A desert classic: Camelback Inn, the first Marriott resort, shines brightly in Arizona's Valley of the Sun

Travel America, Sept-Oct, 2005 by Randy Mink

Owner: Marriott Corporation

Location: At the base of Mummy Mountain overlooking Camelback Mountain, minutes from downtown Scottsdale, Arizona, and 10 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

Accommodations: Scattered among several buildings are 453 guest rooms; seven of the 27 suites have a private pool. Southwestern accents include fabrics, artwork, and latilla-beam ceilings. Each adobe-style casita has a refrigerator, microwave, wet bar, and mini-bar.

Facilities and activities: Seven restaurants and lounges; five shops; 36 holes of championship golf; six tennis courts; 32,000-square-foot European-style health spa; six tennis courts; three heated outdoor swimming pools with whirlpools; shuffleboard; ping pong; basketball; sand volleyball; children's playground; children's programs at holiday times; hiking trail; Old West cookout area; more than 40,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space.

Rates: The range for September 6 to December 31 is $329-$379 per day. Romance, golf, and spa packages are available.

Contact: Camelback Inn, A JW Marriott Resort & Spa, 5402 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85253; (800) 24-CAMEL; www.camelbackinn.com.