Third Edition 2012 The Phoenician Resort - Scottsdale Arizona

Accommodations bull Attractions bull Events bull Destinations

The Majestic Phoenician Resort

to a Friend

PassInside

Scottsdale Arizona

Telluride Colorado

Two Step Restaurant

About the CoverThe Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale Arizona boasts incredible views oustanding customer service and an impeccable array of amenities This award-winning property is a ldquomustrdquo on your travel list (Photo The Phoenician Resort)

Two Step RestaurantSan Antonio Texas

Hotel Valencia -

San AntonioTX 6

Two-Step Restaurant - San Antonio TX 8

Four Seasons Hotel - Houston Tx 10

Aldacorsquos Stone Oak -

San Antonio Tx

12

Harlingen Tx Feature 14

Embassy Suites Outdoor World 18

Rivertini 20

Michael JacksonCirque du Soleil 22

Destinations 25

Telluride Colorado 26

Phoenician Resort amp Spa- Scottsdale AZ 28

Scottsdale AZ 30

Summer Festivals in Utah 33

Florida Hyatts - Summer Getaways 35

Monastero Santa Rosa - Italy 37

Experiences - Team Cocktail 39

Table of ContentsHistory and Elegance

320 BonhamSan Antonio Texas 78205

(888) 450-8436wwwcrocketthotelcom

Like Texas the Crockett Hotel is well-located independent spacious and comfortablehas a great history and is friendly and personable

bull 138 beautifully-appointed guest rooms

bull Outdoor pool amp landscaped fountain

bull Complimentary continental breakfast

bull Free Wi-Fi in guest rooms

bull Meeting facilities on property

bull Complete full-service spa

bull Across from the Alamo and Rivercenter Mall

ldquoLikerdquo us on Facebook

wwwthehotelguidecom 3

Hyatt Key West Resort amp SpaKey West Florida

Monastero Santa RosaAmalfi Coast Italy

2 wwwthehotelguidecom

Edward R LeosPublisher

Jennifer LeosAssociate Publisher

Vianni BusquetsSenior Travel Writer

Daniel LeosIllustrator

Jordan ApodacaDeanna BarrettJennifer BroomeLyndsey Huggins

Chriselda PachecoContributors

Contact InformationThe Hotel GuidePO Box 592418

San Antonio TX 78259Toll-free

(877) HTL-GDE1phone (210) 857-2003infothehotelguidecomwwwthehotelguidecom

Special Thanks tobull Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

bull Denver Convention amp Visitorrsquos Bureaubull Texas Department of Tourism

bull Texas Department of Transportationbull Texas Hotel and Lodging Association

bull Texas Travel Industry Associationbull Las Vegas CVB

bull Austin CVBbull Tyler CVB

bullGalvestonCVBbull Houston CVB

bull Corpus Christi CVBbull New Braunfels CVB

bull El Paso CVBbull Lubbock CVB

bull Institute of Texan Culturesbull Amarillo CVB

bullFredericksburg CVBbull Arlington CVB

Copyright 2012 The Hotel GuideAll rights reserved No part of this book may be reprinted in whole or without written permission from the publisher The Hotel Guide

does not assume any liability for errors in advertisements or editorial which may appear in this magazine

A Word Fromthe Publisher

ummer is upon us and with that comes

the challenge of find-ing where we can make memories and travel This issue has a myriad of great op-portunities for indi-viduals and families to certainly do that If you are in Tex-as or traveling to the Lone Star State you donrsquot want to miss one of the hot spots in Harlingen Texas Tons of things to do for the fam-ily Hungry You canrsquot go wrong with the impeccable Aldacorsquos in Stone Oak and Two-Step Restaurant both in San Antonio Texas From delectable margaritas to truly delectable fare both of these South Texas staples will leave you full Want hotter Head to Scottsdale Arizona This family-friendly getaway has lots for everyone to do Looking for an outstanding place to stay Then look no further than the Phoenician Resort and Spa This impeccable property thrives on customer service and making your experience out of this world Go Coastal Try the Hyatt hotels in Florida These three properties really make Summer fun If the moun-tains are more your style visit Telluride Colorado Read about great Summer festivals and the Hotel Tel-luride courtesy of our great partner Jennifer Broome of ldquoSwept Away with Jennifer Broomerdquo Book Your Travel Remember our comprehensive travel website al-lows you to book ALL your travel needs - including Ac-commodations Car Rental Airlines and even Cruises We are your one-stop shop for traveling in Texas and beyond For great story ideas or to be a part of our ldquoExpe-riencesrdquo section send me a personal e-mail by clicking hereHappy Travels

Sbeautiful

magicalmemorable

wwwriosanantoniocom

River Taxi bull Private Charters bull Special Events

Ride the Rio

riosanantonio

(210) 244-5700(800) 417-4139

Connect ShareEngage

wwwthehotelguidecom 54 wwwthehotelguidecom

TEXAS

6 wwwthehotelguidecom

pickPublisherrsquos

copy20

12 H

otel

Val

enci

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orp

orat

ion

Val

enci

areg is

a re

gist

ered

trad

emar

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1 8 6 6 8 4 2 0 1 0 0 | W W W V A L E N C I A G R O U P C O M

H O t E L V A L E N C I A R I V E R W A L k | H O t E L V A L E N C I A S A N tA N A R O W | H O t E L S O R E L L A

Chosen among the Top 100 U S Hotels Condeacute Nast Traveler 2010 amp 2011 Readersrsquo Choice Awards

Stay AuthenticUnique destinations Exceptional hotels Indulge

in local cuisine art and music and stay authentic

Experience the true sense of a vibrant city at any one

of the Valencia Group locations Whether itrsquos a stay

on the River Walk in San Antonio in the hub of the

high tech district at Santana Row in San Jose or just

feel the pulse of Houstonrsquos heart beat at CITYCENTRE

yoursquoll find that a stay with us puts you in the center

of it all Itrsquos no wonder that Condeacute Nast Traveler

magazine has given all three a place among the

100 Top Hotels in the US

Valencia_BizLeader_Ad01indd 1 12012 1049 AM

Hotel ValenciaA True River Walk Oasis

an Antoniorsquos Riverwalk has long been known for itrsquos incredible views and ambiance and now has another truly inspiring reason to boast The luxuri-

ous Hotel Valencia the cityrsquos only contemporary small luxury hotel is nestled along the world-famous River-walk offering guests breathtaking views and amenities while bringing an exclusive brand of luxury to this tourist-friendly regionOld World meets New World The Hotel Valencia offers guests a blend of timeless and romantic sights sounds and scenes The hotelrsquos interior incorporates elements of nature to create a one-of-a-kind yet timeless look The hotelrsquos architecture features the rich deep color finishes of a Tuscan farmhouse set against a dis-tinct backdrop with step-out balconies plastered vault dome ceilings reminiscent of a 15th century monastery and trickling water over candle-lit brick walls The second floor of the property boasts the hip ldquoV Barrdquo - where locals and hotel guests can mingle and take in the breathtaking views of the Riverwalk Ven-ture up to the third floor and get taken away to an-other world in the open-air courtyard with Los Angeles-based designer Dodd Mitchellrsquos signature reflecting pond which sits at the base of a dramatic fountain backlit by a rhythmic line of fire Amenities and More Hotel Valencia features a number of amenities unique to the city including complimentary high-speed Internet access available throughout the hotel Technol-ogy makes going from curbside to bedside a non-stop trip All guest rooms feature a posh custom-made seven-layer ldquoHotel Valencia Bedrdquo wrapped in luxurious cotton linens and topped with a down-filled comforter and a lush faux mink throw Guests can melt into the down-stuffed leather club chair or ottoman and enjoy the 70-channel cable television line-up Bathrooms come equipped with extra long shawl col-lared waffle weave bathrobes and oversized waffle

S

weave bath sheets Delectable Dining Citrus the hotelrsquos top-notch restaurant features New American cuisine under the direction of Jef-fery Balfour From Serrano Ham-Wrapped Mahi Mahi to Provencal Herb-encrusted Striped Sea Bass Balfour adds his own personal touch to all of the menu items Contact InformationFor more information on this incredible 213-room San Antonio Riverwalk hotel call

