Ritz-Carlton is on a roll with their hotel openings giving everyone something to celebrate this holiday season. Just a few short weeks after the highly anticipated and very successful snowy opening of The Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe took place the luxury hotel brand opened its 72nd property, the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain, just 30 miles north of Tucson.
Yesterday, Ritz-Carlton opened their 72nd property in Marana, AZ, just 30 miles north of Tucson. The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain resort is the first property in Southern Arizona that the brand has opened, and it’s certainly living up to the stylish and luxurious reputation that the hotel chain has.
The Dove Mountain resort created jobs for more than 300 staff members who were prepared for the opening by going through a rigorous training regimen under the close guidance of more than 40 Ritz-Carlton managers from around the world—and indication of the level of service you can probably expect from the resort’s staff if you happen to stop by. The Dove Mountain resort can be found up in the Tortolita Foothills with the property situated on 850 sprawling acres of beautiful desert terrain, including a 27-hole golf course designed by none other than golf-pro Jack Nicklaus. There is also approximately 20 miles of hiking trails for those who loves outdoors adventures, and designated areas for biking and jeep tours.
Even more appealing (to me at least) is the 17,000-square-foot spa which caters to anything your “achy-breaky” muscles could possibly desire. The menu centers around treatments that “balance the elements of wood, fire, earth, water, and metal” which includes components such as a “Desert Moon Alignment” which actually uses lunar energies to focus you, and “Desert Aloe Veil” which combines aloe and tea tree oil to rehydrate your skin. Sign me up!
There are 250 guest rooms at the resort plus suits and multi-bedroom casitas which, according to reports, are currently all booked up. When availabilities do open up however, a standard room will get you either one king or two queen beds with pillow-top mattresses, feather duvets, Frette linens, and floor-to-ceiling soundproof windows. The standard rooms range in size from 430 square feet to 580 square feet and feature a 42-inch LCD television, and high-speed internet (for a fee). All bathrooms are marble with double vanities, lighted makeup mirrors and some have separate show-tub combinations.
If you’re looking to expand your space a bit while vacationing in Arizona, you can book the casita guestrooms which are substantially larger. The suites range up to nearly 1,200 square feet and have sleeper sofas in a separate living room area. Décor is primarily a “creamy muted palette with dark wood furnishings” however to reflect the resort’s surroundings, there are also southwestern touches such as cowhide chairs and bed coverings with Native American-inspired designs.
Due to its somewhat secluded location, the resort provides a wide range of eatery options for guests. The CORE Kitchen and Wine bar is a sophisticated locale with menu options such as the “True American” menu which uses local and regional produce with citrus fruits from the hotel’s own on-property grove. Other dining options onsite include Turquesa Latin Grill (primarily Tex-Mex specialties), Cayton’s (all-American classics), and TO/GO which features a full menu of to-go dishes.
For an afternoon or evening cocktail, guests can go to the lobby where they will find the Ignite cocktail lounge which “specializes in scotches that are serves with imported English Hildon Natural Mineral Water to maximize the tasting experience.”
Rates start at $299 for a standard guest room, $349 for a Casita guest room, $469 for a one-bedroom Executive Suite, and $629 for a Casita Suite.
Haute Secrets
December 18, 2009Haute Secrets: Keith Menin's Guide to Miami
