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Arizona Travel ID will be mandatory starting May 2023

PHOENIX — The Arizona Travel ID will be mandatory for travelers starting exactly one year from today.

Beginning on May 3, 2023, you will need a federally compliant ID in order to get through TSA checkpoints at airports for domestic flights, the Arizona Department of Transportation says.

The pandemic caused delays in the process and ultimately pushed back the date.

“Without the Arizona Travel ID or other form of federally-compliant identification such as a valid U.S. Passport, fliers risk missing an airline flight because the standard driver license will not be accepted at TSA checkpoints,” ADOT says.

Identification cards that are federally approved have a gold star in the corner.

You can walk in to get a Travel ID, but ADOT suggests making an appointment first .

You’ll need to bring proof of identity (birth certificate or US passport), social security number, and two documents proving your residency (rental or bank statements, credit card or phone bills) at your current address.

The ID costs $25.

For more information, click here.

RELATED: Arizonans can start adding IDs to virtual Apple Wallet

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Six Months: The Travel ID will be required in 2023

Deadline is May 7, 2025 for Passengers to Have Federally-Required Real ID to Fly

December 5, 2022.

Starting May 7, 2025, commercial airline passengers ages 18 and older will be required to show identification that complies with the Real ID Act to clear Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints at all U.S. airports. After postponing earlier deadlines, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will begin enforcing the requirement on May 7, 2025.

Arizonans who use their driver’s license or ID card to go through TSA security, should consider getting the voluntary Arizona Travel ID through the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) Motor Vehicle Division to be assured of having it when enforcement begins. The Travel ID can be combined and used as a driver’s license, but the standard Arizona Driver License does not comply with Real ID security requirements and will not be accepted by TSA as of May 7, 2025. The Travel ID is easily distinguished from a standard ID by a star cutout inside a gold circle in the upper right corner on the front of the card.

To meet security requirements of the Real ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, applicants for an Arizona Travel ID must provide a Social Security number plus documentation showing your full legal name, date of birth, two proofs of address for your principal residence and your legal status. The cost for the Travel ID is $25 and in most cases it will be valid for up to eight years.

ADOT provides specific information about the voluntary Arizona Travel ID here:

ADOT Arizona Travel ID Info

Other Compliant IDs

While driver’s licenses are the most common ID used at airport checkpoints, other IDs the TSA will accept as Real IDs starting May 3, 2023, are:

U.S. passport
U.S. passport card
A Real ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card issued by any U.S. state or territory (Compliant IDs have a star incorporated into the design on the front.)
A Trusted Traveler card (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents
Permanent resident card (Green Card)
Border crossing card
A photo ID issued by the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, the Tohono Oʼodham Nation or another federally recognized tribe
HSPD-12 PIV card (issued to federal employees and contractors)
Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL) issued by the states of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont or Washington
Passport issued by a foreign government
Driver’s licence issued by a Canadian province
Status card issued by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
Transportation worker identification credential
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766)
U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential
Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC)

IDs must be currently valid and not expired.

Not acceptable as Real IDs are standard state-issued driver’s licenses and IDs, temporary driver’s licenses, weapons permits and any document that includes a notation that it cannot be used as a federal ID.

Real ID FAQs

Updated december 5, 2022, why the concern now about getting a real id.

The countdown clock is ticking with less than six months for passengers to have a compliant Real ID to go through airport TSA checkpoints. A driver’s license or ID is the most frequently used ID at checkpoints and state officials are concerned they will face a crush of last-minute applications for the compliant version, called the Arizona Travel ID, or worse, some passengers won’t know to get one and will be turned away by TSA and unable to board their airline flights as of May 7, 2025 when enforcement begins.

Wait, what? I have to get a new driver's license to fly?

Yes, in a way. It’s not the driver’s license that is changing, it’s the ID part. A Real ID must meet certain security measures as outlined in the Real ID Act. Rather than carry two cards, the compliant ID and your Arizona Driver License are combined into one card. For those who do not drive, it is possible to get only the Travel ID.

Is there any other Real ID I can use at TSA as of May 7, 2025?

Yes, there are several that are listed above on this page. They include passports, passport cards, Trusted Traveler cards, Department of Defense IDs and photo IDs issued by a federally recognized tribe. The TSA has a complete list of other acceptable Real IDs here .

What's required for an Arizona Travel ID?

