Things to do near The Phoenician, Scottsdale — quick local itinerary
Short on time? Spend a half-day at The Phoenician, Scottsdale by starting with a morning guided hike or self-guided walk to the Cholla Trailhead, relax at the multi-tiered pools and splash area through the afternoon, then finish with cocktails at Thirsty Camel and dinner at J&G Steakhouse. If you have more time, add a spa treatment at The Phoenician Spa or a round of golf on the resort’s 36‑hole course.
In this guide
Pools, family splash area and booking a cabana
The Phoenician, Scottsdale has a multi-tiered pool complex that includes family-friendly pools, a zero-entry splash deck and a dedicated Adult Pool restricted to guests 18 and older. The resort fee and day-pass rules affect some pool services; a Day Pass is required for pool entry for adults and children 3 and older per some sources.
Plan an afternoon at the pools if you’re traveling with kids — there’s a 9,000 sq ft white-sand splash pad and a 197-foot water slide — or book a pool cabana through the resort when you want a shaded private spot.
- Nine pools total noted in property material, including family and adults-only areas
- Family splash pad and playground treehouse for kids
- Pool entry for non-guests may require a Day Pass; hotel guests generally have pool access
| Pool type | Good for |
|---|---|
| Family splash deck / white sand area | Families with young children |
| Adult Pool (18+) | Guests seeking quieter swim time |
| Multi-tiered resort pools | General leisure and poolside dining |
The Phoenician Spa and fitness options
The Phoenician Spa is a three-story, 22,000+ sq ft facility with 24 private treatment rooms, vitality pools and an adults-only rooftop pool; spa locker rooms and relaxation areas operate daily with first treatments beginning at 10:00 am. Spa facility access (locker rooms, rooftop pool, relaxation areas) is reserved for guests receiving qualifying spa services.
The Phoenician Athletic Club is open 24 hours for guests and offers Matrix equipment, a Movement Studio with Fitness on Demand, and floor-to-ceiling Camelback Mountain views. Spa guests receive complimentary access to the fitness area and all classes; the first morning class is complimentary for resort guests and additional classes may carry a drop-in fee.
- Spa hours for locker rooms/relaxation: 9:30 am–5:30 pm; first treatment 10:00 am, last ends 5:00 pm
- Rooftop spa pool: reserved for spa guests, with cabanas and food service (per property source)
- Fitness center: open 24 hours; classes may have separate fees
| Service | Note |
|---|---|
| Spa treatments | Access to spa areas requires a booked treatment |
| Nail Lounge | Open daily; pedicure and manicure stations available |
| Fitness classes | First morning class complimentary; additional classes may cost extra |
Hikes and desert activities near Camelback Mountain
The Phoenician, Scottsdale sits at the base of Camelback Mountain and borders the Cholla Trail trailhead; the resort offers a two-hour guided Cholla Trail hike for registered guests ages 14 and up that departs from the Athletic Club.
If you plan to hike independently, know that the Cholla Trail is steep and rated difficult with about 1.5 miles one-way to the summit and significant elevation gain; Echo Canyon is another nearby trail and is rated extremely difficult with sections requiring hand-over-hand scrambling. Trails often prohibit dogs.
- Guided Cholla Trail hikes: offered for guests (age 14+), about two hours
- Cholla Trail: steep, ~1.5 miles one-way to summit; rated difficult
- Echo Canyon Trail: alternative steep route with exposed scrambling; rated extremely difficult
| Trail | Difficulty / Notes |
|---|---|
| Cholla Trail | Difficult; guided hikes available for guests 14+ |
| Echo Canyon Trail | Extremely difficult; hand-over-hand sections |
| Resort guided hikes | Departures from Athletic Club; check availability with concierge |
On-site dining: where to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner
The Phoenician, Scottsdale offers multiple on-site dining venues for different moods: Mowry & Cotton for everyday Modern American meals and weekend brunch, J&G Steakhouse for an evening steakhouse experience (reservations required; indoor dining and 21+ rules apply), and The Marketplace for coffee and grab-and-go items.
For cocktails with a view, Thirsty Camel serves Southwestern-inspired drinks with Camelback Mountain panoramas and is open for drinks and food in the afternoon and evening. The golf grill, 19th Hole, is the convenient option for early starters and golfers seeking breakfast or a casual lunch.
- J&G Steakhouse — dinner service, smart-casual dress; reservations recommended
- Mowry & Cotton — breakfast, lunch, dinner; weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays
- Thirsty Camel — cocktails and mountain views, daily service in the afternoon/evening
- The Marketplace — coffee, pastries, gelato; good for quick bites
| Venue | Typical service |
|---|---|
| Mowry & Cotton | Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner |
| J&G Steakhouse | Dinner (reservations; 21+ for indoor dining) |
| Thirsty Camel | Cocktails and small plates with mountain views |
Golf, courts and guided activities
The Phoenician, Scottsdale includes 36 holes of championship golf on-site and offers golf lessons and on-course dining options like the 19th Hole for light meals during a round. Tennis and pickleball court time (racquets included) are part of the resort's daily amenity package, though additional instruction or extended court time may carry fees.
Other guided or scheduled resort activities include a Cactus Garden Tour, an Art History self-guided tour of on-property sculptures, and a guided bike tour through Old Town Scottsdale offered by the resort.
- 36 holes of championship golf available on property
- Daily amenity package includes 1 hour tennis or pickleball court time and racquets for two
- Guided on-site activities: Cactus Garden Tour (Friday mornings), Art History Tour, guided bike tour of Old Town
| Activity | Where to arrange |
|---|---|
| Golf and lessons | Resort golf operations / pro shop |
| Tennis / Pickleball | Resort courts; one hour included with resort fee |
| Guided bike or cactus tours | Book through resort concierge or activities desk |
Quick trips: Old Town Scottsdale, shopping and museums
Old Town Scottsdale and Scottsdale Fashion Square are just minutes from the resort and make easy half-day excursions for shopping, galleries, and restaurants; the property also offers guided bike tours to Old Town. Several cultural sites are within easy reach, including the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West.
If you want longer day trips, Sedona and the Grand Canyon are possible drives from the area but require several hours each way; ask the concierge for recommended itineraries and transport options.
- Scottsdale Fashion Square: a short drive for shopping
- Old Town Scottsdale: galleries, dining and walkable streets; guided bike tours available
- Nearby attractions listed by the resort: Desert Botanical Garden, Heard Museum, Phoenix Zoo, Taliesin West, Cosanti
| Nearby spot | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Old Town Scottsdale | Shopping, galleries, restaurants; walkable |
| Scottsdale Fashion Square | Large mall a short drive away |
| Desert Botanical Garden / Heard Museum | Desert plants and Native American art nearby |
