Forbes Travel Guide today unveiled its annual Star Rating list, naming The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain a new Five Star hotel. The 253-room adventure, spa and golf resort near Tucson, Arizona is the latest addition to the prestigious ratings, which have been considered the gold standard in luxury hospitality since 1958. The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain is the only property in southern Arizona to receive coveted Five Star status for 2015.
“These Stars are a worthy and well-deserved tribute to the ladies and gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain,” said Liam Doyle, general manager for the high Sonoran Desert playground. “Thanks to this caring and highly service-focused team, The Ritz-Carlton is attracting year-round travelers to a remarkable desert destination where a return to life awaits. We are also deeply grateful to our treasured guests and neighbors for their friendship and loyalty, and we extend our warmest thanks to them.”
Properties for this award are evaluated anonymously against up to 800 rigorous and objective standards. “Our Star Ratings recognize the finest hotels, restaurants and spas in the world and serve as the most authoritative guideposts for guests seeking exceptional travel experiences,” said Gerard J. Inzerillo, Chief Executive Officer of Forbes Travel Guide. “We’re proud to be associated with the new additions to our global list.”
With a lush high Sonoran desert setting between Phoenix and Tucson, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain presents year-round blue skies and an authentic southwestern sense of place where guests can escape, play – and return to the youthful joys of life. Highlights include three swimming pools, a 235-foot water slide and splash pad, 27 holes of adjoining Jack Nicklaus signature golf, daily Sunset Vista Cocktail Hikes, guided rock art tours to discover ancient Hohokam petroglyphs, GPS-guided geocaching, morning Nature Walks, Cactus Discovery tours showcasing the rare and ancient Saguaro, astronomer-guided stargazing, and access to miles of scenic and beautiful hiking, cycling and four-wheel drive trails.
An adventure-filled Ritz Kids Rangers program provides younger guests with myriad delights, including indigenous critter meet-and-greets, desert expeditions and even In-Room Camping. A daily highlight for guests of all ages is the property’s signature Spirit of Adventure Celebration, when guests gather to welcome the evening and take in the haunting refrain of a Native American flutist performing from the surrounding Tortolita Foothills. An Arizona spa vacation is also just steps away, as The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Dove Mountain features spectacular open-air design, a private serenity pool with tanning island, spa cabanas, day beds and a roster of treatments inspired by the healing therapies of centuries-old Native American civilizations. For foodies, award-winning restaurants are complemented by weekend sushi in the lobby, the charming Roadrunner Food Truck which plies the resort grounds with holiday weekend ice cream treats and which also raises charitable funds via local food truck rallies, acclaimed wine and spirits experiences, and the destination’s own Dove Mountain Cuvée wine label. A 42-tree citrus orchard sits directly outside of the resort’s award-winning CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar, encouraging guests to pick their own fresh Arizona citrus for memorable morning libations.
Reservations for The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain may be made at 800-241-3333, via www.ritzcarlton.com/DoveMountain, or through a travel professional. Dining and spa experiences, luxury weddings, shared voluntourism/VolunTeaming™ activities, and the resort’s award-winning meetings and events may be requested at 520-572-3000. The scenic high-desert destination in Marana, Arizona is served by both the Tucson and Phoenix international airports.