(210) 227-9700 or visit their website at wwwhotelvalen-ciacom

TEXAS

wwwthehotelguidecom 7

hen you find the last piece of a puzzle the picture suddenly be-

comes clear Thatrsquos what happened for Chef Steve Warner when he was exploring the option of opening his restaurant The question of cuisine concept and location kept evolving but when Warner came uponthe opportunity to partner with Fulcrum Group on thehistoric property in front of Braun Pointe Shopping Centerat the time the home to a dilapidated homestead originally built in the 1860s everything clicked ldquoThe Ruempel homestead was the final piece of the puzzle The feel of the house and barn the opportunity to create something new while honoring the history of this locationmdashthis spot is the per-fect home for a true Texas theme true Texas cuisine a true Texas feelmdashwersquore Texas You canrsquot get more authen-tic than the roots of this homesteadrdquo explains Warner Those roots formed the basis of Warnerrsquos menu for Two Step Restaurant and Cantina located inside West Loop 1604 at the corner of Braun Road and Loop 1604 Itrsquos easy to spot look for the historic farm buildings with terrific music and true Texas barbeque smoke filling the air The array of Texas tastes on the Two Step menu are meant to honor Texas cuisine and showcase it in a way that it should be done not what the stereotype of a dish may be For instance a menu offering that is totally Texas is chicken fried steak but at Two Step that gets a makeover to remain truly authentic and to be better than what people have come to expect from chicken fried steak At Two Step itrsquos ldquoFork Tender Chicken Fried Steakrdquo Really For those who are used to seeing a tough cut tossed in flour and fried Two Steprsquos Chicken Fried Steak is a new experience made from 28-day wet-aged certi-fied Angus beef thatrsquos never frozen the steak is flavor-ful and tender before itrsquos fried making for an amazing tribute to a Texas classic that is often poorly imitated

W An Autobiographical Menu Much of Two Steprsquos menu comes from Warnerrsquos back-ground as well as his family and hisexperiences Menu items such as the ldquoLoadedrdquo Beef Ribs and Parmesan Crust-ed Pork Chop wereinfluenced by his family while Nanarsquos Award Winning Borracho Style Pinto Beans truly areNanarsquosmdashthe recipe originated with War-nerrsquos mother-in-lawWarner is proud of

the family dishes on the menu but now realizes that those are the toughest critiques to please ldquoIrsquovelearned the hard way not to use family recipes for the menumdashwhen they come in and try the dishes itrsquos never just rightrdquo One of the restaurantrsquos most popular sides served as full or half orders is the Creamy Cheese and Shell Macaroni another recipe credited to Warnerrsquos mother-in-law And noTwo Steprsquos version hasnrsquot met her stan-dards yet but Two Step diners seem to disagree They also rave about Nanarsquos Award-Winning Borracho Style Pinto Beans Therdquo Loadedrdquo Beef Ribmdashshort ribs that are trimmed to leave a well-marbled tender piece of meat on the bonemdashis another dish tied to Warnerrsquos in-lawsrdquo They had a butcher shop in Edinburg and the loaded rib was a cut they used to do Itrsquos unbeatable if you like rich cutsrdquo The cooking techniques employed at Two Step keep the emphasis on the superior quality of the ingredients utilizing the best cooking preparation to bring out the best in every dish For instance the Loaded Beef Rib is smoked for 12 hours which renders the fat and bathes the meat basting it from the inside out further tenderiz-ing the cut Two Step offers the rib as a single or double cut on both its lunch and dinner menus The Parmesan Crusted Pork Chop with Raspberry

Two Step RestaurantHistory and Charm

Chipotle was also introduced to Warner by his in-laws Itrsquos a dish his father-in-law served the family that caught Warnerrsquos attention ldquoItrsquos a very flavorful way to do a pork chopmdashthe crust keeps the meat moist and pairs very well with the rasp-berry chipotle flavorrdquo The Roasted Corn dressed with cojita chili mayonnaise and lime is based on a dish served at Havana a New York restaurant that Warner and his wife enjoy They were married in New York so the corn is an-other tie to Warnerrsquos history ldquoThe Crispy Sauteacuteed Chick-en Breast with Sweet Corn But-ter is a dish I created in Califor-nia however there it featured seafood and California flavors like white cheddar The cooking process with the sweet corn butter gives the meat a terrific flavor and the Kiolbassa chorizo and cojita cheese make it Texasrdquo Warner also pulled from his California experience to create the Gulf Shrimp ldquoFirecrackersrdquo with Red Pep-per Jelly The dish is a twist on a recipe Warner created in California Appetizers like the Texas Rolls filled with Smoked Sau-sage Chicken and Brisket with Roasted Pob-lano-Avocado Sauce take a cuisine concept not associated with Texas and feature the best of Texas ingre-dients for a true Texas taste while the Queso-Oaxaca ldquoMexi-can Mozzarellardquo with Spicy Pork Chorizo and Fresh Hot Tortillas appetizer is all Texas An appetizer that gets a lot of attention is the Fried Baby Back Ribs The ribs are first smoked then fried and served with Garlic Chile Honey Mustard ldquoIt might sound gimmicky but itrsquos about the flavor itrsquos crispy fatty ten-der smoky and spicy all at the same timerdquo Another appetizer with a Texas twist Fried Pickles The secret The crust includes crushed Fritos for a taste that can only be Texas Desserts are not an afterthought at Two Step and each is a bit autobiographical as well the Whiskey Cus-

tard Cream is a dish served at Gumborsquos in Austin a restaurant Warner helped open in 1990s and the Cinnamon and Raisin Bread Pud-ding with Hot Sugar Butter aacute la Mode is based on a souffleacute he used to serve at Wildfish Sea-food Grille And the Pecan Pie ldquoThatrsquos my momrsquos of courserdquoQuality Ingredients Cooked From Scratch Many of Warnerrsquos culinary values were instilled during his childhood learning home-style cooking from his paternal grand-mother who would serve dishes for huge family holiday get-togethers ldquoMy lessons in cook-ing began with learning how to

make everything from scratch and honoring the value of really simple and fresh ingredientsrdquo he says For its fish dishes like the Fish Tacos or the Fried Cat-fish PorsquoBoy Two Step uses Texas farm-raised ldquotop-fedrdquo catfish from Bowers Shrimp amp Fish Company in Pala-cios ldquoTop-fed fish are just thatmdashfed from the top of the water so theyrsquore not eating from the bot-tom of the pond ensuring the meat has a fresh taste to

itrdquo explained Warner ldquoLess expensive dining doesnrsquot have to mean less qualityrdquo says Warner ldquoWe want the experience to still be high endThat means quality ingredients cooked from scratch People shouldnrsquot have to eat something thatrsquosbeen frozen unless itrsquos ice creamrdquo By the way ice cream is the only thing not homemade on Two Steprsquos menu The most surprising house-made

item on the menu Two Step makes its own bacon so the bacon featured in dishes such as the Pepper Crusted Roast Turkey Club and the Bacon Wrapped Brisket-Ha-banero Stuffed Jalapeno is fresh made in the Two Step kitchen Even Two Steprsquos childrenrsquos menu is fresh made ldquoWersquore a family establishmentmdashchildren are not anafterthought Why wouldnrsquot we want to serve them fresh made foodrdquo Contact Us For more information on Two-Step Restaurant visit

TEXAS TEXAS

8 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 9

Four Seasons - HoustonTexas Luxury at itrsquos Finest

n the heart of downtown Houstonrsquos financial and business districts and just steps from many inter-nationally renowned cultural destinations Four

Seasons resonates with the cosmopolitan elegance and refined Southern charm that characterize HoustonA $25 Million Facelift The Four Seasons Hotel Houston completed a three-year $25-million renovation project that encompassed four areas of the hotel ndash guest rooms the pool the lobby and the hotelrsquos exclusive apartments Four Sea-sons Place The 20-story tower of the Five-star Four Seasons Ho-tel Houston features 404 well-appointed guest rooms including 103 luxury suites and 12 specialty suites The residential atmosphere mixes traditional and contem-porary deacutecor to reflect the urban elegance and easy Southern charm of the city Extra-large bay windows showcase city and pool views Designed to ensure complete peace of mind all lux-ury accommodations feature comfortable furnishings a signature Four Seasons bed a flat-panel television and a CDDVD player Pampering marble bathrooms include a tub and shower combination To ensure maximum productivity all rooms are equipped with a spacious executive desk wireless Internet access dual-line telephones and connections for a fax machine and computer equipmentLeave the bustle of the city behind and begin a journey to relaxation and rejuvenation Relax at the Spa The Spa at Four Sea-sons Hotel Houston fea-tures a variety of massag-es body treatments and facials to help nurture the body melt away tension and calm the spirit Get whisked away to a relaxing place The Spa features a private couplersquos suite as well as menrsquos and womenrsquos locker rooms Before or after your treatment enjoy our dry saunas or whirlpool or simply take advantage of our complimentary amenities that are available for our guests

I

Vinoteca Quattro Located on the third floor this exciting new wine bar offers a comfortable respite from the hotelrsquos bus-tling downtown location Ad-joining Quattro restaurant Vinoteca Quattro features vivid lighting red leather banquette seating and more than 50 feet of solid granite bar top The restaurantrsquos signature floor-to-ceiling sil-ver beads create a secluded retreat for guestsContact Information

For more information on this incredible Houston proper-ty visit their website at wwwfourseasonscomhouston

