Taking a holiday in your own city is always a good idea, but Phoenix makes the argument especially easy. The Valley knows how to do a staycation with its big pools, mountain views, cool lobbies, rooftop bars, and dining rooms that feel a few degrees more glamorous than your usual weeknight plans.
You can book a room or simply show up hungry for smoked pork at Dust Cutter, Spanish paella at Prado, Parisian Steak Frites at Le Âme, or lobster and a serious wine list at Ember. There’s something for everyone, so you might as well start with lunch, take a siesta in one of these lavish local stays, and then come back for dinner.
elements at the Sanctuary on Camelback
A staycation doesn’t get much more Paradise Valley than an evening tucked into Sanctuary on Camelback, where elements has long made resort dining feel like an occasion. The restaurant keeps its classic Arizona feel while chef Richard Wiggins brings fresh energy to the menu.
New highlights include the crunchy Tempura Fried Mushrooms with citrus aioli and togarashi, and the vegetarian-friendly Eggplant Milanese with arugula, tomato, cucumber, pine nuts, and tahini vinaigrette. For a richer dinner, try the Lobster Pasta or the 24-hour brined Iberico Pork Chop with espresso rub and sour cherry mostarda.
Seafood lovers can head to the raw bar for the Tuna Crudo with citrus leche de tigre, a bright summer order that won’t weigh down the night. Save room for the Peanut Butter Bombe, made with peanut butter mousse, chocolate peanut ganache, chocolate, and cocoa nib caramel popcorn. 5700 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley, sanctuaryaz.com
Prado at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia
Prado leans fully into the fantasy of leaving the desert for Spain. Inside Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, the restaurant brings in old-world romance with arches, pillars, and a menu made for lingering.
Start with shareable options such as the Pan de Manchego, served with quince jam and whipped butter, or the Frito del Mar with calamari, shrimp, sweet pepper, and pepita romesco. Local, pasture-raised steaks are also offered, along with entrees such as the Branzino with citrus reduction and papas rostizadas. The Costilla Rioja brings braised beef short rib together with buttermilk chive mash and piquillo pepper jam. And don’t skip the Paella, crispy bottom included. Dinner reservations are required. 4949 E. Lincoln Dr., Scottsdale, omnihotels.com
LON’s at The Hermosa Inn
LON’s at The Hermosa Inn may be the Valley’s most persuasive argument for pretending you’re on vacation without packing a bag. Flowers line the walkways and patio garden beds, a fountain adds its happy background noise, and the adobe-style property makes Arizona look like its own version of the Garden of Eden.
Brunch is a strong move here, with dishes such as the Croissant Benedict, made with smoked salmon, Canadian bacon, and signature hollandaise. The peel-apart Monkey Bread is another reason to settle in, especially given the rich cream cheese and salted caramel topping.
For dinner, start with the Hermosa Salad, covered in strawberries, apricot, goat cheese, and candied pecans. Then go for the Red Wine Braised Short Rib, with fork-tender meat and a braising jus good enough to chase with your spoon. 5532 N. Palo Cristi Rd., Paradise Valley, azhideawaycollection.com
Dust Cutter at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel
Downtown hotel dining gets a Western spin at Dust Cutter, the restaurant inside the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel. The space feels relaxed without losing its polish, and the menu pulls from Arizona ingredients with enough hotel lore to make the whole meal more fun.
Order the My Darling Rhonda, a cocktail named for Rhonda, the bartender who celebrated 51 years with the hotel this July. It mixes strawberry liqueur, kiwi puree, honey bitters, lemon, and St. George Citrus Vodka, and yes, both Rhonda and the drink are that delightful.
On the summer menu, the Grilled Peach & Burrata Salad brings in crispy prosciutto and mole pecans, while the Fire Roasted Poblano & Herb Pasta carries a little char from the poblanos and creaminess from sweet corn puree. Don’t leave without the Black & Tan Skillet, a gooey brownie and soft-baked cookie dessert topped with honeycomb ice cream through the restaurant’s partnership with Screamery. 50 E. Adams St., Phoenix, dustcutterphx.com
Sexy Roman at W Scottsdale
W Scottsdale has always known how to commit to a mood, and Sexy Roman follows suit. The Italian nightspot brings villa-inspired drama to the hotel with velvet lounges, golden lighting, and a Roman menu from James Beard-nominated chef Jason Franey.
The “Summer in Rome” menu moves through Antipasti, Secondi, Contorni, and dessert courses with wine pairings alongside dishes such as the Burrata-Stuffed Tortellini, Half Dozen Oysters, and Bucatini. The Seafood Tower is another showy option, stacked with Maine lobster, oysters, salmon tartare, Dungeness crab, and shrimp.
