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Awesome pics...let us know about the golf...
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What's great about this resort
Okay, My mom and I walked the grounds of the resort and took some additional pictures. The grounds are fabulous. They really have the desert flora very well fine tuned here. And, the cabanas are, get this,.... FREE.
Here is what differentiates this resort..... THE SERVICE. It is really really really good here. Even my mother commented on it. The folks at Orange Lake should hire some of these people. Every single person without exception has gone out of their way to help us. Even the engineering guy who came to our unit when we got here and it was hot. He stay in the unit until it was cool and promised us that he would get it right before he left.
We got lots of help with dining reservations, golf reservations, activities, rides to various parts of the resort. It's amazing how the service has really turned me positive on this place.
I think Pat said that the unit wasn't as good as the Aviara. As I posted, I have been in better. Don't get me wrong, it's great and I like it. We are talking about splitting hairs in the best of the best. When we got here, we checked in and came straight to our unit. We really didn't get a chance to interact with anyone until later in the day. I wonder how they train their people. They help without being overly pushy about it like you would see in, say, New York. They know just how far to go before they've gone too far.
I really like the people here. Also, this place is without a doubt for the rich and famous. I was surprised at the number of beautiful people at the resort. I don't quite fit in. LOL. When we went to the Spa to pick out a day package for my mom, a drop dead gorgeous woman had just finished a $600 Spa treatment. Wow, I told my mom that it must be nice being rich. Needless to say, that woman had a big smile on her face and so did her husband. His body language was clearly that of a proud rich guy who just took care of his lovely girlfriend/wife.
My favorite part of my unit is the doors. Nice wood. Good weight. Not too heavy. Not too light.
Oh yeah, in addition to having to pay for internet access. There are only 19" TVs. They should really upgrade them to at least 35" in the living room. That way us football buffs can really enjoy the games.
Last thing, the restaurants look outstanding. The main restaurant is called Acacia. Any menu that sports Maui Onion rings is a place I need to go. I'm sure it will be top shelf.
We have 7 pm dinner reservations at Pinnacle Peak Patio. And, we have a 6:57 am tee time at Eagle Mountain. I'll let you know how it goes.Comment
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Boca, didn't mean 'not as good' - just not as luxurious...
Here is a link to the pictures of AviaraComment
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Your mom sounds like a person that I could get along very well with........Golf and Spa treatments are high on the priority list as well as shopping and gambling for my mom.
I'm glad that you are impressed with the service. That has always been a high priority for me.
Have fun golfing!Angela
If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
BTW, I'm still keeping track of how many times you annoy me.
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I am really starting to love this place. It's like an upscale version of where I grew up. The Saguaro cactus really differentiates this overall locale.
Had a blast at Pinnacle Peak's Patio. When you walk into the restaurant, there are 10's of thousands of business cards on the wall and thousands of ties that were cut off and plastered onto it. We ate outside where they had live entertainment. Cowboy style country, pop, folk signing. I loved it. Probably could have stayed there all night. The music reminded me of a place my best friend and I used to hang out in Encino, CA called Adam's Rib. We would go there on a Friday night and listen to a guy singing the Eagle's, Jimmy Buffet, Van Morrison and his own stuff.
One of the best trips I had was a President's Club in Scottsdale. This is reminding me a lot of that trip.Comment
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Eagle Mountain golf
Boca:
Tough course, but beautiful views on some holes. Haven't played there this year, but if it's in good shape you should enjoy it. Was this recommended to you by the concierge or others at the resort? Very good pick, but there are some other courses around that are of similar quality but probably much less pricey (I think Angela and I both recommended Sanctuary Golf Course in another thread).
Enjoy yourself in this mild (for Phoenix) weather.
Very nice photos of your location. You did good!
DDI Par
Birdies are better, but par is good.Comment
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Originally posted by DDI Par View Post
Oh oh. The concierge recommended this course. I don't like that you say it's tough. I am a rank beginner. But, I'm game. The green fees were $55.
When I was talking to the concierge, I couldn't remember the Sanctuary. We'll try that later in the week.
