Southwest Wine Guide

by Carol A. Wilcox
(Phoenix, AZ)

The Southwest Wine Guide. Explore great wines of the Southwest! Where to tour, taste & stay along the way.



Romance Beckons at the Royal Palms Resort

Stroll down enchanting stone walkways to a quiet corner where water fountains flow and the scent of hibiscus permeates the air. Take a midnight swim in the pool. Sit by a fire pit on a chilly evening and sip a glass of wine. A visitor might feel as if they are in a Mediterranean villa and not in the center of Phoenix, Arizona. At the Royal Palms Resort they believe that “It’s not the distance you've traveled, it’s how far away you feel.”

Originally built in 1929 as a summer residence for a steamship executive, the resort has been renovated to accommodate modern travelers while maintaining much of the Spanish Colonial elegance of the original estate. Visitors drive into the resort via a cobblestone entrance and enter the property through a stone archway. The courtyard with a reflecting pool has comfortable tables to sit at, all amongst the backdrop of Camelback Mountain. This is the perfect place for an afternoon of quiet contemplation, lingering over a luxurious lunch or sipping a glass of Tempranillo.

This resort exudes privacy. The 119 accommodations consisting of casitas, guestrooms and villas are all decorated in Old World charm and are surrounded by 9 acres of lush Tuscan-style landscaping and architecture.

With an award winning restaurant, a luxurious spa and all shopping and activities only minutes away, the Royal Palms Resort is the perfect romantic spot to begin an Arizona wine country tour!