Applicants for a Real ID must provide a Social Security number and documentation showing your full legal name, date of birth, two proofs of address for your principal residence and your legal status. The Arizona Department of Transportation has more information here .

Where do I start the process for an Arizona Travel ID?

Although the process requires an in-person visit, the Arizona Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Division has tried to make it as straightforward as possible. Go to ADOT Arizona Travel ID Info (or click the button above) to get step-by-step instructions, find a checklist of required documents, fill out an application and make an appointment. A map showing locations of both MVD and authorized third-party offices for an Arizona Travel ID is here .

I just renewed my driver's license, is it a Real ID?

In Arizona you will know if it is a Real ID if it has a star cutout inside a gold circle in the upper right corner on the front of the license. The Travel ID is a voluntary option that must be requested. Arizona is continuing to issue a standard driver’s license that is not Real ID compliant.

I cannot use my standard Driver License at TSA?

You can through May 6, 2025. After that you will need a Real ID-compliant identification such as the Arizona Travel ID.

My standard driver's license is not expired, what will happen if I use it at TSA on May 7, 2025?

The TSA says you will not be cleared through the checkpoint.

Doesn't TSA have other ways to prove a person's identity?

Yes, there are procedures to confirm an identity in situations when a person is temporarily without an ID. But a person who doesn’t have a Real ID and never applied for one, cannot be confirmed as someone meeting the requirement to board an aircraft.

I'm an Arizona resident but not a U.S. citizen, can I get a Travel ID?

Yes, you are eligible to apply for an Arizona Travel ID using a Permanent Resident or Resident Alien card (I-551), an unexpired United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or I-94 form with an unexpired foreign passport and an unexpired U.S. Visa (not required for Visa Waiver program participants).

Do children need Real IDs for TSA?

No. Persons 17 and younger traveling with an adult do not need to show an ID. The adult, however, will need to show a Real ID as of May 7, 2025.

Does the Travel ID replace my passport?

No. A passport is still required for international travel and can also be used for Real ID purposes to go through the TSA checkpoint. In terms of hierarchy, a passport could be considered above the Arizona Travel ID, which will get you through the checkpoint. Since the Arizona Travel ID can also be your driver’s license it’s simpler to carry for domestic travel when you don’t otherwise need a passport.

Is there any other reason to get a Real ID, besides using it at TSA?

Certain federal facilities, including most under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense, will also require Real ID-compliant identification to gain access.

I'm not going to fly and I'm not in the military, is there any problem keeping my standard Arizona Driver License?

No, that is your prerogative. In fact, in Arizona the default is to issue a standard Driver License or ID. The Arizona Travel ID is voluntary and must be requested.

Can I decide later if I want to get a Travel ID?

Yes. May 7, 2025, is when enforcement will start but if you don’t see a need for a Travel ID until later, you can wait. Just remember that under normal circumstances it will take about 15 days for you to receive your Arizona Travel ID once your application has been submitted. If there is high demand that time will increase.

Is the government using Real ID information to build a national databank?

No. Real ID is a national set of security standards, not a national identification card. The Department of Homeland Security points out that each jurisdiction continues to issue its own unique ID or license, maintain its own records and controls who gets access to those records and under what circumstances. The purpose of Real ID is to make identity documents more consistent and secure.

Is there a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip in an Arizona Travel ID?

No. ADOT says state law prohibits the Travel ID from containing a RFID chip.

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7 Strangest National Park Sites In Arizona

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Arizona's national parks offer more than just stunning beauty - they are filled with bizarre formations, spooky stories, and haunted histories.
From massacres to mummies, Arizona's national park sites are home to creepy occurrences that have lasted for centuries.
Whether it's ghost sightings, alien abductions, or mysteriously abandoned ancient ruins, Arizona's national parks are full of strange and eerie stories.

Although the USA's many national park sites are famed for their jaw-dropping beauty, their excellent hiking, and their rich, diverse wildlife, many national park sites are known for their spooky stories . Out of all the areas in the US, the Southwest is well known for its bizarre landscapes and creepy occurrences.

From ghostly apparitions in the hills to frightening visits from otherworldly beings to the energy vortexes in places like Sedona , there's no shortage of unusual spots in Arizona's national parks.

In this list, you'll find several of these strange spots found within Arizona's national park system, ranging from unusual rock formations and UFO hotspots to mysterious abandoned structures once inhabited by ancient civilizations.

