30 Best Southwest Vacations

The American Southwest is a diverse and exciting weekend destination where you will find some of the most photographed spots on Earth, including the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, and Mesa Verde, Zion and Arches National Parks. The area includes desert spaces, lakes, canyons, caves, guest ranches and unique cities like Santa Fe, Tucson, Taos and Sedona. Here are some of the best Southwest vacations. Photo: Pixelshop/Fotolia

Eldorado Hotel in Santa Fe is a romantic getaway with a spa and stylish accommodations. The AAA Four-Diamond-rated hotel has a stylish rooftop swimming pool where you can relax in the sun on your romantic getaway. For extra romance, book a room with a private balcony and wood burning, adobe kiva fireplace. You'll be able to enjoy downtown and the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains views. If you are looking for a luxury Southwest getaway to celebrate a special occasion, the hotel also offers a selection of luxury suites. In addition to the outdoor pool, there is a fitness center with panoramic views of the city. Nidah Spa offers a selection of spa treatments inspired by a diverse range of traditions. Room rates start at $199 per night. Read more

309 W San Francisco ST., Santa Fe, NM 87501, Phone: 505-988-4455 Photo: Eldorado Hotel & Spa in Santa Fe

Arizona Grand Resort is a luxury resort with a diverse choice of rooms & suites, a scenic 18-hole golf course and a spa. A unique feature for kids, the 7-acre water park offers slides, pools and plenty of water fun for the whole family. Enjoy seven unique dining venues on your holiday in Arizona. Measuring 38,000 square feet in size, the spa offers a selection of massage therapies and desert-inspired body treatments. At the fitness center you can work out on your own, or attend one of the 40 weekly exercise classes available to resort guests on vacation.

With many activities to choose from it will be easy to stay active on your weekend getaway. The Oasis is one of the largest resort water adventures in the United States. It features the Slide Canyon Tower, a 83-feet high tower with three different slides with speeds up to 35 mph. The Oasis Wave Pool has two-foot action waves simulate open water swells, a waterfall and an area where you can play water volleyball and basketball. The Zuni Active River is a 950-foot long, 12-foot wide side-by-side river for double inner tubing.

The Phantom Horse Golf Club features a par-71 18-hole course and an indoor golf training center where you can work on your game on your golf vacation. The resort has 640 all-suite accommodations with a private patio or balcony, private bedroom and separate living room and a queen size sleeper sofa in living room. Room rates start at $180 per night. Read more

8000 S. AZ Grand Parkway, Phoenix, AZ 85044, Phone: 877-800-4888 Photo: Arizona Grand

Amara Resort of Sedona is located at the entrance to the picturesque Oak Creek Canyon in Arizona. The resort sits next to canyons and huge red-rock formations. Guests can go trout fishing, take a jeep safari, play a round of golf or sit back and relax by the pool with views of the canyon. Visitors love the sunset and sunrise as they illuminate the area in fiery hues. Abundant sunshine and mild seasons make Amara Resort a great vacation idea for the whole family. There is a range of rooms and suites to choose from, including patio, courtyard, spa and creek side rooms, as well as creek side suites. The spacious suites are favored by vacationers who like additional space on vacation.

Creek side rooms and suites offer the best views of nature, while the other rooms face the garden and infinity pool. All rooms have balconies or private patios. Creek side suites and rooms have jetted tubs. The use of red and white solid colors in room design reminds you of the red rocks of the desert. The red and orange furniture at Amara Resort is stylish and unique. Relax at the spa after a day of horseback riding, hiking, golfing and fishing. There are 6 private treatment rooms, a separate area for manicure and pedicure, a yoga studio and a boutique store. Popular treatments at the spa include foot and hand rituals, facials and massages. Rooms start at $246 per night. Read more

100 Amara Lane, Sedona, AZ 86336, Phone: 855-324-1313 Photo: Amara Resort

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Surrounded by 25 acres of giant cottonwood trees, rolling lavender fields, and beautifully manicured gardens, Los Poblanos in Albuquerque is an exquisite example of a typical Mexican ranch. Designed in 1932 by John Gaw Meem, the region’s foremost architect, Los Poblanos is made up of a working organic and lavender farm, a fine dining restaurant, and 20 lovely guest rooms that combine comfort, luxury, and privacy for a perfect country escape.

