Rooms and suites at the Tucson Starr Pass Resort and Spa have either balconies or patios overlooking Tucson Mountain Park's saguaro cactus forest. The exterior of the building resembles a pueblo and the colors and themes used in the rooms evoke the desert. Each of the resort's three golf courses, equipped with driving ranges and putting greens, offers lessons and rentals. The 20,000 square-foot spa has 23 treatment rooms and a lap pool. Diners choose from five restaurants with casual dress codes. Chris Brown, executive chef at Signature Grill specializes in southwestern cuisine.
Hacienda del Sol, a member of Historic Hotels of America, opened in 1929 as a ranch school for girls. Converted into a guest ranch in 1948, the property attracted movie stars like John Wayne and Clark Gable. Located in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, the ranch offers horseback riding, a pool, hot tub and spa. Guests have workout privileges at a nearby community center. Hacienda del Sol's accommodations include standard rooms, suites and private casitas. Casita Grande, reportedly Spencer Tracey and Katherine Hepburn's desert getaway, has two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Dining options range from a jazz bar to an upscale restaurant overseen by chef Ramiro Scavo.
Dr. Andrew Weil oversees wellness programs offered at Miraval Resort's spa. Tents, set in a botanical garden, provide the setting for spa treatments that include acupuncture, aqua Zen and aloe wraps. Rooms and suites, grouped in six villages, have mountain views and amenities like floor to ceiling windows, upscale bath products and signature bedding. The adjacent Rancho Vistoso, designed by Tom Weiskopf, is an 18-hole, par-72 golf course. Three swimming pools, three hot tubs, a zip line and rock-climbing wall provide outdoor activity options, and the equestrian center offers guided trail rides. Chef Chad Luethje uses greens from the resort's organic garden in the Cactus Flower restaurant.
Historic Hotels of America member Tanque Verde Ranch Resort is surrounded by the Rincon Mountains about 30 miles from downtown Tucson. Built in 1868 as a private home, the property first received guests in the 1940s. Tanque Verde operates on the American plan, with lodging, all meals and activities included in one price. The stables house almost 200 horses. Guests choose from riding lessons, guided trips into the Sonoran Desert and trail rides. Children participate in a special riding program, and a desert nature center offers learning opportunities. Special activities, available at an extra fee, include children's overnight camping trips and a mountain bike adventure.
