Phoenix and Mesa
Phoenix and Mesa
Phoenix, America’s fifth-most-populated city, is home to real cowboys, red-rock buttes and the kind of cactus most people see only in cartoons. It is the heart of the Sonoran Desert the gateway to the Grand Canyon, and its history is a testament to the spirit of ranchers, miners and visionaries.
Gorgeous desert scenery sets Phoenix apart from other cosmopolitan cities in the United States. In fact, Phoenix has more land designated for parks and preserves than any other major city in the nation. In addition to its natural beauty and Old West roots, Phoenix is home to an array of theater, shopping, dining, museums and more cultural attractions.
This mix of timeless desert beauty and urban sophistication is the perfect setting for family vacations, weekend adventures or romantic getaways. Enjoy resorts and spas infused with American Indian tradition, golf courses that stay green all year, mountain parks crisscrossed with trails, sports venues worthy of the Super Bowl and a spectrum of boutiques and fashionable malls few regions in America can match.
Surrounded by the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, Mesa is the ultimate desert playground where incredible outdoor adventures abound. Plan your adventures in the nearby Tonto National Forest and the Superstition Wilderness – a region full of Wild West history and heritage that is still celebrated today.
From hiking and biking to calm waters and majestic mountains, every outdoor pursuit can be experienced here in City Limitless®. Visitors to Mesa can take a journey on the legendary Apache Trail and see wild horses on the Salt River. The native herd lives along the riverbank and is often seen at sunrise and sunset, putting on a spectacular show for visitors.
Kayaking and paddle boarding are also popular activities. Don't miss culinary stops on the award-winning Fresh Foodie Trail®, regarded as one of Arizona’s best foodie road trips. After sunset, plan an evening of nightlife and entertainment in Downtown Mesa. The area is home to the stunning new Plaza at Mesa City Center across from Mesa Arts Center serving as centre stage for the city’s cultural scene. World-class visual arts galleries and international arts and performances take place here all year round. Along Main Street, enjoy Arizona’s longest pub crawl where you will find award-winning craft breweries up and down the block.
Holiday Ideas
Our Favourite Stays
Hotel San CarlosModerateFrom £182 per room per night
Located in downtown Phoenix, this Historic Hotel of America was built as a school in the late 1800s and became a hotel in 1927. It has had a glorious past, being the popular place to stay for many actors and actresses, such as Marilyn Monroe, Spencer Tracy and Ingrid Bergman.
Today it offers comfortable rooms with modern amenities such as iron and ironing board, Wi-Fi hairdryer and coffee maker, plus a roof top swimming pool and sundeck, two restaurants, two bars and a gift shop
The Pointe Hilton Resort at Tapatio CliffsFirst ClassFrom £107 per room per night
This all-suite resort village, with Spanish Mediterranean architecture is set in 450 acres of desert and mountain park.
All suites are air-conditioned with two phones, cable TV, living room/den, refrigerator, wet bar and balcony. At the resort there are four restaurants, eight pools, an 18-hole golf course, 11 lighted tennis courts, fitness centre, spa and salon, stables, hiking and jogging paths.
The Wigwam Golf Resort & SpaDeluxeFrom £143 per room per night
This resort is located in the quaint village of Litchfield, to the West of Phoenix.
The resort is set amidst palm tree lined walkways, and acres of lush gardens. All the well appointed rooms have private patios, iron and ironing board, hairdryer, mini bar and safe. The resort boasts three championship golf courses, two swimming pools, tennis courts, heath club and spa, four restaurants and two lounges.
Saguaro Lake Guest RanchRanch StayFrom £185 per room per night
Established in 1930, Saguaro Lake Ranch is an historic oasis in the Tonto National Forest. The ranch lies along the Lower Salt River just below the ten-mile-long Saguaro Lake, in the shadow of the scenic Goldfield Mountains.
The main ranch house has a wide porch overlooking a shaded lawn with a full view of the imposing Bulldog cliffs. In its early days, the lodge functioned as the mess hall, ice house, and commissary for the construction crew who lived on the site while building the Stewart Mountain Dam from 1927 to 1930.
There are 20 rustic ranchette cottages which are comfortable, quaint, and available in king, queen, double, twin, and bunk bed options. Our cabins sleep up to 4 guests. All accommodations come with private bathrooms and have air-conditioning and heating.
The rooms feature colourful Mexican serape curtains, hand-painted Monterey oak furniture, and western art. To preserve the serene atmosphere of the ranch, there are no TVs, phones, radios, or clocks in the rooms. Limited Wifi service is available throughout the property.
Phoenix Marriott MesaModerateFrom £75 per room per night
This contemporary hotel is a 12.2-mile drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and 3.8 miles from Golfland Sunplash.
The upscale rooms have flat-screen TVs with premium cable channels, desks and coffeemakers. WiFi is available. Some rooms have access to a concierge lounge with free continental breakfast and evening appetisers. Suites add separate living areas with sofas and minifridges.
The property offers a casual Southwestern-influenced restaurant offering fountain views, as well as an outdoor pool and a fitness center. Other amenities include free WiFi in the lobby.
Sheraton Mesa HotelFirst ClassFrom £90 per room per night
Across the street from Sloan Park, the Chicago Cubs' spring training facility, this polished hotel overlooking Riverview Lake is 7 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Understated rooms come with flat-screen TVs, microwaves and mini fridges. Club rooms add free Wi-Fi, and access to a lounge that offers continental breakfast at no charge. Suites have sofa beds; upgraded suites feature separate living rooms.
Parking and an airport shuttle are complimentary. Other amenities include 3 outdoor pools, 2 hot tubs and a gym, plus a steakhouse, a sports bar/grill, and a poolside bar/eatery.