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Oasis in the Desert: Royal Palms Resort and Spa
By Lisa Scafuro
 Old world charm, superb culinary service, unique and luxurious guestrooms, and exotically landscaped grounds with a focal emphasis on the dramatic backdrop of Camelback Mountain, all blend to transform a stay at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa into a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable experience.
Situated at the base of Camelback Mountain in Phoenix, Arizona, the Royal Palms is truly an oasis in the desert. The resort's beautiful setting evokes the overall sense of a lavish secluded estate. The original mansion, called El Vernadero, was built in 1929 and served as the private winter home to New York entrepreneur, Delos Willard Cooke. Over the years, the sixty-five acre estate (currently situated on nine acres), evolved into a blend of various architectural styles, primarily that of Italian Mediterranean Villa and Spanish Colonial, with the original mansion remaining the center core. The Tuscan
style landscaping includes intimate courtyards, lush plantings of rare flora, fragrant orange groves, bougainvillea, and over nine hundred palms, many of which were imported from Egypt. After several owners, the Royal Palms Inn opened in 1948, as a sophisticated and glamorous secluded resort retreat. Famous clientele included such celebrity guests as Groucho Marx and Helena Rubenstein.
The Royal Palms Resort and Spa underwent an extensive multimillion-dollar renovation in 1997, and today continues its legacy of being an intimate and serene resort destination. The Royal Palms offers 117 custom appointed guest rooms with luxurious amenities including plush robes, wall safes, mini bars, hair dryers, private label Neroli body and hair care products, and high speed wireless Internet service, to name just a few. From Plaza Rooms and Suites overlooking the saltwater swimming pool, tennis court, and large courtyard to the 2,300 square foot Presidential Villa with its three fire places and glass enclosed indoor-outdoor shower, every room seems to offer something unique. Casitas located in the secluded citrus garden area offer gorgeous views of Camelback Mountain. The Deluxe Casitas are all individually designed by different ASID design teams and include custom designed furniture and a fireplace. .
 If you are looking for a romantic dining experience, the Royal Palm's award-winning T. Cook's restaurant sets the mood. (The hotel even has on staff a "Director of Romance"! Really.) Located in the original mansion with its centerpiece 1930s fireplace, Italian hand painted walls, understated elegant interiors, vaulted wood beam ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering inspiring views of the mountain, dinner guests are transported to a bygone place and time. Under the direction of Executive Chef Lee Hillson, T. Cook's offers an innovative Mediterranean style menu. In conjunction with mainstay favorites like Burgundian Escargot, Veal Sweetbreads, Lobster and Fennel Bisque, and the signature T. Cook's Mediterranean Paella, Hillson also offers his five-course Tasting Menu, which showcases a particular Mediterranean region each month. From T. Cook's extensive wine list, Chef Hillson carefully selects wines to compliment the overall meal and the palate. After the main course, a variety of specialty coffee drinks, port or liqueurs add to the famed dessert menu. Dinner guests can indulge in such delights as Chocolate Strata, layers of mousse, cake and ganache infused with Italian fruits and liqueurs. Guests can mingle after dinner in the cozy T. Cook's Bar with piano and nightly entertainment. For the cigar aficionado, the Cigar Lounge adds to the mystique and glamour of the evening. A leisurely stroll in the main courtyard or a night cap lounging by the beautiful reflecting pool, and one begins to sense that they are a guest at a grand private residence.
 During the day, indulge and revitalize your mind, body, and spirit at the Alvadora Spa. Situated amidst the hidden gardens adjacent to the swimming pool and private cabana area, the spa is a tranquil private retreat within a retreat. With an intimate setting reflecting the old world charm that is prevalent throughout the entire resort, the Alvadora integrates indoor treatment rooms with outdoor treatment area gardens, fountains, and fireplaces, as well as offering steam rooms, whirlpool spa, cascading waterfall therapy and rain shower. Signature therapies include the Orange Blossom Body Buff, Acqua Dolce Rituals, and Bella Facials.
Though guests are completely buffered from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, the Royal Palms Resort and Spa is ideally located, literally just minutes away from world famous golf courses, downtown Scottsdale art galleries and dining, museums, Fashion Square Mall, Biltmore Shopping Center, and major sports and entertainment venues. The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is only twenty minutes away.
With its warm and gracious staff and amazing grounds, the Royal Palms Resort and Spa is a short jaunt to experience long-term tranquility. The resort is a member of the Historic Hotels of America,has received the AAAFour Diamond Award, and along with other prestigious hotel rankings, listed in Conde Nast Traveler Gold List of World's Best Places to Stay 2005.
Royal Palms Resort and Spa
5200 East Camelback Road • Phoenix, AZ 85018
(800) 469-6130 • www.royalpalmshotel.com
Lisa Scafuro is a freelance writer, journalist and poet whose work has been published in Phoenix Home & Garden, Cowboys & Indians and The Santa Fean. She lives in Arizona with her daughter and is currently working on a documentary film on her friend and mentor, architect Paolo Soleri.
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