I’ve never really liked the term “staycation”. It just seemed like such a marketing term. I mean, how vacation-like is staying in your home-town, really? Well, I learned that if you stay at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, it can be VERY vacation-like. Besides, there is a lot to be said about not even having to change out of your swimsuit cover-up to drive home from a stay at a world-class resort!
But I’m getting ahead of myself. My family was invited for a night’s stay at Loews Ventana Canyon in exchange for this review and giveaway, and despite my reservations about the word "staycation," I jumped at the chance to actually have one (who wouldn’t)?
We packed our bags and arrived on a Friday late afternoon, all in the span of about 30 minutes. Both of my daughters were excited about our adventure, but my two-year-old was the one who provided two memorable comments right off-the-bat. Her first, upon seeing the exterior of the beautiful resort was, “Wow, look at all the slime!” You need not fear, she was referring to the wonderful green vines that hang down over the façade. Even when we corrected her, she said, “Well, I LIKE the slime, it’s beautiful!” Later, as I checked us in, my husband and the girls wandered out to the back of the lobby to see the wonderful Koi pond. A few minutes later my youngest came barreling back in, proclaiming, “Mommy, there are FISH in the swimming pool!”
The check-in process was easy; we were greeted graciously by the concierge and reception staff and were immediately provided with information about Loews children’s activities and given kids’ activity books and crayons for the girls. While I was checking in, my daughters discovered they could actually feed the Koi in the pond (there is a chest full of fish food in the lobby), so it was hard for them to break away to go to our room. When we did arrive (oh, the delight of pushing elevator buttons), we found a comfortable bedroom space, a huge bathtub (more on that later) and a private patio with a gorgeous view of the Ventana Canyon waterfall on one side and the actual swimming pool (sans the fish!) on the other. 
We didn’t make it into the swimming pool that evening, because it was one of the “Stars Under the Stars” movie nights at Ventana Canyon, when a grassy area near the pool is set up for drinks, dining and movie viewing. We happened to be there for the showing of the “Wizard of Oz”, so we settled in for a wonderful dinner (my husband asks me to make the note that his Agave Wings were outstanding) and an evening of Lions, Tigers and Bears, oh my! "Stars Under the Stars" isn’t the only movie event at Ventana Canyon, the “Dive in Movies” are also a hit, with family movies shown in the pool area, for poolside, or pool-immersed viewing. Another recurring nighttime event for families is stargazing through Ventana Canyon's very own telescope (typically on Wednesday and Saturday nights).
The next morning we had a delicious breakfast (I highly recommend the Loews Banana Split, a breakfast dish of yogurt, carmelized bananas, granola, berries...and enough for at least two people to share) followed by an early nature walk on the lovely trails behind the resort (easy enough for a two-year-old in Crocs). After we oohed and ahhed over the waterfall, the pair of cardinals we saw, and the butterflies flitting along the stream, we spent the remainder of the day in the pool. With pool toys and accessories all readily available (my daughter was distraught to have forgotten her goggles…but all we had to do was ask, and we were provided with a pair--pink, even), and a delicious poolside menu, there wasn’t any reason to leave. Poolside activities and treats while we were there included the Limbo and complimentary Italian Ices and fruit kabobs. On most Saturdays and Sundays there is a reason to leave the pool for a short while--to check out the Wild Side of Summer, which, through Loews partnership with the Desert Museum, brings live desert animals to the resort for face-to-face encounters! Yet another exciting activity for children and adults alike.
Loews Ventana Canyon also has a Coyote Kids’ Club that provides enriching activities for children ages 4-12, allowing parents to have some grown-up time to play golf or get a massage at the spa. We had such fun with our girls during our short stay that we didn’t opt to check out the club, but it is a great option to have. There are also many other available amenities for families with children (Childproofing kit for the room? Brilliant.), and kids under 18 stay free. Loews Loves Kids, and it shows!
As for the spa, I didn’t have an opportunity to visit, but I didn’t really need it. My family was tuckered out at the end of the day, but I had my eye on that huge bathtub I mentioned earlier. Who needs a first class spa at an exotic destination when one has a great bathtub, a few bubbles, and her happy, sleeping, family nearby...all in her very own hometown? Staycation, indeed. I wanted to stay, and stay, and stay…
GIVEAWAY CLOSED
Loews Ventana Canyon hopes that YOU will want to stay, too. Which is why they are giving away a free night’s stay to one lucky family! To enter, comment below with what you would most look forward to experiencing in a Loew's Ventana Canyon visit-The pool? Delicious meals? Watching your children delight in the Koi pond? Let us know below! For an additional entry, like Loews Ventana Canyon on facebook (you'll be glad you did...look for the flash discounts and other fun promotions). You MUST make a comment on the Ventana Canyon wall and also come back here to comment that you did in order to be eligible for the extra entry.
Terms and Conditions:
Only East Tucson Macaroni Kid subscribers are eligible to win. Comments must be made by midnight on June 18th, 2012 to be eligible to win. Winner will be chosen at random by random.org. Winner will be notified by e-mail and will have 24 hours to respond, or another winner will be chosen.
Rooms based on availability. Blackout dates and restrictions will apply. Loews Ventana Canyon is not the administrator of this giveaway. All questions about this giveaway must be directed to kindler@macaronikid.com.
