Golf Resorts: Stay & Play packages Phoenix/Tucson

golf_bhoy · March 9, 2009

If today's weather is any indication the snow here won't be gone until mid-june... so my wife and I are looking to head down to phoenix / tucson area in april for some relaxation and golf.

This will be our first trip to Arizona and we are looking for a place to where the hotel/condo is right on the golf course. We don't mind playing the same course for 4 or 5 straight days, as we will be happy just to golf and we really like the idea of being able to walk to the range / course and back to the room etc. Since money and the exchange rate are definitely an object, we would like to keep it under 2k for the week (arrive sunday leave saturday type timeframe)

The two places we are looking at are Wyndham Canoa Ranch resort and also Gold Canyon resort. We like the looks of the hotel room better at wyndham, but have little to no information on the golf course. Whereas, gold canyon has dinosaur mountain but is potentially more expensive and the rooms don't look quite as nice.

Does anyone have information on these places or other suggestions which may fit our bill? Keep in mind we're not going solely for the golf, as we want somewhere quiet to relax as well (so a nice room is important).

I was thinking that the way the economy is, this would be easier to find; but it still seems prices are fairly high. Maybe I just suck at findng deals.

Cheers for reading and any suggestions.

teejaywhy · March 9, 2009

As a long time resident of Arizona, I'm a little more familiar with the golf than the accommodations, so I'm not too helpful on good stay and play.

Although I haven't played Canoa Ranch, it is a Schmidt & Curley design and I've enjoyed the two other courses of theirs that I have played. Green Valley is mostly retirement and winter visitors so the courses tend to be reflective of the target market. As I understand it, CR may be the better course in the area.

The Dinosaur course at Gold Canyon, very spectacular and fun to play. Sidewinder - cramped and quirky. Not so much fun. Don't know about the rooms. I've often wanted to try out one of the casitas with the private outdoor spa for a weekend getaway.

There is one place that consistenly gets raves for both lodging and golf and that would be The Boulders. Unfortunately there is a price that comes with that notoriety.

We did once stay at the Tucson National resort. Nice rooms and decent golf.

golf_bhoy · March 9, 2009

Thanks for the tips. I checked out pricing on The Boulders, 4k is a wee bit high for us :) Place looks phenomenal though.

golfortennis · March 9, 2009

Something you could consider is The Embassy Suites and StoneCreek. I'll let others talk about the course itself, but what you can do is stay at the ES, as breakfast is included with your night's stay every day(hot breakfast-actually pretty good.) What you can then do is hit golfnow.com When my wife were in Phoenix, we stayed at the ES at Cactus & Tatum(I didn't play Stone Creek), but golfnow had tee times for $49. Whatever you do do not book on the "special" they have for ES guests. You can get a much better rate on golfnow. The range is so close to the hotel you could hit flop shots into the pool. The downside would be that you can only book golfnow about 3-4 days out, so you're playing a little bit with it, but you could probably keep things within your budget that way. My wife and I really enjoyed the hotel. Walking distance to shopping, and Stone Creek allows you to walk as well, which is nice. Not a long drive to some really nice places as well.

One_Putt_Blunder · March 10, 2009

As TJY said gold canyon dinosaur is a great course the resort looked nice, but it so far from everything it is kind of a pain.

Places to consider depending on budget

Marriot@ Wildfire 2 good tracks to play

http://www.wildfiregolf.com/Golf_Golf-Spa-...ials-60.html#67

Wildhorse pass

2 Troon managed courses both nice courses

Fairmont Princess

TPC Scottsdale 36 holes TPC Stadium is over-rated but the champions course is a blast and if you like to walk its only 43$

There are so many places to stay and play out here, But Bluefan is right you are better off finding a place on your own and booking all your golf separatley. Use Golfnow.com to book 3-4 days out for the best prices.

golf_bhoy · March 10, 2009

Cool. thanks for the suggestions.

do most courses have same-day replay deals that can be negotiated?

jamesons · March 12, 2009

As TJY said gold canyon dinosaur is a great course the resort looked nice, but it so far from everything it is kind of a pain.

Places to consider depending on budget

Marriot@ Wildfire 2 good tracks to play
http://www.wildfiregolf.com/Golf_Golf-Spa-...ials-60.html#67

Wildhorse pass
2 Troon managed courses both nice courses

Fairmont Princess
TPC Scottsdale 36 holes TPC Stadium is over-rated but the champions course is a blast and if you like to walk its only 43$

There are so many places to stay and play out here, But Bluefan is right you are better off finding a place on your own and booking all your golf separatley. Use Golfnow.com to book 3-4 days out for the best prices.

We have a group going in April. I was told that the Princess is giving stuff away. For a Casita there are a bunch of cost savings options you can combine. Something along the lines of 2 nights get 1 free + Triple A, etc, etc. I would spend a couple of minutes and give them a call. I haven't stayed there in many years, but I'm sure it hasn't changed much. It is not "walk to the range" but it is an option. Just a thought.

Have fun -JS