Review: The Global Ambassador: First In

Why book?

Phoenix (along with neighboring Scottsdale and Paradise Valley) has long been a favorite domestic go-to for winter sun and spring-break fun. Its resorts and hotels fall loosely into a few categories: rambling retreats for families with swimming pools and waterslides, golf courses, and tennis courts; party spots, often within walking distance to the bars of Old Town Scottsdale, just right for day drinking and bachelorette blowouts; and a new crop of light-on-the-wallet, heavy-on-the-quirky-decor options near ASU’s downtown Phoenix campus and Chase Stadium, where the Diamondbacks play. But a chic, cosmopolitan hotel? A property that’s a legitimately cool day-and-night destination for locals? Absolutely non-existent in the Valley of the Sun—until the arrival of The Global Ambassador.

Set the scene

At first blush, you feel more like you’ve touched down somewhere in Europe—maybe the south of France or the English countryside—rather than on the busy intersection of Camelback Road and 44th Street in Phoenix. For starters, there’s not a whiff of the area’s default southwest design aesthetic anywhere. No white-washed stucco, no adobe tiles, no muted sunset hues. Instead, the exterior is white brick with black wrought-iron railings and balconies. When you enter the sprawling lobby that houses reception, a bar and lounge area, and other dining outlets, you’re met with gray-and-white marble checkerboard tiles and wide-planked wood floors, antiqued plaster ceilings, dark wood-paneled walls, hits of hunter green, and brass fixtures. Peek outside at the sweet pool with its pink striped chaise lounge and orange with white piping sun umbrellas, and you’ll swear you’re on the Amalfi coast.

If it all feels a bit manor house in vibe, well, it is. And it isn’t. There are modern touches that act as wonderfully playful foils to the Old World energy—like the glam mirror wall with slick black-and-white photos in Le Market, the casual breakfast and lunch spot off the lobby. Or the cool-kid white jumpsuits the servers at restaurant Le Âme wear during breakfast and lunch service. And then there’s the countless on-point details throughout the property that land it squarely in the here and now, from the Byredo amenities in the bathrooms to the Forma pilates classes on offer. And while it doesn’t look like anywhere else around, to think it doesn’t belong in–or to–Phoenix is to miss what this city has become. It's the biggest capital city in America and the city with the largest gain in population over the last few years. There are thriving industries, plenty of money, and a fresh savviness here. Indeed, the Global Ambassador is very Phoenix right now. And of course there’s always the hotel’s backdrop, the magnificent Camelback Mountain, Phoenix’s iconic terra-cotta-hued mount that looks like a seated dromedary, to remind you exactly where you are.

During my early visit, there was a constant buzz to the place. It seemed to have already found its footing as a real point of pride and a gathering place for Phoenicians. In the mornings, I clocked lithe, athleisure-wearing locals stopping in for oat milk lattes and green juices (if you see a super tall, extremely fit dude in front of you in line, he’s probably on the Phoenix Suns–the NBA team’s training facility is next door). Throughout the day, the lobby was busy–people having casual business meetings or friends meeting up for a chat in the lounge area, and the restaurants were always full. On the Friday and Saturday nights I was there, the lobby bar was going off, filled with guests and locals who had dressed up for a night of cocktails and live music. There was the palpable sense that this was the place to be.

The backstory

The hotel was developed and is co-owned by partners and old friends Brian Frakes, principal of Common Bond Development Group, and restaurateur and entrepreneur Sam Fox, of Author & Edit Hospitality and whose Fox Restaurant Concepts has opened 150 restaurants around the country. Fox, a 12-time James Beard nominee, is behind some of Phoenix’s most beloved restaurants, including The Henry and Flower Child, and his culinary acumen is on full display at the Global Ambassador’s clutch of bars and restaurants. While the two have teamed up on other projects, this is Fox and Frake’s first hotel adventure, and it’s clear in speaking with the well-traveled Arizona natives that the project has been a labor of love. They have poured themselves into every last detail and created a place that they, as travelers, would love to stay at.

The rooms

The 141 guest rooms and suites are elegant and soothing while still having lots of personality. The overall palette is subtle, plenty of soft beige and white, with many different textural delights, like the wide-wale pale blue fabric behind the bed and the gray flannel on the walls—and there’s good framed art everywhere. The hotel has a variety of room types that range in size and have different views. I stayed in a spacious, 800-square-foot Camelback Terrace Suite with outdoor space and a marvelous view of Camelback. If possible, ask for a mountain-facing room; it’s a pretty special vista to wake up to. There were way too many lovely touches in my room to name, but here are a few standouts: The in-room bar is one of the most carefully considered and curated that I’ve seen, with gold and green wallpaper, books on cocktails, beautiful crystal cocktail glasses and delicate wine glasses, alcohol you actually want to drink (like Irish Gunpowder Gin and Codigo 1530 tequila), and my favorite detail, a wooden cutting board, a properly sharp knife, and a whole lime and lemon. Another hit with me was the bathroom: We seem to be stuck in a design moment where bathrooms are hyper minimal, colorless, and offer the same few amenity brands. Bathrooms here break the mold. The walls are done up in a bold floral print, the bathtub isn’t the usual sleek egg, but a solid, deep tub with statement brass fixtures; there’s a proper vanity with a stool and a gilded tri-part mirror, plenty of counter space and hooks, Frette bathrobes, and Byredo Bal d'Afrique amenities. Another amazing touch? The tube of Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream that was left by my bed during turndown.

