No compensation was received for this post. I was provided with a complimentary stay at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador which facilitated the writing of this post. Our very first visit to Tucson was inspired by my friend Stephanie from Metropolitan Mama. Having known her almost as long as this blog has been around, I often read her stories of family life and adventure. And her photos of Tucson’s desert beauty and seemingly endless sunshine made it a destination I was certain to frequent. Located just 7-ish hours from Southern California, I learned from quite a few of my friends that Tucson is a popular destination because of its proximity, beauty, and the sense of freedom and adventure the city inspires. Because one visit is never enough to any city, I jumped at the chance to explore Tucson with my family thanks to the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador and Visit Tucson.
We are a traveling family, and it’s often those last-minute getaways that are the most exciting. Just from looking at the photos from the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador, I knew that we were in for a spectacular weekend of relaxation and adventure. The Hilton Tucson El Conquistador is located at the base of the breathtaking Pusch Ridge in the Santa Catalina Mountains and the resort exudes the beauty of the desert. Because the resort sits on an expansive 478 acres, even at capacity it felt serene.
When we arrived at the resort, the very first thing my kids wanted to do was don their swimsuits for a dip in the Desert Springs Oasis, the resort’s pool and water play area. My kids would have been content to stay and play here all day long!
As a parent, I appreciate that the resort offers two separate kid-specific pool and water play areas. For younger tots like my daughter, the Shallow Springs fish-shaped pool offers an engaging, safe area for her to play and cool off from the warm desert sun. Right across the way is a 143-foot Sliderock waterslide where my son and I spent a large part of our pool time. The resort’s main pool area is also kid-friendly, and during the Summer months, families can experience a variety of daily pool games including Simon Says, Red Light Green Light and entertainment, making it a very popular mid-day destination.
After an exciting afternoon of water play, we headed back to our Junior Suite for some down time. Admittedly, we didn’t spend a lot of time inside, but the resort’s accommodations are pristine, roomy and comfortable. With 2 small children, it was wonderful to have a mini living room/sitting area with couches, a table, a desk and a TV to play, color, or simply relax. Our suite had 2 queen beds which was perfect, but had we needed additional sleeping areas, the couch in the sitting area pulls out into a bed. A walk-in closet offered plenty of space to store luggage out of the way and I appreciated having a separate vanity area to get ready outside of the bathroom. It isn’t typical that we’ll spend a lot of time in any hotel room while we travel (we like to see and do!), but our Junior Suite at the resort was so comfortable that we found ourselves wanting to spend some time here which is a definite “head nod” to the resort’s accommodations.
Truly a family destination, I learned that many locals staycation at the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador, particularly during the Summer months. One of the highlights of our stay was participating in all of the activities they have organized as part of their Conquer the Summer promotion. Included with your stay, this program encompasses a variety of activities and experiences to engage children. During the day, kids can participate in their Mad Science Workshop, Junior Archery, Cooking Experiences for a nominal fee.
At night, the main pool is the place to be! Enjoy a poolside Dive-In Movie, roast your own S’mores, star gaze, or simply take a dip.
After dinner one night, we headed out to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum courtesy of Visit Tucson. Our nighttime adventure was exhilerating and I can’t wait to tell you all about it when I share my Top 10 Things to Do in Tucson for Kids. If your stay doesn’t afford time to visit this spectacular outdoor destination be sure to head down to the lobby on Sunday mornings for up-close, engaging animal encounters. During our stay, we were able to see and learn more about gopher snakes, owls, hawks, scorpions, and tarantulas right inside the lobby of the hotel. My kids enjoyed their experience at the Museum, but the more intimate encounter we had the the hotel was something they’ll always remember.
Along with the above amenities, the Hilton Tucson El Conquistador offers 45 holes of championship golf, 31 lighted tennis courts, 5 pool/water play areas plus an adults-only pool, complimentary bicycle rentals, complimentary wellness/fitness program, customized spa services, and 5 on-site restaurants. With stunning views, attentive, personalized service, and enough activities to keep families engaged, the resort is a must when visiting Tucson. As part of their Conquer the Summer program, families can enjoy rates starting at just $89 for visits before September 7th, 2014. To help families make the most of their stay, kids receive a special Conquer the Summer Savings Passport filled with 14 different activities plus special offers and discounts and a vacation memories activity book. For more information, visit HiltonElConquistador.com/ConquerSummer.
Images: Rockin’ Mama
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