Trip Report--Round House in Pinetop, AZ

[Juleen Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Juleen]

A couple of weeks ago, we stayed at Pinetop, Arizona's Round House which we exchanged through RCI. We had stayed at this Arizona high country resort quite a few years ago and since we had a spare week decided to exchange somewhere cool! By, "cool" I mean tempeature--with temps above 110 for over 10 days in a row, just seemed like a good idea! We stayed in a second story unit in the newer area of the resort. The condo itself was nice--not luxurious, but had everything we needed, was in good condition through rather basic decor. We had a two bedroom/two bath unit. The first day we noticed over 100 tiny tiny baby spiders in one of the bathrooms. (While they looked like Black Widow spiders, they may not have been). We notified the front office who brought up some spray which seemed to do the job although we found one or two after that. The first morning, we went to the orientation meeting with about 50 our of "closest new friends and neighbors". We had to laugh as all but 3 couples were from the hot hot low desert which we had escaped from, too: Mesa, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Surprise, Sierra Vista, Tucson, etc. Since we have been that area many times we didn't do any of the "toursty" areas but enjoyed the cool pine scented air and the beauty of the White Mountains! The resort itself had an indoor pool, goofy golf course and small playground. Our son and family joined us for 4 days to do some fishing. First day, they fished Big Lake, a family favorite. Our 4 year old granddaughter caught the first fish, a smallish catfish. In fact, that's the only fish they caught at Big Lake. The next day they headed to Willow Springs Laie where they were happy to catch several nice trout which will be the main course for a family dinner soon! Highlight of Willow Springs was our granddaughter who fell into the Lake reaching for a fish. She came back up and told her dad and grandpa she would have yelled for help but there was too much water! We drove into nearby Pinetop a couple of times for dinner: Charlie Clark's Steak House came high recommended--don't bother! Prices were quite high and all for our meals were not worth the rather high prices. In fact, they wouldn't have been worth much lower prices! The people at the table next to us had to ask for three different silverware sets before finding one that was clean. Save your money and skip this one. The Lotus Garden was quite good--we ate there twice with various dishes ordered and all offered at good prices and were pleased with all the entrees. However, we found a true jewel in the pines: Darbi's restaurant--a small cabin of a restaurant tucked in the pine trees. Delightful food, great prices and cute! Darbi's is owned by three young, and nice looking, sisters. The menu was varied and everything we ate (lunch and breakfast) was delicious! We ended up going there for 3 days. Service was super, the decor warm and welcoming and our waitress was friendly and helpful. Unfortuantely, our trip was cut short by a death in the family, but if we certainly would return to the Round House, and Darbi's again. Overall: Resort rates about a B, scenic beauty an A, fishing a B minus and Darbi's an A Plus. Fun time but a sad departure.

[kapish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close kapish]

Juleen, Thank you so very much for your review. My lowly red season studio week brings up this resort all the time, and I wondered about the place.

Do they have a good pool?

What kind of activities do they have at the resort?

Any kids activities?

[Juleen Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Juleen]

The pool is indoors which for the climate during the winter is logical. It's fine, basic, certainly not a fantasy pool but kids would probably love it. The playground was really small but our 4 year old granddaughter enjoyed the curly slide. There were some activities such a kid movies, etc but Mother Nature also supplies a lot to do in that area: hiking, fishing, etc. We also went to a movie one afternoon. For those grownup kids, there is a casino right out of town. When our kids were little we we, including the dog, often camped in the Big Lake area and they still remember the fun times. Are there other resorts you pull up?

[kapish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close kapish]

Thank you Juleen. Your description of this resort reminds me of a lot of WorldMark resorts. They are clean and comfortable and located near neat places where there are a lot of activities are available. (For example, WorldMark Angels Camp. The resort is nice and comfortable, and the surrounding area provides a ton of activities such as hiking, biking, boating, fishing etc.)

My red season studio always pulls Roundhouse resort, for all seasons. Here is a sample:

