Guests at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess can lounge beside one of the palm ringed pools or be pampered in the new spa.
		The Resorts:
		The Phoenician
		Sanctuary
		Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
		Four Seasons Scottsdale
		Hyatt Regency Scottsdale
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In January, it's soggy in Seattle, and San Franciscans are feeling their way through the fog. In Chicago, people walk at 45-degree angles against the wind, and in New York, the snow is black.

And then there's winter in Phoenix, where the temperature is 72°F, the desert air is dry and clean, and blue skies go all the way to Utah.

"Ah," says the bellman at the Four Seasons Scottsdale resort, opening the door for a guest and taking a deep breath. "Another beautiful day." They say that a lot in the Phoenix-Scottsdale metropolitan area, at least between October and May, when the area becomes one of the nation's top winter havens. (You won't hear them say that so often in August, when it's 105°.)

While the region has been a destination for decades, a new generation of luxury resorts has opened in recent years, with more on the way. These resorts are like desert oases, one-stop vacations offering upscale accommodations, luxury spas, family-friendly water areas, access to some of the finest golf courses in the United States and, increasingly, first-class food and wine experiences.

"When I first came to Phoenix, 15 years ago, I would have characterized it as a meat-and-potatoes town, but eventually that began to change," says Reed Groban, executive chef of the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess resort. "I think Phoenix has become more sophisticated and savvy because you have a lot of people who have settled here from around the country who have expectations."

Just how high are the expectations? Consider, for a moment, the scene inside the ballroom of the JW Marriott Desert Ridge just before Thanksgiving. Opening day looms, and construction workers are putting the finishing touches on this massive resort. The ballroom is stacked with pallets of new china, Riedel stemware and other upscale paraphernalia for the resort's nine restaurants.

"There are so many gorgeous hotels, so we have to surpass them with food and service," says Paul Rossi, director of food and beverage. The Marriott Desert Ridge is certainly trying to raise the stakes. The resort's signature dining room will be a tony Italian restaurant called Tuscany, and other restaurants on the premises will bear the signatures of celebrity chefs Roy Yamaguchi and Mark Miller.

Across town, the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass opened last fall. Located on and owned by the Gila River Indian reservation, this theatrical resort is a must for those who are passionate about things Native American. It is also home to one of the region's most promising new restaurants, Kai. Janos Wilder, James Beard Award to winning chef and owner of Janos in Tucson, is the consultant, and he has crafted an invigoratingly creative menu that takes inspiration from Native American foods.

As for leisure activities, upscale shopping is abundant throughout the area, and historic Scottsdale is a favorite outing. In March, baseball fans flock to the region for Major League spring training. Tennis remains popular, but golf is the main attraction. The Phoenix-Scottsdale area has nearly 140 public-access courses, according to Larry Olmsted of Golf Insider, an independent newsletter, and it's the rare resort that doesn't have its own course, or at least privileges at a nearby club. "Scottsdale is the home of desert golf, which is a distinct style," Olmsted explains. Instead of the lush green lawns and tall shade trees, desert golf provides a dramatic landscape of tall boulders and spiny cacti. "It's so stark, so breathtaking," he says.

The best of these desert-style courses, according to Olmsted, can be found at the Troon North Golf Club, located just beyond the northern outskirts of Scottsdale. Troon North's Monument course was just rated the No. 21 course in the nation by Golf magazine. The Four Seasons, one of the region's most opulent resorts, is nearby, and its guests have privileges at the course.

Even farther from town is the Boulders Resort, an intimate and exclusive resort amid the rocks and cacti of a remote village named Carefree. It's particularly popular with golfers, since the Boulders' two courses are considered among the best in the nation. (And because the golf club is private, staying there is the only way to gain access.)

Choosing the right resort is simply a matter of deciding which one matches your interests. The Phoenician is the city's most luxurious and is home to the only restaurant in the area with a Wine Spectator Grand Award to winning wine list.

For classic architecture, the Arizona Biltmore is a must. The consultant was Frank Lloyd Wright, and the Biltmore set the standard for luxury in Phoenix when it opened in 1929. It remains an elegant destination today, although its lead restaurant, Wright's, has a new chef and wine director and is still finding its way. The Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs resort is a good alternative for the budget-conscious, and its Different Pointe of View restaurant boasts an expansive overlook of Phoenix and a Best of Award of Excellence to winning wine list.

If you prefer something hipper, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain is another recent addition to the area, and while the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale lacks a top-notch wine program, it joins the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in the category of most versatile resorts.

What follows is a detailed look at five of the region's top luxury getaways, resorts that offer the most for today's wine- and food-savvy travelers.