An Arizona Oasis

Restore, Explore, and More

By Hailey Bethke | Photography courtesy of The Brexley

The modern traveler is demanding more. White-walled hotels with geometric-patterned carpets are no longer satisfactory. Instead, consumers crave next-level services and amenities; they want to experience luxury and comfort in one place. Most of all, they seek experiences to broaden their horizons, complete with a home base that inspires, grounds, and soothes.

Iknow a place that exceeds these expectations. Behind lush green hedges and an artisan-crafted wrought-steel door lies The Brexley, an exclusive luxury villa in Scottsdale, Arizona. This residence remains a well-kept secret among its guests, who have consistently rated it five stars since it opened in 2018. Here, gorgeous architecture meets high functionality, and open-air living is encouraged thanks to the sliding glass doors and expansive windows. The private backyard is ideal for connection to nature and one another or relaxation with a heated pool and sun shelf, a fire bowl with circular seating, and comfortable lounging and dining spaces—not to mention the whimsical foliage and fairy lights that illuminate the property at night. If you’re lucky enough to visit during the spring, you’ll find yourself surrounded by blooming white roses, but hummingbirds frequent the canopy above the pool year-round.

The owners furnished the entire property with Restoration Hardware and Crate & Barrel pieces to merge aesthetics with functional living. Guests have the ease of resort living: fully stocked amenities, ranging from the espresso machine and accompanying handmade ceramic cups to plush monogrammed bath robes and curated silky lotions to combat desert dryness—all in the comfort of their own space. Even the minor details, including rain-style showers and stone-washed linen bedding, effortlessly transport guests to a state of tranquility.

The front door, one of my favorite elements, is a signature statement piece that greets visitors from the moment they step foot on the property. Inspired by Brazilian architect Guilherme Torres, craftsman Cody Carpenter designed an intricate, eye-catching entrance using hundreds of steel circles.

The kitchen is abundantly stocked with a chef’s dream appliances, each drawer consciously curated with every gadget and utensil possible. Minimalist white Yeti cups line the shelves alongside a collection of Porter glass reusable containers to merge style with sustainability. Then, when you think you have seen it all, you open the last cabinet to find a proper set of custom-made ceramics stamped with The Brexley logo. The Brexley has creatively blended a crisp, modern-minimalist interior with a beyond adequate supply of everything you could ever need during your stay, even classic board games and outdoor lanterns.

The Brexley has creatively blended a crisp, modern-minimalist interior with a beyond adequate supply of everything you could ever need during your stay.

During my stay at The Brexley, I was pleasantly surprised not to find a single object out of place. To ensure cleanliness and meet the high expectations of a five-star property, owner Cindy Steinman personally inspects the home after the departure of each guest. This means that each drawer and cabinet is organized to perfection and fully stocked, prepped to meet your needs before you even step through the door.

“We call this ‘the last line of defense’ before our guests arrive,” Steinman says. “There is no stone left unturned. As our guests are on their way to The Brexley, driving through an unassuming neighborhood, we want them to arrive and have the wow experience. When they walk through the handmade entry door and into the minimalist living area, we hope they feel an immediate sense of relief from the outside world. Our goal was to create a private oasis that allows our guests to rest and restore with luxe amenities at their fingertips, excellent concierge services, and privacy.”

Our goal was to create a private oasis that allows our guests to rest and restore with luxe amenities at their fingertips, excellent concierge services, and privacy.

Before The Brexley opened its doors to the public in 2018, Steinman underwent a three-year renovation to create her dream home. Yet her greatest challenge didn’t even involve construction, but the neighbors. “Some of them didn’t want the home remodeled and protested to the City of Phoenix before we even started the project,” she remarks. “Then they didn’t like how long the construction took. Most people don’t understand how long it takes to build a home of this caliber after watching so many home-remodeling TV shows portraying cheap and quick flips. I used top artisans in the community to create The Brexley, which meant I had to wait my turn for each of them as they were working with all the best architects. The greatest reward was the experience of it all, the good and the bad, and having the opportunity to work with the top craftsmen in Arizona. I learned a lot.”

The Brexley is the ultimate luxe retreat, perfect for restoring the spirit or exploring all Scottsdale has to offer. For a relaxing stay, lounge by the pool and turn on the outdoor misting system (which keeps the backyard up to thirty degrees cooler during the summer), or hire Brexley private chef Nick Bahan to curate an exceptional in-home culinary experience. For adventurous guests, hikes like Pinnacle Peak and Inspiration Point are a must, while Old Town Scottsdale, Kierland Commons, and Scottsdale Commons offer premier shopping and restaurants.

The Brexley is still my main focus, and I want to build an even stronger foundation here before starting another project.

When asked if she would consider tackling another renovation project, Steinman says she has thought about creating a sister property to The Brexley. “The Brexley is still my main focus, and I want to build an even stronger foundation here before starting another project. But when I do, I would love to renovate a home down the street from The Brexley focused on privacy, wellness, slow living, and minimalism.”

The bar is set high for service, impeccable design, and top amenities in luxury travel and accommodation. The Brexley has seamlessly executed all these expectations with fine attention to detail while acknowledging the utmost importance of the guest experience.

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To reserve your stay at this dreamy desert oasis, head to TheBrexley.com for more information.