- Hotel Website: The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa
- Location: Google Maps
- Book: Check availability
- Room Type: Deluxe Guest room – Gulf & Mountain View
– Golf View King, 1 King, Mini fridge, 475sqft/43sqm - Review Score: Results of our review
- Hotel Fact:The resort is home to a legendary 177-foot “Dillon’s Rolling Thunder” waterslide. This feature is one of the longest and most famous resort waterslides in the entire Southwest and is the centerpiece of its multi-tiered aquatic playground. It’s such an iconic attraction that it serves as a major draw, turning the resort’s desert oasis into a true destination for families and anyone looking for a thrilling way to beat the Arizona heat.
Location: Beautiful, secluded setting on the North Side of Tucson, providing stunning desert and mountain views.
Ambiance: A unique, peaceful atmosphere enhanced by the surrounding desert landscape and vibrant sunsets.
Pools: A massive and impressive pool complex with a swim-up bar and attentive poolside service.
Dining: Top-tier and unique culinary offerings, especially the Tequila Lounge and Contigo Latin Kitchen.
Guest Experience: Lovely staff, a beautiful fitness area, and updated, comfortable rooms.
Location: While secluded and scenic, it’s about a 30-minute drive to the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain and centrally located in the area.
Online Reputation: Google reviews don’t score well for some reason, but we believe this is due to old feedback before the property was updated internally.
Golf Fees: There are some excessive fees if you’re trying to golf, but that’s pretty typical for a luxury golf property.
🍸 Bar
🧘 Fitness classes
🏋️ Gym
📋 Meeting rooms
🏊 Outdoor pool
🍽️ Restaurants
💆 Spa
The Luxe Atlas Rating
Design: 8.5/10
Vibe: 7.5/10
Romantic: 7/10
Air Conditioning: 10/10
Room: 8/10
Food: 9/10
Location: 8/10
Gym/Fitness: 9/10
Cleanliness: 10/10
Wow Factor: 7.9/10
Overall Experience: 8.4/10
The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa: A North Tucson Luxury Escape
Our stay at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa was truly amazing, and this is a resort I honestly and highly recommend when visiting the North Tucson, Arizona area. It’s surrounded by the iconic beauty of the Sonoran Desert, with massive, ancient Saguaro cacti defining the landscape and encroaching in on the welcoming driveway to this established luxury property. If you enjoy breathtaking Tucson sunsets—which are a daily spectacle, turning the surrounding mountains a deep purple and gold—and sprawling, impressive pool complexes, this is definitely your spot to go. We’ve stayed here a few times in the past and have really enjoyed every moment we’ve had at the resort.
A Premier Tucson Arizona Resort
The Westin La Paloma is strategically situated on the north side of Tucson, elevated just above the city lights and about a convenient 30-minute drive from another area favorite, the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain. This luxury Tucson resort offers stunning, panoramic views, overlooking massive mountains like the Santa Catalina Range from the local valley. The property has managed to blend the heritage of a long-established property with a fresh, modern aesthetic, thanks to its internal updates. The property is surrounded by a massive Tucson championship golf course, which is typically a big draw for many guests, but it also boasts a consistently refining culinary program with excellent restaurant menus, a tranquil spa, a beautiful fitness area, and, most importantly, a warm, highly-attentive staff. This provides an elegant escape that truly feels like a retreat from the city.
Arrival: An Ambassador Elite Welcome
Checking in was a pretty quick and seamless process. As I am Ambassador Elite with Marriott, the front desk was efficient, and we were quickly off to our room. The room ended up being a nice little walk from the lobby. While you can opt for the golf cart service to transport you and your luggage, choosing to forgo the cart allowed us to fully appreciate the resort’s sprawling casita-style architecture and the lush, desert-adapted landscaping. This walk emphasized the sheer scale of the property and offered quiet moments to take in the mountain views before settling in.
The Hotel: Refined Atmosphere and Unexpected Value
The hotel doesn’t score very well on Google for some reason, but that certainly didn’t stop us from staying there. I think the resort had some old reviews from years ago before the property eventually got updated internally. Despite any past issues, the resort now presents itself as a thoroughly updated, high-end destination. The ambiance strikes a perfect balance between luxury and the casual, relaxing vibe of the Arizona desert. This creates a uniquely peaceful setting that encourages guests to slow down and truly unwind.
