The Phoenician

Sunday Brunch and Cacti

The Phoenician is one of six grand hotel/spa/golf resorts in the Phoenix area. Technically it is in Scottsdale but this information will not help the 411 operators who routed my friend's calls twice to The Venetian in Las Vegas and twice to unknown, strange places in Arizona. We found it on the map and their GPS so off we went. Luxury and views! We decided to have brunch there in the Grand Ballroom at 10:45 am. No views, tons and tons of food including seafood, caviar, panini bar, crepes, desserts flowing, and a Bloody Mary bar. I didn't care for the location but service and selection was grand. Yikes, the local Arizona woman dress like whores - tight, short dresses in weird patterns, CFM pumps, big hair, lots of make-up, making several trips to the bar. Boy was I out of place - no make-up, comfy pants and Lacoste sweater, Merrell sandals. Playboy tramp vs. eco-camp. Need to go find a hiking path fast ...

And right up the embankment from the main entrance I found garden bliss...

The fabulous cacti garden. The variety was overwhelming and the landscaping the best I've ever seen. Raised beds keep kids from trampling across the work. Winding paths pull the walker thought a narrow but long display of Arizona's finest desert specimens. Such care also attracts many critters including spunky lizards, shy quail, and a loud mockingbird to name a few. Lovely!