All’s Well in Arizona

A Desert Retreat to Remember

By Hailey Bethke | Photography Courtesy of the Global Ambassador

Phoenix was in dire need of a diamond—a property that exceeded the expectations of even the most seasoned luxury traveler and dared to venture beyond overplayed 2000s-era sand-colored decor.

Over the past five years, Phoenix, Arizona, has come into its own. A desert haven with modern amenities, bountiful hiking trails, and welcoming locals, it was a beacon for city-goers looking to make a lifestyle change in 2020. While new faces and fresh energy have made way for elevated cuisine and shopping experiences, Phoenix’s hospitality scene still lacked the tasteful execution of distinguished getaways on the West Coast.

Enter the Global Ambassador: a new luxury hotel envisioned by legendary restaurateur and developer Sam Fox. Recently opened in December 2023, the property shines from start to finish. Primely positioned at the crossroads of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, The Global Ambassador is only minutes away from scenic hikes in Scottsdale, cafés and shops in North Phoenix, and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Each of the 141 guest rooms is fixed with the finest design elements and finished with close attention to detail. Fox collaborated with Judith Testani, founder of Scottsdale-based Testani Design Troupe, to execute the highly impressive ambience. Classic European features and artwork are woven through each element of the hotel, sparking a natural sense of cohesion. Beautifully lit marble bathrooms are complete with silver Waterworks finishes. Phillip Jeffries wallpaper, cushy Matouk linens, custom walnut millwork, and creatively stocked minibars set the standard. Byredo Bal d’Afrique body care products line the vanity, leaving you softly kissed with undertones of African marigold and bergamot. Each thoughtful touch builds upon the next, merging comfort and elegance in a space that will quickly feel like a home away from home.

Fox, a twelve-time James Beard Award nominee, ensured that each of the property’s five restaurants is superior in every way. Le Amé (Parisian steakhouse), Theá (Mediterranean rooftop), the Pink Dolphin (Mexican and Peruvian-inspired fare), Le Market (French breakfast and lunch bites), and the Lobby Bar (craft cocktails with European flair) were inspired by different cuisines around the globe, leading to the name “The Global Ambassador.” Each restaurant draws a crowd any time of day, but the never-ending valet line from 5:00 p.m. onward indicates an unmistakable allure drawing guests through the receiving doors.

Theá (named after the Greek goddess of light) is the property’s Mediterranean-inspired rooftop, offering expansive views of Camelback Mountain as the sky transitions to rosy and honeyed hues with the setting sun. Each plate provides a new amalgam of flavors to share with the entire table, from mezze platters to flatbreads and coastal seafood spreads. The Goddess of All Dips is a crowd-pleaser, showcasing fine baba ganoush, muhammara, artichoke dip, kopanisti (spicy whipped feta with Aleppo honey), hummus, and whipped ricotta with urfa honey, served with crudité, bazlama, and warmed pita.

Stylish waitstaff donning crossbody leather satchels easefully transport glasses of rosé and spritz to guests watching the sunset on the wraparound outdoor patio. The table next to me gasped in excitement as their server hand-delivered a steaming platter of Moroccan roasted carrots drizzled with Aleppo honey, pistachio, and feta—a true al fresco dining experience. Both outdoor bars and the fire lounge are always packed, deeming Théa the go-to dinner spot for socialites, hotel guests, and Phoenix residents.

Curious to know what a day in the life of a Global Ambassador guest looks like? Begin by channeling the laissez-faire energy of the French and savor breakfast and lunch bites from Le Market. A true French marché, this first-floor chic market offers grab-and-go options and a complete sit-down experience in an authentic European café style. Arched mirrors, inviting leathered banquettes, and an open-air kitchen are only the first wisps of French elegance. Step through the glass doors and find yourself in a sleepy, perfectly manicured courtyard. Olive trees and charming striped umbrellas shade café-goers and their iced coffees. True Europeans might scoff at the mention of ice in one’s coffee (after all, proper espresso must only be served hot), but exceptions are made to find comfort in the desert heat.

The hotel’s endless range of luxe activities, including an exclusive collaboration with the highly sought-after Forma Pilates and a state-of-the-art fitness center, will delight wellness-obsessed guests. Yet again, Fox and his team deliver when it comes to the details. Staff routinely shined and sanitized equipment to ensure not a single sweat drop was left behind. Expert pilates instructors led me through an invigorating reformer series overlooking Camelback Mountain, and complimentary post-workout energy balls, granola, and LMNT electrolyte waters lined the reception desk.