10 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 11

TEXAS

Four Seasons - HoustonTexas Luxury at itrsquos Finest

n the heart of downtown Houstonrsquos financial and business districts and just steps from many inter-nationally renowned cultural destinations Four

Seasons resonates with the cosmopolitan elegance and refined Southern charm that characterize HoustonA $25 Million Facelift The Four Seasons Hotel Houston completed a three-year $25-million renovation project that encompassed four areas of the hotel ndash guest rooms the pool the lobby and the hotelrsquos exclusive apartments Four Sea-sons Place The 20-story tower of the Five-star Four Seasons Ho-tel Houston features 404 well-appointed guest rooms including 103 luxury suites and 12 specialty suites The residential atmosphere mixes traditional and contem-porary deacutecor to reflect the urban elegance and easy Southern charm of the city Extra-large bay windows showcase city and pool views Designed to ensure complete peace of mind all lux-ury accommodations feature comfortable furnishings a signature Four Seasons bed a flat-panel television and a CDDVD player Pampering marble bathrooms include a tub and shower combination To ensure maximum productivity all rooms are equipped with a spacious executive desk wireless Internet access dual-line telephones and connections for a fax machine and computer equipmentLeave the bustle of the city behind and begin a journey to relaxation and rejuvenation Relax at the Spa The Spa at Four Sea-sons Hotel Houston fea-tures a variety of massag-es body treatments and facials to help nurture the body melt away tension and calm the spirit Get whisked away to a relaxing place The Spa features a private couplersquos suite as well as menrsquos and womenrsquos locker rooms Before or after your treatment enjoy our dry saunas or whirlpool or simply take advantage of our complimentary amenities that are available for our guests

I

Vinoteca Quattro Located on the third floor this exciting new wine bar offers a comfortable respite from the hotelrsquos bus-tling downtown location Ad-joining Quattro restaurant Vinoteca Quattro features vivid lighting red leather banquette seating and more than 50 feet of solid granite bar top The restaurantrsquos signature floor-to-ceiling sil-ver beads create a secluded retreat for guestsContact Information

For more information on this incredible Houston proper-ty visit their website at wwwfourseasonscomhouston

10 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 11

TEXAS

an Antonio has long been known for incred-ible Mexican food

and for the past 20 years Aldacorsquos has kept up the tradition Founded by itrsquos namesake Blanca Aldaco the restaurant has won many awards for their food delectable desserts tasty margaritas and unforget-table ambiance After launching the origi-nal Aldacorsquos near Sunset Station and subsequently moving into the facility adja-cent to the Alamodome the restaurant has earned local regional and national acclaimAppetizers with a Flare If you are looking for little bit everything then you must try ldquoLa Botanardquo which comes with two quesadillas al carbograven three flautas four fried cream jalapentildeos four bean amp cheese nachosguacamole and sour cream As you gear up for dinner the choices range from incredi-

S

Aldacorsquos Stone OakAward-Winning Food and More

Free shuttle after 5 pm100 Hoefgen Sunset Station

San Antonio TX 78205wwwaldacosnet 2102220561

lunch amp dinnerpatio dining

margaritas

Located in historic downtown

A San Antonio Tradition for 20 Years

20079 Stone Oak ParkwaySan Antonio Texas 78258

(210) 494-0561wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

Delicious Foodbull Open Daily for Lunch amp Dinner bull Award-Winning Drinks bull Delectable Desserts

ble enchiladas to steaks to freshly-prepared seafood Try the incomparable Chile Relleno or their scrump-tious Fish Tacos Aldacorsquos also offers a Gluten-Free and Celiac menu for their guestsDelectable Desserts Your dining experience isnrsquot complete without a serving of Blancarsquos famous Original Pastel Tres Leches dessert It is sinfully delicious and melts in your mouth Another ldquodessertrdquo that Aldacorsquos is known for are their award-winning margaritas You have to try the infamous Avaca-do Margarita or the Margarita Pour Off winner Either way if you love these tasty treats

Aldacorsquos has the answer Groups The restaurant also has a private dining room that holds up to 100 guests for those intimate gatherings For more info visit wwwaldacos-stoneoakcom

pickPublisherrsquos

12 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 13

TEXAS

ocated in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley Har-lingen Texas offers historic sites family fun and outdoor adventures Near the southern tip of Texas

at the lower end of the Rio Grande Valley the city of Harlin-gen is an ex-citing blend of South Texas hospi-tality and the rich colorful traditions of Mexico With landscapes edged by palm trees and flaming bougainvil-lea Harlin-gen is home to everything tropical from red crowned parrots to palm trees and bougainvilleas that dominate the landscape The beautiful beaches of South Padre Island are also only minutes awayDowntown Harlingen Downtown Harlingen is situated along the picturesque palm-lined Jackson Street that has served as Harlingenrsquos ldquoMain Streetrdquo for more than a century Downtown Harlingen features a variety of unique shops that special-ize in home decor apparel original Texas and Mexican artwork hand-made jewelry gifts antiques and collect-ibles A vintage vinyl shop 100-year-old seed store and garden center and authentic army surplus store are just a few of the reasons that locals and visitors alike flock to the area Jackson Street is the site of many community festivals and events Market Days on the first Saturday of every month and the annual Christmas ParadeHarlingen Murals Harlingen the mural capital of South Texas has more than a dozen interesting and colorful artworks on dis-play Drive through Downtown Harlingen and enjoy the beautiful murals that describe Harlingenrsquos history as a major city in the development of the Rio Grande Valley

LFrom the old cinema downtown to the historic Route 77 murals can be found on the outside and inside of many Harlingen buildings that tell the story of Harlingenrsquos heritageOriginal Iwo Jima Memorial Monument amp Museum

Harlingenrsquos Marine Mili-tary Academy is home to the original work-ing model of the famous bronze statue at Arlington National Cemetery This stunning out-door sculpture was donated to the school by sculptor Dr Felix W de Weldon It depicts the raising of the US flag on Iwo Jima dur-ing World War II The museum

features Marine Corps Memorabilia a video about the battle and a veteranrsquos Hall of FameBirding The city is known worldwide as a tropical birderrsquos paradise because of its location on the convergence of two major flyways Birders flock to Harlingen year round to spot exotic and migratory birds Harlingen is home to one of nine World Birding Centers in the Rio Grande Valley Ramsey Nature Park Pick up a bird-ing checklist at the Harlingen Convention and Visitors Bureau and see how many species you can identify Visitors can expect to see a wide variety of birds and peak at some of the more uncommon species including Green Jays Great Kiskadees Buff-Bellied Hummingbirds and the Altamira Oriole Harlingen is also home to the famous Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival Each No-vember birders from across the globe come to explore our region and itrsquos unique tropical birdsBass Pro Shop Harlingen is home to Bass Pro Shoprsquos newest des-

Harlingen TexasRich in Culture and TraditionpickPublisherrsquo

s

continued on page 16

TEXAS

14 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 15

tination outdoor superstore that includes a restaurant bowling alley and archery range Outdoor enthusiasts will discover their next great South Texas adventure begins at the new Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Harlingen While yoursquoll find a huge selection of outdoor gear Bass Pro Shops stores are also part museum art gallery antique store and an aquarium education con-servation and entertainment center Bowling like yoursquove nev-er seen before will be offered at the Uncle Buckrsquos Fishbowl and Grill This 15000 square-foot nautical-themed entity locat-ed within the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World store fea-tures a truly unique atmosphere and design geared for family fun and dining Dock wood lanes feature beautiful under-water scenery of sea turtles sharks stingrays and other saltwater species which will also glow in the dark during cosmic bowling Hand-painted murals depicting oceanic life line the walls and fish like a 16rsquo long giant squid hang suspended from the ceiling More than a hunting and fishing store visitors will also find items per-

fect for camping hiking outdoor cooking bird watch-ing or whatever your outdoor pleasures may beGolf Harlingen is the perfect destination for golf In fact ac-cording to a poll by the Na-tional Golf Foundation the Rio Grande Valley has more play-able days of golf per year than anywhere else in the United States Our tropical climate makes us a great destination to enjoy a game of golf year round The city has four public golf courses and one private course

Just down the road are two 18 hole championship cours-es at Rancho Viejo Resort and a picturesque 18 hole course along the Laguna Madre Bay at the South Padre Island Golf ClubWhether you are a beginner or pro Harlingen and the surrounding area has a course for you showcasing the natural beauty of South TexasContact Us For more information on visiting this incredible Texas city go to wwwvisitharlingentexascom

deals

Powered by

Click amp Save

16 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 17

TEXAS

MORE REASONS TO STAYreg

One for you one for the kids Yoursquore welcome When you stay with Embassy Suites you get more Like a spacious two-room suite complimentary beverages at our evening Managerrsquos Reception and complimentary full Cooked-to-Order breakfast It all adds up to more reasons to stay

