A Little Luxury? You Don’t Need to Go a Long Way
By Cassaundra Brooks
Photography courtesy resorts
As far as comfort and relaxation de luxe goes, you Arizona has no shortage of gorgeous resorts at sweet summer rates for that much-needed getaway. Why travel anywhere else when we have plenty of pampering opportunities right here in our own wide backyard? It’s time to take advantage of good deals, good service, and good food while boosting our state’s economy and recharging before fall kicks in.
Hidden Meadow Ranch
Celebrate the lifestyle of the legendary cowboy with a visit to Hidden Meadow Ranch, an exclusive haven in the White Mountains. Though homesteaded in 1916 and operating as a guest ranch since 2000, the 150-acre ranch is a relatively well-kept secret, and we’re sharing it with you. Open the door of your elegantly furnished rustic log cabin and breathe in the cool air as you enjoy exceptional service, Western-themed family activities, luxurious amenities, and savory cuisine. Twelve individual log guest cabins accentuate the region and feature wood-burning fireplaces, custom oversized soaking tubs, scenic covered porches, and hand-carved wood furniture. The ranch house features a well-stocked library, a 35-foot granite fireplace, and five-star seasonal cuisine—try the house specialties, achiote-marinated elk tenderloin and pan-seared lump crab cakes.
At Hidden Meadow, you’re out of the sweltering heat of the Valley and can take advantage of outdoor activities like horseback riding—there are 2,000 miles of trails—fly-fishing on the Ranch pond, leatherworking and woodworking, arts and crafts, roping, archery, canoeing, mountain biking, and horse-drawn carriage rides. Spend a little extra and go off-site for some rock climbing, canyoneering, caving, and more, or visit during the winter for some snow-bound fun. Take excursions into nearby communities Greer and Pinetop-Lakeside, and in wintertime, head to Sunrise Park Ski Resort for some skiing and snowboarding adventures.
Hidden Meadow Ranch is a welcome change from the desert, offering the cooler temperatures and the surrounding forest clustered with mountain lakes and streams as well as maintaining Arizona’s trademark brilliant blue skies by day and star-studded velvet sky by night. Leave behind your multiple technologies and commune with nature instead. In fact, televisions are not a part of the décor. Handwritten poems from the staff, on the other hand, are left on the pillow of your turned-down bed; and quiet evenings spent on the porch or on a peaceful stroll about the place could lead to a meeting with wildlife.
If, after a lovely weekend away, you dream of returning often, consider the Ranch’s ownership opportunities. There are thirty-one shared ownership cabins and sixteen custom lots.
(866) 333-4080 or (928) 333-1000
Greer, AZ 85927
hiddenmeadow.com
Arizona Biltmore & Spa
The name alone conjures images of grandeur, and the luxurious resort has enjoyed worldwide renown for much of its eighty-year reign. A favorite of celebrities and dignitaries throughout the years, the 39-acre splash of luxury is neither myth nor mirage. With exclusive claim to architecture inspired by the great Frank Lloyd Wright, 740 guest accommodations, eight swimming pools, seven tennis courts, six dining offerings, and a full-service spa, salon, and fitness center, the place is hard to miss. Just look for the vibrant green grass and trees providing a landscape-portrait contrast with coffee-colored mountains and turquoise sky.
You may not wish to leave your beautiful room, but if you so choose, you may keep up your golf game at one of two 18-hold PGA golf courses at the adjacent Arizona Biltmore Country Club. Arrange a social event at the Biltmore’s Frank Lloyd Wright Ballroom or use the property as a backdrop for your upcoming nuptials. Take a refreshing dip in one of the pools, or sit poolside and dream up enduring artistic creations, just as composer Irving Berlin did when he penned the beloved classic “White Christmas.” Barrel down the 92-foot-long water slide at the Paradise Pool complex. Gift yourself with a few hours of pampering at the Arizona Biltmore Spa, which offers natural and organic treatments. Dine indoors or outdoors at beautifully appointed on-site restaurants and then work off the exquisite meals at the fitness center. Let someone at the beauty salon doll you up for that special evening. Up for lawn activities? Try life-size lawn chess, croquet, or bocce ball.
To mark its eightieth anniversary, the Arizona Biltmore & Spa unveils an exclusive new addition: Ocatilla. The three-storey 120-room facility is a private club that ups the ante in amenities and special services. Make use of a personal concierge and a media wall with a flat-screen HD TV, iPod dock, and high-speed Internet access, or commune with the natural panoramic views of the stunning grounds and surrounding mountains.
