Showing posts with label Hotels and Resorts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hotels and Resorts. Show all posts

Friday, August 2, 2013

Photo: Golf Green at the Phoenician Resort


This is one of the holes on the Phoenician Resort golf course.  After we have tea at the Phoenician, we like to take a little stroll on what they call their cactus walk.  One of the golf holes has a tea quite a bit higher than the walk, with a short tee shot to this green down below.

If someone has a bad hook and comes up short, they could find themselves in the cactus near this green.  I hope none of the golfers hit the cactus with their swing.

This week we are showing photos Cabra Castle, northwest of Dublin, Ireland, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.  It is a castle hotel that is a delightful place to stay.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Photo: Gainey Ranch

Here is a photo of the outside patio at the Hyatt at Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale.

The Saguaro cactus and rows of palm trees figure prominently in the patio area.  Years ago, the guitar player Esteban was the nightly performer on this patio.

This week we are showing photos of Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia, on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Photo: Fire Sky Lobby Fireplace

I showed a few photos of the Fire Sky Resort lobby a few days ago, but missed the fireplace, so here it is.  In the winter, we actually make good use of fireplaces in Arizona, as it cools down at night.  The temperature swing can be about 25-30 degrees, so if it is 70 (21 C) during the day, by the end of dinner it might be 60 (15 C).  And first thing in the morning it could be in the 40's (4 - 8 C).  Brrrr.  That's when I wear my winter coat.

This concludes my little series on the Fire Sky Resort.  I hope you will find it of interest.  Tomorrow I will begin a new series on a very popular attraction in Scottsdale during the winter resort season.

This week we are showing photos of the animals and people of Tanzania on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.   If you have not been on a photo safari, come take a look, as our posts will show some of what you would likely see and experience.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Photo: Fire Sky Resort Fountain

Scottsdale Resort, similar to others elsewhere, like to have little surprises to add visual interest to guests.  This fountain and garden area is relaxing in appearance, as it should be because it is along the walkway to the Fire Sky Resort's Spa.

Spas seem to have boomed in popularity during the past decade.  I guess baby boomers have advanced to position in life deserving of some pampering to help one relax.

This week we are showing photos of the animals and people of Tanzania on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.   If you have not been on a photo safari, come take a look, as our posts will show some of what you would likely see and experience.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Photo: Fire Sky Resort Outdoor Lobby

This is outdoor lobby at the Fire Sky Resort, just outside the lobby area that I showed a few days ago.  When the interior decorator presented his or her concepts to the hotel's management, i imagine they pitched that the chandelier and polka dot ottomans would be design elements intended to attract a younger, hipper crowd than the golf course set, as would appear to be consistent with the Resort's more urban location in central Scottsdale.

This week we are showing photos of the animals and people of Tanzania on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.   If you have not been on a photo safari, come take a look, as our posts will show some of what you would likely see and experience.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Photo: Fire Sky Pool & Beach

What is a beach doing in Scottsdale?  The Fire Sky Resort pool has an area with a sand beach, so children can build sand castles, under the protection of tall trees that shade the beach from the direct sun.

And with the ambiance of the beach at a resort, I don't think that sunbathers have to worry about people running past them kicking up sand, or throwing frisbees into people lounging around.  Things are more refined here.

And, of course, you can be served food and drinks from the Resort staff, not stand in line on a boardwalk for fried beach food.

This week we are showing photos of the animals and people of Tanzania on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.   If you have not been on a photo safari, come take a look, as our posts will show some of what you would likely see and experience.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Photo: Fire Sky Resort Lobby


This is the reverse view of the photo that I posted yesterday.  This looks from the rear of the lobby back towards the front entrance.  You will notice that the stone columns echo the same design elements as the water feature out in front of the lobby entrance.

But enough of the lobby.  Shall we step out back?  After all, tourists usually come to Scottsdale in the winter to enjoy the weather outdoors, not to sit around in a hotel lobby.

This week we are showing photos of the animals and people of Tanzania on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.   If you have not been on a photo safari, come take a look, as our posts will show some of what you would likely see and experience.

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Photo: Fire Sky Resort Lobby

Once you walk into the entrance that I showed yesterday, this is the ambiance of the Fire Sky Resort that will welcome you.  This is an older resort that was extensively remodeled and renovated about 7 or 8 years ago.

Unlike some of the newer, larger resorts built farther out, it does not have an expansive lobby with views of the mountains, desert or a golf course.  But it offers the convenience of walking to the amenities of downtown Scottsdale, including the Arts District, Entertainment District, and the best shopping in the Southwest.

Today is Sunday, so we have new photos on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.   This week we are showing photos of the animals and people of Tanzania.  If you have not been on a photo safari, come take a look, as our posts will show some of what you would likely see and experience.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Photo: Fire Sky Resort Lobby Entrance

This is a view of the lobby entrance to the Fire Sky Resort.  It combines both tropical and desert landscaping, and the use of water flowing from scuppers is a welcome sound on a warm day.

Dave and I will occasionally walk here from our house for dinner.  We like to live close enough to downtown Scottsdale to walk to a quality restaurant for dinner.  It seems so, well, European, to be able to enjoy an excellent dinner without having to drive.

We are showing photos of Egypt this week on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Photo: Entrance to Fire Sky Resort

This is the entrance to the Fire Sky Resort on Scottsdale Road, just a short walk from Scottsdale Fashion Square.   It is a Kimpton Hotel.  I live only about a half mile from here, and it is relaxing boutique hotel/resort.

