In the February issue of Recommend, we covered six luxury resorts in Arizona, California and Florida in our Tee Off & Unwind in the U.S. story. Each feature splendid spas and grand greens that offer your clients the perfect setting to unwind and relax. From days spent pampered at the spa, enjoying a round of golf, or learning from top-notch golf academies—one resort even has a theme park for families—each property has at least one standout amenity that caught our attention.
Here’s what makes them stand out from the rest…
ARIZONA
Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
Standout Amenity: The Oasis, a theme park, with heated pools, a Slide Canyon Tower, three slides up to 83 ft. high, a 10,000-sq.-ft. Oasis wave pool; a 950-ft. long Active River, and an 800-sq.-ft. area for kids; plus a hot tub. The resort’s Great Adventures Kids Club, a half-day camp for kids ages 5 to 12, gives parents a little time for themselves. For more information, call (877) 800-4888 or visit arizonagrandresort.com.
The Boulders, a Waldorf Astoria Resort
Standout Amenity: Guests looking for a little more privacy can stay at the Pueblo Villas and Haciendas, one- to five-bedroom residences offering access to all resort amenities. The Pueblo Villas and Haciendas also offer guests a fully equipped kitchen, fireplaces, flat-screen TVs, Internet, a laundry room, doorstep parking, private patios with BBQ grills, and a swimming pool for Villa guests. The Villa Retreat offers full privacy for guests, as the 5,000-sq.-ft. property consists of two homes connected by a negative-edge pool. The property also features fireplaces, private patios, decks, and an outdoor space. Plus, the negative-edge pool includes a hot tub surrounded by a natural rock lagoon pond with a cascading waterfall. Each home may be stocked with food, drinks, and essentials—guests can also request a butler. The Villa Retreat accommodates up to 12 and provides private helicopter access on the resort grounds. Rates for the 1-bedroom villa starts at $699 per night, the 3-bedroom Hacienda starts at $1,079 per night, and the Villa Retreat starts at $2,500 per night. For more information, call (888) 579-2631 or visit theboulders.com or waldorfastoria3.hilton.com/en/about/travel-agents.html.
CALIFORNIA
Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
Standout Amenity: The Spa Penthouse offers 3,500-sq.-ft. of private space with its own private treatment room and sauna, a fireplace, and outdoor private jacuzzis. The 2-bedroom suites are located on the top floor of Spa Ojai accessed by a private key-controlled elevator. Each suite features a full bathroom with a balcony overlooking Ojai Valley. The Moonrise Penthouse and Sunset Penthouse both offer a whirlpool, fireplaces, and a private sauna available to penthouse guests. (Penthouse guests must be 18 years and older.) Rates stat at $2,300 for the Hacienda Penthouse and the Spa Penthouses (inclusive of all those mentioned below) start at $2,000. For more information, call (855) 697-8780 or visit ojairesort.com.
Terranea
Standout Amenity: Next to the course, a Full-Swing Golf Studio allows players to perfect their swing in a virtual golf environment with real-time statistics and feedback to improve their game. Players can also play on some of the country’s top courses through the simulated technology. For more information, call (866) 802-8000 or visit terranea.com or destinationhotels.com/travel-destination-hotels.
FLORIDA
Trump National Doral Miami
Standout Amenity: The resort’s Gary Player Villa was unveiled in January 2014, and consists of eight villas that have been renamed after some of the world’s most influential golfers such as Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. These are all players who have either competed on the resort’s Blue Monster golf course or are admired by Donald J. Trump. These new deluxe villas are decorated in a neutral palette and feature imported granite countertops and marble flooring. Rates start at $164 per night. For more information, call (866) 802-8000 or visit terranea.com or destinationhotels.com/travel-destination-hotels.
Rosen Shingle Creek
Standout Amenity: Those who have a bad sense of direction can rely on the GPS-equipped golf carts to get around the course. Also, for those who are technolically-impressed, NXTV technology, an in-room entertainment platform, allows each guest to make restaurant reservations, schedule a spa appointment or tee time, as well as access the Internet to view meeting schedules. NXTV technology also allows guests access to an email address issued to them during their stay, which allows those without email access or a laptop the ability to send email through their guestroom TV with a wireless keyboard. For guests traveling with kids who want to spend some time at the Orlando theme parks, Rosen Shingle Creek provides complimentary scheduled daily transportation to and from the hotel and Universal Orlando Resorts theme parks, SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica, and Wet n’ Wild (reservations required). For more information, call (866) 996-9939 or visit rosenshinglecreek.com.
