![]() ![]() Highlight: A window seat in The Grill is the perfect place to catch the sunset while enjoying a delicious dinner. The nighttime view from my balcony, with Tucson city lights twinkling in the distance, was spectacular. To the north, the Santa Catalina Mountains shadow Oro Valley, to the west incredible sunsets, and south and east offer views of Tucson. Situated on a high vista overlooking the Tucson valley, the resort offers spectacular views from every direction. Highlight: The resort grows many of its own herbs, vegetables, and citrus fruit used in the cuisine in a vine-covered culinary garden, designed with guidance from celebrated holistic and integrative health physician Dr. On-property horseback trails offer peaceful rides with magnificent desert vistas. The northwest facing negative edge Catalina pool and jacuzzi offer breathtaking views of the Catalina Mountains and brilliant sunsets. The Sunset pool, an original part of the ranch school, is family-friendly and open 24 hours. Lush private gardens, whimsical courtyards with colorful fountains, secret nooks, and unique metal, wood, and clay art are part of the landscape at Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort. Highlight: The room was sparkling clean, even behind the nightstand, and the bed was comfy, with lots of pillows. Little details, such as the walk-in closet with dresser, in-room safe with an electrical outlet for charging devices while inside the safe, bedside USB charger outlets, and in-room refrigerator were welcome amenities. ![]() ![]() Talavera tile double sinks, large walk-in shower, and separate water closet add luxury to the bathroom, as did an abundance of fluffy clean towels. A large outdoor patio/balcony overlooked the Tucson valley or Catalina Mountains. The room was spacious, with gorgeous hand-carved bed, writing desk, armchair, and armoire. Every detail in the room is meant to enhance the guest experience, from lily-white linens on the bed to the plush oriental rugs covering the polished wooden floors. Highlight: Want room service or extra towels? Concierge service is a quick text message away.įrom the moment I walked in the door of my Catalina guest room, I felt pampered. One could argue that staff were particularly helpful because I was a visiting travel writer, yet I witnessed the same stellar service granted toward every other guest I encountered. Every single person I met on staff exceeded my expectations. At the end of the night, I felt as if we were old friends. He spent time out of his busy schedule to share dinner and a lovely evening of conversation with me. One of the managing partners, Tom, gave me a guided tour of the grounds, then invited another couple wandering about to join us as we visited the culinary gardens. The staff member who set up my in-room massage table remembered me (by name) the next day and inquired if I needed anything. The bellboy walked almost a mile (in the Arizona heat) so I could park at the parking lot nearest my room, to help me with my bags. The valet called me by name as I pulled up to the resort, as did the front desk clerk. Highlight: Hacienda Del Sol honors its past with original art and architecture while embracing the future with modern conveniences.įrom the moment I arrived until the moment I checked out, the staff made every effort to make my stay enjoyable. The latest renovations, completed in spring of 2016, include a negative edge pool overlooking the Catalina Mountains and the addition of 32 new guest rooms. In 1995, a group of Tucson investors bought the property and restored it to its original glory, with several modern enhancements including the addition of The Grill restaurant. The resort was a favorite getaway for Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn, and one of the suites is named in their honor. In 1948, Hacienda del Sol became a guest ranch, hosting celebrities such as John Wayne and Howard Hughes. ![]() After a fire in the early 1930’s, noted Tucson architect Josias Joesler redesigned portions of the ranch, which remained a school until 1942. Starting as an exclusive girls ranch/finishing school in 1929, Hacienda Del Sol educated the daughters of some of the wealthiest families in the United States, including the Vanderbilts, Campbells, and Pillsbury’s. Here are six unique things I love about the resort. It is not every day that one finds a hotel that has everything they want and more, yet my stay at the Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort was exactly that….perfect. I’ve stayed at many lovely hotels, yet still manage to find one or two flaws during a stay, whether it be the dust bunnies behind the nightstand (yes, I do look), mediocre customer service at the front desk, or uninspiring hotel food. I expect the hotel I am paying good money for to be immaculately clean, well maintained, and comfortable, with a touch of decadence. When it comes to hotels stays, I am particular. ![]()
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