Arizona trade outs for trip????

[tss2]

Hi everyone,

My family is ready to try something new instead of WDW. Has anyone stayed at any of the places listed in Arizona? I noticed several new places in the book that were never there before. I was hoping to trade 160 points for a 1BR for a week, but wasn't sure about the resorts listed. If any one has stayed at any of the Arizona locations and has any info that would be great! Thanks!

 

[llp479]

DH and I have stayed at Star Pass in Tucson for White Sox Spring Training. The resort is in a very remote location, no restaraunt to speak of, and a small pool. DH says the golf course is excellant.

The one bedroom was quite large. However there is only one bath without any seperate sink area like DVC. Furnishings were nice, but nothing special. It's part of Shell Vacation Clubs.

We've stayed here for as little as $139/night, if that helps to make your decision.

 

[bwvBound]

I've stayed at all three of the Worldmark locations listed in the World Passport Collection.

WM Rancho Vistoso: Nice units, ok resort amenities, location offers lots of day-trip activities: Pima Air & Space Museum, Titan Missile Museum, Biosphere II, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum .. and much, much more!

WM Bison Ranch: Charming resort layout modeling a western town, some units located "above the shops" (fun!), spacious units, nicely decorated. The resort location is sorta "out of the way" -- but still offers access to The Petrified Forest, Route 66 attractions, and other Mogollon Rim highlights.

WM Pinetop: Also a bit off the beaten track this resort is a lovely retreat in the White Mountains. Nice spot for hiking, fishing and returning to nature. The units are furnished in a "woodsy" feel, the resort offers a large pool, tennis and basketball courts, etc.

Each of the WM locations would offer similar configurations in their 1BR units: full kitchen, BBQ on private patio/balcony, queen bed (king?) in bedroom, murphy bed in living room, gas fireplace, in-room laundry, etc. (Edited: WM Bison Ranch offers 2BR units: king in master bedroom, twins in the second bedroom with the murphy in the living room.)

I'm also a WM owner ... if you have additional questions on these locations please ask!

 

[ahutton]

Is there a specific location you are interested in? If so I may be able to give some more detailed answers...

 

[tss2]

ahutton & bwvbound,

are any othe the Worldmark Resorts near Phoenix? They sound very nice.

I would like to visit the Phoenix area so am wondering about the resorts near there. Probably going during our February break from school, not the summer! Also have kids who like to swim and go in the mountains and see the sights. I'm looking for a 1BR. Also, checked these places out online and they look nice, but its hard to tell details. If you have been here or know more about them any information would be great! Thanks!

The specific locations in Arizona I was wondering about were:

Grandvista's Painted Mountain Golf Resort, Mesa

Troon Seasons Residence Club Scottsdale at troon north, Scottsdale

Marriott's Canyon Villas' at Desert Ridge, Phoenix

The Orange Tree Interval Ownership Resort, Scottsdale

 

[bwvBound]

Originally posted by tss2
are any othe the Worldmark Resorts near Phoenix? They sound very nice.

Sorry ... no Worldmark resorts in Phoenix.

 

[jmatias]

tss2:

A great place to find out information about the resorts is at the TUG ( Timeshare User's Group) website www.tug2.net

Membership is only $15 and you get access to all timeshare resort reviews.

I'm an owner at Marriott's Canyon Villas and Feb. & March are prime season due to weather and Spring training so trades may be tough.

HTH

 

[GolfGeek]

I have stayed at the Arizona Biltmore which is basically in Phoenix not far from Scottsdale. This is a very nice resort that has somewhat of a "western flare" that provides a more relaxed atmosphere than other world class hotels. The swimming pools and swim-up bar are probably the nicest (and maybe the biggest)I've seen at any resort. There is a golf course right at the hotel and nearby restaurants, shopping and hiking.
Our family like this hotel a lot and we plan to go back!

 

[dvcersfromva]

We stayed at the Tanque Verde Ranch several years ago. It's not a timeshare--it's one of the Concierge Collection hotels. We had a blast. It's east of Tucson in the mountains with incredible views and lots and lots of things to do. The points per night might seem "high," but it includes all meals (and the food is great!) and activities. Lots of horseback riding, hiking, nature trails, mountain biking, and friendly staff. If you've never been to the Sonoran Desert, you might want to give it a try. It is absolutely beautiful.

 

[HGD24]

I've spent some time in Phoenix for work and really like the area (hope to live there some day) and then a few years ago, my husband and I spent a week in Sedona (just 1.5 hr.s North of PHX) and we just fell in love with the area!

There is something so relaxing and magical about Sedona. We recommended it to some friends and my in-laws who drove through the area on separate trips to the Grand Canyon and they all ended up cutting their Canyon trips short to spend an extra day or two in Sedona because they also fell in love with the area!

