SummerVacations 2015
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his summer, you can spend an arm and a leg on airline tickets, endure endless security lines at airports and try to maneuver your way through rush hour traffic in an unfamiliar rental car. Or, you can take a short and relaxing drive to a local resort, where you will find low summertime rates, amenities galore and plenty of fun things to do. While the concept of the “staycation” really took off during the recent economic downturn, it remains a very popular option for couples and families who want to get away from it all—only without the major hassles of a traditional out of town vacation. Fortunately, the Valley of the Sun offers so much to do, it is exceptionally easy to plan a local vacation that will still provide plenty of chances to beat the heat. For example, the Phoenix metropolitan area is well-known as a golfer’s paradise, and for good reason. With more than 200 courses, many of which feature breathtaking views of towering Saguaros and palm trees, hitting the links is exceptionally easy. Get 18 holes in before the mercury climbs too high and then head out for a scrumptious breakfast at one of the area’s local eateries.
There is so much to see and do in the Valley
A division of Republic Media, 200 E. Van Buren St., Phoenix, AZ 85004 602-444-1000 General Manager Cami Kaiser ckaiser@republicmedia.com Creative Development Director Isaac Moya imoya@republicmedia.com Editor Jim Williams JLWilliams@republicmedia.com Senior Managing Art Director Tracey Phalen tphalen@republicmedia.com Art Director Miles Abernethy Editorial Coordinator Nick Kostenko
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Those who are looking for relaxation can book an afternoon at a local spa; some resorts have gorgeous and state-of-the-art spas on their property, where you can lounge in air conditioned comfort and enjoy a massage, facial, manicure and/or pedicure. When the sun is high in the sky and it’s time to cool off, the Valley is home to a plethora of pools, including public pools with wonderful features like lazy rivers and water slides to water parks at local resorts with plenty of aquatic bells and whistles. No matter which pool you choose, it’s easy to beat the heat by splashing and swimming. As the day draws to a close, the valley’s dining options offer plenty of delicious choices. From small mom and pop cafes featuring authentic Mexican fare to fancier places with gourmet cuisine and incredible views of the surrounding scenery, you won’t go hungry during your staycation. After dinner, take a leisurely nighttime stroll through the resort’s property, and gaze up at the stars in the clear summertime night sky. Yes, the Valley of the Sun can get plenty hot during the summer. But instead of escaping it, embrace and enjoy it and discover all of wonderful vacation options in your own backyard.
Make this summer legendary at the Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. Spend your days luxuriating in the prest phoenix arizona golf igious gardens and explore all this historic property has to offer. Sitting atop 39 acres of scenic desert oasis and having achieved today’s highest luxury standards, the Biltmore remains an architectural and storied landmark. More to see and do During your stay at the Arizona Biltmore, be sure to make the short drive over to the Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo. Located within a stone’s throw of each other, the Garden and zoo both teach us about some of the flora and fauna that call the desert southwest home. The Desert Botanical Garden features an amazing 50,000-plus plant displays that are on display in lovely outdoor exhibits. Fifty-five of the garden’s 140 acres are under cultivation, which means there is always plenty to see and do.
uest rooms and suites have been beautifully revamped and refined. The 22,000-square-foot Spa Biltmore has been restored along with the cabanas at Paradise Pool, which features a 92-foot water slide, swim-up bar and poolside dining at the Cabana Club. With six tennis courts, a fully-equipped fitness center, guided hikes, mountain-bike excursions, 18-hole putting course, life-size lawn chess, fitness classes and croquet, the Arizona Biltmore is more than just a resort. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the resort’s many warm-weather activities, like Splash Cinema— where family-friendly movies are shown while guests relax on floaties in the pool—as well as guided hikes in the adjacent Phoenix Mountain Preserve, kids’ tennis camp, salsa-making demonstrations, poolside dining and s’mores on Squaw Peak Lawn. During summer
holiday weekends, plan on live entertainment, poolside eats and nighttime fireworks on the Fourth of July. Seek refuge from the summer rays by taking a dip in one of our eight swimming pools, popping into our new Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired retail shop, Wright’s Studio, or enjoying a massage. The Spa Biltmore will be offering soothing spa specials all summer long. Adults can indulge in Summer Tea, Wright’s Sunday Brunch and Biltmore’s monthly beer dinners which pair Arizona’s finest microbrews with original culinary creations by Executive Chef Gordon Maybury. The dinners will be held through December For the full line-up of on the second Monday of summer fun, as well as each month, in the private terms and conditions, call Sunroom of Frank & Albert’s 800.950.0086 or visit restaurant. For reservations ArizonaBiltmore.com. and additional information call 602-381-7632.