For reservations call 972-724-2600 or visit wwwoutdoorworldembassysuitescom Service of alcoholic beverages subject to state and local laws Must be of legal drinking age trade indicates a trademark of Hilton Worldwide copy2011 Hilton Worldwide

rapevine Texas is known for great wines dining options shopping golf and even

some of the statersquos best hotels You can certainly add the Em-bassy Suites Outdoor World to that list of accomplished area hotels Roomy and More This AAA Four Diamond Award-Winning property is min-utes from the DFW Airport and perfect for the business traveler or group and leisure traveler All of the spacious hotel suites contain a variety amenities that ensure that whether yoursquore working or relaxing yoursquoll have everything you need to hand Things such as high-speed Inter-net access two televisions and two telephones with voicemail Guests can also choose from OnDemandreg movies and video games to keep you entertained and when you work up an appetite you can make use of the refrigerator microwave oven wet bar and coffee maker so you can snack or dine in your hotel suite Hungry Every morning starts with the Embassy Suitersquos full cooked-to-order breakfast to get your day started Looking for lunch and dinner options then the Sportsmanrsquos Club Bar amp Grill is certainly the answer It offers an American fair menu with daily lunch and dinner specials We have 16 TVrsquos including four big screens and twelve High Definition LCD flat screens We broadcast the popular sporting events daily We maintain the Direct TV NFL and NCAA College Football Packages in addi-tion to the full NCAA March Madness package annually The full menu is available until 10pm and we offer a late

G

night sandwich and appetizer menu through closing

Also donrsquot forget about the complimentary Managerrsquos Reception that offers cold beverages and a myriad of snacks for the entire family Meeting Space Looking for a great venue for your next meeting or function Then the Embassy Suites is the answer This is the ideal place to meet for busi-ness meetings amp social groups such as wedding receptions and family reunions With 20000 square- feet of meeting amp event spacethe prop-

erty has a variety of meeting space optionsContact Us For more information on pricing advance reservations etcplease call 972-724-2600 or visit them here

Embassy Suites Outdoor WorldTrue Texas Charm in Grapevine

18 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 19

TEXAS

TEXAS

haken on the rocks or with a twistmdashtherersquos no telling what this yearrsquos competitors will offer up as their interpretation of the San Antonio River in a martini

glass during the Fourth Annual RiverTini Pour-Off an event that benefits the San Antonio River Foundation The fundraiser is scheduled for June 19 530 pm to 730 pm at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio 123 Losoya Street The Hyatt Regency is the perfect location for the event the San Antonio River literally flows through the hotelrsquos first level ldquoWe canrsquot imagine a better way to enjoy RiverTini than being on the river wersquore working to enhancerdquo said Estela Avery Executive Director of the San Antonio River Foundation ldquoItrsquos the perfect backdrop to showcase drinks designed to reflect the spirit culture and vitality of the river that flows through our cityrdquoWhat is it The RiverTini Pour-Off is an annual compe-tition featuring some of the cityrsquos top bars and restaurants mixing special-ty martinis that reflect the fresh and lively spirit of the San Antonio River Spon-sored by the Hyatt Regency San Antonio and Republic National Distributing Com-pany all proceeds from the event benefit the San Antonio River Foundation The event raises funds for the San Antonio River Foundation and celebrates the on-going efforts to bring recreation public art and educational opportunities along the San Antonio River expansions the Mission

TEXAS

S

RiverTini Pour OffFun Event for a Great Cause

Reach and the Museum Reach A non-profit organization the San Antonio River Foundationrsquos mission is to enhance the natural beauty recreational use and public appreciation of the entire San Antonio River and its tributaries through Bexar Wilson Karnes and Goliad counties The River Founda-tion works to provide amenities and enhancements not funded by public monies opportunities that will allow residents and tourists alike to enjoy the riverrsquos natural beauty immerse themselves in its history and become thoughtful stewards of its future

The Foundationrsquos ambitious projects range from installing exciting urban art pieces by renowned artists to creating unprecedented op-portunities for edu-cation recreation reflection and interaction with nature along the entire river The Foundation is the only non-profit involved in the San Antonio River Improve-

ments Project Ticket Prices

Tickets for the event are $50 each and are on sale now through the eventrsquos website wwwrivertinicom as well as the River Foundationrsquos website wwwsariver-foundationorg Tickets include entrance to the event to sample the creative martini masterpieces and fabulous hors drsquooeuvres as well as the opportunity to win fun

door prizes All guests must be 21 years or older To keep up with the latest on RiverTini follow RiverTini on Twitter rivertini or on Facebook Rivertini Questions Please contact Karen Kimbell with the San Antonio River Foundation at 210-224-2694 or via email at karenkimbellsariverfoundationorgPast Winners Past martini concoctions have included such unique ingredients as sushi pop-rocks chocolate cucumber and moremdashand who knows what this yearrsquos competitors will dream up There are 18 RiverTini Pour-Off competitors each de-termined to claim the trophy an oversized martini glass etched to commemorate the event The 2012 participants include last yearrsquos champion Cork Bar at Hotel Contessa as well as Aacutecenar Bo-hananrsquos Restau-rant amp Bar Brio Tuscan Grille Coco Chocolate Lounge Drink Texas Esquire Tavern Feast Luumlke San Anto-nio Oro at Emily Morgan Hotel Q on the Riverwalk at Hyatt Regency San Antonio Achiote River Cafeacute at Grand Hyatt San Antonio Quarry Hoffbrau Ruthrsquos Chris Steak House Soho Wine and Martini Bar Tiki Bar Cocktail Lounge at El Tropicano Hotel V-bar at Hotel Valencia and Zinc Bistro amp Wine BarJudges The martinis will be critiqued by a panel of five judges Chef David Kellaway Managing Director of the Culinary Institute of America Cassandra Lazenby co-host of FOX 29rsquos DaytimeNine Jennifer McInnis Wine and Spirits Writer for the San Antonio Express News Richard Ojeda El Rey Feo 2012 and Robert Olivarez with Republic National Distributing Company The judges will be sequestered at a head table and will receive hand-delivered full presentations of each martini

Martinis will receive numerical scores on a 1 to 5 scale (1 being poor and 5 being great) based on flavor uniqueness and appearance Appear-ance will include beverage color serving glass and garnish Flavor scores will be based on overall initial flavor mouth feel and aftertaste Uniqueness refers to the ldquogee Irsquove never had a martini like this beforerdquo feeling And be sure to bring your smartphone with you this yearrsquos RiverTini guests can take home the martini recipes with the simple click of a button Using QR code technology all participant booths will have a QR code on the table Guests are encouraged to capture the code to have their favorite RiverTini recipes at their fingertips

20 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 21

Fourth Annual RiverTini Pour-Off

WHO The San Antonio River Foundation

WHAT RiverTini Pour-Off an annual event and fundraiser featuring 18 of the cityrsquos top bars and restaurants mixing specialty martinis and competing to take home the prize for this yearrsquos best martini

WHEN Tuesday June 19 530-730 pm

WHERE Hyatt Regency San Antonio 123 Losoya Street 78205

WHY To benefit the San Antonio River Foun-dation and celebrate the on-going efforts to bring recreation public art and educational opportunities to life along the San Antonio River

Quick Facts

TEXAS

ichael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tourtrade is a once-in-a-lifetime electrifying production that com-

bines Michael Jacksonrsquos music and choreography with Cirque du Soleil creativity to give fans worldwide a unique view into the spirit passion and heart of the artistic genius who forever transformed global pop culture Catch the tour in San Antonio at the ATampT Center on June 23rd for one night only Star Power Directing The show is written and directed by Jamie King the leading concert direc-tor in pop music today and features more than 60 international dancers musicians and acrobats ldquo[The show] is really just a celebra-tion of [Michael] and his legend and his immortality Even though hersquos not there physically you will feel him spiri-tually and emotionally because of what yoursquore visually seeing and hearingrdquo said King ldquoIt was easy for us because Michael has not only always been a fan of Cirque but has always lived in a kind of fairytale fantastical way So in many ways hersquos already kind of Cirque-like He loves magic fairy tale theatricality and appreciates every-thing that Cirque pro-vides So now that we have this great marriage we have such a great opportunity to flip things upside down and make it larger than liferdquoPure Passion A riveting fusion of vi-suals dance music and fantasy that immerses audiences in Michaelrsquos creative world Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour unfolds Michael Jacksonrsquos artistry before the eyes of the audience Aimed at lifelong fans as well as those experiencing Michaelrsquos creative genius for the first time the show captures the essence soul and inspiration

