These Arizona hotels were just named among the world's best. One dates to 1896
Michael SalernoA historic wellness retreat in the desert northwest of Phoenix was just named the best Arizona resort for a third time.
Castle Hot Springs topped Travel + Leisure's list of the best resort hotels in Arizona in its 2024 World's Best Awards. The resort in Morristown was also one of five Arizona hotels named on the magazine's 2024 T+L List, the world's best hotels as selected by its readers.
This is the third time Castle Hot Springs, which reopened in 2019 after a fire that shuttered it for decades, topped Travel + Leisure's best Arizona resorts list. It previously achieved the honor in 2021 and 2022.
Last year, it placed second to the Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley.
Why Travel + Leisure readers like Castle Hot Springs
Castle Hot Springs, an 1,100-acre resort that nestles along the Bradshaw Mountains, was described by Travel + Leisure as "the state's original wellness retreat." It opened in 1896 and predates many metro Phoenix and Arizona historic resorts.
Readers praised Castle Hot Springs for its assortment of activities, which range from culinary experiences (a reader quoted in the ranking enjoyed "the unbelievable farm" there) to adventure experiences like Arizona's only via ferrata course.
But the key attraction is right there in the name: natural hot springs that feed three geothermal pools. High in magnesium and lithium, the hot spring waters are said to have healing properties.
Castle Hot Springs recently introduced a cold plunge pool with temperatures ranging from 43 to 46 degrees, plus a walking tour of the hot springs where a guide shares information about their geology and the waters' therapeutic benefits.
Sedona hotels on the T+L World's World's Best list in 2024
Travel + Leisure readers continue to love Sedona resorts too.
(Arizona Republic readers apparently agree; Sedona is one of the final four destinations in our Best Arizona Road Trip Bracket.)
Both of the Sedona resorts on 2023's list moved up in the rankings: L'Auberge de Sedona is No. 4, up from No. 5 last year; and Enchantment Resort is No. 5, up from No. 7 last year.
And a third Sedona resort is new to the 2024 list: Ambiente, A Landscape Hotel. Ambiente, which opened last year, was designed to blend in with Sedona's natural topography and features cube-shaped atriums with rooftop decks that allow for unique views of the natural world and the night sky.
Travel + Leisure best hotels 2024 in Arizona
- Castle Hot Springs, Morristown.
- Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney's Resort & Spa, Paradise Valley.
- The Hermosa Inn, Paradise Valley.
- L'Auberge de Sedona.
- Enchantment Resort, Sedona.
- The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician, Scottsdale.
- Royal Palms Resort and Spa, Phoenix.
- Mountain Shadows Resort, Paradise Valley.
- Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, Scottsdale.
- Ambiente, A Landscape Hotel, Sedona.
How were the Travel + Leisure 2024 World's Best hotels chosen?
Travel + Leisure, America's largest travel media brand, selected the hotels based on feedback from nearly 186,000 readers. They were surveyed about their travel experiences around the world, including hotels, cities, islands, airlines, cruise ships and other experiences.
Readers rated hotels based on their rooms and facilities, location, service, food and overall value for the experience. They scored each category on a scale from "excellent" to "poor."
You can read all the rankings at travelandleisure.com/worlds-best.
More Arizona hotel news
The Glendale Renaissance at Westgate just unveiled a $30 million makeover, VAI Resort pushed back its opening date again and the Arizona Biltmore has a new owner.
Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx.
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