Arizona: The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa
THE BOULDERS RESORT AND GOLDEN DOOR SPA
34631 North Tom Darlington Dr, Carefree, AZ
480-488-9009
www.TheBoulders.com
My dear friend Pat Willett gave me a personal tour of her hometown Scottsdale before delivering me to The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa. I was ready to relax after participating in the CRAVE ARIZONA food and wine programs. I have heard so much about The Boulders and was excited to reunite with good friend Michael Hoffmann, the Managing Director and Debi Bridges, a public relations friend I worked with in Hawaii when I did an in-flight video for Hawaiian Airlines.
First impressions: Fantasy Rock Island… an over-the-top and dramatic presence… boulders all over the place, lots of huge rocks, 1300 acres of Sonoran desert, saguaro cactus and plants scattered throughout the property to welcome guests - I love it immediately!
This oasis is located in Carefree, AZ, in the far north end of Scottsdale. There is nothing like it in the world, a unique desert retreat, as peaceful or as sweaty as you wish to make it. I met two young ladies from San Francisco who chose The Boulders Resort for a girlfriends’ getaway. They were as astonished as I was with the natural beauty of the surroundings. Adobe casitas (little homes) and villas are placed beautifully here and there with ageless boulders all over the place… I was excited to check in.
Yes! This is a great environment for me to read, write, zone out and truly relax at their famous Spa. For most guests who are more active than me, there are hiking trails, two championship golf courses, swimming and eight tennis courts.
The Boulders’ team is made up of friendly valet, front desk and concierges. Golf cart transportation wheels me to my very own “casita.” My spacious southwestern style casita with its beam ceiling suited me perfectly. There is a good-size desk with high speed internet access, a large sitting area, an overhead ceiling fan, a fireplace which was lovely but not necessary during my stay. All the conveniences of home and hotel were within Casita #262, including my own patio. For family vacations there are also beautiful one to three bedroom pueblo villas available.
NOTE: attention to details and care of guests: After the first night I called Housekeeping - I am allergic to down feathers. When I returned from my day out, all my bedding was changed - great service.
PLUS: In addition to complimentary internet availability in your casita, there are computers for guest use in the lobby by the front desk area.
Since my main spin in travel is food, I was happy to hear about Executive Chef Michel Pieton’s “New American Fare” at the newly re-opened Latilla restaurant. I also wanted to check out the on-property 5,280 square-foot all organic garden with eight elevated planter box areas separated by flowing water down the middle, a mesquite-burning fireplace, and space for al fresco sunset dining.
A beautiful setting for an organic garden
Treats coming from the planter boxes include lettuce, carrots, heirloom tomatoes, herbs and edible flowers. Your nose will lead to you an orchard of citrus trees - lemon, lime, fig, kumquat, grapefruit and orange. Check out The Boulders website for more information and to make reservations.
The Boulders organic Lemon Tree
Time to be spoiled: The well-respected Golden Door Spa is indeed very impressive, reminding me of a health club with its own café, pool, and store, his/her locker rooms, gym, and treatment rooms. Jeanne gave me a facial. She is very intelligent, described each step, includes cleansing, exfoliation, extraction, mask, moisturizing, and neck and shoulder massage. She answers all questions and offers advice….well worth the time and the price.
I stayed to have lunch at the Spa. The health-friendly menu lists the calorie, fat, protein and carbohydrate content of each dish. I opted for a well-executed Blue Crab and Mango Gazpacho as a starter and happily consumed the 52 calories. My entree was a Chicken Tostada on baked whole wheat tortilla, filled with honey-chipotle chicken breast and rich flavors including roasted onions, bell peppers, corn, low-fat pepper jack cheese. A small organic mixed greens salad completed my more-than-filling lunch.
Blue Crab and Mango Gazpacho
More yummers: My dinner at Latilla started with an explanation of its name. Debi Bridges tells me that “latilla” means “little sticks” and so I look up to see how the ceiling is made up that way…and we begin our dinner in a recently transformed dining room offering Chef Michel’s new menu, using the best organic ingredients, much from The Boulders’ own gardens. I was tempted to order the famous Boulders Burger but opted for the whimsically named pork and beans entree: Kurabota Pork Loin n’ Beans served with a Pinto Bean Puree, Golden Raisin Compote, Apple Brandy Reduction. This picture says it all:
Thank you, Michael and Debi, for arranging such a spectacular “first stay” at The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa. I know I will return.