Crowning all these experiences was The Spa, a world-class wellness refuge I have not stopped thinking about since my stay. As an avid traveler, I have experienced many spa treatments at luxury resorts around the world. This one exceeded my expectations on all fronts, easily taking the number one spot on my list.

The two-story oasis encapsulates the same impeccable design taste and architectural details as the rest of the hotel. It greets visitors with a grand, pearlescent spiral staircase that connects the downstairs beauty stations, locker rooms, and lounge to the upstairs treatment rooms and relaxation space. The men’s and women’s locker rooms offer an abundance of luxury products from exclusive partnerships with leading brands like Augustinus Bader and U Beauty, Dyson hair dryers, and spacious marble-clad showers.

Be sure to arrive early to experience the Finnish dry sauna, eucalyptus steam room, hot tub, and invigorating cold plunge. Before your treatment, you’ll also have the opportunity to curl up on one of the plush chaises in the upstairs relaxation room with a heated neck pillow. Enjoy a rotating selection of nourishing snacks, wellness mocktails, adaptogens, and recovery-focused superfoods as you gaze eastward toward the Phoenix Mountains.

It is safe to say I am a strong proponent (or should I say ambassador?) of spending your next westbound getaway at this new desert retreat. I will certainly be back the next time the Arizona sunscape pulls at my heartstrings.

— V —

To book your stay at the Global Ambassador, please visit GlobalAmbassadorHotel.com and follow along on Instagram @TheGlobalAmbassadorHotel.

INSIDER TIPS for YOUR STAY AT THE GLOBAL AMBASSADOR

The VIE-approved itinerary and secrets to take your trip from memorable to exceptional:

• Have breakfast downstairs at Le Market. Order the avocado and egg white bowl and exclusive “skin smoothie” in collaboration with Agustinus Bader, which spotlights blue spirulina, collagen, and ashwagandha to give you a healthy glow. Take an iced coffee to-go for an early morning hike (Gateway, Camelback, and Tom’s Thumb are my favorites), or enjoy a sit-down experience at one of the café’s courtyard tables.

• Spend an afternoon at the Pink Dolphin bar and pool, lounging under the shade of striped pink umbrellas. Be sure to stop by the Boutique on your way, curated by luxury boutique Wunderkind, a Scottsdale favorite. You’ll find the most exquisite shades, Byredo perfumes, and breezy desert-chic looks (think James Perse T-shirts and Charo Ruiz Ibiza dresses) to take your stay to the next level. Be sure to grab one of the exclusive Aviator Nation x Global Ambassador sweat sets. I can’t think of a more perfect comfy-chic outfit for your flight home!

• If you plan to visit The Spa, arrive at least an hour before your scheduled session. That may seem overkill, but not when a plethora of pre-treatment offerings are at your fingertips. Center and relax your body by cycling through the cold plunge, hot tub, and sauna before enjoying the lounge spaces, fully stocked with wellness beverages and snacks. If you want to maximize your time at The Spa, book an afternoon treatment so you can shower and do your skin care in the beautifully lit bathroom space using U Beauty, Augustinus Bader, and Supergoop products before heading out to dinner with a revitalized glow. A three-and-a-half-minute session in the cryotherapy chamber post-treatment is also the perfect way to counter jet lag and improve sleep by activating your parasympathetic nervous system.
• The Weekend Essentials: Grab a coffee at Berdena’s and then spend a morning strolling the Old Town Scottsdale Farmers Market (Saturdays). Be sure to make reservations for dinner at The Henry (another establishment owned by Fox and only a two-minute drive from the Global Ambassador. Spring and fall dinners are best spent on the outdoor patio). Kaleidoscope Juice is my favorite organic juice and smoothie bar to refuel after a long hike or workout, although the smoothies at the Global Ambassador are not to be overlooked!
• If you head into North Phoenix, stop by the effortlessly chic Dialog coffee (which also functions as an urban design store) and peruse next-door retailers and NOW OR NEVER for the coolest edit of fashion-forward labels. I would also make reservations far in advance at the downstairs Theodore Roosevelt-inspired bar, Rough Rider, for Victorian-era craft cocktails in a speakeasy ambience.