To avoid the hot sun, consider taking a Flashlight Tour of the Garden—from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Saturdays, people may bring along a flashlight and explore all that the Garden has to offer. The self-paced stroll is free with a paid admission and runs until September 5. Over at the Phoenix Zoo, people of all ages will enjoy the towering giraffes, incredible Asian elephants and plenty of other amazing and interesting animals from around the globe. Visit early in the morning before it gets too hot, and check out the exhibits from the comfort of the Safari Train. Before you head back to the Biltmore, grab a tasty lunch at one of the zoo’s cafes.
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All the fun that summer has to offer is right around the corner at We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center where breathtaking mountain views from beautiful rooms start as low as $89 a night. Enjoy activities for the whole family throughout the weekend, including poolside ‘dive-in’ movies, arts and crafts, a .99 kids breakfast, a poolside DJ and more! 4
EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF PHOENIX.
Make this summer legendary at Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. Book the Best of Waldorf Astoria package and receive a $100 resort credit with a two night minimum stay to use at any of the resort’s exquisite restaurants and bars, the rejuvenating Spa Biltmore or at the seven specialty shops and boutiques. Best of Waldorf Astoria Summer Rates from $139* per night. Call 800.950.0086 or visit ArizonaBiltmore.com. THE STORIES BEGIN AT OVER 25 INSPIRING DESTINATIONS WORLDWIDE *Rates are based on availability. Visit www.arizonabiltmore.com for complete terms and conditions. AR-0008400788-01
© 2015 Hilton Worldwide
ust a lob wedge away is the We-Ko-Pa Golf Club which has two award-winning 18-hole golf courses. Both are consistently named to the Best Resort Courses list by Golfweek Magazine. This summer, enjoy unlimited golf at a special rate of $45 while playing two of the most spectacular golf courses in the country. Your stay with us will also get you $20 of free bingo or slot play at Fort McDowell Casino where winning can be the right card at one of their many poker or blackjack tables, a jackpot from one of their generous slot machines, the right numbers in Keno or maybe even a great seat in their state of the art Bingo Hall. Take a break from the action and enjoy a great meal at one of their five restaurants or get a great seat at one of their many exciting events. Ditch the cost and hassle of travel while creating a unique ‘staycation’ experience the whole family will enjoy! Enter the deal code SUMMER for all of these special offers or if golf and gaming isn’t your style you can try our ‘Sunsational Package’ starting at $129 that
features a $50 food and Visit wekoparesort.com beverage credit (deal code today or call 480-789-5300! SUMM15). Restrictions apply; rates do Fun, convenient and not include taxes and fees. affordable; create your vacation memories close to home at the new We-Ko-Pa Resort & Conference Center, the We-Ko-Pa Golf Club and Fort McDowell Casino just a few miles north and east of Fountain Hills on State Route 87.
More to see and do While you are staying at We-Ko-Pa, consider driving just a few minutes into the town of Fountain Hills. The picturesque community features plenty of charming restaurants and cafes and, of course, the chance to see the awe-inspiring fountain shoot water high into the air. Fountain Hills also features gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and the nearby McDowell Mountain Regional Park and McDowell Mountain Preserve. Both of these locations feature plenty of hiking, biking and equestrian trails as well as ample opportunities for bird watching. For example, McDowell Mountain Regional Park features over 50 miles of trails that wind their way through desert
scenery. The 21,099-acre park is home to a variety of wildlife including deer, coyotes and javalina, as well as plenty of birds who live near the park’s three ponds. Families with young children will enjoy short hikes on trails that are less than a mile long, while more seasoned hikers can tackle an early morning trek on trails that are up to four miles. The McDowell Mountain Preserve features more than five miles of trails and three to five scheduled guided hikes every month. For example, the Promenade Trail is a family-friendly .93 miles in length and pretty level except for the south end. Known as the “old Jeep road” the trail is wide enough for hikers to walk side by side.
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SUMMER IS HERE. All of the fun summer has to offer is right around the corner.
Enjoy a date night at the casino with a free $20 in casino play**, exclusive golf rates at We-Ko-Pa, 99¢ kids breakfast, lunch and dinner***, DJs & dive-in movies on Saturdays, water attractions, kids activities and much more. We are also home to Eagle View RV Resort, featuring a pool and other luxurious amenities.
