JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa- Scottsdale, AZ

Sometimes all you want from a vacation is to visit with friends, drink margaritas by the pool, and eat with abandon. A complete and absolute escape from reality, at a stunningly landscaped location. No pressure to see sights or visit museums, just straight relaxation. On these occasions, you need a resort like the Camelback Inn. 

Opened in 1936 by Jack Stewart as a winter resort for wealthy sun seekers, it originally consisted of little more than a collection of adobe casitas nestled between the slopes of Camelback and Mummy mountains in Scottsdale, Arizona. But that was enough, and the resort flourished, even during the otherwise lean Depression years. 

Acquired by Marriott in 1967, the resort eventually grew into a self contained oasis of 453 casitas, a 32,000 square foot spa, two golf courses, multiple pools and seven restaurants. Even with all that change, it still manages to maintain a mid-century feel; a Slim Aarons photograph come to life. It truly does feel like a place “Where Time Stands Still.” For the full experience, book a room with a private pool, and start each day with a desert hike.