Just back from The Boulders - Carefree, Arizona
 

What a great resort! <BR><BR>I found Scottsdale to be rather boringly new mall and chain-restaurant-y and was so glad we chose to stay above Scottdale in such a beautiful setting. It was only 20 minutes to Scotsdale anyway. <BR><BR>The service was perfect, our room had wonderful leather chairs and comfy beds - just as pictured on the Wyndham web site. Each room is a casita with a patio or balcony. Outside, bunnies and birds are always hopping around.<BR><BR>The hotel charges a daily service charge but then allows no tipping (except at restaurants and spa). <BR><BR>The main pool is not huge but beautiful against the boulders and blissfully uncrowded. <BR><BR>The new Golden Door Spa on site (1 minute from our room) had free use for hotel guests. We went each day and sipped iced tea in fluffy robes before working out, using the sauna, full use of their lotions and potions, and using the outdoor pool there (beautiful, large, classical music playing, comfortable plush lounge chairs, empty, and no kids allowed). The treatments are $$$$!!!!! but were very luxurious.<BR><BR>No golfers in our party and too hot for tennis but the courses looked spectacular. <BR><BR>Did not eat much at the restaurants there - will say that the food at the Cantina (casual mexican) was just plain awful. Good news is there is a Rubio's Tacos just down the street wich is a real treat if you haven't tried their fish tacos. We brought them back to the room.<BR><BR>Pool dining was fine.<BR><BR>All in all, I highly recommend this hotel - especially at the summer rates. I wish we had more time to indulge in activities available there (we had family obligations). It was a perfect getaway.<BR><BR>Thanks to everyone who gave suggestions for our trip.

I'm looking into staying at the Boulders next June for my daughter's 21st birthday present to Arizona and Las Vegas. What summer rate did you get, if you don;t mind my asking? Thanks!

I got a package out of LA - 1150 air/hotel/car for three + car taxes and hotel service (25 per day) for 4 nites. That's well under 200 per nite for hotel. Check out expedia packages.

The Boulders has had $99-129 specials all summer.<BR>The cheapest rates out of LAX ought to be $99 RT air, $99 room, ~$120/car for 4 nights.

Sorry, but if the food is lousy then it is NOT worth the money, in MY opinion!!

Ron - I should clariry that the Cantina is in an adjacent shopping area - I can't vouch for the fine dining at the resort but I've heard good things and the menu looked great.<BR><BR>Thanks for YOUR opinion!

And thanks for clarifying what YOU meant because I've only heard GREAT things about the food at the RESORT!!!

What's with the attempted pissing contest Ron? The uppercase rudeness? Thank the lady for the report on this place you've never been then shut your trap.

I have to disagree about the assessment of the food at Cantina del Pedregal. We live a few minutes away from the Boulders, and eat at Cantina del Pedregal often. We think the food there is very good!

Ditto Fran's remark. Ate at Cantina in March and thought is was excellent!<BR><BR>Andre

Lyle, her report was confusing about the food at the resort which I have heard is fantastic. I have also visited the resort while staying at the Phoenician in Scottsdale. Now please shut YOUR frigging trap!!1

Ron, you are just plain yucky. Lighten up, bud. Life's too short to get so upity about NOTHING!!!

Wanted to add my two cents. The Boulders is gorgeous and the service is fantastic. <BR><BR>The Cantina, located off-site is horrible.<BR><BR>I was there-ordered a bean burrito plate. Terrible. It included tasteless pinto beans stuffed plain into a tortilla, boiled tasteless vegetables on the side. The service was lackluster. I am sure that there are better mexican restaurants in PHX/Scottsdale. I agree that Rubios would have provided a tastier meal.<BR><BR>Don't let one horrible restaurant shy you away from this lovely resort. I had the opportunity to tour most of the big hotels in Phx/Scottsdale and the Boulders is absolutely the most beautiful.

Ron, <BR><BR>Do you work at the Cantina as a waiter or something? Relax, dear.