nina

I just got 4 nights at the Tanque Verde ranch through luxurylink (woo-hoo), so I'm planning on going in April with my husband and our 2 sons, ages 14 and 17 and I have a few questions.

If we want to extend the vacation, should we stay on at Tanque Verde or try one of the resorts (Loews, JWMarriott) for a change? My boys really want to go ATV riding, can anyone offer any advice on outfitters or which resort might be closer to an outfitter?

How will the weather be mid-April?

Thanks so much, I'll probably have more questions as I get responses.

DebitNM

We stayed at JW Marriott Starr Pass and really liked it alot.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=34843007

Don't know any reason not to change hotels, nice to see what other places are like. It is in the outskirts of town, to the west and was beautiful at sunset looking back towards the city. With a car, and you'll need a car, it isn't difficult to go places from the Marriott.

Hope this helps...
Debi

nina

Thanks Debi, I'm trying to decide whether we'll extend in Phoenix or Tucson. There are very few non-stops to Tucson from NYC that aren't a fortune, and I would rather stick needles in my eye than have to layover. Once that plane lands, you never know when it's going to take-of again.

There are a lot more non-stop flights to Phoenix.

Still looking for more advice though!

MikePinTucson

Check with TVGR -- It may just be some rooms, but when we were there for a couple of nights (several years ago), there were no TVs or phones in the room. We didn't mind at all, but the boys might not care for no TV.

The weather should be fine in April, but Spring weather can sometimes be "iify". Here is a link to weather averages and extremes. Just click on the "normals" and "extremes" columns on the right.

http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/twc/climate/tus.php

Here are a couple of ATV outfitters. Not sure if there are any others, but these two are on the south side.
http://www.go-arizona.com/Tucson/Gui...-Jeep-Offroad/

If it were me, I would stay at Tanque Verde. Do the boys like horseback riding? Because they could do that a lot at TV. And TV would be as close to the ATV places as any other resorts, and closer than most. The resorts are really more for adults. there really isn't a lot for teenagers to do, in my opinion.

www.mikepintucson.blogspot.com

MikePinTucson

OH, I forgot -- JetBlue now flies nonstop from JFK to TSN. Coming it is a late flight and going back is an overnight.

nina

Thanks Mike!

The info is great, I'm going to check it out now. I know there aren't TV's at TVR, the boys are going to have to go cold turkey, it won't be the first time.

Yeah, I saw the JetBlue flights, HORRIBLE times and pricey, but I found an American flight with a great schedule and short layover, so I might bite the bullet and do a onestop flight. At least in mid-April there shouldn't be any snowstorms to muck up the airports!

MikePinTucson

I always fly American when going back east. I usually connect through DFW and have never had any problems.

nina

Mike, The flights I have on hold are on American, outbound through DFW, inbound through Chicago. I'm glad to hear you haven't had problems.

Which resorts are better located, the JW Marriott or The Westin La Paloma/Loews Ventana Canyon. Since we need two rooms, I'm going to go through Priceline, just wondering which area I should aim for.

Thanks!

DebitNM

I would discourage you from staying at the Westin...we found it very warn, tired and they have resort fee!

The JW Marriott is on the western part of town, out a bit, but with a car, that poses no problem. It was an easy ride [10 minutes] into town for museums, restaurant etc. The restaurants at Marriott were very good.

Did you read my trip report in that link above?

Hope this helps...
Debi

MikePinTucson

I would try for Loews Ventana Canyon. That one, and Westward Look, would be my top 2 choices.

nina

Thanks Debi, I did read the trip report.

The resort fee isn't that bad, only about $11 right? I guess I'll aim for the Marriott then, with LaPaloma as a back-up.

How long before your stay did you bid on the resorts in Tucson?

DebitNM

I went on a spur of the moment to Starr Pass in July and booked directly online. Debi

nina

Mike, with Priceline the Loews and Westin are in the same bidding zone, so I could end up with either. The Marriott is in it's own zone, so that's a sure thing.

The Westward Look is in with the Hilton, Omni and one other resort, so that's a real roll of the dice.

nina

Actually Westward Look is only in with the Omni and Hilton, and I've read some really bad reviews of that Hilton, so I don't think I want to chance it.

bm

Keep watching Jet Blue. I just booked BTV-JFK-Tucson for $99. Flight gets in around 10ish Tucson time. Return flight is PHX-JFK-BTV for $129. Flight leaves PHX at 11:30ish and gets to NY dinner time. This is for mid-march.

nina

Wow! You're kidding? When you say just booked, do you mean like today or a few weeks ago?

That's a great rate, and I love JetBlue.

bm

Sorry, should have been more specific. I guess it wasn't "just". Was probably 2-3 weeks ago. It's for a Saturday to Saturday as well - I was pleasantley surprised!

bm

PS. If you're dates are at all flexible, play around with them. Thats how I found those prices.

nina

I looked and they must have that flight until the beginning of April...

Maybe they'll extend the sale, I can't imagine why anyone would book a late night flight and pay top dollar, so I'm guessing they'll lower their price.

Thanks for the info.