Arizona’s hotels and resorts rank among best in US
A newly released nationwide ranking of hotels and resorts is showing a whole lot of love for Arizona.
U.S. News & World Report recently released its lists of the best hotels and best resorts in the U.S. for 2024, awarding 42 Arizona hotels a Gold Badge for outstanding guest experiences. The publication awarded Silver Badges in previous years but discontinued the Silver list for 2024.
Enchantment Resort in Sedona was ranked the No. 1 Arizona hotel. It led Arizona on the best U.S. hotels and resorts lists, ranking as the No. 25 resort and No. 55 hotel.
Last year’s top hotel in Arizona, The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician, was No. 2 among all hotels and resorts in the U.S. This year, it’s the No. 44 resort and No. 107 hotel.
How is the US News Best Hotels list determined?
U.S. News & World Report considers a hotel if it meets the following criteria:
● A 4- to 5-star rating indicates luxury hotels and resorts. In select destinations, 3.5-star hotels are considered; Arizona had 36 3.5-star properties in the survey, including two new hotels that opened in 2023: the Leo Kent in Tucson (#111) and the Egyptian Motor Hotel in Phoenix (#121).
● Hotels must have at least 20 guest rooms.
● Apartments, vacation rentals, cabins and niche properties are not eligible.
Hotels are scored based on the following components:
● Awards and recognition from expert travel industry sources.
● The hotel’s class rating, which is based on multiple travel industry sources such as Tripadvisor and Expedia.
● The hotel’s guest rating, which is calculated based on Tripadvisor reviews. How many reviews a hotel has on the platform affects how much the guest rating impacts its score on the U.S. News survey.
Why is Enchantment Resort rated the best hotel in Arizona?
Enchantment Resort, a destination retreat in Sedona’s Boynton Canyon, is
widely regarded for its health and wellness experiences.
Enchantment Resort and its Mii Amo spa resort – which just celebrated the first anniversary of its $40 million renovation that increased its size by 40% and added more treatment rooms – received several accolades in the past year, including Travel + Leisure’s No. 7 Arizona hotel for 2023 and a four-star award from Forbes Travel Guide.
The renovation of Mii amo, recognized as Conde Nast Traveler’s No. 3 destination spa for 2023, was featured in an Arizona Republic story about Sedona travel highlights for 2023. (The story also featured the opening of Ambiente, A Landscape Hotel, which U.S. News ranked as Arizona’s No. 29 hotel.)
US News 2024 Best Hotels in Arizona: Gold list
● Enchantment Resort, Sedona.
● Castle Hot Springs, Morristown.
● The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, Marana.
● The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Phoenix.
● Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, Scottsdale.
● L’Auberge de Sedona.
● Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Scottsdale.
● Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale, Paradise Valley.
● Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Phoenix.
● Royal Palms Resort and Spa, Phoenix.
● Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort & Spa, Paradise Valley.
● The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection
Resort, Phoenix.
● Hotel Valley Ho, Scottsdale.
● The Hermosa Inn, Paradise Valley.
● Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale, Curio Collection by Hilton, Scottsdale.
● White Stallion Ranch, Tucson.
● Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows, Scottsdale.
● Canyon Ranch Tucson.
● Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Tucson.
● JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, Scottsdale.
● Civana Wellness Resort & Spa, Carefree.
● Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch, Scottsdale.
● JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Tucson.
● Arizona Inn, Tucson.
● JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix.
● Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, Paradise Valley.
● Miraval Arizona, Tucson.
● W Scottsdale.
● Ambiente, A Landscape Hotel, Sedona.
● Graduate Tucson, Tucson.
● The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Scottsdale.
● Tempe Mission Palms, Tempe.
● The Westin Kierland Villas, Scottsdale.
● The Wigwam, Litchfield Park.
● Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, Phoenix.
● Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass, Gila River Indian Reservation.
● Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix.
● The Lodge at Ventana Canyon, Tucson.
● Casino del Sol Resort, Spa and Conference Center, Tucson.
● The Westin Phoenix Downtown, Phoenix.
● The Camby, Autograph Collection, Phoenix.
● Adero Scottsdale Resort, Autograph Collection, Scottsdale.
US News 2024 Best Resorts in Arizona: Gold list
● Enchantment Resort, Sedona.
● The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, Marana.
● The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Phoenix.
● Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, Scottsdale.
● L’Auberge de Sedona.
● Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Scottsdale.
● Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale, Paradise Valley.
● Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Phoenix.
● Royal Palms Resort and Spa, Phoenix.
● Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort & Spa, Paradise Valley.
● The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Phoenix.
● The Hermosa Inn, Paradise Valley.
● Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale, Curio Collection by Hilton, Scottsdale.
● Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows, Scottsdale.
● Canyon Ranch Tucson.
● Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Tucson.
● JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, Scottsdale.
● Civana Wellness Resort & Spa, Carefree.
● Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch, Scottsdale.
● JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa, Tucson.
● JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix.
● Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, Paradise Valley.
● Miraval Arizona, Tucson.
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.