* STARTING AT $89/NIGHT WEKOPARESORT.COM | DEAL CODE: SUMMER $45 PLUS TAX ROUND OF GOLF
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$20 OFFREE CASINO PLAY
TO BE USED DURING YOUR STAY
$10 BINGO & $10 SLOTS
ALSO TRY OUR SUNSATIONAL PACKAGE! STARTING AT $129 WITH A $50 FOOD AND BEVERAGE CREDIT! WEKOPARESORT.COM
DEAL CODE: SUMM15
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Locals don’t need to hit the road for a summer getaway! They can embark on an adventure right in their own backyard at Talking Stick Resort. Located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Reservation, the AAA Four Diamond property occupies 55.5 acres in the Sonoran Desert and is known for its welcoming staff, upscale décor and world-class amenities. addition to 496 deluxe guest rooms, the resort contains six entertainment lounges, five restaurants, a casino spanning 98,000 square feet, fitness center, luxury spa nestled on its 14th floor as well as four pools complete with a renovated main pool area and capacity for 4,500. This season, guests can take advantage of Talking Stick Resort’s Summer Playcation package. With rates starting as low as $119, this is an offer that can’t be missed. The promotion is available now until Sept. 30 and is valid for stays Sunday through Thursday. If guests stay for at least two nights, they’ll receive a daily $25 food and beverage credit that can be used at the pool, Blue Coyote Café or Blue Coyote Cantina. Additionally, guests can purchase tickets for a show at the property’s Summer Concert Series. Fans will see music greats like Whitesnake on June 5, Sublime with Rome on July 19, the Steve Miller Band on July 30 and Lynyrd Skynyrd on Sept. 20 under the stars or from the comforts of luxury cabanas. By adding a cabana to their concert experience, guests will receive 10 tickets to the show. Guests can also have fun in the sun at the property’s annual pool party series, RELEASE. Thanks to a partnership with Relentess Beats, attendees of RELEASE will experience the hottest national and international DJs firsthand. With various restaurants on property, guests have an array of culinary choices no matter the time of day. Located on the hotel’s 15th floor, Orange Sky is the property’s signature restaurant and is a must experience for fine dining. In addition to winning the hearts of local diners, the eatery has won several prestigious awards for its impeccable wine selection, flavorful
More to see and do While there is plenty to do at Talking Stick Resort, your stay will be enhanced with side trips to local attractions like Butterfly Wonderland and Topgolf. At Butterfly Wonderland, experience the incredible glass atrium that has been transformed into a tropical rainforest habitat, where literally thousands of butterflies from around the world fly freely. Marvel as you wander through the atrium at the colorful butterflies fluttering overhead, stopping to perch on a flowering plant—or maybe a willing person’s finger or shoulder. If you’ve ever wanted to take a selfie with a butterfly—you will probably get your chance at Butterfly Wonderland.
steaks, indigenous vegetables and mouthwatering desserts. The intimate 19-seat Cajun food bar, Ocean Trail, is located near all the action on the casino level, serving fresh seafood cuisine including gumbo, raw oysters and clam chowder. Foodies interested in a more casual dining experience can visit Blue Coyote Café, Black Fig Bistro and Wandering Horse Buffett. Each has the necessary fixings for a hearty appetite. Nestled in the Talking Stick Cultural & Entertainment Destination district, the property is surrounded by various Valley attractions including Talking Stick Golf Club, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick and The Visit talkingstickresort.com Pavilions at Talking Stick today or call 866-877-9897! just to name a few.
The state-of-the-art facility also includes a theater, interactive exhibits, educational laboratories, a gift shop and a café. If you are looking for a fun spin on golf, Topgolf is the place to be. Players hit microchipped golf balls on targets that are placed around an outfield; just think of it as a huge outdoor dartboard with golf balls. One reason Topgolf is so appealing is that it is perfect for people of all ages and skill levels; the facility offers a variety of games using the innovative golf balls. For example, you can play against friends and family members in a Top Scramble game and enjoy some friendly rivalry as you try to get the best score with your golf ball—the winner can treat everyone else to lunch. Fans of the short game can try a TopChip game that awards you 7 points for hitting the right target.
SUMMER PLAYCATION PACKAGE FROM
119
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INCLUDES A $25 DAILY FOOD & BEVERAGE CREDIT
Luxury that invites you in to relax. Gaming and entertainment that lures you out to have fun. Make your reservations to Play in Style at Talking Stick Resort. 101 & INDIAN BEND | SCOTTSDALE | 866.877.9897 | TALKINGSTICKRESORT.COM *Based on availability, May 3-September 30, 2015. Sunday-Thursday arrivals only. Food & Beverage credit has a maximum value of $100 with 2-night minimum required. Food & Beverage credit has no cash value and is only valid at The Pool, Blue Coyote CafĂŠ & Blue Coyote Cantina. Not applicable with any other offers. Management reserves the right to modify or cancel this promotion at any time. Eligibility restrictions apply. Locally owned and caringly operated by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
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