The Lodge on the Desert is a charming boutique hotel in mid-town Tucson. This historic landmark has been serving visitors to the Old Pueblo since the 1930’s.
Unlike Tucson’s big resorts, Lodge on the Desert does not have a golf course or a riding stable. But the Lodge more than makes up for these in many other ways.
Value
The Tucson Metropolitan area offers a wide variety of lodging, from Budget to the Ritz. We found Lodge on the Desert to be among the best values. Rooms, amenities, and grounds as fine as our finest resorts, but without the sticker shock.
Location
Its mid-town location is convenient to just about everything Tucson has to offer: University of Arizona; University Medical Center; Tucson Medical Center; Davis-Monthan Air Force Base; plus botanical gardens; galleries; shops; museums; golf; parks; historic downtown; and many of the best restaurants in Southern Arizona.
Within easy walking distance is Reid Park for jogging, dog-walking, children’s playground, extensive Rose Garden, and Zoo. From none of Tucson’s other finer resorts can guests walk a couple of city blocks and feed the elephants.
In addition to its convenient location, Lodge on the Desert offers guests comfortable & spacious Southwestern accommodations; meandering pathways through desert gardens with native plants & majestic palm trees; rooms with a fireplace & private balcony; lovely pool, spa, & common areas; manicured lawns, and one of the best restaurants in Southern Arizona.
Moreover, the Lodge gets high marks for cleanliness and attention to detail.
All rooms have a flat screen TV & free WiFi, as well as high-quality linens & towels.
When Ms. Karen & I travel, we generally prefer a small inn or B&B. What I like best about the Lodge is that it has the feel of a smaller inn, but the convenience of a full bar & restaurant, a pool & spa that is always open so you can swim under the stars, and a helpful, friendly staff. In simplest terms, the Lodge just has a good vibe.
The original 34 rooms were built in the 1930’s. Many travelers will prefer the newer, very well-appointed rooms, but even though the original rooms have some drawbacks, such as lower ceilings, smaller windows & bathrooms, I prefer the several we inspected because they simply have more character. But that’s just me.
Cielos Restaurant & Bar: Open To The Public
The Cielos restaurant & bar have an indoor/outdoor feel because it’s almost all glass on one side so guests overlook the hacienda-style courtyard with its 4-sided fireplace & flowering plants in terracotta pots. Inside, the décor reflects Tucson’s Spanish heritage with hand-painted beams and Mexican chandeliers.
Cielos is where guests at Lodge on the Desert enjoy locally-sourced, contemporary seasonal cuisine paired with fine wines, craft beers, and local spirits for classic cocktails.
However, almost no one knows that Cielos is open to the public. That’s right. To enjoy this Tucson Originals dining experience, all you have to do is make a reservation, show up, park in the south end of the front parking lot next to the restaurant’s separate entrance. You don’t have to go through the lobby if you don’t want to.
I like that Cielos is open to the public. That way, visitors to Tucson get to mingle with locals and gain a better sense of place.
Meet David Solorzano, Executive Chef at Cielos.
Most recently, David was chef de cuisine at Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch. He has studied cooking under chefs Justin Macy and Chad Luethje at Miraval. He told us that Miraval is where he learned how great simple substitutions and vegetable-driven dishes can be. David also studied at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Scottsdale.
Given the old Spanish hacienda ambiance of Cielos and Chef David’s culinary imagination, talent, and penchant for Southwestern ingredients, we highly recommend Lodge on the Desert for business lunches, a delectable happy hour with friends, or a romantic date night dinner under the Heavens.
Meetings & Special Events
Of course, Lodge on the Desert does host corporate meetings, weddings, and other special events, such as reunions. I did get a tour of the meeting facilities and think they would work well for smaller meetings & conferences for groups of around 150 persons indoors. But if you’re planning a board retreat, they have a couple of exceptional small, private rooms, such as the library, that would work quite well.
Outdoors just beyond the restaurant & bar is a lovely lush-green lawn for larger gatherings, if weather permits … which in Tucson it usually does.
Lodge on the Desert: highly recommended.
306 North Alvernon Way; Tucson, AZ 85711
520-320-2000
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