Food and drink

Given Fox’s pedigree, the food and drink game is incredibly strong and a real draw to the five distinct dining venues. Le Market is a casual breakfast and lunch spot–think pastries, coffee and juices, quiche and salads. The lobby-level Le Âme serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and morphs from a casual French bistro during the day to a sexy, low-lit steak house at night. Highlights for me included a Niçoisse salad, an elevated take on french-onion dip with potato chips, and a huge crème brulée that should definitely be shared. The lobby bar serves craft and classic cocktails and snacks from 3:00 pm on (ask for a Happy Meal—a martini served with truffle fries). Pink Dolphin is an indoor/outdoor Mexican and Peruvian inspired restaurant adjacent to the pool with options like shrimp cocktail, ceviche, tacos, and margaritas—exactly what you want when poolside. The crown jewel, literally, is rooftop restaurant Théa (with indoor and outdoor bars). Phoenix is a pretty low-laying town and it’s really rare to be this high up and have 360-degree views of the city–out over Camelback, Mummy, North Mountains, and west to downtown Phoenix. It’s pure magic to be on the rooftop at sunset when Camelback glows a fiery pink-red. Can’t-miss dishes on the Mediterranean-inspired dinner menu include The Mother of All Dips (an assortment of spreads including smoky eggplant, hummus, and whipped ricotta served with flatbread and crudité), a cast-iron brick chicken, and a baked feta wrapped in phyllo and served with honey and sesame brittle.

The spa

The spa and fitness offerings are truly cutting edge. There’s a long spa menu with treatments using top of the market brands like Biologique Recherche, U Beauty, and Agustinus Bader. I had the Oxylight Lift & Sculpt facial that involved a high tech machine that seemingly did a zillion different things, including delivering microcurrent, LED, and an oxygen infusion to my face, and a Traveler massage that started with dry brushing and ended in a full body massage with CBD-infused oil. There’s a great gym across from the spa that opens onto a large patio and has views of Camelback, as well as a studio for Forma Pilates (the only place in Arizona where it’s offered). There’s also a cryo chamber—I lasted three and half minutes, which I'm still bragging about—and IV therapy on offer (under the supervision of an onsite nurse).

The neighborhood/area

The hotel is at the convergence of Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Paradise Valley, and while it sits at a busy intersection, the entrance is sort of hidden and away from the streets so you don’t hear any street noise when you’re on property. There are shops and restaurants within walking distance of the hotel, and while the streets that border it are busy, it’s just a block away from really lovely, quiet residential neighborhoods. As mentioned, the hotel is very close to Camelback Mountain–the Cholla Trailhead is a few minutes away by car.

The service

Tight but not at all formal. Everyone is extremely friendly and helpful. A number of those working in the restaurants have worked with Sam Fox over the years and seem to be thrilled to be working with him again here. Numerous staff told me that they loved the setting and being able to see Camelback while they worked.

For families

The hotel is a fit for families in general, but I think it might be more fun for older kids and teens who will appreciate the food and the decor. The pool area seems more a place for sunbathing and sipping Aperol spritzes than cannonballs. Kids are definitely welcome, but I personally would come back with my husband or my friends and leave the little ones back home.

Eco effort

There is a real commitment to sourcing locally, from produce to ceramics. Other efforts that are in play include incorporating drought-tolerant plants into the landscaping, using insulated low-emissivity glass that gives off less radiant thermal energy, LED lightbulbs throughout the hotel, and a water management system equipped with the newest energy-efficient technology. The hotel partners with local charitable nonprofits that have a direct impact on the surrounding community.

Accessibility

The Global Ambassador has seven ADA rooms, one for each room and suite type, and each ADA guest room includes roll-in showers and other accessible features.

Anything left to mention?

It’s worth noting—and no big surprise, given the hyper-attention to detail and on-the-mark brand partnerships found throughout the hotel—that the hotel's boutique is pretty great (Common Project sneakers, James Perse t-shirts). Also worth mentioning is that the hotel has a membership component, the Global Ambassador Club, which includes use of the facilities like the gym, spa, and pool, as well as exclusive use of a beautifully designed restaurant, The Grill. This ups the feeling that the hotel is truly a place for visitors and locals. Additionally, there is an event space and a gorgeous courtyard area that would be excellent for weddings or other big-group gatherings.