The Boulders Resort - Waldorf Astoria Collection

Towering cacti, 12 million year old boulders and free roaming wildlife share the Sonoran Desert landscape at The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa located in Carefree, Ariz. This renowned resort is adjacent to El Pedregal's apparel boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and a branch of the Heard Museum.
Hotel Features. Acclaimed architect Bob Bacon pitched a tent and actually lived on the desert grounds during the resort's planning stages. His concepts yielded a lobby with wood beam ceilings, gracefully curved sandstone hued walls and a collection of Native American artwork. Six on site restaurants include a seasonally changing menu at Latilla. Palo Verde prepares signature Southwestern cuisine, while the Golden Door Spa Café creates health enhancing dishes using plants nurtured at the resort's herb garden. The 33,000 square foot Golden Door Spa offers signature therapeutic treatments and private meditations. The spa houses steam rooms, saunas, an O'furo Japanese bath, a meditation labyrinth and an outdoor pool. Resort activities include heart pumping boulder climbs. Private lessons and weekly clinics are conducted at the resort's eight tennis courts. Two Jay Moorish designed golf courses provide 36 holes of championship level play. Four outdoor pools include a lodge style pool with a waterfall.

Guestrooms. As of 2007, Condé Nast Traveler has ranked this resort as one of America's "75 Top Golf Resorts" for 14 consecutive years. The 160 adobe style casitas feature hand crafted beamed ceilings, painted and carved wooden furniture, walk in closets and weathered and overstuffed leather chairs. Rooms include wireless Internet access for a fee, CD players and VCRs, and MP3 adaptors. Beds are dressed with Egyptian cotton linens and reveal southwestern style design. Accommodations extend onto furnished patios or balconies. Bathrooms are stocked with Clear by LXR toiletries.

Expert Tip. One of the most magical ways to explore the Sonoran Desert is during the cool of the night on guided, moonlit bicycle tours. Tours are scheduled at the concierge desk.