Located northwest of Tucson in Marana, Arizona, the Dove Mountain area has a rich history. The Hohokam people settled there around 300 B.C., leaving petroglyphs that offered glimpses into their everyday lives that can still be seen today. In the 1500s, Spanish explorers arrived seeking mineral riches; there was even a short-lived mining boom in the 1860s.

A few years later, The Homestead Act of 1862 led to the establishment of cattle, goat, and horses. While remnants of these ranches still exist today, the Dove Mountain community also includes The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain as well as The Residences at the Ritz-Carlton—the largest Ritz-Carlton branded development in the continental United States.

Affectionately called “The Old Pueblo,” Tucson is one of the oldest continuously inhabited areas in all of North America. There are over 6,200 acres of high Sonoran Desert in the foothills of the mountains with elevations soaring 2,700 to 4,300 feet.

The Best Spas in Tucson

Hiking and exploring the rich Sonoran desert landscape, including the Tortolita (little turtle dove in Spanish) Mountain range which looms in the background of The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, is something many guests come here specifically to do. I saw hikers in full gear and walking sticks to casual walkers out on one of the many trailheads around the property.

The secluded Tortolita Mountains offer both hikers and mountain bikers exclusive access to some of the most beautiful plant life in Southern Arizona including palo verdes, mesquites, and the revered Saguaro cactus. In the spring and fall, it’s not uncommon to hear the call of migratory birds.

The resort’s lower lobby and patio offer views of the mountains in the distance.

My partner Mike and I were invited for a two-night stay at the resort over Valentine’s Day weekend. The first thing Mike noticed upon check-in was the scent in the lobby. Each Ritz-Carlton has its own signature scent (Dove Mountain uses Golden Bamboo).

It’s touches like these that add to the immersive guest experience, each element creating a welcoming and luxurious environment from the turn-down service at night, which includes chocolates on each pillow to each guest being addressed by name.

The resort’s beautifully-appointed suites reflect the elegance of the Arizona desert and feature terraces with mountain views.

Accommodations

There are 253 rooms including singles, doubles, and suites. Built in 2009, the resort is a popular destination for weddings and business travel.

On-site amenities include a fitness center (fresh fruit grown on the property is offered as snacks), tennis and pickleball courts, several pools, a spa, and a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.

We stayed in a King guest room with a balcony that offered views of the Tortolita Mountains. The balcony provided a quiet, breezy space to relax or even get some work done. It was the perfect retreat to settle into.

Our guest room had a balcony that overlooked the Tortolita Mountains.

Each morning, I made a Nespresso using the machine provided in our room and sat on the balcony journaling—a peaceful way to begin my day. The view from our balcony overlooked some of the citrus trees in the resort’s orchard that also provided a front-row seat to the cardinals who sang to each other in the mornings.

In fact, on our final morning, I saw a male and female cardinal interacting on the orange tree below.

My morning routine consisted of a cup of Nespresso while journaling on our balcony.

Dining and Unique Culinary Experiences

On Valentine’s Day morning, we indulged in an incredible buffet breakfast, which we enjoyed so much that we had it again the following morning. Mike was so impressed by the selections—which included fresh salmon, omelets, crisp salads and a variety of drink options—that breakfast quickly became his favorite meal of the trip. His review? “Everything was perfectly prepared and delicious.”

Still, breakfast is just one of the many culinary experiences at the resort where guests can enjoy a variety of dining options from upscale dining to lighter fare.

Want to recreate camping trips from your youth? Purchase a S’Mores Kit for $29 and take part in Fireside S’Mores on Friday or Saturday evening from 7 to 9 p.m.

And when skies are clear, head outdoors to enjoy some extraordinary stargazing.

The breakfast buffet at CORE Kitchen & Lounge is not to be missed.

