The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale

The Phoenician is a great resort in Scottsdale. It is in the perfect location - close to shopping and restaurants. The property is beautiful. The pools are great. They are perfect for adults and children. The staff is warm and friendly. Housekeeping is great too. Mowry and Cotton a nice place for breakfast. My first choice to stay when visiting Scottsdale!

As a home-based travel business owner with over 20 years of experience—specializing in luxury travel, cruises, and destination weddings—I’ve devoted my career to excellence and service. However, during a recent Educational Stay, I was subjected to racial profiling, discrimination based on my disability, and the exclusion of my service animals from public areas of the property. While on-site, I was served low-quality meals that made me ill. When I reported my symptoms, I was offered only crackers, Gatorade, or bubbly water—no official report was taken. I visited the resort as an official representative, evaluating it as a potential venue for a destination wedding or bachelorette party. Covering over 200,000 square feet, the property should have offered a robust and enriching experience. Instead, my tour lasted less than 30 minutes and consisted largely of the guide pointing out areas where my service animals were prohibited. I was shown a one-bedroom suite in the Canyon Suites, only to be informed that neither I nor my service animals were permitted in that section of the property or its pool area. Despite the resort being advertised as pet-friendly and expansive, my guest—who also lives with a disability—and I were restricted to my room and one restaurant. Staff provided menus from off-property restaurants and instructed me to contact each establishment individually to confirm service animal policies, citing frequent changes. As a longtime representative of luxury Marriott properties who travels with service animals, I have never encountered such treatment from the brand. After submitting a survey detailing my experience, I was met with retaliation. When I raised my concerns directly with the hotel, I was informed that their staff had failed me. I’ve since taken action by contacting legal counsel and the Department of Justice to address the discriminatory and unjust treatment I endured. Discrimination has no place in travel. I will not remain silent.

The most appalling experience of my professional career. As a home-based travel business owner with over 20 years in the industry, I’ve dedicated my life to excellence and service. Yet during a recent Educational Stay, I was subjected to racial profiling, discrimination due to my disability, and the exclusion of my service animals from public areas of the property. While on the property I was given low quality meals that made me ill. No report was taken. I visited the resort as an official representative, with Kirsten Smith assigned as my point of contact. What should have been a professional development experience became a deeply distressing ordeal. After raising my concerns directly with the hotel, I was informed that the staff had indeed failed me. I’ve since taken action by contacting legal representation and the Department of Justice regarding the unjust treatment I received. Discrimination has no place in travel—and I won’t remain silent.