BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ
Summer is here — that glorious time of year that presents a reprieve from school drop-offs and the daily grind to allow us to explore places uncharted. Yes, it is vacation season! But where to go and what to do? Much of your decision may have to do with budget, but certainly time off plays in as well. This summer, if seeking to plan a trip or two with a certain number of days off in mind, consider one of these epic (and sustainable!) options.
FOR A QUICK WEEKEND AWAY: DOVE MOUNTAIN
There are many extraordinary resorts across Arizona, but only one has the distinction of being a Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award winner for both its resort and its spa, not to mention a Four-Star Award for its epic eatery. That resort is The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain. Located less than two hours south of the Valley in Marana just outside of Tucson, The Ritz-Carlton is a sprawling magnificent Sonoran Desert property that is surprisingly perfect for families, couples, and friendfocused staycations alike. During the day, each of the resort’s three pools have a variety of things to do, specialty food and drink menus, and weekend entertainment, especially the Aventura pool on the lower level of the resort, which is connected to the children’s splash pad and 235-foot water slide.
If visiting with the kids, the Ritz Kids Rangers program will be in full force, offering child-focused adventure, as well as cultural and nature-themed activities inspired by the Wild West, Mexican heritage, Native American culture, and the plants and animals that call the nearby Tortolita Mountains home.
There are also a variety of desert excursions, including guided hikes through picturesque landscapes, exhilarating mountain biking trails, adventures to the nearby Kitt Peak, and thrilling off-road adventures. And if relaxation is the name of the game, there are a host of seasonal and traditional treatments available in the spa, all taking a holistic, natural approach to health and wellness — some even incorporating essential oils and/or indigenous natural gemstones to ease sore muscles, restore balance, and clear energy. Spa guests may also take advantage of the adults-only infinity pool, sauna, steam room, and private lounge area in advance or after treatments, and even those who are not enjoying a treatment may use the spaces for an enhanced fee.
And at night?
Under the guidance of expert astronomers, guests can embark on mesmerizing stargazing adventures, exploring the wonders of the night sky through ultramodern telescopes. From f inding constellations to observing distant galaxies, each evening promises to be a literal star-studded spectacle. www.ritzcarlton.com/ en/hotels/tusrz-the-ritzcarlton-dove-mountain
FOR A LONG WEEKEND: LOS CABOS
Over the past decade, Cabo San Lucas – just a two-hour flight from the Valley and in the same time zone year-round – has grown into one of the hottest vacation destinations in the world.
Cabo San Lucas is part of the Baja region known as Los Cabos, which also includes San Jose del Cabo. Like Arizona, Cabo experiences sunshine nearly every day. Unlike Arizona, it is lined with miles of white-sand beaches as far as the eye can see. Jacques Cousteau famously nicknamed the region the “Aquarium of the World” for its awe-inspiring diversity of marine life, a result of the area’s unique location where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez meet.
The short flight, coupled with ample all-inclusive accommodations that provide round-trip transportation to and from the airport as well as to excursions in every direction, makes Cabo the perfect way to spend a long weekend.
If with children, Grand Velas Los Cabos is an extraordinary option. The all-inclusive, all-suite resort is situated strategically along the Sea of Cortez so that every room has an ocean view. It also offers baby gear for rooms as well as both expansive kids and teen centers – and even nanny services as needed. There are three infinity pools with ocean views, including two for families and one for adults. Daily activities include bingo, water volleyball, aqua aerobics, trivia, yoga, cooking classes, art workshops, mocktail and cocktail classes, yard games, croquet, moonlight movies, karaoke, game nights, star gazing, and more.
If visiting without children, Grand Velas Boutique Los Cabos — located next door to the larger Grand Velas Los Cabos property — is a bucket list-level option. The adults-only sanctuary is limited to just 79 suites to guarantee intimate pampering and the utmost privacy. Each suite is more than 900 square feet with a private terrace, living area, walk-in shower and jacuzzi, premium complimentary minibar, and 24-hour personal butler who can set up everything from tequila and mezcal tastings to intricate marriage proposals and extravagant vowel renewals. The suites provide easy access to the infinity pool at the center of the property as well as the private beach, both of which feature loungers, daybeds, cabanas, and full food and beverage service.
