RITZIEST PET HOTEL
D Pet Hotels (15060 N. Northsight Blvd., Scottsdale, 480.407.4747) Your pets are truly pampered when they are guests of what is called the “W Hotel for pets,” according to co-owner Tony Pavone. Premium amenities include contemporary rooms with queen beds and flat-panel TVs; a doggie spa and the D-Chauffeur Service—which will pick up your pet and whisk them off to the hotel. Upgrade to a luxury car like a Lamborghini so your pet can ride in style.
BEST HOUSEBOATS
Lake Powell Houseboats (100 Lakeshore Drive, Page, 888.896.3829) Be warned: Staying in these svelte houseboats featuring full-size kitchens, master bedrooms, custom fire pits and swim decks makes it hard to come back to shore.
BEST NEW PERSONAL CONCIERGE SERVICE
Concierge Extraordinaire (480.466.8773) Travel and lifestyle experts cater to distinguished clients, offering private jet journeys, spa and wellness retreats, safaris, and sports entertainment experiences.
BEST PERSONAL CHEF SERVICE
Cuisine Prive (3260 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, 520.600.3116) Regardless of venue or dietary preferences, this five-star trained team is dedicated to providing exclusive gourmet experiences for everything from private parties to corporate events.
Artist Loretta Tedeschi-Cuoco sketches live illustrations of guests for upscale parties—sometimes within minutes.
BEST LIVE ILLUSTRATOR
Loretta Tedeschi-Cuoco (347.418.8013, @art_ltc) Book this talented artist for your next party to give guests a handmade memento. Tedeschi-Cuoco uses her smartphone to snap pics of party attendees, then, within minutes, crafts watercolor replicas that resemble fashion sketches.
BEST CONCIERGE-CURATED EXPERIENCE
The Phoenician (6000 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale) Concierge Michelle Caldwell recently shared with us an example of a perfect experience she has curated for guests: “Travel by charter plane, with mimosas for breakfast, as you head north to Lake Powell,” she says. “Upon landing, enjoy a guided tour of majestic Antelope Canyon for a photography experience of a lifetime. While you are in the canyon, your captain will prepare your relaxing houseboat and exhilarating Jet Skis for an adventurous day on the lake. Upon your return, a private chef will prepare a gourmet lunch for you and your group. Enjoy the splendors of Lake Powell and Rainbow Bridge before your chartered flight back to Phoenix.”
MUST-TRY NEW STAYCATION
Castle Hot Springs (5050 E. Castle Hot Springs Road, Castle Hot Springs) The luxe revival of this famed resort offers exclusive access to healing natural hot springs, Zen accommodations and all-inclusive amenities. Though accessible by short drive, we recommend booking a helicopter and landing on the private helipad. It’s closed for the summer, but expect it to reopen this fall.
MOST UNFORGETTABLE ADVENTURE
Sami Fine Jewelry (16704 Avenue of the Fountains, Ste. 100, Fountain Hills) It doesn’t get any more unique than mining for your own amethysts. This jeweler will coordinate a helicopter ride to the Four Peaks Amethyst Mine, which harbors a Siberian red version of the stone only available in one other place in the world—the Urual Mountains in Russia.
BEST LUXURY MOVIE THEATER
iPic (15257 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale) Enjoy keto-friendly bites, mac and cheese fries, or steak frites with butter-poached lobster claws over a nice bottle of wine at the push of a button during your movie, all while relaxing in reclining chairs. Premium Plus seats offer partitioned privacy pods.
Photography by: lake powell photo courtesy of aramark | sketch courtesy of Loretta Tedeschi-Cuoco
