Poised for the holiday season, the Boulders Resort is keeping with their southwestern holiday tradition by adorning the main lodge and spa lobby with Christmas trees featuring colorful ornaments from the region, luminaries strung throughout the grounds, and native cacti ablaze with miniature lights. Desert sage will be hung in place of mistletoe, honoring its southwest symbolic of affection as well as its exotic scent. Couples can relax in a luxurious Casita, with wood-burning fireplaces and private patios that illuminate and intensify the beauty of the Sonoran Desert landscape. Families appreciate the one-three bedroom Villas that offer great space and value for the holiday season.
THE SPA AT THE BOULDERS: A SOOTHING OASIS
Silent Night Suite Retreat: This is an escape to pure tranquility, where luxury meets serenity this winter. This service takes place at twilight (4-6 pm) and couples can enjoy (2) two-hour spa service in one of the luxurious 700 sq. ft. spa suites. It includes two 50-minute candlelight massages with an additional hour of private time to enjoy the fireside Jacuzzi, sip a glass of sparkling wine and soak up the beauty of the desert.
Twilight Yoga: A gentle flow into Yoga Nidra be offered at 5pm during the holiday/winter season on the outdoor terrace so spa guests can enjoy a tranquil transition from sunset to dusk. The 50-minute sessions take place include slowing the mind to release toxins to help with deep relaxation and to soothe away stress.
Golden Hour Glow: Late afternoons are magical times at the Boulders Spa when the spectacular desert sunset casts a warm golden glow on the ancient boulder formations that rises at the spa terrace. Now, couples can enjoy a sun kissed glow at the golden hour! This private spa session is only offered 5-6pm and it includes a choice of a 50-minute body treatment or facial followed by private patio time, relaxing in plush lounge chairs with hot herbal golden chai tea and while witnessing a magnificent twilight transition. Spa guests can also enjoy exclusive usage of the warm spa swimming pool and Jacuzzi.
TEEING OFF & TENNIS TIME
Sports-oriented guests can tee off on two championship golf courses or enjoy court time and private instruction. Consistently rated one of the “Top 10 Best Golf Courses in the Country” with an eye-popping setting such as gigantic granite boulders that are piled in what look like gravity defying heaps, golfers appreciate the perfect playability; in the winter season.
Boulders Golf Academy: A selection of winter golf instructions include “Golf Simplified” a simple, yet practical hands-on instruction technique combined with digital video analysis and on-course playing lesion.
Tennis Garden: The Boulders Tennis Gardens offer private lessons and weekly clinics.
WINTER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
In addition to the breathtaking surroundings, the Boulders Resort is brimming with outdoor activities with winter —and most take place right on the 1,300 acre resort grounds!
Moonlight Bicycle Tour: This popular nighttime adventure takes place on the resort’s paved routes, where guests to see the desert night as never before. Desert coyote, jackrabbits, javelina and deer, can be seen scurrying about in a flurry of activity. Night equipment boosts confidence in navigating in the darkest of night.
Rock Climbing Clinics are for the adventurous guests who love the thrill and a challenge. The surrounding high Sonoran Desert and its striking rock formations provide the perfect environment for rock climbing. Taught by the Boulders professional guides, this is a virtual rock climber’s paradise, on two carefully selected routes that are ideal for beginners or experienced climbers.
Horseback Rides. The nearby horse trails gently wind through an array of natural desert vegetation and hillsides giving the rider a panoramic view of the surrounding valley. The guided trail rides can accommodate both novice riders and experienced equestrians.
Desert Hikes: Guided hiking adventures include some of the most unique hiking trails in Arizona.
Hot-air Ballooning: Exhilarating hot air balloon rides are offered at sunrise and sunset.
Mountain Bike Tours: Nearby challenging single and double-track mountain bike trails provide an outdoor-adventure paradise amidst towering saguaro cacti that dot the landscape with wildflowers that bloom in vivid shades of magenta, gold and lavender.
Desert Jeep, Tomcar and Hummer Tours: These exhilarating backcountry adventures take guests on an exciting off road tour through desert trails, turns and washes.
Sonoran Explorin’ Tour: This captivating wildlife & nature tour (via golf cart or walking) on the resort grounds, a rich habitat for countless birds and friendly desert wildlife that can be seen darting across the path. It also includes fascinating stories about the sights, sounds and tastes of the region and important desert survival tips. .
Walk the Rock Tour: This truly “rocks” the average nature walk-about where visitors can learn to learn about the region’s flora, fauna and especially the 12-million-year-old boulders that are the resort’s namesake.
FIRST CLASS FARE THIS WINTER
In addition to the five onsite restaurants, culinary programs will be offered throughout the winter season:
Winter Winemaker Dinner Series includes an impressive monthly lineup of acclaimed vintners, culinary demonstrations, tastings and five-course dinners paired with wine.
Herradura Tequila Dinners at the Spotted Donkey Cantina includes 3-course dinners paired with rare tequila.
Cigar & Bourbon Dinners take place outdoors on the Duck Pond Lawn, an especially scenic area that overlooks the majestic mountains, the ancient rock formations and the emerald green fairway.
Healthy Cooking Classes will return this winter and take place at the Spa’s interactive classroom or the expansive outdoor Organic Garden where chefs conduct organic cooking demonstrations and hands-on instruction.
PICKLEBALL PROVISIONS
Winter is the time to play pickleball and the Boulders 12 new pickleball courts are particularly scenic surrounded by mesmerizing sculptural rock formations, giant saguaro cacti, and desert wildflowers! New for the winter season is full time pickleball instructor, David Rogers to teaches instructions on specific aspects of the game including serving and dinking (a familiar pickleball term.) The spa offers “pickleball pampering” with specific massages for players and the Grill Kitchen & Bar will be offering “pickleball perfect cocktails and provisions including “Pickled Bloody Mary” (pickle-infused vodka, Bloody Mary mix, pickle juice, tahini rim, pickle spear) and a “Pickle-Tini” (Vodka/pickle juice and a pickle spear) plus include “Chicken & Pickles” (beer-battered pickle chips/chicken tenders and pickle aioli. Pickleball Cuban (name, pork, pickles, mustard, hoagie roll panini.) The “Pickleball Stay & Play” packages includes nightly accommodations, court time, food & beverage credits and welcome amenities.
WINTER WOOD-BURNING FIREPLACES
Nestled in the lush high Sonoran Desert, this desert hideaway is world-renowned for its dramatic and innovative architecture and the scent of its wood-burning fireplaces. When guests arrive at the main lodge, there is a true sense of arrival with a large wood-burning fireplace that fills the air with the lovely scent of mesquite wood. The design is comfortably contemporary yet deeply rooted in the Southwest prehistory including beehive fireplaces that recall the early Indian dwellers that baked bread in ovens constructed in this distinctive shape. Firepits throughout the resort include firepits on the swimming pool patios, wood-burning fireplaces in the Casitas, restaurant patios, meeting room patios and in the outside patio of one of the Couples Sun Suites at the Spa. The Boulders is one of only a few Arizona resorts that are permitted to burn wood in the fireplaces vs. electric.
