Top hotel room: Tanque Verde Ranch, Tucson

Tanque Verde Ranch Guest Casitas. Photo courtesy Tanque Verde Ranch

Tanque Verde Ranch is a working dude ranch set against the foothills of the Rincon Mountains in Tucson, Arizona. It has breathtaking desert landscapes and riding a horse along the rocky trails is a typical way to spend a day. When you finish up with all the day’s activities (this is an all-inclusive ranch, so you can enjoy as many activities as you can pack into the day), one of the best parts about staying at Tanque Verde is getting back to a comfortable room.

I stayed in one of the Sonoran suites in a casita overlooking the desert. The room was large, with a fireplace, two queen beds, overstuffed chairs, high ceilings, and a large bathroom with a wonderful whirlpool tub. It was easy, especially after enjoying the desserts served up in the dining room, to climb into bed and fall fast asleep by the light of the fireplace.

Dog House Saloon at Tanque Verde Ranch. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham

I particularly loved the patio out back. One late afternoon while I was getting ready for dinner, I watched a deer wander up toward the building, cross my patio, then head down into the wash. That night, walking down to the main lodge, a large owl perched on a telephone pole overhead, outlined against the full moon. No, I’m not making this up. Throughout the day, bunnies scampered past on the grass or across the trails. It was an incredible experience to be surrounded by such natural beauty. Top that off with some gorgeous horses, and I was right at home — and remembering what it is I love about Arizona.

I didn’t spend a lot of time in the room at Tanque Verde since there was always so much to do. I enjoyed a spa treatment, took a morning trail ride where we enjoyed pancakes cooked outdoors, had barbecue dinner in the Cottonwood Grove, watched the cowboys wrangle up some calves, went for a hike…the list goes on.

My stay at Tanque Verde Ranch was such a mix of fun and relaxation. Days spent riding and hiking and being active were offset by luxurious times of sitting around the camp fire, sipping margaritas at The Dog House Saloon, or enjoying a meal at the restaurant. All of that made my stay special. However, it was always nice to head back up the hill toward my casita, get ready for bed, and take a few minutes to sit and enjoy those millions of stars over the Rincon Mountains.

Front Lawn of Tanque Verde Ranch. Photo courtesy Tanque Verde Ranch

Tanque Verde Ranch
14301 E. Speedway
Tucson, AZ 85748
520-296-6275
http://www.tanqueverderanch.com