Arizona is a state in the Southwestern region of the United States.
One of the four corner states it borders New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, California and Mexico and shares a very short border along the corner of Colorado.
Known as the Grand Canyon State, Arizona also offers adventure, wellness, heritage and culture.
Arizona divides, roughly, into three geological zones:
The two major metropolitan areas of Phoenix, in central Arizona, and Tucson, in southern Arizona, are in the Sonoran Desert, lush with saguaros and other cacti and punctuated by several mountain ranges.
The desert is fairly flat to the west, but in the east, as cacti give way to scrubby trees, the region takes on a rugged beauty.
When to go
The best time to visit Central and Southern Arizona including Phoenix, Tucson, Bisbee and Tombstone is from September through to April.
Northern Arizona has forests of pine, fir and spruce, the Clorado Plateau, mountain ranges, such as the San Francisco Peaks, and deep canyons and enjoys more moderate summer temperatures and significant winter snowfalls.
There are three ski resorts in Arizona in the northern city of Flagstaff, the eastern area of Greer and the southern area near Tucson, the southernmost ski resort in the USA.
Getting there
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is Arizona's main airport, with airlines flying in including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, United, Delta and Air Canada.
Where to stay
Accommodation ranges from dude ranches and luxurious spa resorts to boutique hotels, quaint bed and breakfasts and rustic cabin rentals
The Camby, Phoenix, AZ
The Camby Hotel is an independent lifestyle hotel in Phoenix owned by Host Hotels & Resorts.
The 277-room property is located in the heart of the city's humming business and entertainment district and features Artizen, Crafted American Kitchen & Bar, two bars and a boutique spa titled Zest.
The FOUND:RE Hotel, Downtown Phoenix
The 105-room FOUND:RE Hotel has public spaces and amenities inspired by contemporary art, culture, fashion and music.
The hotel will look to enhance the city's arts offerings with a collection of contemporary art led by Cultural Curator Michael Oleskow who will be sourcing work by local artists.
It offers raw design throughout, with furnishing and touches such as concrete floors, exposed ceilings and floating beds.
The FOUND:RE will join Phoenix's growing art community, embracing its urban location with nearby art galleries, the Phoenix Art Museum and creative pop-ups.
www.foundrehotels.com
L'Auberge de Sedona
Located on the banks of Oak Creek in Sedona's Red Rock region, L', Auberge features 62 luxury cottages and 26 traditional lodge-style guest rooms.
Each of the property's luxury Vista, Creek and Spa cottages include an outdoor, open-roof cedar shower located on private balconies.
Restaurants Cress on Oak Creek and Etch Kitchen & Bar have been designed to exploit their creekside locations.
Outdoor activities include moonlit meditation, daily yoga, guided hikes and jogs around the scenic property.
Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson
Located on 60,000 acres of Tucson's desert landscape, Tanque Verde Ranch looks to embrace the spirit of the Old West.
It provides guests with activities such as horseback riding lessons, trail rides, hiking, mountain biking, tennis, swimming, fishing, supervised kids programs and the La Sonora Spa.
Mountain Shadows, Paradise Valley
Mountain Shadows is a newly opened upscale boutique resort with roots in 1950s modernism.
Guest rooms are resplendid with geometric lighting, open floor plans with floor-to-ceiling glass.