1 Bedroom 4 / 2 Partial 03/08/2008 03/15/2008
1 Bedroom 6 / 4 Partial 03/14/2008 03/21/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 2 Partial 03/14/2008 03/21/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 4 Full 03/14/2008 03/21/2008
Studio 4 / 2 Partial 03/14/2008 03/21/2008
1 Bedroom 6 / 4 Partial 03/15/2008 03/22/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 4 Full 03/15/2008 03/22/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 2 Partial 03/15/2008 03/22/2008
Studio 4 / 2 Partial 03/21/2008 03/28/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 4 Full 03/21/2008 03/28/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 2 Partial 03/21/2008 03/28/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 2 Partial 03/22/2008 03/29/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 4 Full 03/22/2008 03/29/2008
1 Bedroom 6 / 4 Partial 03/22/2008 03/29/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 4 Full 03/28/2008 04/04/2008
1 Bedroom 6 / 4 Partial 03/28/2008 04/04/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 2 Partial 03/28/2008 04/04/2008
Studio 4 / 2 Partial 03/28/2008 04/04/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 2 Partial 03/29/2008 04/05/2008
1 Bedroom 6 / 4 Partial 04/04/2008 04/11/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 2 Partial 04/04/2008 04/11/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 4 Full 04/04/2008 04/11/2008
Studio 4 / 2 Partial 04/04/2008 04/11/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 4 Full 04/05/2008 04/12/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 2 Partial 04/05/2008 04/12/2008
2 Bedrooms 6 / 4 Full 04/11/2008 04/18/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 4 Full 04/11/2008 04/18/2008
Studio 4 / 2 Partial 04/11/2008 04/18/2008
1 Bedroom 6 / 4 Partial 04/11/2008 04/18/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 2 Partial 04/11/2008 04/18/2008
1 Bedroom 6 / 4 Partial 04/12/2008 04/19/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 2 Partial 04/12/2008 04/19/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 4 Full 04/12/2008 04/19/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 2 Partial 04/18/2008 04/25/2008
Studio 4 / 2 Partial 04/18/2008 04/25/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 4 Full 04/18/2008 04/25/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 4 Full 04/19/2008 04/26/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 2 Partial 04/19/2008 04/26/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 2 Partial 05/02/2008 05/09/2008
2 Bedrooms 6 / 4 Full 05/02/2008 05/09/2008
Studio 4 / 2 Partial 05/02/2008 05/09/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 4 Full 05/02/2008 05/09/2008
1 Bedroom 6 / 4 Partial 05/02/2008 05/09/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 2 Partial 05/03/2008 05/10/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 4 Full 05/03/2008 05/10/2008
1 Bedroom 6 / 4 Partial 05/03/2008 05/10/2008
Studio 4 / 2 Partial 05/09/2008 05/16/2008
2 Bedrooms 6 / 4 Full 05/09/2008 05/16/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 2 Partial 05/09/2008 05/16/2008
1 Bedroom 6 / 4 Partial 05/09/2008 05/16/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 4 Full 05/09/2008 05/16/2008
1 Bedroom 6 / 4 Partial 05/10/2008 05/17/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 2 Partial 05/10/2008 05/17/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 4 Full 05/10/2008 05/17/2008
Studio 4 / 2 Partial 05/16/2008 05/23/2008
1 Bedroom 6 / 4 Partial 05/16/2008 05/23/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 4 Full 05/16/2008 05/23/2008
2 Bedrooms 6 / 4 Full 05/16/2008 05/23/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 2 Partial 05/16/2008 05/23/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 2 Partial 05/17/2008 05/24/2008
1 Bedroom 4 / 4 Full 05/17/2008 05/24/2008
1 Bedroom 6 / 4 Partial 05/17/2008 05/24/2008

Here is a sample of resorts being brought up for next Summer, for all of Arizona:

The Legacy Golf Resort (#5446)
Phoenix, AZ 85042, USA

Available Unit Size - 1 - 1
Check-in Date Range - 06/21/2008 - 06/21/2008

Roundhouse Resort (#0262)
Pinetop, AZ 85935, USA

Available Unit Size - 1 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 05/09/2008 - 07/12/2008

Sheraton Desert Oasis (#5247)
Scottsdale, AZ 85255, USA

Available Unit Size - 1 - 1
Check-in Date Range - 05/17/2008 - 05/31/2008

Sedona Pines Resort (#4968)
Sedona, AZ 86336, USA

Available Unit Size - 1 - 1
Check-in Date Range - 05/09/2008 - 07/13/2008


Villas of Sedona (#3021)
Sedona, AZ 86339, USA

Available Unit Size - 1 - 1
Check-in Date Range - 05/30/2008 - 05/30/2008

Sunterra Resorts Sedona Summit (#4038)
Sedona, AZ 86336, USA

Available Unit Size - 1 - 1
Check-in Date Range - 07/04/2008 - 07/05/2008

Sedona Vacation Club/Los Abrigados (#2026)
Sedona, AZ 86336, USA

Available Unit Size - 1 - 1
Check-in Date Range - 05/09/2008 - 07/13/2008

[Juleen Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Juleen]

Pinetop will have cooler weather than the others mentioned. Those is Phoenix, Scottsdale, etc would be a great exchange in the winter months but I'd certainly stay away from them from May through end of September. Sedona, of course, is awesome but can be in the low 100's during summer. Nights there are glorious! Sedona Pines is located outside of Sedona--not as pretty of an area as the others. Units are cute but shaped like a slender house trailor. In the main area, if you go from the master bedroom to the living room you practically have to turn sideways to go through the kitchen. The Villas and Summit are both lovely. Los Abrigados is located IN the town of Sedona right on Oak Creek. This is an older resort but when we've stayed there the units were still in good shape and recent reports indicate it's still a great choice. It's an easy to walk to several restaurants and shopping, especially in Tlaquepaque which is a lovely shopping area built to resemble a Guadalahara plaza. Great food at Rene's and other shops. The name is pronounced (Tah lah key pah key). We think it sounds like (Tah lock your pocket) which is a good indicator about prices! <g>

[kapish Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close kapish]

Available on Extra Vacations!

Roundhouse Resort (#0262)
Pinetop, AZ 85935, USA

Price Range - $377.99 - $602.99
Available Unit Size - 1 - 2
Check-in Date Range - 06/06/2008 - 07/05/2008