l-r: Fred Azouz, Radonic Rogers;
Ryan Edmiston, Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau;
Marie Simpson, Wigwam Resort;
Sherri Singleton, Intercontinental Montelucia Resort;
Leo Simonetta, Wigwam Resort Golf Operations.
l-r: Marie Simpson, Wigwam Resort; Ron McGoey, Simply Escape;
Michelle Harris, Simply Escape.
Could you be any more annoying with your perfect weather and 360 days of sunshine a year? I guess it’s more of a love/hate relationship - I mean, I love golf, spas and hot dry climates, so therefore I love Phoenix, but I hate you because, well, I’m not there. You can be sure that come January when I’m shoveling my driveway in complete darkness at 7:00 a.m. in -15 temperatures, I will be cursing the fortunate people of Phoenix who are doing nothing of the sort.
Recently the Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau came to Toronto in an effort to showcase their city and two of its very contrasting resorts. Phoenix and its surrounding areas are probably the golf and spa destination capital of the world with plenty of options to choose from catering to a wide range of budgets and tastes.
In fact, this winter could be the perfect storm of value for the Canadian visitor in Phoenix. With the loonie near par with the dollar and many resort properties in the area recently experiencing a less than optimal economic situation, Canadian travellers will be able to find some amazing value.
Explaining this stellar value to me during the Phoenix CVB visit was Marie Simpson from the Wigwam Resort. It’s one of Arizona’s most classic resorts - founded in 1918 as a retreat for executives of the Goodyear Corporation, it opened its doors to the public in 1929. The western-themed resort boasts three 18 hole golf courses, a 26,000 square foot Elizabeth Arden Spa and 43,000 square feet of flexible conference facilities. This winter they have some great unlimited golf packages on tap for their guests.
Stepping away from the classic western desert-themed resort is the Intercontinental Montelucia Resort & Spa in Scottsdale. Intercontinental has spared no expense in attempting to make guests feel as though they’re in a luxurious Mediterranean resort. Highlights include imported 16th century handcrafted doors from Spain and a main walkway modeled after the famous Alhambra in Grenada. The resort was named to Condé Nast’s Hot List in 2009 and also lays claim to an award winning spa and restaurant. They too have some exceptional winter packages on tap for the upcoming season.
I guess it’s tough to hate Phoenix when they are so accommodating to their guests. I’ve lived in Phoenix, and I can tell you that people are genuinely friendly and that it’s definitely a must to experience this part of the world. It truly is one of those places so strikingly different from anything we have in Canada, and once you’ve been there, the experience will stay with you. And then you’ll be as jealous as I am, because you’ll know what it’s like waking up to perfect blue sky every day in a place with endless outdoor activities at hand.