The Hotel Room: A Suite Sanctuary with Golf Course Views
We were delighted to find we had been upgraded to a beautiful suite complete with a balcony overlooking the golf course. The room itself was recently updated, featuring a comfortable sitting area, a spacious bathroom, and a lovely king-size bed. The suite provided more than just space; it offered a genuine sense of privacy and tranquility. The sitting area was clearly defined and furnished beautifully, perfect for morning coffee or unwinding after a day in the sun. The spacious bathroom featured high-quality fixtures and ample room to prepare. This combination of space, golf course views, and modern comforts truly transformed the room into a sanctuary, a luxurious base from which to enjoy the surrounding desert.
Restaurants Onsite: Culinary Excellence at The Westin La Paloma
The restaurants on site had great and unique offerings that we always look forward to. We have a consistent appreciation for the main onsite restaurant, which has raving reviews, and we always really enjoy the ambiance and quality. Our personal favorite was the Saguaro Cantina (Tequila Lounge) on site, which offers a vibrant spot for evening cocktails. Contigo Latin Kitchen is also fantastic, providing an elevated dining experience with complex flavors. For casual needs, they also have morning coffee and a beautiful evening bar with full service.
Onsite Dining Options and Typical Operating Hours (Daily)
Venue | Cuisine / Type | Typical Operating Hours |
|---|---|---|
Contigo Latin Kitchen | Signature Latin-Inspired Dining | Dinner: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
AZ Grille | All-Day Dining / American Classics | Breakfast: 6:30 AM – 11:00 AM |
Lunch/Dinner: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM | ||
Saguaro Cantina (Tequila Lounge) | Cocktails and Light Bites | 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM |
Highland Coffee | Morning Coffee and Grab-and-Go | 6:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
Pool Bar | Poolside Service / Drinks | 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
Pools and Beach: A Desert Oasis
During the day, we often dipped off to the pool to experience the massive pool complex that they have on the property. This area is arguably the centerpiece of the resort and a true desert oasis. It’s not just a pool; it’s a massive, multi-tiered complex featuring a notable water slide built into the rockwork—a big hit for families but equally enjoyable for adults. This vast aquatic playground is the perfect counterpoint to the dry desert heat. The pool also has a unique swim-up bar where you can order signature cocktails without ever leaving the water. Furthermore, the poolside service is highly attentive, with dedicated servers circulating frequently to ensure you never wait long for a chilled beverage or snack, enhancing the overall feeling of vacation indulgence. This area is the perfect spot to enjoy the incredible Tucson sunset while relaxing in the water, completing the idyllic desert vacation scene.
Shopping Onsite: Convenient Retail Therapy
The resort provides convenient onsite retail to cover guest needs and leisure activities. The shopping options cater largely to the major draw of the property, the golf course, and general vacation needs, ensuring you can quickly find any item you may have forgotten or a keepsake to remember your trip.
Onsite Shopping Options and Typical Operating Hours (Daily)
Venue | Focus | Typical Operating Hours |
|---|---|---|
Golf Pro Shop | Golf Apparel, Equipment, and Accessories | 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
Resort Boutique / Gift Shop | Souvenirs, Clothing, and Sundries | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Activities & Amenities: Golf and Relaxation
The property’s key draw is the massive Westin La Paloma championship golf course, but even for non-golfers, there’s plenty to appreciate. The resort features a professional, comprehensive fitness center equipped with modern machines and ample space for different workouts—a true perk for health-conscious travelers. Since I was honestly in town for work, the setting allowed me to efficiently attend my local meetings while knowing my wife could enjoy a luxurious, relaxing itinerary of pools, spa access, and scenic walks without ever needing to leave the property. The combination of serious business functionality and resort luxury makes it an unparalleled choice for a “workcation,” where the line between work and leisure is seamlessly blurred.
The Spa: Desert Tranquility
The resort includes a full-service spa. (While we didn’t use the spa services on this trip, the presence of the facility and the focus on wellness align perfectly with the Westin brand promise, offering a retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation centered around the tranquility of the desert environment.)
Final Closing: Highly Recommended for All Travelers
This would be a quick review, but the key takeaway is simple: if you’re staying in the Tucson area, The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa is a really good spot to go. The mix of leisure activities and relaxation options makes it an ideal destination for all types of travelers, whether you have kids and need a large pool area or you are just traveling for work and need a comfortable, high-end base of operations. The combination of beautiful scenery, exceptional dining, and refined service makes it a premier choice for any traveler seeking a luxury escape in the desert.
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