Tucson has been heating up, with hotel renovations and other developments during the past year. In December 2013, the 215-room Casino Del Sol Resort, Spa and Conference Center opened a championship golf course, Sewailo Golf Club. In the Pascua Yaqui language, the word "sewailo" means "flower world," and the course exudes this sentiment at every turn with more than 30,000 native flowers, plants, and cacti, as well as 14 acres of lakes, streams, and water features. The 200-acre course can accommodate players of all skill levels and was designed by Notah Begay III. The conference center features the 18,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, as well as more than 7,000 square feet of pre-function space. The AAA Four-Diamond resort also features a 30,000-square-foot lawn with a gazebo that can accommodate events. Forbes Travel Guide awarded Casino Del Sol Resort, its Hiapsi Spa, and its PY Steakhouse, four stars again in 2014. For the third year in a row, PY Steakhouse was also honored by Wine Spectator magazine for its wine program.
Meanwhile, Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort is nearly doubling its inventory by adding 32 new rooms, to be completed in August. The new guest rooms will be approximately 550 square feet with oversize patios, most of which will boast spectacular views of the Catalina Mountains. The property's new Terraza Pario restaurant will be finished by the end of the month.
Loews Hotels & Resorts announced that it completed the purchase of the 398-room Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, which has been managed by Loews Hotels since its opening in December 1984. Beginning in 2015, the resort will undergo a significant renovation to enhance the overall guest experience. The property features many natural attractions, including an 80-foot waterfall, as well as a 36-hole Tom Fazio-designed golf course, and an award-winning Lakeside Spa.
Throughout 2015, the all-suite Lodge at Ventana Canyon is rolling out a multimillion-dollar, multi-phase renovation. The first phase, set to complete in Q1, will update all 40 one-bedroom suites, while the second phase will debut revamped dining areas, a pool, and a Jacuzzi spa. The third and final phase will see an expanded golf house and golf academy. The property is located in the private community of Ventana Canyon, about 30 minutes from Tucson International Airport. Also, in October 2014, SMG began managing the Tucson Convention Center, Tucson Arena, Tucson Music Hall, and Tucson Leo Rich Theater.
Finally, for environmentally conscious planners, it is important to note that Tucson is one of a handful of designated Solar American Cities. These cities, chosen for their commitments to promoting the adoption of solar technology, are awarded funds by the U.S. Department of Energy to follow through on plans to dramatically cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 through the broad adoption of solar power.
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This article appears in the January 2014 issue of Successful Meetings.