This Phoenix hotel was voted the best in Arizona by T+L readers - with a Parisian design, European charm, and Mountain views. Led by restaurateur Sam Fox, this property has won over Travel + Leisure readers in the 2026 World's Best Awards. Published on July 7, 2026 0 seconds of 56 seconds Volume 0% Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts Keyboard Shortcuts Shortcuts Open/Close / or? Play/Pause SPACE Increase Volume Decrease Volume Seek Forward Seek Backward Captions On/Off c Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreen f Mute/Unmute m Decrease Caption Size - Increase Caption Size + or = Seek % 0-9 Loading ad * Travel + Leisure readers voted The Global Ambassador the best hotel in Arizona in the 2026 World's Best Awards. * The hotel is owned by 12-time James Beard nominee Sam Fox and features six food and beverage options good enough to make the hotel a hot spot among locals. * Camelback Mountain is the hotel's backdrop, but the property itself feels like it belongs abroad, with hand-selected decor, Art Deco design style, and artwork that makes you stop and look. * The hotel spa has a long treatment menu featuring all the latest skincare tech, including a cryo chamber and IV therapy, and a fitness center with a patio overlooking Camelback Mountain. What happens when a well-traveled restaurateur with 12 James Beard nominations opens a hotel in his home state? In the case of Sam Fox, the man behind more than 100 restaurants around the country, the answer is The Global Ambassador, a hotel that feels unlike any other property in Arizona. Phoenix may be known for its "mega-resorts," which are known for amenities such as sprawling golf courses and kids' clubs with waterslides. But The Global Ambassador trades all that in for 141 rooms and a worldly, European atmosphere that feels legitimately cool by day or night. Naturally, dining is a top draw here, and there are six restaurants and bars here, from Parisian steakhouse fare to Peruvian-inspired dishes served poolside. And while the hotel's interiors and vibe may trick you into thinking you're in the south of France, Camelback Mountain sits squarely in the backdrop, anchoring the hotel to Phoenix. Since opening in late 2023, The Global Ambassador has earned a reputation for being the place where Phoenix's most well-heeled travelers stay. It is the sort of place Fox and co-owner, Brian Frakes, say they would stay themselves. "Sam Fox drew from a lifetime of global travel to create something Phoenix had never seen - a hotel steeped in European charm, from the architecture and design to the intimate, residential feel of the guest rooms," says Younes Atallah, managing director of The Global Ambassador. "It's the kind of warmth and sophistication more often found in a Parisian boutique hotel than in the Arizona desert." As far as Phoenix hotels go, The Global Ambassador has mastered the art of winning over the most discerning guests, landing it at the top of travelers' must-visit lists - or for those who have visited already, a "visit again" list. The hotel's standing is reflected in the 2026 World's Best Awards, where it was named the best resort in Arizona by Travel + Leisure readers. Read on to see why The Global Ambassador was the No. 1 hotel in the Grand Canyon state. The rooms. The rooms at The Global Ambassador range in size from a 460-square-foot standard king to a 2,000-square-foot presidential suite with two patios, a full bar, and a dining room for gathering. But each one, from the smallest to the largest, has all the details that make The Global Ambassador great: elegant lighting, oak hardwood floors, bathrooms with marble counters, and hand-picked art. Little things like Frette bathrobes and a curated collection of Maison Plage books add an extra European touch to the rooms. Some rooms face toward the pool while others are positioned toward Camelback Mountain. Even the smallest options have a Juliet balcony, while others have furnished outdoor patios. Food and drink. There is a certain expectation when an established restaurateur opens a hotel, but the six signature restaurants and bars at The Global Ambassador live up to the pressure. In line with the hotel's interiors, the eateries draw inspiration from France, the Mediterranean, Mexico, and Peru. It is not uncommon to dine alongside local Phoenicians who know where to find the city's best eats. Dining highlights include Le Âme, a romantic Parisian-style steakhouse that serves up fine French fare for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. The Mediterranean eatery, Théa, is perched on the hotel rooftop, offering views of Camelback Mountain, while the Pink Dolphin's menu is served poolside and inspired by Mexican and Peruvian cuisine. The Global Ambassador also has a French-inspired bakery and bistro, as well as the bustling Lobby Bar. The spa. The 16,000-square-foot spa at The Global Ambassador spa teamed up with some of the world's top wellness brands in creating its treatments, including Augustinus Bader, Biologique Recherche, Mova by Camila Perez, and U Beauty. Aestheticians rely on cutting-edge skincare technologies such as radio frequency, LED facial light therapy, cryotherapy, and oxygen infusion to tighten, lift, and replenish the skin, while body treatments lean into infrared sauna and Mova's slimming Brazilian lymphatic drainage. The spa also has a cryotherapy chamber, an infrared sauna, IV hydration, and PEMF (aka "pulsed electromagnetic field) therapy. Accessibility. The