What's New in Greater Phoenix?

February 2008

February is not only for celebrating the love of your life, but for loving life in Greater Phoenix. Fresh from hosting the most-watched Super Bowl in history, America's sunniest metropolis gets ready to embrace the 1 million baseball fans who annually fill its sun-dappled ballparks for Cactus League Spring Training. But baseball is just part of the story in Greater Phoenix this spring. The stars will align for foodies who've always wanted fuse fine cuisine and astrology. The promise of top-shelf bourbon and fine cigars will have golf-loving guys elbowing each other to book a "mancation." And nearly 700 Native American artists will showcase their wares during one most popular American Indian art events in the nation. What's not to love about all that?

MOBIL TRAVEL GUIDE AWARDS

The lavish Super Bowl parties might be over, but Greater Phoenix is still flaunting its star power. Mobil Travel Guide has announced its annual Star Awards, and eight resorts, restaurants and spas in America's sunniest metropolis have earned Four Star status.

Greater Phoenix had five Four Star accolades in the spa category, more than any other city in North America. The winners were Alvadora Spa at Royal Palms, The Centre for Well-Being at The Phoenician, Willow Stream Spa at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, the Spa at Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, and Sanctuary Spa at Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain.

In the hotel category, four stars were awarded to the Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix; The Phoenician; Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North; and The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa.

In the restaurant category, Kai at Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort and Spa added a Mobil Four Star Award to its AAA Five Diamond Award, making the Native American-owned restaurant Greater Phoenix's most decorated fine-dining establishment. The Mobil Travel Guide also is making sure Mary Elaine's at The Phoenician goes out with a Four Star bang. A bastion of European elegance for two decades, Mary Elaine's will serve its final meal in April.

Mobil Travel Guide has rated hotels and restaurants since 1958, longer than any other entity. The guide's mission is to "provide travelers with trustworthy recommendation supported by actual physical inspections." This year, the Mobil Travel Guide bestowed Four Star ratings on 125 lodgings, 149 restaurants and 84 spas throughout the United States and Canada.

HOTELS & RESORTS

The Stogies & Sticks "mancation" package at Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa encourages guys to gather their friends for a long weekend of smoking fine cigars, sipping premium bourbon and teeing off on two of Phoenix's best golf courses. This three-night, four-day package is available from April 17-20. The weekend kicks off with a Bourbon & Cigar Dinner in the resort's signature restaurant, Wright's at The Biltmore. The evening combines a gourmet meal with before- and after-dinner cigar smoking and bourbon on the restaurant's beautiful patio and lawn. An array of top-brand cigars will be offered, and Jim Beam-Single-batch bourbon will be poured. Friday and Saturday bring rounds of golf, one on the resort's Adobe course and the other on the Links course. The Stogies & Sticks package includes accommodations for three nights, the Bourbon & Cigar Dinner, two rounds of golf, and breakfast daily. The cost is $450 per person, double occupancy, per night.

Baseball fans get special treatment at Hotel Valley Ho this spring. From Feb. 26 through March 23, this hip, urban resort and spa is offering baseball enthusiasts special room rates plus the choice of complimentary Hotel Valley Ho t-shirts or caps for two. (Spring Training rates are subject to availability, and must be booked by Feb. 22.) Visitors who care more about living like a VIP than spotting an MVP can check out Valley Ho's Tower Suites. These newly opened seven-story accommodations offer a higher level of service that includes complimentary shoe shine, pre-arrival shopping service for kitchen and pantry, private chef options, iPod docking stations, HD Programming and 32- or 42-inch plasma TVs with LodgeNet service.

Hotel Valley Ho has also partnered with AAA Yellow Cab to start an "Avoid the Max" program. Also known as the "Drink and Driver" program, this service allows any guest who takes a AAA Taxi to the hotel — or its restaurants, Café ZuZu and Trader Vic's — to receive a complimentary return trip home.

One Phoenix resort is celebrating getti
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