10 Of The Most Sweltering, Deadly Hikes In Arizona

Arizona offers some of the most difficult hikes in the country, featuring challenging, hot terrain yet stunning scenery.

7 Massacre Falls

This was once the site of a massacre in the 1800s.

One of the creepiest sites in the entire national park system of the US is found in Arizona's Tonto National Forest. To most, the white streams of Massacre Falls are simply one of Arizona's top-rated waterfall hikes , but to those who know its dark history, it is the site of horrible human suffering.

In the 1840s, a group of miners were killed here during their pursuit of gold after a conflict with the local Apache. It is said that these miners' spirits still haunt this site, even over 100 years later. Their gold is similarly still lost to this day, and the area is rife with treasure hunters who still believe the gold is out there.

6 Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Ancient mummies make this national monument extra creepy.

Arizona's best hidden gem national park, Canyon de Chelly National Monument, is also a location for creepy historical happenings. With a history of human habitation that goes back 5,000 years (making it one of the longest continually inhabited locations in the USA), it's statistically likely that something creepy has happened here at some point, and Canyon de Chelly does not disappoint on that front.

Mummy Cave, a key attraction in the park, draws tourists from far and wide. This cave, home to some Ancestral Puebloan ruins that date back to before 1300 CE, is an important historical site for those interested in the history of pre-Columbian North America.

Seeing the buildings nestled into the sheer cliffside is enough to engage interest, but its creepy history is also a draw, too. What makes it creepy, though, is the two mummified bodies found in the ruins when the site was initially excavated.

Summer Star Gazing: Head To Arizona This Summer

For those who want to experience some of the most dark sky locations in the US, travel to Arizona this summer for an amazing experience.

5 Boynton Canyon

Discover an epic energy vortex hike near sedona.

Located in Coconino National Forest, the stunning red rocks of Boynton Canyon hold a strange, but comforting secret. According to many who believe in New Age spirituality, this location is one of Sedona's many energy vortex hikes .

As hikers head near the site of the vortex, marked by a sign and stunning canyon views, they will encounter cairns left by pilgrims as they seek out the spiritual awakening, refreshment, and healing that can be experienced here.

Skip The Grand Canyon: Visit Arizona's Most Underrated National Park

With the long lines and crowds at the Grand Canyon, why not give Petrified Forest National Park with all of its beauty a shot instead?

4 Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Alien encounters have been reported here.

According to the National UFO Reporting Center, a US organization dedicated to cataloging all the UFO reports nationwide, Arizona is one of the states that has the highest counts of UFO sightings . Out of all these sites, there are few others as famous as Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest for alien encounters.

In 1975, a man named Travis Walton claimed to have been abducted by aliens within the park. Although Walton's claims have been heavily scrutinized, there are many who still believe that the desert sands of the Southwest are still visited yearly by extraterrestrial beings.

3 Montezuma Castle National Monument

The ruins of an ancient civilization rest at montezuma castle national monument.

Montezuma Castle National Monument is a place of historical beauty and strange stories. First identified by Westerners in the 1860s, this archeological site was misnamed after the Aztec emperor, Montezuma II, due to the misguided belief that only the peoples of Mesoamerica had created sprawling civilizations in North America. In reality, this incredible site was created by the Sinagua People who lived in central Arizona from 500 to 1425 CE.

Today, Montezuma Castle is considered to be one of the most illustrious cliff-dwelling locations in America, which is high praise, considering the many cliff-dwelling spots that have been found throughout the region.

After centuries of habitation, the site was ultimately abandoned for unknown reasons, perhaps linked to resource depletion or war. Tourists today can see these ruins and think back to the people who lived their lives there - and ponder the mysterious reasons why their settlement was abandoned.

There's Only A 4% Chance Of Getting This Bucket List Arizona Hike Permit

It may take some time, but for those who are persistent, winning the lottery for the permit to The Wave is well worth it.

2 Petrified Forest National Park

Petrified tree logs from the late triassic are rampant throughout this national park.

Petrified Forest National Park , located in northeastern Arizona, lives up to its name. In this park, a unique discovery was made of a natural phenomenon that is truly incredible to behold. Amid the desert badlands and steppes of the park's 346 square miles are thousands of petrified fallen trees.

Dating to the Late Triassic period, these fossilized trees are around 225 million years old. Today, visitors can see the remains of this prehistoric forest that stands as a testament to our changing world.

