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| - Everything it should be, at summer rates, anyway. Stayed here three nights over Labor Day Weekend on a AAA deal at $167 per night, with a Camelback view. Everything at the resort is on a grand scale, yet not overwhelming, with the exception of it being a bit of a maze to get to some rooms. The lobby has a real wow factor, from the large fountain to the high-ceilinged sitting area with a terrace opening off it... spectacular. I'm something of a hotel bar junkie, so that lobby lounge terrace overlooking the entire Valley of the Sun really impressed me.
Rooms are large and supremely comfortable and soothing. Lots of tans and sage greens, with some additional color provided by striking desert botanical prints on the walls. There's plenty of storage/closet/shelf space and a very large-screen TV. Balconies are also very sizeable with a full-length chaise, plus table and chairs. The only complaint I could think of in the rooms is that the nice oval soaking tubs are quite shallow. I would think you would want to carefully consider view at this resort, as there wasn't a great deal of difference in price for room categories, but there was a great deal of difference in view quality. I had the Camelback/cactus garden view on the rear of the hotel, which was quite nice and panoramic. There's also the view of the Valley, same as the lobby terrace--these rooms also overlook the pool complex. But there would be some rooms with views of the entranceway or a rooftop, so if view is important to you, specify what you want.
The pool area is spectacular, with waterfalls and lots of angles and cubbyholes, as well as large open swimming areas. Set off to one side was a small courtyard fountain pool with beautiful tiling. It was usually not at all crowded, so if all you wanted to do was lounge in the water, you might try there if there was too much activity at the main pool. I have to give a special nod to the service at the Oasis pool bar--some really good sandwiches and wonderful servers. If the drinks "come out a little big," then you get the extra. The Centre for Well-Being spa, despite the pretentious name, offers great massages and an impressive relaxation area with sleep-inducing zero-gravity chairs.
I'm not much on golf or tennis, but I did hear lots of guests praising those facilities. I do enjoy hiking, and it's about a fifteen minute walk on surface streets to get to the trailhead for Camelback Mountain. This hike is moderately difficult, but definitely worth the effort for the views. You get spectacular panoramas of the valley, including the resort. The best views are the first forty-five minutes or so of the trail, so you can make a round trip from your room in about two hours.
Two of the primary restaurants now are Windows on the Green, at the golf clubhouse; and Il Terrazzo, in the main building [haven't made it to the new steakhouse yet]. Both are solid, if not spectacular, and offer a wide variety of dishes. I can recommend the gnocchi with wild boar ragout at Il Terrazzo and the quail at Windows. There are a few more casual, cheaper places sprinkled around. Room service serves the Il Terrazzo menu and was very speedy both times I used it.
There wasn't a single service mis-step in my three days. Everyone was unfailingly pleasant, efficient, and knowledgeable. Housekeeping came and went without ever interrupting, so there seems to be a real effort to be inconspicuous about servicing the rooms.
Some other quick notes:
* The ExecuCar service is handy and costs no more than a cab, so should you need to leave the property it's there.
* Ice is delivered by room service, but there are also ice machines in the housekeeping closets, which aren't locked.
* Lon's at the Hermosa is worth the trip for dinner outside the resort
I'm already planning my trip for next 4th of July so I can see the fireworks around the Valley from the lounge terrace.
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