If you're into nature and looking to feel completely relaxed while on vaca, I'd recommend Sedona over PHX. Just know that there is not much to do unless you plan on going for trail walks, some hikes or drives through desert or doing lots of shopping. You could always stay in PHX for the week and make a day trip to Sedona to check it out as a future possibility too.

 

[Minybear]

I live in Tucson Arizona and I can recommend:

Tanque Verde Ranch-Tucson
Arizona Biltmore-Phoenix
Sedona-Is beautiful.

I don't know if this is a timeshare resort but there is the Phoenitian in Phoenix (http://www.arizona-spa-resorts.com/PhoenicianHome.html) which is quite popular here in Arizona.

Minybear

 

[Beca]

The specific locations in Arizona I was wondering about were:

Grandvista's Painted Mountain Golf Resort, Mesa

Troon Seasons Residence Club Scottsdale at troon north, Scottsdale

Marriott's Canyon Villas' at Desert Ridge, Phoenix

The Orange Tree Interval Ownership Resort, Scottsdale

Well, I live in Phoenix (Gilbert, actually)...if you are looking for "luxury", I would recommend Troon North, in Scottsdale. Scottsdale is still "the" area to run around in Phoenix. There is "old town" which is touristy, but nice. There is a WONDERFUL mall, Scottsdale Fashion Square, which is VERY nice!!! There are many upscale shops and boutiques to visit. If I were vacationing in Phx, I would make sure I was in Scottsdale.

I don't know anything about The Orange Tree Interval Ownership Resort...but, Troon and Troon North both have reputations for being "high-class" areas. I have an "acquaintance" who is a billionaire...that's where he lives...and LOVES it!!!



Beca

 

[ahutton]

Sorry so long to get back... Let me second what Beca said. Troon North will be a really beautiful desert retreat. North Scottsdale has many very interesting areas to explore. Rawhide is a neat place, so is Crazy Ed's Satisfied Frog and both would be fairly easy to get to from there. It is also very convenient to Loop 101, which will bring you south near the Desert Botanical Gardens and Phoenix Zoo, both are fantastic attractions. Another neat place is Out of Africa - it is a wildlife cat park. The other places mentioned are also great - Scottsdale Fashion Square is a great shopping area. Old Scottsdale is also great. Have ice cream at Sugar Bowl and tour the shops.

 

[Beca]

Just a "heads up". I'm not sure Rawhide is still open. It was sold about a year ago, and the space is going to be turned into houses. The old owners were looking for a place to relocate it to...but, I haven't heard anything recently.



Beca

 

[TW1]

We're considering swapping our points for a Grand Canyon trip some summer. Any other deas for lodging would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Beca]

We're considering swapping our points for a Grand Canyon trip some summer. Any other deas for lodging would be appreciated. Thanks.

Consider staying in Flagstaff or near the North rim. Temps in the canyon can reach 115-120 degrees in the summer. Flagstaff is a mountain town (the ski resorts actually opened there last weekend...yea!!!). In the summer it will be high 70's-low 80's. It is about an hour north of the canyon, but well worth the drive. If you are not used to the heat...coming and going to the canyon in the summer can be nauseatingly hot (we did it years ago...it was awful).

Even people who live here hibernate all summer..it's really torrid!!

Or, go in the winter.



Beca

 

[ahutton]

We are not hard core hikers or nature folks, so we've spent most of our time in the Grand Canyon Village. My favorite trip up there is to go to Sedona for a couple days, the hiking is lovely and family friendly, great shops and restaurants. Then we catch the train from Williams up to the canyon. This takes you to the Village, where there are a few resorts, some shops and lots of places for great views and easier hikes.

They offer a package that includes an overnight in one of the resorts, plus your nights before and after the train trip up and down. This is nice, because the train leaves pretty early in the morning, and you get back around dinner. www.thetrain.com is the main site for the railroad.

The temperatures noted are mostly for the canyon floor, I believe. We did our first trip in August, and found at the rim we were wearing jeans and long sleeves during the day, and jackets in the early and late morning hours. For our trip in October it was even cooler, turtlenecks under the long sleeve shirts. My Grandparents went up to the South Rim area in May and there was snow on the ground. The climate differences can be huge, so make sure you check the area you are going to visit to make sure you are prepared.

 

[TW1]

Beca and AHutton many thanks for your posts.

DW is getting very interested in a trip to the canyon. Would be first for both as well as the kids 11 & 7.

Still lots of questions and more research needed, plus advice on a good resort where we can use our points.

But the idea of a WDW-free year is NOT appealing to any of us! Gotta have that Disney fix soon!