse, Mowry & Cotton, The Phoenician Tavern, Thirsty Camel, Afternoon Tea, Marketplace, 19th Hole) | Two restaurants including signature T. Cook's and a bar/lounge; room service limited hours |
| Spa & wellness | The Phoenician Spa: three-story, 22,000+ sq ft facility with 24 treatment rooms, rooftop adults-only spa pool | Full-service spa on site offering massages, body treatments and facials |
| Known for | Family amenities, golf (36 holes), extensive event and wedding spaces | Spanish Colonial architecture, romantic atmosphere and historic grounds |
| Event & meeting space | Extensive: many ballrooms including Phoenician Grand Ballroom and ~160,000 sq ft total event space | Conference center and meeting rooms totaling about 20,000 sq ft |
| Distance between the two | about 1.2 km apart | |
The Phoenician sits on a large campus at the base of Camelback Mountain with quick access to Old Town Scottsdale and Scottsdale Fashion Square.
Best if you want resort-scale access to Camelback and central Scottsdale attractions.
Royal Palms sits in Camelback East with Spanish Colonial character and is a short drive from Camelback Mountain and Scottsdale shopping.
Best if you want a compact property close to Camelback Mountain with a historic, romantic tone.
The Phoenician offers a wide range of room sizes and suite configurations for families and groups.
Choose The Phoenician for variety and larger suites that suit families or multigenerational groups.
Royal Palms has a mix of junior suites, casitas and villas aiming at couples and guests wanting private-feeling rooms.
Royal Palms suits travelers who want intimate rooms or private casitas and villa-style options.
The Phoenician has multiple restaurants and bars across casual and upscale concepts, including a steakhouse and poolside dining.
Pick The Phoenician for variety in dining and venues for different moods and occasions.
Royal Palms focuses on a smaller set of dining venues anchored by its signature restaurant and poolside service.
Royal Palms is better if you prefer focused, higher-attention dining rather than many casual options.
The Phoenician is built around a multi-tiered pool complex with family and adult-only spaces and a white-sand splash area.
Great choice for families and guests who expect a wide variety of pool experiences on property.
Royal Palms offers a quieter outdoor setting with a single outdoor pool, poolside bar and cabana rentals.
Better if you want a calm pool environment with fewer guests and a more private feel.
The Phoenician provides an extensive spa and fitness offering, plus on-site classes and a 24-hour Athletic Club.
Choose The Phoenician if you want broad wellness programming and a large fitness facility.
Royal Palms has a full-service spa and a smaller range of on-site wellness offerings.
Royal Palms fits travelers who want an on-site spa without the scale of a resort spa campus.

The Phoenician — multiple family pools, a splash pad, water slide, kids’ programming and large family room options.

Royal Palms Resort and Spa — smaller property, Spanish Colonial character and intimate dining at T. Cook's.

The Phoenician — 36 holes of championship golf and extensive event/ballroom inventory for meetings and weddings.

Royal Palms Resort and Spa — 119 guestrooms, casitas and villas that create a compact, private-feeling stay.
The Phoenician is more family-oriented with many pools, a splash pad, water slide, playground and family-friendly room options.
Royal Palms is the more intimate, romantic choice with Spanish Colonial character and a smaller number of guestrooms.
Yes. The Phoenician has a large three-story spa with many treatment rooms and a rooftop spa pool; Royal Palms also offers a full-service spa with massages and facials.
Yes. Both properties are in the Camelback area and are short drives to Camelback Mountain and Scottsdale Fashion Square.
Explore how The Phoenician, Scottsdale stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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