Looking for a sun holiday that will deliver enriching experiences for your entire family? Consider Arizona. In addition to the luxury of America’s finest resorts, you’ll discover fascinating cultures and wildlife amid terrain that ranges from the lush Sonoran Desert to the majestic red rock spires and pine forests of Sedona to the breathtaking Grand Canyon.
FAMILY ATTRACTIONS
The sun had risen just hours earlier, but already family activity at the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa in Phoenix was heating up.
Surrounded by manicured lawns, a grandfather and his grandson contemplated their next moves on resort’s lifesize chessboard. A clan of early risers was just returning from their ascent up Camelback Mountain as resort staff on bicycle carts pedalled silently along meandering pathways, delivering room service to suites across the 40- acre property. At the Paradise pool, kids and their parents began to gather for turns on the 92-foot water slide.
Such idyllic scenes are nearly common sights in Arizona, where familyoriented hospitality dates back to tourism’s earliest days here. For his part, Biltmore founder William Wrigley Jr. – the chewing gum baron – provided separate quarters for children and nannies when he established the resort in 1929 as a private hideaway for his family and friends.
Today, the Biltmore not only welcomes multi-generation groups with special programs and accommodations that include cottages with private grassy yards, the resort even extends its invitation to four-legged family members.
In recent years, the state’s resorts have laid on such thoughtful extras more than ever, creating exclusive attractions and programs with families in mind. Public relations director Ann Lane of the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch was among the leaders of this modern movement. In 1986, Lane felt that Hyatt’s (then) newly opened Gainey Ranch property could do more for families.
“The water park is fun, but I thought, ‘What could we do to make this even better for kids and adults?’,” recalls Lane.
She and the resort’s recreation director answered that question by developing a dedicated children’s program, which led to the first Camp Hyatt. The concept was simple: provide a safe and secure place for children aged three to 12 years old that would entertain them and give parents opportunities to spend some time on their own.
Lane’s ideas caught on. What began as peak-season special events grew into year-round attractions available to Hyatt guests at no extra charge.
Along the way, she has helped create programs that enable kids, adults and entire families to discover the Sonoran Desert and cultures of Arizona’s indigenous people.
“Kids learn without feeling like they’re in a classroom. It’s hands on and fun,” says Lane, who explains, “They learn about local pottery by doing it themselves. At the same time, they discover the history of American Indians.”
Similarly, children and their parents learn about indigenous desert plants and wildlife such as cacti, Gila monsters and birds of prey.
For families seeking togetherness, Lane helped create Hyatt’s Family Camp. “In this day and age, many working families don’t often get to eat meals together. Hyatt’s Family Camp helps families pull together and create memories,” she says.
These days, such philosophies and services permeate most of Arizona’s finer resorts. The sprawling and luxurious Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, for example, offers a family vacation special that includes out-trips to the mystical red rock spires and pine forest of Sedona, and guided tours of the Sonoran Desert on horseback or in a fourwheel drive.
Jane Owens, director of children’s services at Coyote Camp at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort in Phoenix, says parents shouldn’t feel guilty about dropping their kids off at camp while they take time to spa, play tennis or dine out together.
“Our camp is a true enrichment program. It’s a highlight for the kids,” says Owens, who says Camp Coyote’s half-day and evening programs focus on Southwest-themed learning and creative play. Among the activities for little ones are crafts such as learning how to lasso and make a bolo tie. “This is a beautiful facility,” she adds proudly, “probably the best in the country.”
Beyond Coyote Camp, Squaw Peak’s Hole-in-the-Wall River Ranch – one of the region’s finest water parks – is another big draw. It includes four acres of swimming pools, waterfalls and a “lazy river” on which guests float leisurely on an inner tube. Want more? How about exploring “Tombstone” the resort’s Old West theme town?
Families seeking either a luxurious or rustic holiday experience may want to venture south to one of Tucson’s premier family-oriented resorts, or one of the area’s renowned dude ranches such as Tanque Verde or White Stallion Ranch.
Situated at the foot of the beautiful Tucson Mountains adjacent to Saguaro National Park, White Stallion Ranch provides access to 3,000 acres of rugged land. Main events at this working cattle ranch include horseback riding as well as hiking, tennis, horseshoes, shuffleboard and billiards.
Tucson’s luxury resorts, including The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, also cater to families. At the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, for example, the new Desert Springs Oasis features a brand new 143-foot waterslide.
The resort’s littlest guests can enjoy Shallow Springs, a fish-shaped pool complete with interactive water features.
In addition to forming stunning backdrops to such elaborate properties, Arizona’s exotic landscape is a place of intrigue and adventure. Here, you will meet cowboys, Native Americans and others who share not only a deep appreciation of this land, but also a desire to introduce every member of your family to it.
---
Associations and Partners also appearing in this report:
Arizona National Golf Club (formerly the Raven)
For more art with a young attitude, try the Arizona Museum for Youth.
Tanque Verde Ranch, an all-inclusive dude ranch just east of Tucson.
---
TO READ THE FULL REPORT AS IT APPEARED IN THE GLOBE AND MAIL, PLEASE CLICK ON THE ATTACHED PDF >
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Jan 20 AZ Families.pdf | 2.06 MB |