Nothing conjures up the images of majestic mountains and imposing canyons than “Arizona.” Although an otherwise a geographically diverse state, Arizona is home to Grand Canyon and the magic this geological landmark it evokes.
So every time we are asked to put together an incentive program in this grand state, we are excited about the opportunity to showcase this magnificent land.
Arrival
On day 1 of their Arizona adventure, the lucky participants from the financial services client company arrived in Phoenix and were whisked away to Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix. This boutique hotel is located in the heart of vibrant downtown Phoenix at CityScape, a dynamic mixed-use development featuring shopping, entertainment and dining. Hotel Palomar is an urban retreat that strikes the balance between the energy of its city setting and Arizona's laid-back lifestyle.
The hotel offers 242 spacious guest rooms and suites, all with modern interior touches and views of the surrounding city and mountains. In step with the signature style of Hotel Palomar, this Phoenix destination combines contemporary design with an "Art in Motion" theme embracing the undercurrent of artistic energy throughout.
To help our travel weary guests in their recovery, some carbs were in order. So, we headed to Pizzeria Bianco for what some have labeled as the nation's best pizza. To work some of that off—and ensure a night of solid jetlag-curing sleep, we led the group to Scottsdale’s iconic Handlebar J, to kick up their heels to live country music, complete with Arizona Two-Steppin' on the dance floor.
Phoenix at its Best
A walking tour is a sure bet to get to know this exciting city. After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we headed to Phoenix Art Museum that has provided access to visual arts and educational programs in Arizona for nearly 60 years and is the largest art museum in the Southwestern United States. From there we stopped by the Heard, considered by many as the nation's finest collection of Native American art.
The day was drawing to a close and it seemed that our guest had worked up appetite for dinner for which we headed to a neighborhood favorite—Blue Hound Kitchen and Cocktails—for their famed "curated beef program."
Let the Adventure Begin
On Day 3, we headed north to the funky town of Jerome, Jerome. Perched atop Cleopatra Hill, the onetime "wickedest town in the west" has transitioned from turn-of-the-century mining outpost to an artist hub and ghost town, where the group was taken to a Spirit Walks—an hour-long primer to the local historic buildings, ruins and paranormal activity. For lunch where else than The Haunted Hamburger, naturally, where the signature patties and handspun milkshakes rival the resident views and ghost stories.
After lunch, the group’s next stop was Cottonwood, in the heart of thriving Verde Valley Wine Region, where serious wine tasting was in order. For that we stopped by Arizona Stronghold Vineyards. The quality of the region’s wines was a pleasant surprise to most of the participants notwithstanding interestingly named vineyards such as Alcantara Vineyards.
In midafternoon, we led the group to the Tavern Hotel—a historic grocery store turned upscale boutique hotel in Old Town Cottonwood, where the group was checked in and found themselves by the fire. After a well-deserved respite, they took a short walk to Merkin Vineyards Osteria & Tasting Room, an Italian eatery that serves up stellar house-made pasta along with beautifully paired wines.
Go North Young Man
Day 4 was upon us. To prep our weary group for another day on the road, instead of typical hotel breakfast, the group was treated to a continental breakfast accompanied by an excellent choice of espressos at Crema Craft Kitchen & Bar right across the street from the Tavern Hotel.
After a short ride the group found itself in the red rock heaven otherwise known as mystical Sedona. This is where the group’s physical fitness was put to test as they embarked on a hike in the Boynton Canyon area—which is reputed to house vortices.
At the conclusion of their hiking, the group was treated to a well-deserved “Feet in the Creek” treatment at L’Auberge de Sedona’s famed spa. After a light lunch on the go, we headed a few more miles north en route to Flagstaff. Upon arrival, the group was checked in at the iconic Weatherford Hotel.
Tired but with big appetite, the group was treated to dinner at Brix, a historic carriage house turned into a sustainable and chic eatery before heading to their welcoming beds.
On Day 5, after a brief city tour of historic Flagstaff, we headed to Picture Canyon, home to fascinating ancient petroglyphs, for another day of hiking. The group was displaying signs of fatigue. So we checking in at Under Canvas Grand Canyon which is a safari-style glamping setup where everyone was assigned a luxury tent as accommodation. Naturally, dinner was served under magical starry skies.
On their final day, after breakfast, the group seemed eager to head south toward Phoenix and the flight home. The gratifying expression of the group’s sentiments was “I’ll be back” with which this epic incentive program came to an end.