Arrival/Check-In: Upon arrival I was greeted by a striking view of the outdoor restaurant patio and the resort pool. A warm blend of dark wood and marble created an inviting atmosphere. Check-in was quick and efficient, and I was escorted to my guest suite by golf cart. The property is expansive yet walkable, with sandstone pathways and a responsive concierge cart service—whenever I called, a cart arrived at my door within minutes.
Guest Quarters: My suite featured generous room sizes and two balconies offering valley and stargazing views of the Arizona sky. The resort uses the Heavenly Bed mattresses in its 4- and 5-star properties, and I slept exceptionally well on this set. WiFi options included a basic free connection and two higher-speed tiers that used a credit-card sign-in (free for loyalty members). The basic connection handled email and web browsing easily, and streaming video played smoothly in high definition. The desk area was suitable for work, though I preferred using the balcony to enjoy the Arizona weather and mountain views.
Services/Amenities: The Westin La Paloma completed a $35 million renovation in October 2013, updating all 487 guestrooms and 25 suites with floor-to-ceiling redesigns. Meeting rooms, ballrooms, resort pools and fitness areas were refreshed as well. With more than 60,000 square feet of event and conference space, the resort serves business travelers effectively while also providing ample options for leisure. Amenities include a 27-hole Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, a comprehensive WestinWORKOUT center, five resort pools and six tennis courts.
The WestinWORKOUT center at La Paloma is spacious, with dedicated areas for weights and cardio. Guests can arrange private yoga sessions and use two racquetball courts. Through a partnership with New Balance, the resort offers athletic shoes and clothing to guests for a daily fee, a convenient option for travelers who prefer not to pack used workout gear. With modern equipment and roomy facilities, the fitness center feels like a full-featured gym rather than a typical hotel workout room.
Sun seekers will appreciate the stonework and comfortable lounge chairs surrounding La Paloma’s five pools, including an Olympic lap pool with private swim instruction. Poolside offerings include swim-up and walk-up bars. The tennis courts are lively with private lessons and matches for players of all levels.
All 27 holes of La Paloma Country Club’s Jack Nicklaus course underwent bunker and green restorations and remain open for play. This restoration included new white sand in the bunkers imported from California and refreshed greens planted with lush MiniVerde Bermuda grass sourced locally. The updates improved the course’s aesthetics and playability while preserving the championship layout’s character.
The Experience: My stay at La Paloma was excellent. Tucson’s pleasant climate encourages outdoor activity year-round, and the resort’s amenities make it easy to spend time outside. The property is well suited for families or groups looking for a short getaway, with opportunities to explore the desert and local attractions. The resort is approximately a 25-minute drive from the airport and retains an authentic Tucson atmosphere distinct from larger Arizona cities.
GT CHECKLIST
Doorman/valet
Less than 10 minutes for check-in
Separate tub and shower
Large vanity
High-quality towels
Powerful, unattached hair dryer
High-quality bed linens
Large, flat-screen television
Large desk with convenient outlets
Large, complimentary laptop safe
Complimentary in-room WiFi
Complimentary bottled water
Stocked minibar
Ample lighting
In-room coffeemaker
Iron and ironing board
On-site restaurant
24-hour room service
24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center
Turn-down service
The Westin La Paloma
3800 E. Sunrise Drive
Tucson, AZ 85718
tel 520 742 6000
westinlapalomaresort.com