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LOEWS VENTANA CANYON RESORT Our next adventure lay only 30 minutes from the airport at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort. The resort is graced by towering views of the Santa Catalina Mountains, kissed by fiery Sonoran desert sunsets, and sprawls across acres of land, creating the perfect backdrop for relaxing. There are 37,000 square feet of indoor function space and nearly 40,000 square feet of outdoor space. The pool area, glistens from the unobstructed sun, and is lined with giant Saguaro cacti which are native to the area and can grow up to 40 feet tall. It takes these magnificent cacti about 100 years to grow just one arm. Similar to trees, the larger they are the older their age. The Loews Ventana Canyon Resort boasts 398 luxury guest rooms including 27 suites that are spacious, neat, and come equipped with the most essential items, such as cotton robes, hairdryers, a safe, coffee maker, tv, and free wifi. Larger rooms come with a lovely soaking tub and patio where you can enjoy miles and miles of views on a clear day. The resort was named by USA Today as one of the 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Tucson, 10 Best Romantic Hotels in Tucson, and 10 Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Tucson from 2014-2019. Amenities also include room service, a fitness center, and a spa. In 2018, Lakeside Spa was Architectural Digest's choice for the 8 Most Beautiful Desert Spa Destinations in America. Golf lovers will love playing on one of the resorts' two PGA, Tim Fazio-designed courses. If golf isn't your game there are also four tennis courts that guests can enjoy. Hotel guides offer a tour of the grounds where you'll learn more about the area's history or you can opt to hike on one of the nearby nature trails, enjoy a custom butterfly garden and even discover a local waterfall. Kids will love feeding the Koi fish in the nearby Koi pond and the resort also offers stargazing with a program leader from the University of Arizona who will help guide you through the stars, planets, and galaxies. The resort itself is built with a slate grey stone that is meant to resemble the southwestern landscape. When viewed from a certain vantage point, the whole building looks like caves lining the base of the mountain. Inside however, the spaces are clean, modern, and subdued, almost like a blank canvas meant to emphasize the picturesque scenes that are found right outside the resorts' windows. A big highlight of our stay was the Flying V Bar & Grill, which is one of four restaurants located in the resort. Executive Chef Ken Harvey, who was the winner of the Food Network's Chopped contest and a finalist in 2019, prepares regional favorites like tacos, quesadillas, and perfectly prepared guacamole while adding his own special twist to the dishes. Flavor is another restaurant within the resort that partners with local culinary and beverage artisans to serve delicious tamales, locally-made brews, and freshly baked bread. V U E N J .C O M 112

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