M

of the King of Pop celebrating a legacy that continues to transcend generationsMichael Jackson-Inspired THE IMMORTAL World Tour takes place in a fan-tastical realm where we discover Michaelrsquos inspiration and the wellspring of his creativity The secrets of Mi-

chaelrsquos inner world are unlockedmdashhis love of music and dance fairy tale and magic and the fragile beauty of natureThe underpinnings of THE IMMORTAL World Tour are Michael Jacksonrsquos power-ful inspirational music and lyricsmdashthe driving force behind the showmdashbrought to life with extraordinary power and breathless inten-sity Through unforgettable performances Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour underscores

Michaelrsquos global messages of love peace and unityInformation For more information visit wwwcirquedusoleilcommichaeljackson

Michael JacksonThe Immortal World TourpickPublisherrsquo

s

22 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 23

destinations

1-877-426-6763wwwplayinconroecom

THG 2011

We are a delightful blend of nature history arts and recreation nestled in the Piney Woods of East Texas Visit our Website and print a Visi print a Visitors Guide call us or order one online and wersquoll mail it to you

Urban Jewel in the Piney WoodsCONROE TEXAS

24 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 25

Colorado

ucked in the San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado Telluride is a golferrsquos

paradise adventurerrsquos ha-ven outdoor enthusiatistrsquos heaven and relaxation seekerrsquos outdoor spa during the summer Some of the arearsquos earliest settlers the Ute Indians called Telluride and surrounding area ldquoThe Land of WaterfallsrdquoSummer Festivals The summer festival line-up is as eclectic as the people from the tent sleep-ing hippies to the uber rich vacationing in ultimate luxury melding together in Telluride Therersquos some sort of festival almost every weekend from Memorial Weekend through September Superpickers and some of the biggest names in blue-grass like Alison Krauss amp Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas and Bruce Hornsby amp the Noisemakers take the stage in the 39th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival which is Telluridersquos best known summer festival Itrsquos June 21-24 and coincides with the summer solstice During the Telluride Yoga Festival July 12-15 world-class instructors will lead you through a weekend of balance relaxation and enlightenment Brand new this year is The Ride - Tel-luridersquos Rock Festival August 25-26 Headliners include Ben Harper and the Relentless 7 Los Lobos and Big Head Todd and the Monsters The 38th Annual Telluride Film Festi-val is Labor Day Weekend September 2-5 This festival is unique from other film festivals because the movies pre-miering are kept secret until opening day Itrsquos all about music and beer dur-ing the 19th Telluride Blues and Brews September 14-16 The B-52s Govrsquot Mule and Phil Lesh are some of the headliners Beer takes the center stage

Telluride Colorado

during the Grand Tasting on Saturday featuring over 50 microbreweries over 50 from Colorado and 150 different beersUSA Pro Cycling Challenge On August 20th Tellu-ride is the stage one finish of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge The best cy-clists in the world will race 683 miles in 7 days includ-ing going over 12000 feet in elevation three times The perfect place to stay for any and all of the summer festivals is The Ho-

tel Tellurde With the hotel in the heart of Telluride you literally are just steps away from the festivities

The Hotel Telluride The Hotel Telluride is a boutique hotel with oversized accommodations It is luxurious yet cozy With the over-sized rooms itrsquos a great hotel for your ski vacation too The Hotel Telluride Select is the standard room featuring

a king bed or two double beds overstuffed chairs amp ottomans antique writing desk and private bal-cony The Hotel Telluride Deluxe and Junior Suite rooms give you a little more space than the Se-lect The most exclusive hotel accommodation is The Hotel Telluride Suite The master bedroom includes a king bed full-sized sleeper sofa sitting area private full bath jacuzzi tub and private balcony On the balcony you get spectacular views

down the box canyon towards Bridal Veil Falls There

Festivals and a Stellar HotelT

Colorado

by Jennifer Broome ldquoSwept Awayrdquo

is a second oversized bal-cony off of the living area so you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the box canyon with friends and family Yoursquoll get a fantastic nightrsquos sleep in the ldquoIncred-ible Bedrdquo with down bedding and 250 thread count sheets Dining The Nook is The Hotel Telluridersquos in-house dining Get your day started with their wonderful breakfast buffet served daily 7-10am Dinner is served 430-9pm daily The Nook is also a perfect spot for happy hour before a night on the town or a nightcap and dessert before bedSpas and More Soak up the sun and scenery while relaxing in the outdoor hot tubs or treat yourself to a spa experience like the Gemstone Balancing Massage In this aroma-therapeutic massage herbal infused healing gemstone

serums and oils are used with heated basalt amp gemstones to help re-center and rejuvenate the body You can take your pooch along too The Hotel Telluride is pet-friendly which is nice since Telluride is an ultra pet-friendly townFoodie Heaven Telluride is quite the foodie town with some incredible restaurants For

breakfast or lunch try The Butcher amp The Baker Cafe Flora Dora Saloon is perfect for a low key dinner If you want something a little more upscale then try the Chop House at the New Sheridan Hotel or Allredrsquos on the mountain Dress code is mountain casual so jeans are acceptable attire anywhere in Telluride

So get Swept Away to Telluride and make it a festival of fun this summer

26 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 27

AZ

ince it first opened its doors in 1988 The Phoeni-cian has set the standard for luxury and service in the Sonoran Desert The AAA Five Diamond resort is a visual masterpiece spanning 250

acres of lush gardens and dramatic desert terrain against the spectacular backdrop of Camelback Moun-tain in Scottsdale Arizona Tons to Offer Everyone But what truly sets The Phoenician apart is the re-markable diversity guests will find here allowing them to create the travel experience of their dreams Accom-modations range from luxurious guestrooms to resi-dential-style casitas Dining can be a casually elegant affair as found at the Italian-inspired Il Terrazzoas informal as a refreshing salad enjoyed poolside or as memorable as a romantic feast just for two under the stars The world-class recreational offerings of The Phoeni-cianrsquos golf tennis and spa facilities are balanced by the more unconventional pleasures of touring the resortrsquos fascinating Cactus Garden or exclusive $25 million art collection or feeding Koi at Necklace Lake LagoonSpacious Elegant Accommodations The Phoenician offers guests a choice of 643 spa-cious accommodations from guestrooms and luxurysuites to casitas with private entrances In the main resort building there are 450 beautifully decoratedguest rooms plus 12 luxury suites and two expansive 3000 square-foot presidential suites The intimate Canyon Suites nestled against Camel-back Mountain is a boutique resort within the resort offering guests enhanced signature services such as a personal wake-up call served with a choice of fresh-brewed tea or coffee in a sterling silver set a seasonal amenity presented by Executive Chef Paul Carterand a Canyon Ambassador to take care of the guestrsquos every desire The Canyon Suites features 20 guestrooms 38 luxury suites and two presidential suites as well as its own secluded ldquoedgelessrdquo pool and cabanas A short stroll from the main building adjacent to the Necklace Lake Lagoon the casitas include anadditional 119 guestrooms and suites offering doorstep parking and private entrances Award-Winning Dining The Phoenician offers seemingly endless dining op-tions that are as diverse as they are inspired Among the nine restaurants is Il Terrazzo featuring authentic American-Italian cuisine and JampG Steakhouse show-casing a bill of fare created by world-renowned Chef

S

Jean-Georges Vongerichten For a more casual experi-ence the charming Cafeacute and Ice Cream Parlor serves tempting treats and light meals in a family friendly atmosphere and the Oasis and Canyon Grills present a variety of poolside favorites while a complete lineup of signature burgers appetizers and desserts await at the Relish Burger Bistro For a more traditional experience relax to the rich temptations of Afternoon Tea in the Lobby Tea Court Another popular gathering spot the Thirsty Camel Lounge serves luxury spirits light fare and rarecigars with live piano or saxophone adding to the ambi-ence And for private dining The Praying Monkoffers an intimate Renaissance-inspired setting for small parties World-Class Leisure Pastimes At The Phoenician world-class recreational options abound The golf club offers 27 holes ofchampionship play on three nine-hole par 70 combina-tions designed by Homer Flint and Ted RobinsonSr while the 11-court Tennis Garden is the only resort facility in the Southwest to offer four playingsurfaces Guests in search of enlightenment can indulge in an array of pampering and rejuvenating spa treatments atthe 22000 square-foot Centre for Well-Being or learn about the resortrsquos many treasures ndash both naturaland cultural ndash with guided and self-guided tours of the two-acre Cactus Garden and The Phoenicianrsquos$25 million art collectionMore info Visit them online at wwwthephoeniciancom

The Phoenician ResortLuxury in ScottsdalepickPublisherrsquo

s

uncompromising eleganceDiscover a destination distinguished by personalized unparalleled service luxurious accommodations and stunning surroundings

The Phoenician | 6000 East Camelback Rd | Scottsdale Arizona 85251ThePhoeniciancom | 8008888234

