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| - I've saved my 2200th review for the best hotel I've stayed at. The girlfriend and I hit the USA on holiday this summer and I wanted her to have dinner at Binkleys, one of my favourite US restaurants located in the small town of Carefree located just north of Phoenix
Looking for nearby lodgings, I happened upon The Boulders. If you're familiar with the area, you'll understand immediately where ths resort is found - at the foot of the giant boulder stacks prominently jutting out of the flat desert landscape just outside Carefree
Let me just get the one bad bit out of the way. I got a really good rate through Expedia, which included a $50 a day 'gift card', which we used for a free breakfast. This helped to offset the pain of the compulsory $30 a day resort fee. These resort fees are just a way to hide the true cost of accommodation and if they're compulsory, they should be included in the total cost quoted to guests
In the case of the Boulders, perhaps you resent paying the resort fee less because that brings 'free' wifi and free golf cart rides. Yup, golf carts are a near necessity because this is a big resort. We got a sense of this when we arrived at the security gate guarding the entrance to the resort. The security guard had a security pass ready prepared for us. He lifted the guard rail and instructed us to follow the road for a mile to main reception. It's a grand and exciting way to start your stay as you meander your way through the desert landscape and golf course towards the ever enlarging eponymous boulders
After checking in, we and our luggage were transported by golf cart to our casita as our car was valet parked (compulsory). Wow was our reaction when we stepped into our accommodation. A huge room greeted us with all mod cons and a balcony with a view of the surrounding boulders. There were ceiling fans and air conditioning to keep the room nice and cool in the desert heat. The bathroom was equally cavernous. Truly the most luxurious hotel room I've stayed in
The resort has some signposted routes which brings you closer to the boulders if you fancy exploring these quite fascinating geological features. We instead headed to the spa to make use of the outdoor pool. The next day, we used the other pool near the main reception, which is open 24 hours
We had breakfast at an outside table overlooking the golf course, a lovely peaceful way to the start the day. The food was great
In conclusion, if you can get a good rate, don't hesitate to stay here. Oh, and make sure to have dinner at Binkleys just up the road
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