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The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa
Carefree, Arizona
Roughly 20 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona, the Carefree
Highway slips away off Interstate 17 and runs due east toward the desert
foothills. It ends at a hulking mound of 12-million-year-old granite rocks
as haunting as the monuments of lost civilizations. It's as if the Earth
itself had heaved up a great dam against the urban sprawl that is rapidly
devouring acre after acre of the Valley of the Sun.
Hidden behind those rocks is a 1,300-acre resort sensitively
designed to preserve the raw power of the surrounding Sonoran Desert while
cradling guests in uncommon comfort. Dubbed The Boulders, it takes the very
shape and color of the rocks as an architectural model. The main lodge blends
so well with the stones behind that from a distance it seems to be part of
the landscape itself, while most of the 160 generously sized rooms—all
with kiva fireplaces, traditional viga ceilings, and private patios or balconies—occupy
low, pueblo-like casitas the color of adobe and are thus themselves barely
visible among the saguaro cactus, feathery palo verde trees, and the rest
of a botanical garden of desert foliage.
No less impressive are its two sterling golf courses—the
North Course ranks among the top 75 resort courses in the nation—its
tennis club and spa. There are also nature trails and paths around the rocks
to shops at El Pedregal on the far side or to the top of the rocks and sunset
views across the Valley of the Sun. Meanwhile, exceptional regional American
cuisine is as close as Latilla in the main lodge.
Tennis Features
Pro Shop: 480-488-2570
The tennis complex, which has 5 hard and 3 Classic Clay courts,
has begun to emerge from the shadow of golf. "We have a lot of people
call, particularly from the East Coast, and tell us they're coming specifically
for tennis and relaxation," notes director Dale Light. "I want
us to have a complete program so that people can come from anywhere and get
all the tennis they want." To improve playing conditions, the Boulders
converted three of its hard courts to Classic Clay (a kind of carpet with
a brick-colored overlay of mineral infill) and cushioned three of the remaining
five hard courts.
Tennis Staff
Dale Light
Under him the program has expanded to include drills every
day of the week, sometimes two or three a day, including the tennis aerobics,
doubles strategy, and intensive weekend drills. He's also increased the number
of mixers. "We have a lot of people call, particularly from the east
coast, and they're coming specifically for tennis and relaxation," says
Light. "I still want to have a complete program so that people can come
from anywhere and get all the tennis they want." Under him, tennis membership
has grown to more than 100 active players.
Tennis Programs
Much of the activity at the courts is designed with
local or seasonal members in mind, including leagues, tennis exchanges with
local clubs, and special events. Guests, however, are welcome to take part
in most of these activities, and the next day's tennis events are all spelled
out in the flyer left in the rooms each night at turndown. The staff works
diligently to find opponents, drawing on a stable of strong local players
when neither members nor other guests pan out. The weekly tennis calendar
also includes drop-in clinics, drill sessions, and doubles clinics. Every
other week he stages a social mixture, which also brings locals and guests
together.
Courts & Fees
The 5 hard and 3 Classic Clay courts occupy several levels
below the golf clubhouse and fitness center. The area surrounding the courts
consists both of the natural desert landscaping and of plots of yucca, ocotillo
cactus, and desert flowers in reds, oranges, and purples. Bike rentals are
also available here. The courts lie perhaps a quarter mile from the rooms,
along a nature trail through a botanical garden of desert species—though
a free shuttle is available for those who don't want to walk. Mornings are
generally busier than afternoons. The resort used to closing for July and
August, but now remains open year-round. Court fees: $25/court/hour.
Other Recreation
Golf Courses. The Boulders has two 18-hole golf courses,
both of which draw their power from the surrounding desert landscape.
Spa & Fitness Center. The Boulder opened a branch of
the Golden Door Spa in the fall of 2001. This 33,000-square-foot sanctuary
fuses the Zen-like qualities and Japanese influence of the original Golden
Door with this desert setting. It has 25 treatment rooms, a meditative maze,
and a 2,000-square-foot fitness center.
Travel Essentials
Rates. The resort has both rooms called casitas and villas.
Rates are subject to an 11.92% tax on all accommodations, and a 7.7% tax
on all food and beverage charges and some activities. There is a daily charge
of $25 per person for a third or fourth guest sharing a room. Children 16
and under may stay in the same room as their parents at no additional cost
(room only). In lieu of cash gratuities, there is an $33 per casita nightly
service charge for all resort personnel excluding food & beverage staff.
Jan.-Apr., 2005 Casitas: $359-$599
May 2005 Casitas: $314-$549
Summer 2005 Casitas: $179-$399
Reservations:
Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa
34631 North Tom Darlington Dr.
P.O. Box 2090
Carefree, AZ 85377
480-488-9009
Toll-free: 800-553-1717
Fax: 480-488-4118
Web Link: The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa
NEW! Book Online: The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa
Travel Instructions. By Air:
The nearest major airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor, roughly
20 miles to the south.
General Tourist Information. For general information about
vacationing in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, contact the Greater Phoenix Convention
& Visitors Bureau or phone them toll-free at (877) CALLPHX.
Ratings
SPORTS TRAVELER
Top Six Tennis & Golf Resort
TENNIS MAGAZINE
50 Greatest U.S. Tennis Resorts - 2002, 2003
TENNIS RESORTS ONLINE
Top 100 Tennis Resorts - 2003, 2004
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