Situated in the shadow of the Santa Catalina Mountains in the Sonoran Desert, El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort is a welcoming oasis. My husband and I recently spent three nights here with our college-aged son on his fall break. As Oregonians, we were happy to soak in and store up as much vitamin D as possible ahead of our wet and often gloomy winter season.
In addition to the reliable sunshine, I appreciated the intentional nods to “place” throughout the Oro Valley property. The resort celebrates the area’s Native American heritage through artwork and regular performances by Larry Redhouse, a member of the Navajo Nation. An accomplished wooden flute player, Redhouse shares his heritage through the soothing and sometimes sorrowful sounds of Native American music in the main courtyard as the desert sun sets.
KidTripster Tip: Make sure to consult the resort’s weekly activity calendar so as not to miss the flute performances.
The focus of a stay at El Conquistador is relaxation, recharging and reconnection with each other and with nature.
Accommodations at El Conquistador Tucson
In the main hotel, El Conquistador offers standard rooms with balconies overlooking either the courtyard, mountains or desert. At a higher price point, you can opt for the roomier executive, junior or presidential suites.
However, for families, I’d recommend the one-, two- or three-bedroom casitas adjacent to the main hotel. Each has a separate living and dining room, bar area with mini refrigerator and coffee maker, fireplace, and patio. Casita guests also get access to the secluded, adult-only Acacia swimming pool and hot tubs.
KidTripster Tip: If you’re traveling with small children, note that you’ll have a longer walk from the casitas to the main pool area, but I think the extra space is worth it.
KidTripster Tip: Pets are welcomed at the resort with a $50 non-refundable fee.
Activities at El Conquistador Tucson
Pools
The hub of any Arizona resort is the pool, and El Conquistador is no exception. The main pool opens at 7 a.m. and remains open until 10 p.m. Shaded loungers are at a premium, so you’ll see families staking their claim early. Next to the main pool is a smaller pool with a short water slide, perfect for the kids.
KidTripster Tip: Check the weekly calendar for activities like dive-in movies and poolside chair massages.
Nature walks
Every time my family visits the desert, we’re amazed by the variety of plant and animal life, and that’s on full display on El Conquistador’s 50-acre property. I spent every morning walking the property, admiring the flowering plants and various cacti, conveniently labeled with identifying names. All those plants attract a wide range of birds and butterflies. You’ll spot Desert Cottontails on the lawn in the cooler mornings, as well.
About a 15-minute walk from the main hotel, you’ll find adjacent Catalina State Park and the trailhead for the 2.5-mile Linda Vista Loop Trail. Honestly though, I’d recommend skipping it. My family didn’t find the hike through the desert scrub all that interesting, and unless you get there in the early morning, it’s uncomfortably hot.
Biking
As part of your daily resort fee, you can use the resort’s bikes for two hours each day. Check with the parking attendants at the resort’s front entrance about the types and sizes of bikes available, as it does vary. Off property, you’ll find 30 miles of marked paths in the town of Oro Valley.
Golf & tennis
While El Conquistador does bill itself as a golf and tennis resort, that comes with some caveats.
The resort does have a 9-hole golf course called Pusch Ridge, but it’s not open from late June through the beginning of November. About five miles away, the city operates two 18-hole courses — confusingly, under the name El Conquistador. While the courses are not affiliated with the resort, guests do get a 10% discount. You’ll also find several other golf courses in the area.
There are tennis courts on the resort’s property; however, they, too, are operated by the city of Oro Valley. In the morning, you’ll find most courts filled with locals. Guests can play, but the court fee is $20/hour, plus $5 per racquet. It’s best to reserve court time in advance. Pickleball is not available.
KidTripster Tip: Be mindful of the heat when booking tee or court times. Aim for early morning or later in afternoon just before dusk.
[Related: Top 10 Family Friendly Golf Resorts]
Spa Experience at El Conquistador Tucson
The highlight of the resort stay for me was the hours spent at SpaWell, a recently opened spa retreat. Located in its own on-property facility, SpaWell offers a full menu of spa treatments. Featured treatments include the Desert Renewal Deep Tissue Massage, the Balance-Restoring CBD Wrap and the Eternal Youth Facial. Perhaps the most unique option is the Vibrational Singing Bowl Therapy which utilizes handcrafted bowls from Nepal placed on and around the body which are believed to have healing properties.
After my facial and massage, I took full advantage of the spa’s other amenities. It boasts a small pool surrounded by a serene garden with Buddha statues and views of the mountains. You can settle into a lounger in the shade or — my personal favorite — a nesting chair in the shape of teardrop. And don’t miss spending some time in the Himalayan salt therapy lounge, said to have calming and detoxifying effects.
KidTripster Tip: What to do with the kids during your spa time? The resort does have a kids club on the weekends (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) or on weekdays (by request). Be sure to make arrangements in advance. Cost: $15/hour.
Dining at El Conquistador Tucson
It’s possible to dine breakfast through dinner without leaving the resort.
If you’re looking for a sit-down experience, breakfast is served at the Sundance Cafe. You can select from the made-to-order menu or opt for the buffet. Patio seating is available, where you can see hummingbirds visiting the flowering plants and the adjacent herb-and-salsa garden.
KidTripster Tip: For a more budget-friendly option, head to the Grab & Go that serves Starbucks coffee and lattes plus breakfast sandwiches and pastries.
For lunch, there’s no need to leave the pool. The Desert Springs Bar & Grill serves up snacks plus adult beverages. I found the loaded chicken nachos and Prickly Pear Margarita to be a winning combination.
You also can grab cocktails at the Colibri Lobby Lounge. We opted for the al fresco sitting around the fire-pits. Here, you can order bar food for lunch or dinner; you may even be treated to live entertainment on the weekends.
For more dinner options, you’ll want to book at table at Epazote Kitchen & Cocktails. Again, you can eat al fresco under twinkling lights and watch as the fading sun hits the mountains. We found the New York striplion and flat iron steak with a poblano balsamic glaze to be the best options.
The servers in all El Conquistador’s restaurants were very attentive. The same is true of the rest of the staff — from housekeeping to the front desk. Upon arriving back at the hotel, we were always greeted with a door held open and a friendly hello.
Holidays at El Conquistador Tucson
If you’re looking for a warm weather escape for the holidays, the resort has a number of special events scheduled, starting in December with the annual gingerbread and tree unveiling. Santa will be stopping in for breakfast on Saturdays during the month, and all are welcome to feast at the Christmas Day Brunch.
Getting to El Conquistador Tucson
El Conquistador Tucson is a 45-minute drive north of Tucson International Airport or a 1-hour 45-minute drive south of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.
[Related: Top 10 Plays in Phoenix]
The writer received complimentary accommodations and meals for purposes of this review. All opinions are her own.