Valid 52112ndash9912 Terms and conditions apply Basic room rate does not include $29 Phoenician resort charge imposed per room per night and statelocal taxes copy2012 Starwood Hotels amp Resorts Worldwide Inc All Rights Reserved The Luxury Collection and its logo are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels amp Resorts Worldwide Inc

summer rates starting at just $169

bull 9 Glistening Poolsbull Spacious Private Cabanasbull Renowned Golf Spa and Tennis

bull Award-winning Dining Optionsbull Funicianrsquos Kids Clubbull Signature Summer Activities

arizonarsquos premier aaa Five DiamonD resort

28 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 29

AZ AZ

verflowing with outdoor adventure fun in the sun and thrilling Western-

style escapades Scottsdale is the ultimate destination for a family sized vacation And wersquore talking the whole family including your favorite four-legged friends who can un-wind after a long day of bou-tique shopping and frolicking at the park with gourmet treats and a plush bed of their own Most important Scotts-dale is a place where kids can be kids and parents can be big kids Parenting magazine rec-ognized the destination on its 2010 ldquoBest Cities for Familiesrdquo list while Travel + Leisure named Scottsdale one of the best warm-weather family adventure places to visit Revel in rough and tumble dune buggy adven-tures and safari wildlife tours (javelinas coyotes and snakes oh my) Soak in Scottsdalersquos stunning Sonoran Desert from atop a soaring hot air balloon or while riding on horseback Discover living history with Native American hoop dancers and staged Wild West shootouts or explore exotic wildlife such as venomous Gila monsters and carnivorous road-runners In short Scottsdale takes its family fun very seriouslyCulture Club Between exploring prehistoric Indian ruins and slicing though the air inside a rumbling WWII bomb-er who knew learning could be so much fun Arizona State Universityrsquos Kerr Cultural Cen-ter presents family oriented theatrical events and student-led musical ensembles inside a quaint recital hall built from natural adobe bricks made and dried on property Discover 1500-year-old Hohokam Indian ruins and full-scale reproductions of prehis-toric homes created by Arizonarsquos original adobe builders at the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeo-logical Park Founded in 1929 the Heard Museum and Heard Museum North Scottsdale offer a world-

O

renowned collection of American Indian cultural art and fine art unique exhibits and special events - headlined by the annual World Championship Hoop Dance Contest a drum-filled affair where intricately costumed American Indians from across North America come to compete Guests at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort meanwhile neednrsquot even leave the property to ex-plore Scottsdalersquos deep cultural roots Home to an award-winning Native American and Environmental Learning Center visitors learn about Scottsdalersquos native Hopi Indians through art jewelry textiles pottery and Katsina dolls as well as take interpre-tive tours through the Native Heritage Seed Gar-den and its 30 varieties of indigenous plants In downtown the Scottsdale Museum of Con-temporary Art offers eye-grabbing exhibitions sure to hold the attention of even the youngest patrons as well as free admissions on Thursday when the museum stays open late to offer everything from guest lectures to hands-on art demonstrations SMo-CArsquos YoungArt gallery at the adjacent Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts features the work of students and other aspiring artists And donrsquot forget to check out Native Trails presented by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and produced by

Scottsdale ArizonaA Family Affair

the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts a free series of Native American dance performances presented every January through April at the Scotts-dale Civic Center MallGo Wild In a setting as splendid (and accessible) as Scottsdalersquos Sonoran Desert outdoor adventure is at the top of every familyrsquos to-do list Offering nearly 20000 acres of hiking biking and outdoorsy fun right in the heart of Scottsdale the McDowell Mountain Regional Park is a must see Nestled amidst Papago Parkrsquos rolling red buttes the Desert Botanical Garden is home to five thematic trails illus-trating everything from how desert plants are used for nourishment and tools to the blooming beauty of desert wild-flowers On Saturday nights families are invited to explore the desert flora and fauna after dark during the Garden Flashlight Tour allowing them to see hear and feel the desert in a whole new way Put civilization in your rearview mirror when you hop aboard a Jeep or Hummer tour for a rousing off-road adventure Led by professional drivers well-versed in the arearsquos adventur-ous history and native wildlife riders can extend their adventure with visits to abandoned mining encampments Native American ruins or even a ropinrsquo demonstration followed by a campfire cook-out True thrill seekers meanwhile will want to slide behind the wheel of one of Desert Wolf Toursrsquo and Green Zebra Adventuresrsquo self-drive Tomcar tours These rugged two-seaters require only 10 minutes of instruction before drivers 18 and older scamper off on a follow-the-leader journey into the wilds of Scottsdalersquos desert outskirts The Phoenix Zoo was voted one of the top five in the nation for kids for their creative family pro-gramming For the artist in the family try Wild Art where children create a unique work of art inspired

by animals found in the zoo or for the animal lover the Critter Keeper program allows kiddos to spend a day in the life of a zoo keeper Take a walk on the wild side with the Fam-ily Wilderness Experience Night Camp where the whole family sleeps in a tent and enjoys campfire srsquomores a night hike private safari train tour and a day of zoo exploration Animal action awaits at Out of Africa Wildlife Park in neighboring Camp Verde Ariz where visi-tors are whisked away in traditional safari vehicles for an authentic African photo safari as experienced guides navigate the tour through the Serengeti It wouldnrsquot be a real safari without up-close animal in-

teraction so guests can treat giraffes and cam-els to tasty snacks and may even be greeted by a gentle kiss Be sure to catch Africarsquos big cats in action at Tiger Splash where Bengals and Siberians romp play and of course splash in a pool with brightly colored bal-loons animal-shaped pool toys and their experienced trainers who teach visitors about their striped friendsrsquo instincts intellect and natural behavior

All AboardLongtime family favor-

ite Scottsdalersquos McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park features a carousel railroad-themed exhibits and a small-scale steam train chugging passengers around a mile-long track The parkrsquos newest addition is the $22 million model train building designed for learn-ing about and experiencing model trains with touch screen computer activities visitor operated model railroads and trains and exhibits with information photographs and illustrations For those looking to ride the real thing Northern Arizona offers two historic train adventures a stunning tour though Arizonarsquos mountainous Bald Eagle country on the Verde Canyon Railroad and the stately Grand Can-yon Railway which has been delivering passengers right to the rim of this natural wonder since 1901

pickPublisherrsquos

wwwthehotelguidecom 3130 wwwthehotelguidecomcontinued on page 32

AZ UTAH

longest running musical With eight plays in total other exciting productions will include To Kill a Mockingbird Scapin Titus Andronicus and Hamlet among others For more information visit wwwbardorg5th Annual Savor the Summit - Park City UT - June 23 Kicking off the summer season the 5th Annual Savor

the Summit will showcase the culinary talents of Park Cityrsquos best restaurants This unique dinner party which brings together the regionrsquos diverse dining options is served at The Grande Table in the middle of Park Cityrsquos Historic Main Street creating an incredible culinary experience for diners Accompanied by live music throughout this event celebrates Utahrsquos love of music and food The event is open and free to the general public who want to witness the Grande Table listen to the musical sounds and visit the business of Main Street Dining guests can make a reservation directly with any participating restaurant each offering their choice of menu pricing and bar service Menu prices range from $40-$150 For more information visit wwwsavorthesummitcomDeer Valley Music Festival - Park City UT -June 29 - August 11 Held at Deer Valley Resortrsquos beautiful Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater this month-long celebration of music features a full repertoire of musical performances from the Utah Symphony Locals and visitors of all ages will enjoy classical and pop music chamber orchestra performances and salon events in exquisite Deer Valley area homes where guests will hear and meet artists The musical performances line-up includes The Music of the Eagles Von Trapp children Chris Botti Summer Pops with Keith Lockhart Time for Three Holstrsquos The Planet ldquoBroadway Rocksrdquo The Music of Queen and a Utah Symphony performance of ldquoPatriotic Celebrationrdquo For show times and ticket information visit wwwdeervalleymusicfestivalorg

his summer Utah is inviting visitors of all ages to take

advantage of special events and offerings throughout the state Whether indulging in the best of Utahrsquos culinary delights attending spectacular theatrical and musical performances or relaxing amidst the breathtaking landscapes at various lodges throughout the state Utah promises to deliver excitement and value on every level Beyond the following sampling a comprehensive list of statewide summer offerings can be found at wwwvisitutahcomUtah Arts Festival - Salt Lake City UT - June 21-24 The Utah Arts Festival entering into its 36th year is the largest outdoor multi-disciplinary arts event in Utah drawing over 80000 patrons to Library and Washington Square to enjoy performances from hundreds of visual artists performing arts groups and culinary artisans Travelers will enjoy four days of award-winning fine arts in the Artist Marketplace live entertainment on five stages local and international street theater a short film festival Artists at Work showcase and local culinary treats Perfect for families the Festival offers a hands-on Art Yard for children and an Urban Arts venue for teenagers to explore their creative sides For more information visit wwwuaforgUtah Shakespeare Festival - June 21 - October 20 Theater lovers all over the world will travel to southern Utahrsquos Cedar City this year for the 51st annual Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival with performances scheduled for June 21 - October 20 2012 The Festival is one of the oldest and largest in North America and features plays from the around the world but the works of William Shakespeare long admired by the people of southern Utah remain its cornerstone The plays are enhanced by interactive experiences which entertain enrich and educate festival attendees This season promises to be one to remember as the Festival has added Les Miserables to the line-up one of the worldrsquos most popular shows and Broadwayrsquos third