Getting A Permit For This Scenic Utah Hike Is Almost Impossible

The Wave hike in Utah (and Arizona) has the hardest-to-get permits in the country. Here's how to apply for a permit, and back-ups if it doesn't work.

1 Chiricahua National Monument

See some of arizona's strangest rock formations at chiricahua national monument.

At Chiricahua National Monument , some of Arizona's strangest rock formations await those who venture into this arid environment. Stone hoodoo columns, boulders balanced atop one another, and winding canyons were all formed by a massive volcanic eruption 27 million years ago.

Visitors today can see these incredible rock formations along the 3.2-mile Echo Canyon Loop Trail , perhaps one of the strangest hikes in America due to these stunning yet bizarre rocky structures.

See the Final Four best Arizona road trips: Vote on your favorite getaway

Phoenix road trippers yearn to explore inspiring settings, do fun things and not feel like they're on fire when they're outside in summer.

This summer, millions of travelers are planning road trips. AAA forecasted record numbers of people who planned to travel by car this summer, including for the Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends.

So the timing is right to launch azcentral.com's Best Arizona Road Trip Bracket.

Round 1 of voting in the bracket that matches up eight popular road trips from Phoenix ended Sunday, July 7. More than 750 people voted in Round 1. Some of the races were very close, and the results may surprise you.

Four road trip spots remain in contention.

Voting for Round 2 begins at 5 a.m. Tuesday, July 9, and ends at midnight on Sunday, July 14. The championship bracket will be announced Tuesday, July 16, marking the start of the final round of voting. The winner will be announced Tuesday, July 23.

Here are the contenders for best Arizona road trips and how to vote.

A roughly 2½-hour drive from Phoenix puts you in the heart of Arizona's high country: the historic railroad city of Flagstaff. The elevation of just under 7,000 feet above sea level, compared to around 1,100 feet in Phoenix, means mild summers and snowy winters.

Flagstaff has a lot to see and do, from exploring Sunset Crater, Wupatki and Walnut Canyon national monuments to wandering through the city's historic downtown on Route 66. Stay for the night sky, as the stargazing is considered among the best in the state (and a big reason why CNN recently named Flagstaff one of the top 10 U.S. towns to visit in 2024 ).

The reasons to visit Sedona seem endless: award-winning restaurants , hotels , spas and scenic drives . Iconic hikes and swimming holes . Even the McDonald's is a landmark because of its blue arches . Pictures don't do justice to the red rock landscapes and its notable landmarks like Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and the Chapel of the Holy Cross; they must be seen to be fully appreciated.

Sedona is also a short drive from other nearby Verde Valley destinations, such as the historic mining town/now arts community of Jerome and the wine-tasting havens of Clarkdale and Cottonwood, where travelers can try wines made by Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan . Tuzigoot National Monument and Dead Horse Ranch State Park also draw visitors to Cottonwood.

This Gila County city about 90 miles northeast of Phoenix is sometimes considered "the heart of Arizona" for being near the state's geographic center. It's definitely the heart of Mogollon Rim Country, a region abundant in pine forests and lakes where outdoor lovers can go hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing and camping.

Tonto Natural Bridge, believed to be the largest natural bridge in the world composed of travertine limestone, is protected by a state park about 20 minutes north of Payson.

Pinetop-Lakeside/Greer

The White Mountains in eastern Arizona would appeal to metro Phoenix residents for the milder summers alone. But the region is also a hub for just about every outdoor activity.

Pinetop-Lakeside, consisting of the neighboring towns of Pinetop and Lakeside, gives visitors their choice of 65 lakes and streams for watersports like kayaking and fishing. Hunting grounds and motorized trails are also prominent. There's also White Mountain Family Fun Park , for those whose favorite outdoor activities are mini golf and go-karting.

Greer, about 40 miles east, has scenic hiking opportunities , cozy cabins and the historic Molly Butler Lodge. The surrounding Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests have several campgrounds and endless recreation options.

And sandwiched right in the middle of all this outdoor goodness is the Fort Apache Reservation, home to the White Mountain Apache Tribe, which operates Sunrise Park Resort , offering skiing in winter and mountain biking and scenic chairlift rides in summer. A mountain coaster thrill ride will open in summer 2024.

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at [email protected] . Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx .

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

Yuma's top rated coffee shops to visit on your next road trip

YUMA, AZ (AZFamily) — Summer road trips can be long and if you’re joining the thousands of others heading west to California, Yuma is a great spot to stop for a caffeine kick.

