WEEKEND GETAWAYS | HOTELS & RESORTS
At desert resorts, room prices drop as the mercury rises
During the summer, travelers to the deserts of California, southern Nevada and Arizona can cool off at a discount.
These resorts make the desert bloom with discounts. The key to surviving the desert in summer is keeping a close eye on the thermometer: the higher the temperature, the lower the resort prices. So who couldn't thrive in a resort's cool indoor climes at half the usual cost? With the sun high and days long, money-wise (and SPF-savvy) travelers mine the deserts of California and the Southwest for deeply discounted room rates.
GOLD CANYON GOLF RESORT
6100 S. Kings Ranch Road, Gold Canyon, Ariz. (800) 624-6445, www.gcgr.com
The Coin *
From $69 (down from $175)
The Sear Factor * *
104
The Chill Factor
Gold Canyon's white-washed casitas scrambling up the flank of Dinosaur Mountain, an aptly named landmark 30 miles east of Phoenix, hint at the Greek isle of Santorini — forgetting all the saguaros, of course, and a noticeable lack of Aegean blue. Most of the requisite vacation getaway stuff is present, from pool to food, tennis to horseback riding nearby, but the draw here is golf, golf and golf — 36 holes worth. The Dinosaur Mountain course gets most of the buzz and rightly so: It's one of the best examples of varied-terrain Sonoran Desert golf. And Sidewinder remains an able sidekick with a good amount of play routed through mesquite woodland. Two-person golf packages start at a rock bottom $99 per night.
THE WESTIN LA PALOMA RESORT & SPA
3800 E. Sunrise Drive, Tucson, Ariz. (520) 742-6000, www.westinlapalomaresort.com
The Coin *
From $119 (down from $275 to $429)
The Sear Factor * *
99
The Chill Factor
One of Tucson's signature resorts nestled within the foothills at the base of the rugged Santa Catalina Mountains, La Paloma is all about luxury. That it's also home to one of the West's best restaurants, Janos, doesn't hurt either. Kids' programs, a gnarly-tough 27-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course, pools and daily sessions on building the perfect margarita or perhaps a mojito will keep everyone busy. The Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa is a big draw; one of the most popular hot-season packages is the Girls Retreat (from $339 per night per person, a rate that climbs to $579 in season), which features a treatment, shopping discounts at the Westin's shops and your choice of wine or margaritas, with snacks.
JW MARRIOTT DESERT SPRINGS
74855 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, Calif. (760) 341-2211, www.desertspringsresort.com
The Coin *
From $119 (down from $229)
The Sear Factor * *
107
The Chill Factor
The now venerable — resorts achieve the honor after 20 years — Desert Springs might come across at times like Disney World-in-the-desert with the soaring atrium, swans paddling around, 36-hole golf complex and boats that move guests about, but continuing cachet marks the day. The signature atrium was just remodeled, and it was out with the faux tropics and in with earthy tones, stacked stone and a happening vibe. A similar redo of the spa is now on display for the pampering public. For the aesthetically inclined, an Art Walk throughout the property — indoors and out — showcases the talent of local sculptors and painters.
LOEWS LAKE LAS VEGAS RESORT
101 Montelago Blvd., Henderson, Nev. (702) 567-6000, www.loewshotels.com
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