Summer Festivals

TSizzling Summer in Utah

Hitting From the Kidsrsquo Tee Kierland Golf Club rolled out a family golf program where young aspir-ing pros learn the fundamen-tals of put-ting chip-ping and full swings as well golf etiquette rules and history of the game Next these diminutive duffers take on one of the clubrsquos three nine-hole courses decked out with junior tees to make the course more playable for younger golfers The Family Tee program at TPC Scottsdalersquos Champions Course makes golf more enjoyable for kids and newbie-adults by turning the course into a shorter more playable venue Two markers are provided at each hole offering unobstructed shots to the green with few if any hazards and there is even easy-to-read scorecardsCannonball Although Scottsdale is smack dab in the middle of one of Americarsquos largest deserts families are never left high and dry Fairmont Scottsdale Prin-cessrsquo kid-friendly Sonoran Splash is a 6000-square-foot water recreation area featuring two of the statersquos longest resort water slides The Phoenician boasts nine pools and an 11-million gallon Necklace Pool and Lagoon where families can help feed the resident Koi fish But that all pales in comparison to the spine-tingling excitement of the 165-foot water-slide which is transformed during summer holidays into an ldquoelectric watersliderdquo complete with fog lasers and pulsating music Located in downtown Scottsdale Kimptonrsquos FireSky Resort amp Sparsquos verdant inner courtyard hides a spacious pool deck including a sandy beach pool

Mediterranean-inspired lagoon and torch-lit heated outdoor pool and hot tub The Hyatt Regency Scott-sdale Resort tempts with two-and-a-half-acres of water wonderland including 10 separate pools 28 fountains and 47 sparkling waterfalls Kid favorites include a spiraling three-story waterfall and ldquobeach poolrdquo featuring 500000 pounds of toe-curling sand trucked in from Monterey Calif to form a 50-foot-long 70-foot-wide shoreline Offering more than 575000 gallons of wet nrsquo wild fun including a 110-foot-long waterslide and 900-foot-long lazy river ride The Westin Kierland Resortrsquos Adventure Water Park is a splashing good time Lined with native desert plants and family friendly cabanas the pool deck is complemented by a childrenrsquos play area featuring pop-jet water fountains and a shallow pool for small children and babies Plus The Westin Kierland Resort is one of several Scottsdale resorts that encourage families to kick back in the water and enjoy poolside cin-ema as part of their dive-in movie programs during the summer Other places to catch a poolside flick include The Phoenician Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Four Seasons Resort ScottsdaleContact Us To download a free kids activity guide to Scott-sdale visit wwwscottsdalecvbcomscottsdalefamily-friendly

32 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 33continued on page 34

FLUTAH

Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre (UFOMT) - Logan UT - July 12 - August 11 Utah Festival Opera celebrates its 20th anniversary this year inviting opera lovers to partake in creative musical performances set against the backdrop of Cache Valleyrsquos spectacular mountain scenery With over 130 events the five-week festival includes productions of grand opera operetta light opera and seldom-seen Broadway-style musical theatre in addition to a variety of orchestral and vocal concerts In honor of the exciting 20-year milestone the festival will introduce new productions of the most oft-performed grand operas of the 20th Century including the immortal ldquoFaustrdquo and timeless ldquoToscardquo UFOMT will bring to life blockbuster Broadway musicals ldquoKiss Me Katerdquo and ldquoMy Fair Ladyrdquo and will also host a ldquoTribute to Judy Garlandrdquo concert backstage tours and adult education courses through the Utah Festival Academy World-renowned in the operatic industry the festivalrsquos founder Michael Ballam recruits the incredible talent that makes this a destination opera for thousands of enthusiasts Prices range from $10-$76 For additional information on UFOMT visit wwwufocorg Escalante Canyons Working Arts Festival Everett Ruess Days - Escalante UT - Sept 28-29 The Ninth annual Escalante Canyons Art Festival will celebrate the life and work of enigmatic artist Everett Ruess who disappeared from the rugged canyon country near Escalante UT in 1934 and was never seen again Organized by local businesses caring citizens and artists and top Ruess aficionados the Working Arts Festival is a premiere art and literary

gathering with the aim of welcoming visitors to the stunning landscapes and intense beauty surrounding the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and educating them on the regionrsquos rich history Festival events include fine arts and crafts exhibition and sale lectures films exhibits workshops gallery open hoes walking tours of nearby historic buildings and performances by poets dance groups and musicians All events are free and open to the public For more information visit wwweverettruessdaysorgWestern Legends Roundup - Kanab UT - August 16-18 A signature Kanab event the Western Legends Roundup was created to honor the richness of Western movie history and to celebrate the 100-plus classic Western movies and television series filmed in

the area over the years Visitors will get a taste of the old West during this classic weekend featuring Western vendors exhibits art shows and workshops Western entertainment and concerts cowboy poetry and cuisine child-friendly activities and autograph sessions with well-known Western movie stars For more information visit wwwwesternlegendsroundupcomTuacahn CTR for the Arts - Ivins UT - June 4 - August 31 One of only two theatres in the country to present Disneyrsquos ldquoAladdinrdquo just minutes from St George and the perfect addition to a trip to Zion National Park the Tuacahn Amphitheatre at the Tuacahn Center for the Arts in Southern Utah is a world class family entertainment venue perfect for family fun Surrounded by the majestic Snow Canyon State Park Tuacahn will turn out more than 230000 visitors to see Disneyrsquos ldquoAladdinrdquo ldquoHairsprayrdquo and ldquoThe 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Beerdquo this summer Guests will enjoy new some new special effects including the use of 3D technology and may also enjoy a scenic dinner before the show on the outdoor plaza under Tuacahnrsquos towering red cliffs Tuacahnrsquos concert series is year-round and this summer includes Huey Lewis and the News For more information visit wwwtuacahnorg

34 wwwthehotelguidecom wwwthehotelguidecom 35

for full- or half-day rental to resort guests each private cabana provides the luxuries of a high definition flat screen TV wet bar and private bath plus the ease and convenience of a room-service call button Cabanas can be reserved from 8 am and

7 pm daily In-cabana food and beverage packages can also added and range from sophisticated wine and cheese platters to The Whole Cabana Caboodle Package which serves groups of up to eight guests Guests may also elect to have their massage service inside the privacy and comfort of their own cabana one of the many offerings provided by the resortrsquos eco-coastal Sandava Spa Spa Time For personal reflection relaxation and reconnection Sandava Spa supports a lifestyle of conscious living and living well With eight beautifully appointed treatment rooms and unparalleled views from the relaxation room Sandava Spa connects guests to the sea shore and power of personal wellness Spa patrons can choose from a variety of Florida-inspired spa treatments such as the Eco Sea Scrub Sun-warmed Shell Massage and so much more No matter which indulgent treatment they select guests are sure to activate nurture and inspire your mind body and soulClearwater Beach Best of all the resort is located on Clearwater Beachrsquos new multi-million-dollar Beach Walk providing guests with easy access to the destinationrsquos wealth of summer events and activities including Pier 60rsquos nightly sunset parties For information or reservations visit wwwclearwaterbeachhyattcom or call 727-373-1234

he Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa

As the newest beachfront resort on Floridarsquos west coast Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa delivers a whole new tropical island experience that includes West Indies deacutecor spacious balconies and views of pure white sands and spectacular azure waters Since its official opening in February 2010 the all-suite AAA Four Diamond Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach has raised the bar for dining service and amenities in the Tampa Bay area Award-Winning Cuisine Already the resort has become notable for its award-winning cuisine The resortrsquos SHOR American Seafood Grill serves regionally inspired fresh seafood and American cuisine which are only rivaled by the restaurantrsquos impressive show kitchen optional outdoor dining and spectacular Gulf views from expansive floor-to-ceiling windows Menu highlights include pan-seared black grouper and house-made lobster ravioli with side dishes such as roasted chorizo potatoes and mint-basil asparagus Rounding out the menu the decadent dessert list comforts diners with old fashioned favorites such as an oversized root beer float cregraveme brulee and flourless chocolate cake SWIM another Gulf-front restaurant is Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beachrsquos casual poolside bar and grill Located on the eighth-floor open-air pool deck SWIM draws a regular crowd with a Pan-Latino menu of small plates and resort-style appetizers sandwiches and burgers These poolside cravings are served alongside a spectacular panoramic view of the Gulf of Mexico and are the perfect complement to Clearwaterrsquos famous sunsetsIncredible Amenities Raising the bar even further Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach has introduced never-before-seen amenities including twenty air-conditioned cabanas located alongside the eighth-floor infinity pool Available