Yuma has a handful of top-rated coffee shops that are easy to reach if you’re traveling through the area.

North End Coffeehouse is a great stop for cold brew lovers.

They also make their own bagels and muffins daily and have more than 130 five-star reviews on Yelp.

North End has been serving coffee for nearly a decade now, but they recently came under new ownership.

Twenty-two-year-old Daliliah Becerra is the new owner.

After working there for two years, she got an offer to take over the businesses.

“I’m willing to do it. I don’t know how. I’ve never owned a business before,” said Becerra.

Becerra said while it hasn’t been an easy road, she’s found ways to put her mark on the shop.

She’s said she’s had some good mentorship from the previous owners and other coffee shop owners in town.

They serve up more than 100 cups of freshly roasted coffee a day.

For anyone traveling through town from the Valley, she said you can call in your order if you’re in a hurry, but promises it’s a treat if you have time to stay and enjoy the good tunes and ambiance at the North End.

“Especially because we are so conveniently off the freeway. The fact that you came in and chose us is enough,” she said.

Another must-try in Yuma is Cafecito , off Main Street in downtown.

It’s a slower-paced shop where you’re encouraged to stop in, hang out, enjoy their outdoor garden and maybe even buy some art made by local artists.

For people looking for a heavier lunch with their coffee, The Press Cafe and Bistro and the Coffee Bean are both good options with lots of food items on their menu.

See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it .

Do you have a photo or video of a breaking news story? Send it to us here with a brief description.

North End serves up more than 100 cups of freshly roasted coffee a day.

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Travel + Leisure Readers' 10 Favorite Resorts in Arizona of 2024

These resorts offer both sun-drenched pool parties and serene spa time in our annual "World’s Best Awards" survey for 2024.

How Voting Works

What readers loved, the full list.

Courtesy of Castle Hot Springs

It may come as little surprise that Arizona’s best resorts are clustered around two of the state’s tourism centers: Sedona , a favorite of nature-lovers and spiritual seekers, and Scottsdale, a golfer’s paradise that’s also a great jumping-off point for activities like hiking and rock climbing. With a mix of historic properties and new builds, larger family-friendly resorts and secluded retreats, this year’s list reminds us why this state is an evergreen destination for all kinds of travelers. One thing you’ll find at nearly all of them? An unbelievable spa. This is Arizona , after all.

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Over 186,000 T+L readers completed the 2024 survey. A total of more than 700,000 votes were cast across over 8,700 properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, inn, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below:

Rooms/facilities

For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses.

Arizona’s best resorts for 2024 include an impressive six properties around Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. New and old collide at No. 2 Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, a Gurney’s Resort & Spa. While it reopened under Gurney’s management in 2021, it has a history that stretches back to the 1950s, when it was born as a Palm Springs-inspired Paradise Valley Racquet Club.

Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale (No. 8) brings more midcentury vibes: Founded in 1959, the site was rebuilt and reopened in 2017 under new ownership, with modernist design that nods to its glory days as a Rat Pack haunt. These days, though, the atmosphere is a little less louche: As one reader wrote, “Next time we will bring the kids, as it is a great place for families too!”

Three of the top resorts this year are in Sedona, the artsy town a mere two hours’ drive north of Phoenix that’s known for its new-age hotels and stunning scenery. The newest is Ambiente, A Landscape Hotel , making its debut on the list at No. 10. Opened in early 2023, Ambiente made the list for its unique accommodations: 40 cube-shaped elevated cottages, each with glass walls offering 180-degree views of the red-rock desert. “This place is phenomenal,” wrote one survey respondent of their stay. “As close as you can get to sleeping under the immense night sky with all its stars,” but with air conditioning and indoor plumbing, too.

Castle Hot Springs: Morristown, Arizona

The first-place Arizona resort was also the state’s original wellness retreat, founded in the late 19th century and later visited by the likes of the Rockefellers and Roosevelts. Castle Hot Springs, which moved up from No. 2 last year, offers 30 standalone cabins and cottages on 1,100 acres an hour north of Phoenix — a location chosen back in the 1890s for its natural hot springs high in magnesium and lithium, which now feed the resort’s three geothermal pools. Guests at the inclusive property can also enjoy a range of complimentary activities. “This is a magical oasis that we fell in love with the minute we arrived,” wrote one T+L reader. “The history, the staff, the unbelievable farm, the food, the wine pairings … and of course, those hot springs!”

