JW Marriott Camelback or The Boulders

The wife and I will be taking our yearly vacation to the area in July and have already stayed at Wildhorse Pass, Phoenician, Westin Kierland in the past. Golf is important but overall resort which is better? Service, fitness center, spa etc. Thanks for your input! Will be booking it on Monday.

Check out the JW Marriott Desert Ridge

Just looked at these exact same resorts for weeks before booking a trip for late Feb. Looked too long though and Camelback (was my first choice) and Boulders are both sold out. It worked out in the end though because JW Marriott desert ridge has by far the best golf deal for the two of us with all golf and breakfast included for $599 a night. All the others you mentioned are much much more expensive for a stay and golf. I stayed at the Marriott desert ridge about 10 years ago for business and played one of the courses and really enjoyed it. Golf is better than the Phoenician but resort a small step down. Golf and the resort at the Boulders will be better. Probably can't go wrong with either of your choices though.

While no golf on site, Sanctuary at Camelback is awesome! Been going there for 5 years now and we love it. Food is incredible (chef is from the Food Network).

we go to the timeshare portion of the JW every year and enjoy it. The pool/lazy river at the JW, and Roy's is good. it's super close to that outdoor shopping area and some other restaurants right across the street.

I've only played the palmer once, and it was my first ever round of desert golf. i remember it beating me up a little bit, but faldo is a little more playable even though it has like 130 bunkers or something crazy. i enjoy both courses, and there are some others up on that end of town that are really good.

JW Marriott Camelback is FANTASTIC!!!

The one thing I'd worry about is being too far away from the "front" of the resort. We got the two story units right by the restaurant, and it was my wife's favorite vacation. She also said the spa is the best she has ever used.

Easy drive to golf from anywhere, I ended up going about 45 min to We-Ko-pa (sp) and it was a cool experience.

Boulders & Four Seasons (Troon) are the best if you want to stay & play. The Marriott's are "ok" - Camelback Inn is the one exception (nice hotel - average golf). The hotels in Phoenix are very corporate and a bit stale. Hyatt Gainey Ranch is one that doesn't get as much attention as it used to, but it is also one to consider (3) nine hole courses.

That or you can stay at a boutique hotel like Sanctuary, rent a car, and play courses like Quinterro, Troon, Boulders, We Ko Pa, and Grayhawk

The Boulders is more of a posh resort feel but is in Cave Creek so about 30 min drive from most Scottsdale things. The Four Seasons is about 15 min closer and had Troon North golf right there...and you can never go wrong at a Four Seasons resort. I like the JW Marriott at Desert Ridge if you're there with the kids, the JW near Camelback is nice but older/rustic of you're into that. The W is hip but really for younger partiers and no golf really attached--but would be ideal for guys trip.