Global Ambassador has seven accessible rooms, with features like lowered bed frames and roll-in showers with safety bars. Much of the property is wheelchair accessible as well, with wide hallways and elevator access throughout the hotel. How to book. The Global Ambassador is independently owned and operated and is not part of a global loyalty program. However, it is part of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Legend Collection - members get exclusive rates, rewards, and benefits. The property also participates in American Express' Fine Hotels + Resorts program. If you have a qualifying travel card, you can get benefits like early check-in, daily breakfast for two, and a $100 property credit. Every T+L hotel review is written by an editor or reporter who has stayed at the property, and each hotel selected aligns with our core values. Read More:

The Global Ambassador introduces The Vitality Edit. In Arizona's increasingly competitive wellness landscape, The Global Ambassador has introduced a new immersive program designed to elevate recovery and longevity-focused travel. Known for its performance-driven approach to hospitality, the Phoenix hotel is now offering The Vitality Edit, a multi-day wellness experience that blends advanced therapies, personalized diagnostics and restorative programming into a fully integrated stay. With The Vitality Edit, The Global Ambassador expands its wellness offerings into a more comprehensive, structured experience typically associated with remote wellness retreats, but delivered in a central, accessible location. The Vitality Edit is designed as a two-night minimum stay, available across the hotel's suite accommodations, with rates starting at $5,500 per night. The program is rooted in three core principles: recovery, discovery and reset. Each element is tailored to support structural alignment, circadian rhythm balance and long-term vitality through a combination of therapeutic treatments and performance-based wellness tools. "The Vitality Edit represents a more considered approach to wellness, one that brings together disciplines and modalities not often experienced within a single stay," says Shazz Narduzzi, director of spa and well-being at The Global Ambassador, in a press release. "It's designed to support the body in a way that is both intuitive and informed, offering a level of integration and personalization that is rarely found in one place." Central to the experience is a daily 120-minute Structural Longevity Massage, which incorporates advanced bodywork techniques such as fascia reprogramming, myofascial release and lymphatic support. The treatment is further enhanced with vagus nerve stimulation and guided breathwork, aimed at improving physical alignment and nervous system regulation. Guests also receive a personalized wellness assessment using body composition analysis to evaluate mobility, muscle balance and structural alignment, helping inform a customized approach to recovery. Additional components of the program include access to a biohacking circuit featuring modalities such as cryotherapy, infrared therapy, pulsed electromagnetic field treatments, and percussive tools. Complimentary infrared sauna sessions are included to support circulation and detoxification, while a private sound journey and breathwork meditation session is designed to deepen relaxation and restore balance. Movement and fitness are also integrated into the experience through unlimited daily classes. Programming spans vinyasa yoga, meditation, mat Pilates, high-intensity interval training, and sculpt classes that combine barre and strength techniques. The schedule also includes Bounce & Tone by The Ness, a trampoline-based workout concept originating in New York City, adding a dynamic element to the wellness lineup. Beyond structured programming, The Vitality Edit extends into the guest room through curated wellness amenities. Each suite features a wellness bar stocked with recovery tools and performance-driven essentials, along with nightly turndown rituals designed to promote sleep quality. A dedicated in-room dining menu complements the experience, offering nutrient-focused options that support hydration, energy, and overall wellbeing. The program is anchored within The Spa at The Global Ambassador, a 16,000-sq.-ft., European-inspired facility that blends science, ritual, and design. The spa environment includes hot and cold plunges, a eucalyptus steam room, a Finnish sauna, and a hosted beauty bar, all designed to guide guests through a sequence of restorative experiences. The layout emphasizes a slower pace and immersive atmosphere, encouraging both immediate relaxation and long-term benefits. In addition to the core program, guests can further customize their experience with a range of spa rituals offered in 60-, 90-, and 120-minute formats. Treatments such as Sleep + Restore focus on calming the nervous system and improving sleep cycles, while Global Traveler aims to boost circulation and reduce fatigue. The Oxylight Facial incorporates multiple technologies to support skin rejuvenation and tone. Enhancements, including cryotherapy, dermaplaning, and magnesium treatments, can be added to tailor the experience to individual needs. The Vitality Edit is available for booking now through Sept. 30, with a 72-hour advance reservation required. 4360 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85018 Discover more Restaurants Geographic Reference City & Local Guides