So, The Boulders.
Yep, boulders. They had a lot of 'em.
Must've been hard to get them all there
after they built the hotel.
It was nice. It was really nice. It was not as posh as I had expected but it was all very nice. There really isn't anything you could complain about. And it was much needed, especially for Jeff who has been working like a slave.
The spa was great. It was a little new age-y but I was able to get past that (it is the Southwest after all). Our bill was a lot higher than we anticipated because we couldn't stop spa-ing. And I am pleased (or slightly freaked out) that Jeff had just as many treatments as I did.
Let's see. I had a reflexology massage, a lymphatic massage, the Shirodhara, a deep tissue massage and a facial. The reflexology and lymphatic massages were new to me and they were both great, especially the reflexology. It's just your feet which is where all of the meridians end, according to eastern medicine. The Shirodhara was a disappointment. I think my therapist was new. She was a little spastic and too chatty. (Yeah, yeah, but *I'm* not a massage therapist, OK?) The deep tissue massage was incredibly painful both during the massage and for days after. I really don't need one of those ever again. And it's a DO NOT RECOMMEND. Jeff had one, too, and said his didn't hurt. But I don't believe him. I think he's just trying to act tough. And since he never makes a post or even a comment (hint, hint) you'll all just have to take my word for it. The facial was super. I had temporary facial excellence.
The hotel itself was quite nice. There weren't many public areas: just the lobby and restaurant, the spa, and the golf and tennis club. The rooms are set all in their own little buildings, or casitas. Our room was sizable, with a seating area, had a nice little balcony and a big bathroom. It had good amenities and was well-appointed but it wasn't Four Seasons posh or anything. It was no Llao Llao. (That place screwed me for all future travel.)
It had several pools, which were all fine, but they could have been nicer. I guess I thought they would be a little bigger and a little more luxurious. I don't even know whatthat means. It's just a feeling. The one by the spa was the nicest. It had sweet giant towels.
The food was very good. It's a little remote so they could have easily gotten away with so-so and expensive food but, instead it was good and expensive. Coming from NYC nothing much shocks us, so it didn't strike us as exorbitant but the restaurants were no bargain.
It's a big golf place so I think a lot of the resort was lost on us. But we were too busy at the spa to care.
View of some of the golf course (there are 2 courses, actually).
One of the tees. I think it looks like a bum.
The grounds are well-maintained and very attractive. I mean, it's a full on desert (the Sonoran) so we are talking a handful of trees and bushes and lots and lots of cacti. It was nice to be in such different surroundings. I think it really helps you relax when everything seems so different from home.
Look! More boulders!
A typical view around the hotel.
However, it struck me as a sad and lonely landscape. The Phoenix area is growing by leaps and bounds but - maybe it's my New England roots - it somehow struck me as not quite right for humans to live there, especially in the numbers that they do. It was a very inhospitable-looking environment and felt totally uninviting. I know different landscapes speak to people in many ways so rock on, desert-lovers. I just can't be counted among them. The landscapes that speak to me are the twinkling lights of a city at night or the craggy, pointed peaks of tall mountain ranges. Both sort of odd for a girl who is terrified of heights.
We went for a hike not far from the hotel. Only cacti
and desert shrubbery for miles.
That's enough for now. Next up, monsoons, flora and fauna and dinner at Binkley's. And anything else I forgot.
2 comments:
A very thorough review of the resort and the photos really add a lot—but, of course, you always have lots of great photos. I can see this being an especially good resource for travelers: you've kept it very personal and done a good job of discussing all the activities the resort has to offer. I especially liked your observations at the end on the context for the resort: the fact that this is a man-made oasis in a desert. It offers a perspective that one might not get from the resorts brochure or even from a traditional travel resource.
I hope you'll also consider going back to some of your previous trips and writing about them: you and Jeff have both been so many places and I think there are a lot of people who would benefit from this more personal view of travel.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Barry! That's the plan!
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