Arizona: the West's desert playground - Special Advertising Supplement

Sunset, April, 1994 by Mary Ann Reese

Arizona celebrates Spring with perfect-to-blustery weather, awesome wildflower displays and an economic two-step that benefits locals and savvy visitors alike in ways probably unequaled in any other state.

This month's bargains include greatly reduced rates for such pleasures as house-boating among redrock canyons of Lake Powell and lodging in Flagstaff, gateway to the Grand Canyon and Indian country.

Meanwhile, in the Phoenix and Tucson areas, world class resorts and superb desert golf courses offer an alluring variety of packages. And from mid-May through September, many cut by half their lodging and greens fees.

Camp for kids, teens... luxury for mom and dad at Arizona's resorts

It's now official. Kids "go to camp," and adults take pampered vacations--all a the same time and place. The 3-to-16 set learns how to make Hohokam Indian pots roast marshmallows or ride mountain bikes while, at the same resort, mom and da play golf or tennis, or loll by a palm-shaded pool.

At most resorts, families of leisure and business travelers are now an officially targeted audience.

When Phoenix's 16-year-old Pointe Hilton Resort at Squaw Peak this winter invested $16 million in renovations, $3 million of it went to construct Camp Coyote Adventure Center for children aged four to 12. Open since March, it will run daily, year-round, from 9 to 5. Children will try cooking projects in a spacious kitchen. There's a large video screen, an arts and crafts area, and an outside grassy place for play and weiner and marshmallow roasts. But best of al is a water park with a 1/3-mile river for inner tubes, connecting a series of pools, water slides and falls, within view of Phoenix's desert landmark, Squaw Peak.

Marriott's Camelback Inn hosts weekend activities all summer for children (800-242-2635).

Hyatt Regency Scottsdale pioneered a program for teen-agers. Called Rock Hyatt, it offers tennis and volleyball clinics, bicycle excursions, beach contests and more.

During the hottest months, planned family activities increase and resorts in both Phoenix and Tucson dramatically drop their rates to remain competitive: $100 to $250 a night is typical for two adults, one to three children, plus som activity. Here are sample summer deals:

The Squaw Peak Hilton rents two-story casitas furnished with microwave and refrigerator, plus all-day children's activities for $250 a night--for two adults and two children. Less expensive rooms also are available (800-934-1000)

Scottsdale Hyatt programs start at $125 a night for two adults and a child (800-233-1234).

For information about other resorts with family activities and summer specials in the Phoenix area, call Room Rez International (800-528-0483), or the Phoenix Convention & Visitor Bureau (602-254-6500). The Tucson C&V Bureau will send a list of area resorts (800-638-8350).

Before finalizing Arizona vacation plans, consider air-and-lodging package rate promoted by America West Vacations. For a complete list of options, ask your travel agent, or call 800-356-6611.

Golfing with coyotes, roadrunners and rabbits

Play golf in Phoenix in summer? Sounds crazy?

"Au contraire," insists Barry Palm of the Arizona Golf Association, the USGA's Southwest affiliate. Arizona hosts 34 state championship and 6 USGA qualifier tournaments--most of them between April and September. "And many of them are played at high noon," says Palm.

While tournaments are mainly for Arizonans, the point is, if locals play golf i summer, why not visitors, too?

Courses open by 6 a.m., and golfers can continue to play until dark. Best are those magic early and late hours when the low sun turns the world into pastels or golds. And golfers en route to the next hole can expect to see scurrying coyotes, quail, roadrunners and jackrabbits.

Arizona has more golf courses per capita than any other state--some 250 of them The swankiest cost from $125 to $150 per 18-holes during winter's high season. That price drops to $60 to $80 between May and September. (Exact dates vary.)

Many of Arizona's top-rated resorts operate their own golf facilities. "They ar all spectacular," says Palm. And best of all, most of them offer special golf packages throughout summer. Try these:

In Phoenix: The Arizona Biltmore, Marriott's Camel-back Inn, the Wigwam, the Phoenician, The Pointe at Tapatio and the Pointe at Squaw Peak.

In Scottsdale and Carefree: The Hyatt Regency, The Scottsdale Princess, The Boulders.

In Tucson: Lowe's Ventana Canyon, Sheraton El Conquistadore and Tucson National

Best Municipal Golfing: The finest public courses with greens fees of under $20 include Phoenix's Papago Golf Course, Arizona State University's Karston Course in Tempe, and Tucson's Randolph North Municipal Course.

Wildflowers Blooming Now

Arizona's spring launches a wildflower show that begins February through April with Mexican gold poppies, blue lupin and golden globe mallow. By April to late May, it is time to focus your camera's macro lense on cactus flowers--fist-size white blossoms adorning the arms of the stately saguaro, brilliant yellow and fuchsia blossoms as delicate as butterfly wings in prickly pear, staghorn, and hedgehog cacti--to name a few.