Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx
37
celebratedliving.com
WINTER 2011
ith its tall, thick trunkandupward-
curvingbranches, thesaguarocactus is
an iconicsymbolof theAmericanWest.
Nativeonly in theSonoranDesert,avast
area thatspanspartsofArizona,Califor-
nia,andMexico, thesaguaroneeds the
heat, lowerelevations,andmildwinters
that thisdesertoffers. It’sexactly theset-
tingmyhusband,Mike,and Idecidewe
needaswell, togetaway from thebusynessofhome,work,andkids.
Aquickflight fromDallasgetsus toTucson, and from therewehead30
minuteswest toTheRitz-Carlton,DoveMountain.Although it’sdarkbynow,
thegroundsare illuminatedbyfirepits, andwespyenoughof theoutlineof
theTortolitaFoothills torealize thatweareenveloped inacanyon.Like
manynightshere in thedesert, theweather isperfect— the largeglassdoors
thatseparate the lobby from thegroundsarewideopen,making theresort
feelas though it’sapartof theoutdoors.
Thenextday,wehead to thegolf course forbrunchatCayton’s.We’re
greetedwithmimosasand led toa tableoverlooking thebougainvillea-and
hibiscus-filledpatioand, furtherbeyond, theJackNicklausSignatureDesign
golf course,where theWGC-AccentureMatchPlayChampionship isplayed
eachFebruary.Thegolf course looks inviting, butevengolf ismoreeffort
thanwewant thisweekend. Instead,we try theSouthwesternofferingsat
Cayton’s—adeliciouscrab-cakescramblewithbacon, goatcheese, arugula,
andancho-limeremoulade, andhuevosrancherosservedatopmasacakes
withhomemadesalsaverde— thenmakeourwayover to thespa.
While theresorthas two fantasticmainpools (onewithawaterslide
that’s justas fun,we laterdiscover,withoutkids), thesmaller, secludedspa
pool issublime.Becausewehavespa treatmentsbooked, itsuse iscompli-
mentary, and thegloriouspoolbedsareours for the taking.Wegetanicely
shadedbednext toanherbgardenandspend therestof theafternoonread-
ing, swimming, gettingamassage (Mike)anda facial (me), and taking in the
fragrantaromasof rosemary, oregano, sage, andmint—promisesofagreat
meal tocome.
Byevening,we’recravinga littleadventure, sowerentbikes from the
conciergeand takeoff toexplore thedirtpaths thatmeander through the
foothills, 20milesof them tobeprecise.Westop forwaterandrealize there is
notasound tobeheard.We feelalone, isolated,untilweroundacornerand
comenearly face to facewitha longhorn.Coming fromTexas, seeinga long-
horn isn’tsuchanovelty—butencounteringone that’snotseparated fromus
bya fence is, Imustadmit,unnerving.A little joltofadrenaline, though, eases
the trekbackup to theresortandmakesmeevenhungrier.
Thatnight,wewalkoutside through theresort’scitrusorchard,with its
lime, lemon, grapefruit, orange, andpomelo trees, toget toCoreKitchenand
WineBar.Thecuisine isbilledasAmerican, andhintsof thedesertSouth-
westcome through, from therefreshing“SageSplash”cocktailofGreyGoose
LaPoire, grapes, sage leaves, and lime to thechile-lacqueredNewYorkstrip
withcorn-nopalesrelish, avocado fries, andpoblanosauce.But it’s the
braisedshort ribsappetizer,withgarden-herbgnocchi, tomato-cornbroth,
andarugula, thatwinsmeover.
By the timewe’ve taken the lastspoonfulof carrot-mangosorbet,we’re
tired, thekindof tiredyouonlyseem togetwhenyou’reonvacationnotdoing
muchofanythingatall.And thoughwedidn’tget toomuchaccomplished,we
decide thenextdaywillbemuch thesame.
Roomsstartat $319. (520) 572-3000, (800) 241-3333, ritzcarlton.com
—
LoriStacy
The Ritz-
Dove
Mountain
Marana, Arizona
This page from
top: Golfing at
Tortolita; the Spa
Serentiy Pool; a
refreshing meal of
fish tacos and
beer; and lounging
at the Spa Terrace
make for a
perfect escape.
Opposite page:
Enjoy a hearty
breakfast on the
terrace surrounded
by an amazing view.
FROM TOP:© STEVEHEIT;©CHRISTOPHERCYPERT;©DAVIDB.MOORE;©CHRISTOPHERCYPERT FOR THERITZ-CARLTON