Florida Hyatts

TPerfect Summer Getaways

continued on page 36

FL

onastero Santa Rosa set on the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast overlooking the Bay of Salerno is now open

Originally a 17th century mon-astery of Conca dei Marini that housed a cloistered order of nuns the building is being respectfully restored to honor its roots Both the exterior and the inte-rior maintain the asceticism of the property offset by warm and invit-ing contemporary design withinElegance and More This five-star 20-roomsuite hotel is also a full-service spa There is the signature Tepidarium treatment suites relaxation areas and outdoor treatments within a garden full of natural perfumes Amenities of the hotel include a heated infinity swimming pool and beautiful gardens -including a historical herb garden all situated on five terraced levels Each room in the hotel will be named after one of the histori-cal herbs still grown at the prop-erty site All rooms and suites offer spectacular views of the Bay of Salerno and all are fully equipped with high-speed access and the luxuries of modern livingDining Monastero Santa Rosarsquos Ristorante features the origi-nal vaulted ceiling continuing the sense of place Guests from outside of the hotel are also welcome to

Monastero Santa Rosa

enjoy regional specialties delicious seafood and fresh produce from the hotelrsquos own garden and wines from an extensive wine cellar The terraced area outside the bar serves light food

with a local flair and fea-tures an outdoor fireplace This is the ideal setting for savoring an aperitif at sunset or relaxing below the stars after dinner with a limon-cello or other nightcap Light meals are served by the heated Infinity Pool where guests may go to swim or relax enjoying the breathtak-ing views 12th Century Chapel Attached to the hotel by a lovely garden is a 12th century chapel The chapel or one of the garden settings on the cliff is an ideal venue for weddings The entire property is available for ex-clusive hire for weddings or

other celebrations and three other churches nearby are available for weddings Contact us For more information visit wwwmonasterosantarosacom

Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa Recently named among Travel + Leisurersquos 100 Worldrsquos Best Hotels the AAA Four Diamond Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa is no stranger to the limelight The resort has accrued a wealth of awards and accolades since its opening ten years ago including Florida Green Lodgingrsquos prestigious Three Palm eco-friendly certification and inclusion on Conde Nast Travelerrsquos listing of Floridarsquos top 20 golf resorts Located on 26 acres overlooking the breathtaking Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve the 454-room resort serves as the ideal base camp between Naples and Ft Myers offering convenient access to both destinations while providing plenty of on-site fun including multiple pools ranging from 2700 to 5000 square feet One of the resortrsquos most unique offerings is its private beach on Big Hickory Island A 15-minute narrated water taxi ride whisks guests to white soft sands and the brilliantly colored Gulf of Mexico The island offers plenty of open chairs and umbrellas for those seeking relaxation and is also a great spot to hunt for sharksrsquo teeth collect more than 400 types of seashells build old-fashioned sand castles or kayak along the beautiful shoreline Back at the resort guests can relax and rejuvenate with pampering treatments at the 19000-square-foot Stillwater Spa The sparsquos eco-conscious philosophy offers a total-immersion experience based on Floridarsquos cycle of nature Each spa journey has a beginning middle and end which is the foundation and inspiration for the resortrsquos innovative and unforgettable treatments Unique treatments include the coconut spice body polish the warm shell massage and water shiatsu Traditional services such as Swedish massages facials and body wraps are also available as well as hair nail and make-up services Another of the resortrsquos unique offerings is the Raptor Bay Golf Club which ranked among the top 10 favorites by Sports Illustratedrsquos Gary Van Sickle Crafted to exist in perfect harmony with the natural beauty of Southwest Florida Floydrsquos design made history by earning the club the first Gold Signature Sanctuary Certification by

Audubon International worldwide The ecologically-minded design preserved the most valued habitats on site and restored nearly 25 acres of wetlands As a result golfers can often spy protected wild creatures such as the American Bald Eagle Great Blue Herons Snowy Egrets and even the shy Whooping Crane For dining Hyatt Regency Coconut Point offers several unique offerings Located in the lobby the recently redesigned Tanglewood Restaurant echoes the relaxed yet refined spirit of Southwest Florida perfectly complementing Executive Chef Andreas Singerrsquos award-winning cuisine The freestanding Tarpon Bay restaurant meanwhile provides a charming culinary experience in a casual Key West-inspired environment Jutting just out over the water Tarpon Bay has a beach cottage vibe where colorful lanterns keep watch over each table Only the freshest seafood is combined with innovative combinations of herbs and spices for a truly memorable meal For information or reservations visit wwwcoconutpointhyattcom or call 239-444-1234 Hyatt Key West Resort and Spa Located on the Gulf of Mexico just three miles from the Key West International airport and within walking distance of the world-famous Duval Street Hyatt Key West Resort and Spa offers a posh vacation retreat in the heart of carefree Key West The tropically-inspired full-service sanctuary sets the standard as the Conch Republicrsquos premier luxury resort The waterfront resort features a tropical chic design by Morrison Seifert Murphy that captures the whimsical spirit of the Florida Keys The resortrsquos 118 guestrooms include eight king salons 75 kings and 35 doublesAll guestrooms feature private Gulf-view balconies Hyatt Grand Bedstrade 42-inch flat screen televisions deluxe bathrooms with exclusive bath products and high-speed wireless Internet access The resortrsquos signature restaurant SHOR American Seafood Grill has recently unveiled new lunch and dinner menus that take an innovative twist on classic dishes by utilizing new flavors and fresh ingredients Recognized as ldquotherdquo restaurant to experience in the Florida Keys SHOR offers a million dollar view of the Gulf of Mexico which is perfect for taking in Key Westrsquos world-famous sunsets The restaurant prides itself in offering not only the freshest catch but also 100 percent sustainable wild and farmed seafood The Blue Mojito Pool Bar and Grill meanwhile offers an eclectic ambiance perfect for enjoying delicious cocktails and snacks by the centrally located heated outdoor swimming pool The resort additionally provides a spacious sundeck with three poolside cabanas beach access to the beautiful Gulf of Mexico an eco-friendly spa a 24-hour gym beachside service on-site water sports and golf cart and bicycle rentals For more information or reservations visit wwwkeywesthyattcom or call 305-809-1234

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ITALY

M

Historical and Enchanting

experienceshree cheers to SUMMER Itrsquos finally here The weather is warm people are in a better

mood some are even getting out of work early to enjoy the sunshine So what do you do for the summer Take vacations to the beach or a nearby lake Travel down to the islands for a little RampR Well what if you canrsquot seem to sneak away from the hustle amp bustle of real life how do you get away What about a concertConcerts Concerts are a big part of the Team Cocktail lifestyle There is just something refreshing fun and entertaining about listening to live music with great friends and of course enjoying a few cocktails Whatever your budget may be there is a concert for everyone Whether itrsquos free concerts in the park to a packed stadium tour you should be able to find something in a city near you to help you get awayhellipeven if itrsquos just for a few hoursMusic Rocks Music is one thing that brings groups of people together Case in point Jimmy Buffett and the Parrotheads If yoursquove never been to a Jimmy Buffett concert or at least been to the parking lot to experience the tailgate party itrsquos a must People (aka Parrotheads) go to the extremes to bring the paradise that Jimmy sings about to the parking lot Pickups full of sand pools with water grass skirts everywhere you look cheeseburger hats tiki bars electric blenders you name ithellipitrsquos all in the parking lot The Jimmy Buffett concert experience is more than the music itrsquos people uniting over their love of fun island music and margaritas

Tby Lyndsey Fliehs Higgins

Wersquoll be spending part of our summer creating our own tailgate experience at a couple of Kenny Chesney

stadium concerts Kenny seems to be taking on the next generation of island loving tailgaters and we are happy to be a part of the movement Wersquoll have tiki bars sand pools Coronarsquos rum punch and more as we bring our own piece of paradise to parking lot If yoursquore going to be in the Kanas City or Nashville areas for The Brothers of the Sun Tour wersquod love to have you join us Then you can see exactly how music friends drinks and a tailgate party bring us all together Stay in TouchFor more information about our Tailgate parties and all other events you can

check out the Events tab on our Facebook page

Party with uswwwteamcocktailcomwwwfacebookcomteamcocktailwwwtwittercomteamcocktailwwwyoutubecomteamcocktailwwwpinterestcomteamcocktail

Team CocktailSummer Concert Fun

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Experiences

40 wwwthehotelguidecom