There are four main restaurants on the property:

CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar, which offers regionally-inspired American cuisine and an extensive wine list
Cayton’s Restaurant at The Golf Club at Dove Mountain, which specializes in rustic, Southern and Mediterranean-inspired dishes
A lobby bar and restaurant called Ignite Lounge & Bar
Turquesa Latin Grill, a poolside eatery offering Latin fare and locally-inspired plates

There’s also a grab-and-go cafe for guests who just want to buy a quick coffee or healthy smoothie before heading out to experience one of the many activities the resort offers.

Enjoying La Gritona during the AGAVE Experience at CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar.

After settling into our room and exploring the resort on our first night, Mike and I headed downstairs to the CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar for the AGAVE Experience, a one-hour gastronomic tour of Arizona’s five Cs: Copper, Cattle, Cotton, Citrus and Climate.

My first taste was a tequila from Jalisco, Mexico called La Gritona, which is produced by a woman-owned company. The bartender explained that only blue agave, which is harvested when the plant is almost at full maturity for the fullest flavor, is used to create the spirit.

Full disclosure: I’m not a tequila aficionado but I enjoyed the smooth finish, which paired well with the beef jerky on the menu.

A flight of tequilas from Jalisco, Mexico and the Sonoran Desert.

Next up was Cola Blanca Bacanora, which is made in Sonora, Mexico. Basically moonshine, it became legal in the U.S. market in the early 2000s. This spirit has a smokier finish than the La Gritona. Adding fresh lime slices gave it a sweeter flavor.

There are several types of agave plants that can be used for making tequila. Bacanora is only made with Agave Pacifica, a succulent evergreen cactus plant native to Mexico and Central America. Under current production techniques, it takes approximately 22 pounds of agave to make one liter of bacanora.

A selection of grass-fed beef jerky and fresh lemon and lime slices from the property’s 42-tree orchard.

The last tequila in the flight was Ban Hez, a mezcal blend. This one was almost as smoky as Scotch. It was an acquired taste for me, but for anyone who likes a bold tequila, this one’s for you. For this tequila, a Tahona volcanic rock is used to crush the piña (Spanish for pineapple), which is the heart of the agave plant used to make tequila.

Our final drink was a Mango Mescal Moscow Mule, a sweeter, citrus-forward cocktail. Since Mike doesn’t drink alcohol, the bartender went out of his way to craft a delicious mocktail for him so he could be a part of the experience. The verdict: refreshing and sweet.

One of the most unique offerings was the house-made agave sweetened cotton candy. The chef brought out a preserved agave plant with puffs of cotton candy on each branch. A plume of dry ice scented with citrus oil swirled around the display, weaving in some of the five Cs that define Arizona.

Agave sweetened house-made cotton candy.

Ignite Lounge & Bar

After our agave experience, Mike and I headed up to Ignite Lounge & Bar located in the lobby of the resort. We sat on the outdoor patio overlooking Wild Burro Canyon.

This area is a hub of activity and true to the theme of the resort (The Spirit of Adventure), guests can enjoy live music, including a nightly performance by a local Native American flute player who plays traditional indigenous music.

Ignite Lounge & Bar has outdoor seating for enjoying a variety of cocktails and dishes from the Southwest.

We ordered the Dove Mountain Maki and Sushi Roll and The Sonoran Heat Roll—both melt-in-your-mouth delicious. We also tried a Latin-inspired appetizer called Corn Esquites that included tajin, cojita cheese, lime and chipotle aoli, as well as fresh tortilla chips. Delish.

The lounge offers fresh sushi and sake Thursday through Saturday.

Activities

On day two, Mike and I visited The Ranger Station where guests can rent electric and non-electric bikes at hourly or half- and full-day rates. I’d never ridden an electric bike before so I was excited to try it out.

Both rangers who helped us get situated were personable and engaging, providing a map of the area and plenty of bottled water. It was a cloudy day, perfect for biking.

We rode alongside the many Saguaro cactus dotting the landscape, weaving our way around the property and only stopping to listen to native bird calls or take photos.

Mike and I about to cycle around the property on electric bikes.

