While Tucson, Arizona might not immediately rank at the top of everyone’s travel bucket list, this oasis in the desert, with it’s sunny days, extravagant skies and lingering sunsets, offers a haven to the world weary in an original and unpretentious way.
The City of Tuscon
Tucson is set in a valley of the Sonoran Desert surrounded by five mountain ranges. Majestic saguaros stand guard on the desert floor while aspen and pine whisper high above them on the mountain peaks. Driving from the valley floor to the Mt. Lemmon summit along the Catalina Highway-Sky Island National Scenic Byway, you will experience seven of the world’s nine life zones-the span of ecosystems you’d see driving from Mexico to Canada.
The city is bordered on all sides by protected natural areas: Coronado National Forest, Catalina State Park, Ironwood Forest National Monument, and Saguaro National Parks East and West (among the best places to see the giant saguaro cactus native only to Southern Arizona and Native Mexico).
Boasting an average 350 sunny days a year and warm dry air, Tucson’s climate is ideal for year-round outdoor recreation, with winter temperatures reaching average highs of 64-75°F. Summer days are hot, but dry, and are perfect for early morning or late evening golfing, horseback riding or hiking.
A recent visit by my son and I had us happily ensconced at the Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort, set in the Santa Catalina foothills north of the city. With a storied history and a recent multi-million dollar renovation and expansion, Hacienda del Sol offers the charm of the old west with sophisticated lodging and dining. An architectural showpiece with thick adobe walls, beehive fireplaces and carefully tended botanical gardens, guests will feel cocooned by the warmth of the staff and the serenity of the environment.
(photo used with permission from Hacienda del Sol)
Hacienda del Sol, built in 1929, was created as 34 acre desert retreat inspired by early Moorish architecture. The property was originally a “home away from home” ranch school for the daughters of society’s elite families. The prestigious school’s roster boasted names such as Vanderbilt, Pillsbury, Maxwell, Westinghouse, and Campbell, to name a few.
In 1948, Hacienda Del Sol was converted into a guest ranch that immediately attracted the Silver Screen’s most popular stars. Legend has it that the Hacienda’s Casita Grande was a favorite romantic hideaway of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. Leading men John Wayne and Clark Gable both signed their names to the hotel’s illustrious guest book. Howard Hughes, who owned a filming studio in Tucson at the time, found comfort and privacy within the walls of the Hacienda.
(photo used with permission from Hacienda del Sol)
With the recent expansion, guests can choose from the vintage charm of one of the historic rooms or the ranch-style elegance of a spacious Catalina room, with their high vaulted ceilings, gorgeous Mexican tiled bathrooms and generously sized patios.
As the sun sets and the heat of the day begins to lift, dinner guests from throughout the Tucson region fill the courtyard, eager to enjoy The Grill, one of Tucson’s best restaurants. Culinary events, wine tastings and live music keep the atmosphere sparkling.
Most evenings found us relaxing at one of two outdoor pools. The newest pool, set into the edge of a hill, offers an infinity edge with perfect views of both the long, lingering sunset and the huge undulating greenscape of the neighboring Westin La Paloma golf course.
To truly experience the setting of Hacienda del Sol, guests are encouraged to take part in experiential activities available on site, such as horseback riding and hiking. Additionally, the management is currently partnering with some very carefully vetted adventure outfitters to offer guests more in depth regional explorations.
For a limited time, Hacienda del Sol is offering clients of Acendas Travel a 15% discount for stays through September 2016. Contact an Acendas Travel Advisor today to create your special desert oasis getaway.