(800) 950-0086 or (602) 955-6600
2400 E. Missouri Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85016
arizonabiltmore.com
Hotel Indigo Scottsdale
This boutique hotel is all about the location. Situated in downtown Scottsdale, it’s a short jog to the fine city’s numerous dining sensations and shopping destinations. Whether traveling for business or vacationing with the family, the rich accommodations and conveniences are only the first reasons for you to make your reservations. Five floors house 126 welcoming guest rooms, while complimentary covered parking keeps your car from becoming an oven on wheels.
Enjoy the scenery and mingle while staying cool at the Diving Lounge and Terrace, or get your caffeine fix at the Golden Bean Café. The high temperatures are not conducive to hardcore outdoor exercise, but you can easily stick to your exercise regimen in the state-of-the-art fitness area. Bring along the canine family members, too, as pets are always welcome. Plan parties at the Diving Terrace, indulge in beauty treatments at the nearby Lamar Everyday Spa, swim some laps in the outdoor swimming pool while your friends and family work on their tans, and unwind in nature-inspired rooms comfily equipped with beautiful hardwood floors and plush bedding.
Arizona is a golfer’s heaven, and you can work on North Valley Magazine golf expert Scott Sackett’s golf tips at the 18-hole Tournament Players Club golf course atop Camelback Mountain or at one of several other esteemed golf courses close by. If Arizona is a golfer’s heaven, Scottsdale is a shopper’s paradise, and celebrated Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall and Old Town shops are not the only points of interest within walking distance. Art lovers will enjoy the Scottsdale Art Walk, and families will enjoy trips to urban village Southbridge and the Scottsdale Waterfront. You are practically spoiled with the number and quality of choices for a night on the town. Trendy clubs, bars, and restaurants are less than a mile away. Check out hotspots Myst, Axis-Radius, Suede, and The Jackrabbit Lounge and don’t miss Six, Crown Room, or the many other gathering places. For a more romantic evening out, consult your concierge for help with the best restaurants and activities.
Summer packages are abundant, so book soon.
(480) 941-9400
4415 N. Civic Center Plaza
Scottsdale, AZ
scottsdalehiphotel.com
Hotel Valley Ho
If you belong to the hip crowd, this is the place for you. If you don’t, this is the place to start. Located proudly in its own groovy spot in Old Town Scottsdale, the classic mid-twentieth-century hotel offers accommodations the Hollywood hotshots have been drawn to for years. The complimentary fitness center and steam room help you ward off vacation pounds while the VH Spa gets you feeling your best inside and out. VH (Vitality + Health) Spa offers a number of deluxe packages that include massages, manicures, pedicures, facials, and more. Afterward, you’ll be ready to hit Scottsdale full force with a list of see-and-be-seen places recommended by knowledgeable concierges. More interested in digging the hotel grounds? Take the Hotel Valley Ho architectural walking tours and enjoy stories of famous guests and the history of the hotel’s design. And don’t leave your best friend at home. The pet-friendly hotel offers amenities for your canine companions—they’re sure to love an in-room doggie massage!
Rooms come in various styles, from signature to studio, cabana to terrace and executive. All feature midcentury decor, luxurious beds, and flat-screen LCD high-definition TVs. Soak in oversized tubs, take in the views from private balconies, and start your day right with complimentary espresso or tea.
Those staying in The Tower are in for a special treat. Rooms are reminiscent of the 1950s but feature modern technological conveniences. The vibrant colors and trendy designs are inviting and cheery. Arrive to a fully stocked refrigerator and pantry courtesy of your personal shopper and take advantage of upgraded appliances and daily housekeeping services. Not in the mood to cook? A private chef can provide pre-prepared dinners or cook your favorite meal on demand. Ask the Tower Concierge to beef up your itinerary with private guided tours of local art galleries and special tee times at local golf courses, private shopping sessions, and featured packages. Best of all, you have breathtaking panoramic views of the quaint city and nearby Camelback Mountain.
Dine in style, or dine according to your palate’s particularities. Feast on American comfort food at signature restaurant Café Zuzu, step into Polynesia with Trader Vic’s, dine poolside at Oh Pool Bar + Cabanas, or savor scrumptious meals from the comfort of your own room. Chef Charles Wiley has brought his culinary prowess to Hotel Valley Ho, and the delectable exotic and classic food exemplifies his award-riddled history. Feeling hip now? Make your reservation.
(866) 882-4484
(480) 248-2000
6850 E. Main Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
hotelvalleyho.com
Whether your tastes run to western or modern, serene or see-and-be-seen, Arizona has just the spot for you. With gorgeous desert and scenic mountain landscapes, it’s the perfect getaway destination—for those out-of-state visitors and for those who call this great state home. You don’t need to travel far for a luxurious lifestyle, and with great summer rates and an economy putting strain on the best of the best, you don’t need to pay as much as you might think. Don’t waste the final days of the summer season. It’s time you steeped yourself in a little luxury.