There’s an activity for everyone at the resort, especially for those who want to relax and rejuvenate surrounded by nature. Scenic trails wind their way throughout the property where observant guests might spot a cardinal or woodpecker or even a dangerously prickly local cactus with an unlikely (and misleading) name: Teddy Bear Cholla.

I began each morning of my stay by taking a casual stroll along the Wild Burro Trail, enjoying the sounds of nature as I explored the area. You might also want to visit the Tortolita Preserve, a 2,400-acre space that boasts nine miles of trails suitable for hiking, mountain biking, trail running, and equestrian activities.

There are also a number of activities for children, who can join the Dove Mountain Rangers to meet desert creatures and learn about the natural habitat. Recruit a ranger between 1 to 3 p.m. daily to create a one-of-a-kind stuffed animal that your children can take home with them. What better way to engage the whole family?

We enjoyed daily strolls along the Wild Burro Trail.

Later that afternoon as we took a break in the lobby, I saw a local raptor specialist showing off one of the resident birds to some guests.

The resort has a Raptor Program where a local raptor specialist will introduce guests to one of the resident birds including a red- tailed hawk, a Harris hawk, a screech owl or an Aplomado falcon. I was impressed by how the natural habit is respected and celebrated at the resort.

Guests can enjoy various games around the property including Horseshoes and Bocce Ball.

Cayton’s Restaurant Valentine’s Dinner

After a busy day of bike riding, lunch at Turquesa Latin Grill and spa treatments, Mike and I took the complimentary shuttle to Cayton’s Restaurant located at The Golf Club at Dove Mountain a few minutes from the main resort.

That weekend, guests could enjoy a prix fixe Valentine’s meal that included an appetizer, main course, and dessert. I saved room for the Red Velvet Cake, a decadent cream cheese mousse, red velvet sponge cake with strawberry filling and strawberry coulis. It was the perfect way to end a great Valentine’s Day weekend.

The outdoor patio at Cayton’s boasts some of the best Arizona sunsets.

The Spa

The Ritz-Carlton Spa at Dove Mountain (a Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Spa) is a favorite among guests and locals alike. The treatment rooms are named after indigenous gemstones, which are also incorporated into some of the treatments to ease muscles, restore balance, and clear energy.

The entrance to The Ritz-Carlton-Spa, Dove Mountain.

I tried the 50-minute Nourished Glow body treatment that includes a full-body scrub and an oil application in the Amethyst Room, where the soothing sound of the rain shower outside made for a relaxing environment. I emerged with smoother skin and felt deeply relaxed.

Nature’s healing properties are woven throughout the spa grounds and incorporated into treatments. In fact, the spa grows its own organic rosemary—the sprigs of fresh rosemary were added to slices of citrus fruit in the water stations in the lounge area.

A co-ed outdoor space that guests can enjoy before or after services includes a hot tub with a waterfall and an infinity pool.

On our last morning, Mike and I took time for a peaceful walk around the property, soaking in the quiet atmosphere and warm Tucson weather one last time. The short hikes and desert scenery made for a lovely way to wrap up the trip.

From the moment we arrived, we were met with warm hospitality. The staff assisted us to our room, making us feel welcome right away. Mike’s impression: “An incredible blend of luxury, relaxation, and outdoor adventure.”

The resort offers an abundance of hiking options for guests to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

Insider Tips

The resort is pet-friendly and there are trails and parks on property and near the resort for travelers with furry companions.
Valet parking is available for $40 a night
Electric vehicle charging stations are available on property.
Kits for the Fireside S'mores Experience can be purchased at the concierge or also at the fire pits on the night of the event
The Ritz Kids Rangers offers kids expeditions for registered guests (full day is $250 and includes lunch and a half day is $125).
Bring a swimsuit to the spa to enjoy the infinity pool, steam room, and hot tub.
Special offers and packages are available, view here.

For more information and to book a stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, call (520) 572-3000 or visit their website. Follow on Instagram: @ritzcarltondovemountain

15000 North Secret Springs Drive, Marana AZ 85658

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[Photos courtesy of Erin Dougherty & The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain]

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