We are going to try that Troon North course just because we are here. And, it looks like we have We Ko Pa on the schedule as well.Comment
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Please slow down, we don't want you to exhaust yourself having too much FUN!Originally posted by BocaBum99 View PostComment
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Hi Boca
I am so jealous, we got a trade to Four Seasons in August, I loved it and wish I could live there. You are so right to say it is the service that makes it so special, the staff are wonderful, they want to be help you but they are never over the top or in your face. I agree with you entirely on the understated elegance of the resort, in my opinion it is the best, wish I could afford maintenance fees, and of course trans atlantic flight costs, then I'd buy there, just to have a week of luxury every year! Hope you enjoy rest of your stay
LynneComment
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What a wonderful time
It's been a few days since my last post. Here's a quick update.
We golfed Eagle Mountain and Troon North. Eagle Moutain was a tough course because it is on the side of a mountain. It really didn't matter to me since I haven't golfed enough rounds to know the difference. I measure the course difficulty in terms of how many balls I lose, rather than my score relative to PAR.
We loved both courses, but my Dad and I agree that Troon North was our favorite of the two. Since it took so much time to golf, we decided to cancel our other rounds so that we could spend more time with mom doing other stuff.
My dad wanted to get massages, so we scheduled one for Tuesday. It was great. I love it when the masseuse can tell you what you do based on where you muscles are tense. She asked me if I were on the phone a lot and she nailed it. Last time, he asked me if I played tennis. That always amazes me.
My parents also went to one of the casinos nearby. I didn't go, so I can't comment on it. But, they said that it was an excellent casino in terms of quality and layout. They live near several Indian casinos and they commented that it was much higher calibre than most. I knew there was trouble when my dad said after returning that I need to pay for all dinners and golf outings. He wouldn't tell me how much he lost. LOL.
Yesterday, we went to Sedona. It was a glorious day. Perfect weather. I think we are right on the transition point between seaons. Almost no kids there. Only babies. Mostly seniors. That makes sense. We ate at my favorite restaurant, The Javelina Cantina. And we took a couple of city tours to get my parents an overview of the area. They loved it. So, I'd say that I achieved my mission. They now want to come back. So, we'll get a week in Sedona and we'll let them see the grand canyon and all the area has to offer. It's a good thing they have golf. If not, then I don't think I'd get my dad to come along.
It's funny, I asked my dad why he never came to Sedona or the Grand Canyon in the past. He said he never had a reason to do so. He just thought of the grand canyon as a big hole in the ground. After seeing the beauty of Sedona, he actually said, "hmm, I wonder what the grand canyon would be like" What a breakthrough. I need to book that vacation quickly before he changes his mind.
It was my second time to Sedona and I must say that it is one of the loveliest places on earth. I could definitely live there. And, I know the exact house I'd like to own. You know, that one they are building right next to the Rock Cathedral? The one with the observatory. Our tour guide said that it's worth about $20-25M. It is magnificent in a wonderful location surrounded by red rocks. The owner is a Romanian inventor of the medical laser. Nice.
The weather here is fantastic. I just changed as we got here. Perfect.Comment
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It sounds like our golf games are similar...perhaps we should play when you get back to Boca Raton.Originally posted by BocaBum99
Did you ever do the Pink Jeep Tour at Sedona....that was a blast. In fact, I had to buy a Jeep Wrangeler as a 3rd weekend car after that trip.
I still give Whistler and/or Banff a slight edge over Sedona, but they both are great.Comment
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I know exactly which house you are referring to and to be perfectly honest I don't know if I LOVE it ( imagine your own observatory in those clear night skiesOriginally posted by BocaBum99
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or Hate it as it has to be one of the more ostentatious places I've seen.
Congrats on converting your Dad and also carrying enough balls with you to complete your game.Lawren
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There are many wonderful places in the world, but one of my favourite places is on the back of my horse.
- Rolf KopfleComment
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Hey this is a FAMILY BBS...Originally posted by lawren2
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Boca, it sousnds to me that a week in Sedona is not even enough. I always laugh to myself when people want to spend only a few days here and there and then say that is an advantage of points.
I would want to stay as long as possible in a beautiful area and see it all.
I am so glad you are enjoying your stay and your parents are thrilled too. What a wonderful time you are having and to share all this with the family. They are so lucky. Enjoy!
If Whistler is nicer yet, I hope to see it one day too. Our Marriott friends, with the white week at MDSV-I, have exchanged to both these places and love it too.Comment
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I'll be back at the end of October. We can golf together at that time. I am having a blast. I still suck, but I am hitting some decent shots, too. I am pretty good off the tee, but my putting stinks. The putter I bought isn't the same as those you use at the miniature golf courses. LOL.Originally posted by Steamboat BillComment
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