That didn't come out right -- the rate needs a code and is booked directly with RP on their website.

Ksucat - do you like the Montelucia better than the Royal Palms?

Hi MomDD!
Haven't stayed there yet..friends have and LOVED it!
sf7307 on this board has..hopefully, she will chime in.
For $99 a night with breakfast, upgrade and early check-in and a 5* resort, I am in..
It's a new resort and I think it has your name all over it!

tripadvisor has a few not so good comments on Montelucia [mgmt did reply] and they are fairly recent comments. It is also quite large compared to RP.

Does it have my name on it too, ksucat? Mom's the one going with me!!!

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Ksucat do you usually fly or drive?

hee hee..darn girls!
I usually drive since its 6 hours from SD.
Where is that darn sf when you need her for her take on the resort?
For $99, if it blows, its not so bad on the wallet.
Love the Royal Palms so it has that to live up too!

It has it 5.5 hours from Orange County... decisions decisions!

And the winner is...drumroll...The Royal Palms. 1/2 price massage trumps breakfast.

Awesome Deb!
We just booked the Montelucia for the 4th of July weekend!
Thanks Deb for the heads up on website.
Are you going over the 4th of July weekend too?
I might have to make a T. Cooks dinner run..love that place!

- no not over July 4 - I have about 6 days off from school a week in June - we are going over for a few nights.

I meant to ask you Ksucat - for a number of years - dh and I would go to the Palm Desert Marriott in the summer- the kids were little - they would swim, he would golf, we would take turns going to the spa. We did not go out for a few years - and in 07 we went out to our timeshare in August- it was horrible - VERY low rent (please do not jump on that~) we decided that it was not for us - I mean people playing "chicken" in the pool, ripping off tops etc - we went to the spa pool eventually and stayed there.
Going to Arizona at a 5 * due to the rates won't be the same experience will it?

>>> We are headed this year for our annual 4th of July to the new Inter-Continental Montelucia in Scottsdale/Paradise Valley..it's new and last years deal on expedia was around $149 for a resort room vs. $800 a night..this is where Obama stayed. >>>

My bro, SIL and another couple just came back from a week at the Montelucia. They are "fussy" types and they loved it.

I checked prices there for my trip in April and the lowest was $223 per nite, plus $24 "resort fee" per day.

Hi Mom!
The resort in Palm Desert was terrible for so long and it was listed as a 5* and we walked out, it was so awful.
we stayed there recently and its better.
I would do the resorts in AZ..have not been to Montelucia but its new and we've had a blast at the Phoenician, AZ Biltmore and can't imagine that the Montelucia would be horrific like that Marriott in Palm Desert..funny, we both had terrible experiences!

panecott..did you try the perfect escapes link?
April is still high season..I think they have a $100 credit per diam or something like that now.

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Yes, dh and I could not figure out if we were truly just getting old but we finally agreed - no, it had really gotten bad - We sent ds and DIL out there last year in July and they loved it ;-)

My Mom (a lover of the La V and 5* properties) was there in Feb and said it was lovely. I thought maybe it was just the lower summer rates that drove the crowd.

One place that I cannot remember if you have been or not that I think you would love is Canyon Ranch in Tuscon. I went in June one year and it was FABULOUS - worth every penny.

Love Canyon Ranch!
It's cheaper in the summer heat and talk about a great spa and for the mind too.

Have you been to Rancho la Puerto in Tecate?
Gorgeous place and reasonable..owned by the same people as the Golden Door in Escondido/San Diego.

We have such quality spas here but they are pricey.
I can do a 5* resort in Scottsdale for $99 a night and then wife and I will do massage/steam/golf and have a great spa lunch and nice dinner and I'm way ahead of the game.
I can spend about $1,300 for a week for both of us vs. $7k for a week at a spa.
I bring my own wine/beer/champagne and snacks too.

La Costa resort has really stepped it up with the Deepak Chopra center and they have such a great spa that is affordable and first class spa/resort.

Mom..book the Montelucia resort with the family.
I think you can't go wrong and report back and I will do the same.
Already booked 2 nights with the $99 rate!

I have not been to Ranch La Puerto - will check it out.

I know what you mean about the $7K ... crazy!

I have enjoyed La Costa in recent years and was fortunate enough to be comp'd - a family member has had large functions there and they treat her well - and she treats me well. She is tight with Deepak of all people...

I will look at the Montelucia! Maybe Deb and I will drive out during our few days there or we might be enjoying the Royal Palms so much~ I booked my airfare today - even though it is just 5.5 hours - since it is such a desolate drive and I will be going alone - I decided to fly.

Off to see about Rancho La Puerta... looking for a place for dh and I to go in November... thinking Hawaii again - it was so magical last year.

Gulp - too much $$$ @ Rancho La Puerta for that week in November - can fly to Hawaii on miles - stay in our timeshare at the Ko'lina ... and hit the spa a day or two..

You didn't asked but if you want to see a very good contemporary art collection, do not miss the Phoenix Art Museum. I liked the whole musuem but the contemporary collection is very impressive.

You and Deb are going together...COOL!
I thought you all were kidding..
Royal Palms is awesome and I can't think of a nicer, classier place.
The piano guy at T. Cooks is a friend of our friend who is such a great guy and just to have drinks in that cool bar and listen and people watch the who's who of AZ, it don't get any better.
The spa is outstanding.
Maybe you can scope out for a lunch spot at Montelucia..
All that I've heard its top notch and can't wait to stay in July.
Deb is one of the nicest posters on this board besides you and of course LoveItaly so I think you all are going to have a blast!