We are now in the hear of the Scottsdale resort season, as we have warm sunny weather that brings lots of tourists from the East and Midwest.

We are showing photos of Egypt this week on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Water feature, back lawn and lobby of J.W. Marriott

This is the final photo in my series on the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort. This shows the opposite view from my photo yesterday, with the scupper dropping water in to a pool next to the back lawn of the resort.

The clear blue skies are typical of Arizona. On many days our humidity can be as low as 5%. All of the lawns, water and trees, however, can cause a little more humidity. Lawns have to be watered twice a day, in the early morning and evening. If people turn their sprinklers on during a warm, sunny, dry day, as much as one half of the water can evaporate into the air before it lands on the grass.

This week we are showing photos of the whimsy of public art and the classic architecture of Chicago on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Water feature pond and scupper at J.W. Marriott

Yesterday I mentioned water features. Looking at this photo of the area below the swimming pools at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge Resort, I don't think you would imagine that you are in the middle of a desert.

This does not look like an area that gets only 7 inches (17 cm) of rain per year and some of our water comes from the Colorado River, pumped up 1,000 feet (305 m) in elevation and transported through canals more than 200 miles (322 km). In fact, the Central Arizona Project canal that brings water from the Colorado River flows through north Scottsdale very close to the Desert Ridge resort.

This week we are showing photos of the whimsy of public art and the classic architecture of Chicago on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Water feature at the J.W. Marriott

Arizona resorts like to design water features in their public spaces. It makes if feel cooler, and the sounds of fountains has a soothing effect. It is somewhat strange, however, to have so much water used for aesthetic purposes in the desert.

This fountain is alongside one of the ten restaurant or cafe choices at the resort.

This week we are showing photos of the whimsy of public art and the classic architecture of Chicago on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Palm tree lined walk to the conference center

If you stay at the J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge to attend a conference, you can walk to the conference center indoors through the resort, but wouldn't it be a lot more pleasant to walk down the palm-lined sidewalk to reach the conference?

A lot of people come to Arizona resorts to attend conventions and professional conferences. The ballroom at the J.W. Marriott is the largest hotel ballroom in Arizona. There are larger convention facilities in the Phoenix convention center downtown, but lots of people like to stay out in suburban locations like Desert Ridge because it is close to the desert golf courses of north Scottsdale.

This week we are showing photos of the whimsy of public art and the classic architecture of Chicago on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Adirondack Chairs in the Desert

If you stay at a Scottsdale resort, of course you want to soak up some of the warm sun. From the used towels, it looks like someone enjoyed an early morning swim, then they dried off and warmed up by relaxing in these Adirondack chairs

We have photos of the art and whimsy of Chicago this week on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Monday, October 17, 2011

J.W. Marriott back lawn

Stepping from the patio I showed yesterday and walking out in back of the main resort building leads one to this spot for a pleasant vantage point to look back at the lobby. Resorts in Arizona will have both summer grass and winter grass. We do that with our lawn at home as well. That way there is green grass all year round. The flowers will be changed out several times per year also, so they are always in bloom.

In addition to the 950 hotel units, there are also lots of Marriott Vacation Club time share units for people who like to come here each year, or trade their weeks here for other Marriott time share properties.


We are showing photos of the whimsy and art of Chicago this week on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

J.W. Marriott Desert Ridge patio

As nice as the hotel lobby is that I showed in my photos during the last 2 days, people come to Arizona for the beautiful weather in the fall, winter and spring. So right outside the lobby is this large patio with table and lounge chairs to relax and be served.

And if it is a little cool early in the morning or in the evening, you can still enjoy the patio. Just gather around one of the fire pits.

This is a fairly new resort. Palm trees this large were planted when they were about this large, which is usually done by lifting them in place by helicopter.

Today is Sunday, so we are showing new photos on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site. This week we are showing photos of the art and whimsy of Chicago, featuring public art and classic architecture.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

J. W. Marriott Desert Ridge, Lobby view

Yesterday's photo looked down into the lower lobby area. Here is a photo from the lower lobby.

It is hard for a 950 room resort to feel cozy, so the approach of this lobby was to inspire a feeling of grandeur.

This week we are showing photos of the Italian village of Cernobbi on the shores of Lake Como on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Friday, October 14, 2011

J. W. Marriott Desert Ridge Lobby

After you reach the lobby and step inside, this is the scene that you will encounter. The lobby drops to a lower level with expansive windows that allow the glorious Arizona sun to bathe the lobby with light although the windows face mostly north so they do not get full sun.

In Arizona the sun shines 90% of the daylight hours, so the J.W. Marriott lobby takes advantage to show off the sunshine that winter visitors enjoy.

This week we are showing photos of the Italian village of Cernobbi on the shores of Lake Como on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

J. W. Marriott Desert Ridge Entrance

After driving through the entrance, this is the drive up to the front lobby of the hotel. This entrance gives people an incentive to use the valet parking service, as otherwise it would be a long walk up to the entrance from the parking lot, which is about two blocks behind from where I took this photo. Of course, if you come to Arizona to play golf on a 7,000 yard golf course, who would mind walking to reach the entrance to the hotel.


This week we are showing photos of the Italian village of Cernobbi on the shores of Lake Como on our Viva la Voyage travel photo site.
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