The history, the staff, the unbelievable farm, the food, the wine pairings … and of course, those hot springs!

1. Castle Hot Springs : Morristown, Arizona

Reader Score: 95.71

2. Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, a Gurney’s Resort & Spa : Scottsdale, Arizona

Reader Score: 93.64

3. The Hermosa Inn : Paradise Valley, Arizona

Reader Score: 92.47

4. L'Auberge de Sedona : Sedona, Arizona

Reader Score: 92.45

5 . Enchantment Resort : Sedona, Arizona

Reader Score: 92.00

6. The Canyon Suites at the Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale : Scottsdale, Arizona

Reader Score: 91.33

7. Royal Palms Resort and Spa, part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt : Phoenix, Arizona

Reader Score: 91.11

8. Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale : Scottsdale, Arizona

Reader Score: 90.34

9. Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North : Scottsdale, Arizona

Reader Score: 90.11

10. Ambiente, ALandscape Hotel : Sedona, Arizona

Reader Score: 89.89

These Arizona hotels were just named among the world's best. One dates to 1896

A historic wellness retreat in the desert northwest of Phoenix was just named the best Arizona resort for a third time.

Castle Hot Springs topped Travel + Leisure's list of the best resort hotels in Arizona in its 2024 World's Best Awards. The resort in Morristown was also one of five Arizona hotels named on the magazine's 2024 T+L List , the world's best hotels as selected by its readers.

This is the third time Castle Hot Springs, which reopened in 2019 after a fire that shuttered it for decades, topped Travel + Leisure's best Arizona resorts list. It previously achieved the honor in 2021 and 2022 .

Last year, it placed second to the Hermosa Inn in Paradise Valley .

Why Travel + Leisure readers like Castle Hot Springs

Castle Hot Springs, an 1,100-acre resort that nestles along the Bradshaw Mountains, was described by Travel + Leisure as "the state's original wellness retreat." It opened in 1896 and predates many metro Phoenix and Arizona historic resorts.

Readers praised Castle Hot Springs for its assortment of activities, which range from culinary experiences (a reader quoted in the ranking enjoyed "the unbelievable farm" there) to adventure experiences like Arizona's only via ferrata course .

But the key attraction is right there in the name: natural hot springs that feed three geothermal pools. High in magnesium and lithium, the hot spring waters are said to have healing properties.

Castle Hot Springs recently introduced a cold plunge pool with temperatures ranging from 43 to 46 degrees, plus a walking tour of the hot springs where a guide shares information about their geology and the waters' therapeutic benefits.

Sedona hotels on the T+L World's World's Best list in 2024

Travel + Leisure readers continue to love Sedona resorts too.

(Arizona Republic readers apparently agree; Sedona is one of the final four destinations in our Best Arizona Road Trip Bracket .)

Both of the Sedona resorts on 2023's list moved up in the rankings: L'Auberge de Sedona is No. 4, up from No. 5 last year; and Enchantment Resort is No. 5 , up from No. 7 last year.

And a third Sedona resort is new to the 2024 list: Ambiente, A Landscape Hotel . Ambiente, which opened last year , was designed to blend in with Sedona's natural topography and features cube-shaped atriums with rooftop decks that allow for unique views of the natural world and the night sky.

Travel + Leisure best hotels 2024 in Arizona

Castle Hot Springs, Morristown.
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney's Resort & Spa, Paradise Valley.
The Hermosa Inn, Paradise Valley.
L'Auberge de Sedona.
Enchantment Resort, Sedona.
The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician, Scottsdale.
Royal Palms Resort and Spa, Phoenix.
Mountain Shadows Resort, Paradise Valley.
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, Scottsdale.
Ambiente, A Landscape Hotel, Sedona.

How were the Travel + Leisure 2024 World's Best hotels chosen?

Travel + Leisure, America's largest travel media brand, selected the hotels based on feedback from nearly 186,000 readers. They were surveyed about their travel experiences around the world, including hotels, cities, islands, airlines, cruise ships and other experiences.

Readers rated hotels based on their rooms and facilities, location, service, food and overall value for the experience. They scored each category on a scale from "excellent" to "poor."

You can read all the rankings at travelandleisure.com/worlds-best .

More Arizona hotel news

The Glendale Renaissance at Westgate just unveiled a $30 million makeover , VAI Resort pushed back its opening date again and the Arizona Biltmore has a new owner .