It's the not-so-secret key to an affordable four-star vacation: as temperatures rise, Tucson resort rates plummet.
This year is no different. As local hotels turn to their favorite summertime guests - heat-resistant Arizonans - to get them through Labor Day, there are plenty of deals for the budget- conscious "staycationer."
Besides slashing nightly rates by as much as two-thirds, many Tucson resorts are offering guests perks such as unlimited golf packages, meal tickets and gas credits.
Larry Kaufman, director of sales and marketing at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort, said in-state guests make up the majority of the resort's summer business.
Between 60 and 70 percent of the resort's summer guests are from Arizona and about 25 percent are from the Tucson area, he said.
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Kaufman said he's expecting a strong summer compared with recent years as the economy continues to pick up steam.
"We're very bullish on the summer. We believe it's going to be a great summer for us," he said.
Where to find the best rates
Here, in alphabetical order, are some of the summer specials being offered at Southern Arizona's resorts. The rates vary, and in many cases those listed are minimums. With a few exceptions, most of the deals below will be good from Memorial Day through Labor Day, but be sure to check with the individual resorts. Also, be sure to ask about other promotions, as not every vacation package is listed here. For more deals at these and other locations, the Tucson Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau will keep a list of summer promotions at www.tucsonrealdeals.com, or visit the hotels' websites.
Arizona Inn
• 2200 E. Elm St.
• Rates start at $139 during the week and $159 over the weekend. Room rates include ice cream during the evening at the resort's poolside ice cream sundae bar.
• Amenities include clay tennis courts, fitness center and spa, complimentary bicycles, poolside dining, on-site library and the Audubon bar has live piano music every night.
• Contact: 325-1541, www.arizonainn.com
Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch Resort
• 5501 N. Hacienda del Sol Road
• Summer rates start at $89 per night with several other packages available.
• The "Summer Midweek Get-Away" is available Sundays through Thursdays starting at $100 per night (for a two-night stay) and includes a $50 dining credit at the Terraza Garden Patio and Lounge.
• The "Summer Rendezvous" package starts at $153 per night (for a two-night stay) and includes a bottle of champagne upon arrival, plus a $100 dining credit for The Grill at Hacienda del Sol or Terraza Garden Patio and Lounge.
• The "Summer Pamper" package starts at $179 per night (for a two-night stay) and includes a bottle of wine upon arrival plus two 60-minute massages.
• Amenities include a spa, access to the nearby Tucson Jewish Community Center fitness center, pool and horseback riding.
• Contact: 299-1501, www.haciendadelsol.com
Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort
• 10000 N. Oracle Road
• Room rates start at $124 per night, which includes a $25 per night gasoline credit.
• "All-Inclusive" packages start at $304 per night (minimum three-night stay) and include breakfast, lunch and dinner for two people at any of the resort restaurants; kids younger than 12 eat free.
• Amenities include a new pool for ages 16 and older in addition to the resort's free-form pool with 133-foot water slide, daily yoga and fitness classes, 45 holes of golf on three courses, 31 lighted tennis courts, spa and horseback riding. Also, there will be an Independence Day weekend fireworks show on July 3.
• Contact: 544-5000, www.hiltonelconquistador.com
JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa
3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd.
• Room rates start at $169 per night. Family Fun packages start at $299 per night and include a $150 daily credit toward spa services or golf, $50 daily meal credit, $50 recreation credit for the Rising Starr Kids' Club or the resort's new Blur Teen Lounge.
• Amenities include a 27-hole golf course, 20,000- square-foot spa, hiking and biking trails, a lazy river and water slide, weekly wine classes at Signature Grill and daily tequila toasts at no extra charge at Salud restaurant.
Contact: 792-3500, www.jwmarriottstarrpass.com
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
7000 N. Resort Drive
• Room rates start at $99 per night.
• Jazz packages, to be offered Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day weekends, start at $129 per night and include two concert tickets for a show by the Tucson Jazz Society.
• The resort will hold an Independence Day weekend fireworks show on July 3. Rooms for the holiday weekend start at $139 per night. Independence Day packages start at $179 per night and include a barbecue picnic for two adults.
• Amenities include a spa and tennis center, two 18-hole golf courses, lighted tennis courts, nature trails, hiking, bicycle rentals, croquet court, pingpong and basketball. Also, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and the Tucson Botanical Gardens will have weekend programs featuring plants and animals from both attractions.
Contact: 299-2020, www.loewshotels.com/en/Ventana-Canyon-Resort
Omni Tucson National Golf Resort and Spa
2727 W. Club Drive
• Room rates start at $99 with 72-hour promotions featuring deeper discounts available on the resort's website through the summer.
• Golf packages start at $139 per night and include one round of golf for two people and a $25 food and beverage credit. "100 Reasons to Resort" packages start at $159 per night and include a $100 resort credit for each night stayed.
• Kids 17 and younger can golf free with each paid adult golf fee and eat free with each adult entree purchased.
• Amenities include lighted tennis courts, volleyball courts, 13,000-square-foot spa and 4,500-square-foot fitness center and two 18-hole golf courses.
Contact: 297-2271, www.omnitucsonnational.com
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
15000 N. Secret Springs Drive, Marana
• Room rates start at $179 per night.
• Family packages, starting at $199 per night, include breakfast, lunch and dinner for two children, ages 12 and younger, and a $50 resort credit for each night stayed.
• Amenities include two swimming pools, one with a 235-foot water slide, and a spa serenity pool with private cabanas and a tanning island, a 17,000-square-foot spa, indoor and outdoor fitness classes, tennis courts and a 27-hole golf course. There is also an 850-acre high-desert playground with outdoor programs for kids.
Contact: 572-3000, www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/DoveMountain
Tubac Golf Resort and Spa
1 Avenue de Otero Road, Tubac
• Room rates start at $99 per night with a $12 resort fee. The "Summer Indulge" golf package starts at $149 per night and includes unlimited golf for one (add additional players for $41 per person) and lunch at La Cantina restaurant.
• Amenities include 27-hole golf course, hacienda-style spa and salon, fitness center, professional tennis court, and bicycle rentals.
Contact: 398-2211, www.tubacgolfresort.com
The Westin La Paloma
3800 E. Sunrise Drive
• Rates start at $109 per night. "Golf Without Limits" packages start at $179 per night and include unlimited golf "from check-in to check-out" for one guest.
• An anniversary package celebrating the resort's 25th anniversary includes two nights at the best available rate, plus a third night for $19.86 for the night, plus 25 percent off all resort products, including golf, food, spa and retail.
• Amenities include five pools, 177-foot-long water slide, 27-hole golf course, spa, fitness center, pool-side movies, and tennis courts.
Contact: 742-6000, www.westinlapalomaresort.com
Westward Look Resort
245 E. Ina Road
• Room rates start at $99 per night and include a breakfast buffet at the resort's Gold restaurant. "Cruise On In" packages for guests traveling by car start at $115 per night and include a $25 resort credit.
• A summer camp for kids will be offered Mondays through Fridays until Aug. 12 for kids ages 5 through 12. Activities will include swimming, tennis, arts and crafts, and games. The camp is open to both resort guests and the public. Parents may sign their children up for both full- and half-day activities with discounts for additional siblings. Call the resort for pricing.
• Other amenities include a fitness center and spa, three pools, horseback riding, guided bicycle tours and nature trails.
Contact: 297-1151, www.westwardlook.com
Compiled by Star reporter Alex Dalenberg. Contact him at adalenberg@azstarnet.com or 807-8429.