Michelle Talsma Everson/Suzanne Wilson for Phoenix.Org
According to hotel reps, “Royal Palms offers guests the rare opportunity to enjoy rich amenities of a resort all within the walls of a storied estate.” Built in 1929 as a home for New York industrialist Delos Willard Cooke and his wife Florence, it changed hands many times over the years.
One of the many owners was former band leader Al Stovall who led the effort to transform the home into an inn. Adding 15 casitas to the west of the original home and converting the main house into guest rooms, a reception area and dining room, Stovall and his business partners opened the estate’s doors at the newly named Royal Palms Inn in 1948.
However, the Royal Palms Resort holds closely to the original home’s beautiful Spanish Revival architecture and decoration. While not a tiny resort, the villa walls and lush landscape give it a sense of closeness and intimacy. That’s reflected in the resort’s heavy focus on romance, and not surprisingly it’s often been voted the Valley’s best option for honeymooners.
Location: 5200 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix, AZ 86018
Website: http://www.royalpalmshotel.com/
Phone: (602) 840-3610