Why here?
Tucson is certainly beloved for its desert locale and climate, but this Southwestern city offers so much more: Its clear skies make it one of the country's top spots for star-gazing, its cuisine and hip dining spots are acclaimed, and the Santa Catalina hills are perfect for hiking, riding and more.
NEWS FLASH
• American Airlines launched daily nonstop service between Tucson and New York City's JFK Airport last October. The service creates one-stop travel to and from numerous international destinations, as well as for cities across the Northeast.
• The 398-room Loews Ventana Canyon Resort has unveiled its refreshed guest rooms, public areas, fitness center, Lakeside Spa, Flying V Bar & Grill and meeting space.
PALATE PLEASING
Tucson, which was named an official UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2015, has earned another culinary accolade: a spot on Wine Enthusiast's most recent list of top under-the-radar food towns.
TUCSON
Local Update
• The 135-room AC Hotel Tucson by Marriott will open in downtown Tucson this summer. The eight-story building will have a fitness center, a rooftop pool, 1,500 square-feet of meeting space, dining outlets, a chic lobby bar and 4,800 square-feet of street-level retail space.
• The Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort is in the midst of a multimillion-dollar renovation. The project will see the resort's 428 guest rooms refreshed and add wildlife and nature programs to guest offerings. Already completed is the Desert Springs Oasis pool's redesign, which now offers new poolside cabanas, a larger pool deck with additional sunning areas, and several outdoor fire pits. Also recently opened is an 18-horse stable on the 500-acre property. Guests and groups can take advantage of wrangler-guided trail rides, horseback-riding lessons, carriage rides, hay rides and trailside cookouts. All renovations at the property are set to be completed by spring.
• The 213-room Tucson Residence Inn by Marriott will open at Main Gate Square near the University of Arizona. Among the hotel's offerings will be a restaurant, meeting space and a rooftop pool. An opening date has not yet been determined.
• The 487-room Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa has opened a new restaurant, Contigo, which features Latin-fusion dishes that incorporate exotic flavors from Peru, Brazil, Mexico, Cuba and Spain. The property has more than 64,000 square feet of meeting and event space for up to 2,000 attendees.
• The Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort has completed an expansion. The historic property, originally an exclusive girls' school, added 32 guest rooms for a new total of 60. The six new buildings that house the rooms are connected via landscaped walking paths that lead to the Terraza Garden Patio, courtyard and pool.
• Last May, the White Stallion Ranch was made a member of Historic Hotels of America. The 43-room guest ranch, which was established in 1939 and was owned by the same family for 50 years, offers hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding and hearty ranch fare.
SWEET AND NEAT
Donuts and whiskey are quite the pairing, but somehow it all works at
Batch Cafe & Bar. If that small-batch combo isn't your jam, the menu is chock full of savory eats like gourmet grilled cheese, salads and more.
GOING UP
Northeast of Tucson in Oracle, Arizona Zipline Adventures offers a bird's-eye view of the dramatic cacti and canyons the region is renowned for. In addition to five zip lines, the facility has a low ropes course, a giant swing, a gold-panning area, hiking trails and a huge porch where everyone can unwind after their activities.
Meeting Hotels: Properties include the 610-room JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa, 487-room Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, 428-room Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort, 398-room Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, 301-room Holiday Inn Tucson Airport North, 299-room Radisson Suites Tucson, 297-room Hotel Tucson City Center InnSuites Conference Suite Resort, 287-room DoubleTree by Hilton Tucson--Reid Park, 250-room Tucson Marriott University Park, 241-room Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa, 232-room Hilton Tucson East, 216-room Sheraton Tucson Hotel & Suites and 215-room Casino del Sol Resort.
To find and compare hotels, and send RFPs, visit mcvenues.com.
Convention Center: Tucson Convention Center; exhibit space, 148,000 square feet; number of meeting rooms, eight; (520) 791-4101
Airport Transit: Tucson International Airport, about eight miles south of downtown. Transfer cost by taxi, approximately $25
Taxes: Hotels within Tucson city limits: room tax, 12.05%; sales tax, 9.1%; total tax on hotel rooms, 12.05% plus a $4 per night surcharge (recently increased from $2). Hotels outside Tucson city limits, but within Pima County: room tax, 12.05%; total tax on hotel rooms, 12.05%
Group Venue: The Whistle Stop Depot is a hot new event space housed in a former steel warehouse. The 5,200-square-foot venue, which features reclaimed, recycled and salvaged materials, also serves as Tucson's largest piece of art sculpture. Events for up to 500 are hosted. (520) 882-4969
Contact: Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau, (800) 638-8350