Both resorts boast a rich diversity of ingredients and f lavors in both the casual and fine dining settings. Of note are Loto, a high-end Japanese Mexican fusion restaurant; Del Mar, an oceanfront offering that takes advantage of the cornucopia of fresh seafood options; and Cocina de Autor, a Michelin star-rated restaurant that offers mind-bending, multi-course tasting menus.
Wellness is a major focus no matter which resort one chooses, thanks to the SE Spa. The 35,000-squarefoot restorative sanctuary balances traditional treatments with native ingredients, and guests at both resorts may take part in a water ceremony in the spa during their stay. The otherworldly experience, included at no additional charge for guests who also book a spa treatment, features a guided program that includes the sauna, steam room, ice room, and jacuzzi, during which specialty tinctures, aloe, and masks are utilized to enhance the restorative effects of each.
Both resorts also work directly with Marina Cabo San Lucas to offer luxury yacht, sailboat, and fishing charters, as well as sunset cruises past Lovers Beach and its famous arches, which divide the Pacific Ocean from the Sea of Cortez. Snorkeling and SCUBA excursions are also available, as are a host of activities for land lovers, including ziplining, rock climbing, ATVs, and canopy tours through the Boca de Sierra National Park.
The resorts are also among the most environmentally conscious in the city, with the sand cleaned of any foreign debris each day. Additionally, teams of more than 30 employees are organized monthly to thoroughly clean, sweep, dig, and sift the sand for extra cleaning. There are designated containers strategically located for recycling garbage around the properties, and they return burned cooking oils to a supplier for conversion to biodegradable fuel. Food waste placed in optimum conditions is donated to local farms, and raw food waste is stored and mixed with soil to create a natural fertilizer for their gardens. To accelerate the process, the property makes use of composting worms. Beyond this, measures are taken to protect sea turtles that lay their eggs on their beaches to allow for safe nesting. www.grandvelas.com
FOR EVEN LONGER: BIG SUR
Kissed by both redwood forests and the Pacific Ocean, the rugged and mountainous Big Sur — just south of Carmel and approximately a 40-minute drive from Monterey Regional Airport — has long been a refuge for those in search of respite and relaxation. High atop the cliffs of Big Sur and 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean sits Post Ranch Inn, the jewel in the austere crown of Big Sur and a true sanctuary for the soul. Located along California’s Highway One, known as one of the world’s most scenic drives, Post Ranch is set amongst majestic state parks, beaches, and waterfalls. Post Ranch Inn is home to California’s largest hotel solar array, powered by water from seven on-site wells and is designed to feel as if one is enveloped by the surroundings, almost as if in a modern treehouse.
While there are no TVs or streaming services readily available, there are weeks’ worth of activities designed to connect guests back with themselves, their loved ones, and nature. The inn offers guests daily sustainability walks with the onsite naturalist through redwood groves, meadows, and along the waterfront, as well as morning yoga and breathwork sessions.
In addition, there is onsite forest meditation meant to awaken the natural wisdom that dwells within through a combination of movement, meditation, and forest bathing among the trees; edible garden tours; multiple cliff-side infinity pools, including one dedicated to meditation; guided art walks; sound meditation journeys; and even shaman and falconry programs. The inn has also partnered with Dr. Michael Breus, one of the country’s most renowned sleep experts, to create its own innovative sleep program.
It is also home to Sierra Mar, one of the most acclaimed eateries in California, and a Forbes Four Star spa. The restaurant partners with small, local producers to offer organic, seasonal ingredients, and free-range meats, while sustainably sourced seafood supports the region’s fisheries. Many of these ingredients are sourced directly from the on-site Chef’s Garden, which provides fresh, organic produce for the restaurant’s seasonal menu.
The Spa draws inspiration from its natural surroundings, using organic skincare products infused with herbs, fruits, and flowers, also from the Chef’s Garden. Locally sourced Big Sur jade is incorporated into treatments, providing guests with an authentic connection to the land. The spa also uses certified organic linens, eco-friendly detergents, and a filtered water system to ensure every aspect of the experience is as sustainable as it is indulgent.
Through the inn, guests may also create custom itineraries of the area to include hiking through Andrew Molera State Park, day trips to Monterey and Pebble Beach, wine tasting across Carmel, private tours of the iconic Hawthorne Gallery, and catered picnic lunches at Pfeiffer Beach, which is home to the amazing natural arch called Keyhole Rock. www.postranchinn.com