The cocktail list stays classic but playful. Look for a Negroni, an Espresso Martini, a Spritz with aperitivo, limoncello, and prosecco, or a Paloma with mezcal, grapefruit, and Calabrian chili. 7277 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, sexyroman.com
Ember at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort
If your staycation needs casino energy and a serious wine list, head east to Ember at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort. The restaurant specializes in wood-fired steaks and seafood, with an extensive wine program to match.
Start with the Seared Sea Scallops, served in a white wine butter sauce over parsnip purée. Or go for chef Jon Harris’s signature Lobster Navarin with lemon caviar cream sauce. For the steakhouse side of the menu, there are several cuts to choose from, including the 40-ounce Porterhouse Steak with Ujih Steak Sauce and black truffle butter. It’s the kind of dinner that works best when no one has early plans the next morning. 10438 WeKoPa Way, Fort McDowell, wekopacasinoresort.com
KAUBOI at the REMI., Scottsdale, Autograph Collection
KAUBOI brings another kind of hotel-night glamour to Scottsdale, this time through a Japanese steakhouse with sushi and whiskey. Inside the REMI., Scottsdale, Autograph Collection, the restaurant is perfect for a polished night, with a side of high-grade fun.
Start with the Wagyu Steak Tartare with black truffle and chili crunch aioli, or order the Japanese Milk Toast with miso butter. Sushi options include the Saguaro Roll with soft-shell crab, tuna, mango, and habanero ponzu. For something especially luxe, the Tombstone Roll brings together soft wagyu, chutoro, caviar, and gold leaf. If you’re looking for a splurge in the heart of Scottsdale, KAUBOI knows what it’s doing. 4415 N. Buckboard Trail, Scottsdale, kauboiscottsdale.com
Le Âme at The Global Ambassador
Le Âme gives Phoenix a dose of Paris inside The Global Ambassador. The Parisian-inspired steakhouse serves French classics in a romantic dining room, making it an easy choice when your staycation calls for something sweet and elegant.
Start with the French Onion Soup, Escargot a la Bourguignonne, or caviar service if the night calls for it. The Steak Frites comes with prime skirt steak and Café de Paris butter, giving the bistro classic its proper shine. Chef Jason Hua also created the Lobster Bucatini with broiled lobster tail, lemon, garlic, parsley, and pecorino. The Duck Spring Rolls with ginger and plum sauce add another rich option for the table. 4360 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, globalambassadorhotel.com
Tia Carmen at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
Tia Carmen brings the desert back to hotel dining in a way that is colorful and true to Arizona. At JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, chef Angelo Sosa of Top Chef and Top Chef: All-Stars created a Mexican- and Southwest-inspired menu in honor of his aunt.
The space matches the food, with indoor and outdoor seating in a bohemian, desert-modern setting. Start with the Queso Fundido with Chorizo, Shrimp + White Fish Ceviche, or the Sonoran Endive Salad with charred pineapple.
For dinner, the Half Roasted Mesquite Chicken comes with chimichurri and white cheddar grits. Vegetarians can look to the Ember Roasted Purple Yam with aged tepary bean mole negro and queso sauce, then pair it with an herb- and spice-forward cocktail from Mitchel O. Bushell’s award-winning beverage program. 5350 E. Marriott Dr., Phoenix, tiacarmendesertridge.com
Cielito at the AC Hotel Scottsdale Old Town
Cielito takes the staycation up to the roof. The intimate restaurant sits atop AC Hotel Scottsdale Old Town, with Camelback Mountain views and a menu bursting with northwest Mexican flavors.
When Scottsdale native chef Shon Foster helped open Cielito, it was a full-circle moment. His familiarity with the region helped guide dishes such as the Agua Chile, a bright scallop dish, and the Troletote, a charred corn, salsa, and mayonesa dip with golden-brown tostada chips.
The Rabbit & Rattlesnake brings a smoky mezcal-pomodoro sauce with its namesake sausage, nopales, cotija, and dark kale over chochoyotes, which are savory masa cakes. Many dishes come with garlic herb bread topped with huitlacoche spread, a harder-to-find menu item that F&B director William Allgood calls the “truffle of Mexico” for its earthy, mushroom-adjacent flavor.
Pair dinner with the Poolside, a balanced sweet-and-sour gin cocktail, or the zero-proof Beetbox, made with house pineapple cordial, Topo Chico, and a splash of beet juice for color. When you visit, enter through the AC Hotel’s main doors and take the elevator up, as the side entrances may have Cielito signage but are for hotel guests only. 7117 E. 3rd Ave., Scottsdale, cielitoscottsdale.com
Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina at Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
The award-winning chef Michael Mina opened Bourbon Steak, a powerhouse of great beef and seafood in the Valley. Think wagyu carpaccio, lobster pot pie, and a glorious 32-ounce dry-aged tomahawk steak. Don’t skimp on the sides either, the black truffle mac & cheese and whipped horseradish potatoes are sure to become a favorite. Bonus: Since you’re at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess you can just roll into bed after an excellent meal. 7575 E. Princess Dr., Scottsdale, bourbonsteak.com