Guest rooms and suites are designed and decorated in a classic New Mexican style with hardwood floors, carved ceiling beams, ornate wood-burning fireplaces, and antique furnishings. Guests can savor a full organic gourmet breakfast on their Southwest vacation and dine in style at the award-winning La Merienda, which features a creative field-to-fork menu of seasonal and organic cuisine. The historic inn hosts special events throughout the year, including cooking classes, dining events, and weddings. Read more

4803 Rio Grande Blvd N.W., Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM 87107, Phone: 505-344-9297 Photo: Los Poblanos Historic Inn

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The Bavarian Lodge is a German-style lodge and restaurant located at the base of Kachina Peak in Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico that offers comfortable accommodations, excellent cuisine, and a variety of outdoor activities throughout the year. The lodge features luxury suites and a private chalet that are decorated with authentic Bavarian antiques and objets d'art, carvings, and paintings by local artists.

Suites boast beautiful furnishings and deluxe amenities, including a spa-like marble bathroom and Jacuzzi soaking tubs with magnificent views over the vast Kachina Bowl. A full gourmet breakfast is included while the on-site Bavarian restaurant provides a menu of traditional German fare served by lederhosen-clad staff. Winter activities at the lodge include an array of snow-based sports such as skiing, snowboarding, sledding, sleighing, and cross-country skiing, while the summer months present breathtaking landscapes to explore by hiking, biking, horseback riding, white water rafting, and fishing.

100 Kachina Road, Taos Ski Valley, NM 87525, Phone: 575-776-8020 Photo: The Bavarian Lodge & Restaurant

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Bishop's Lodge Ranch Resort & Spa is located on 450 private acres ten minutes from Santa Fe, New Mexico. The resort is one of the best family vacations in the U.S., offering many activities, a relaxing spa and beautiful surroundings. In the summer, there is horseback riding, tennis and hiking. Relax by the outdoor pool, get a massage or visit the nearby town for shopping, performances and historic attractions. In the winter, the resort provides a complimentary shuttle to the nearby Santa Fe Ski Area. The resort is set on 450 acres adjacent to the Santa Fe National Forest. You can go on a self-guided nature walk using a detailed hiking map and following the marked trails. The lodge also has its own bird list and is a member of the Audubon Co-operation Sanctuary System.

111 guest accommodations are situated in 15 separate lodges. The rooms feature New Mexican and Spanish Colonial decor in a traditional ranch setting. The restaurant serves delicious Southwestern dishes with an emphasis on fresh local ingredients. The resort Bar and Cafe serves casual meals with outdoor dining available during the warmer months. The lodge is ten minutes from Santa Fe's galleries, shops, restaurants and museums. The most popular season is summer when temperatures are in the 70s and 80s. Skiing is available nearby in the winter. Albuquerque International Airport is about 1.5 hours by car. You can rent a car at the airport or book a shuttle (ask the hotel when making room reservations). Rates from about US $219, depending on the season.

1297 Bishops Lodge Road, Santa Fe, NM 87506, Phone: 505-983-6377 Photo: Bishop's Lodge

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Resting on the edge of Bear Lake, “the Caribbean of the Rockies,” the luxurious Conestoga Ranch lies on 18 private acres in Garden City with beautiful views over the tranquil waters of the lake. This contemporary tented camp offers an array of comfortable accommodation in the form of Grand and Traditional camping tents and Conestoga Wagons, all of which are arranged with comfy furnishings and boast beautiful lake views.

The family-friendly Campfire Grill restaurant serves a straightforward menu of American food, ranging from gourmet pizzas and wood-fired chicken to succulent grilled steaks and burgers. Bear Lake’s turquoise-blue waters call for all kinds of fun activities, and visitors can partake in a host of watersports on the lake, from sailing, waterskiing, and jet skiing to swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. Read more

427 N. Paradise Parkway, Garden City, UT 84028, Phone: 844-464-5267 Photo: Conestoga Ranch

Marked by a timeless grace and elegant appeal that can only be described as being fit for kings, The Grand America in Salt Lake City exudes historical elegance, colonial beauty, and old-world charm. Located in a prime downtown position in the heart of Salt Lake City, the hotel features glorious architecture, exquisite interiors, luxurious accommodation, and award-winning cuisine that create a tranquil and secluded haven from the hustle and bustle of the city outside.

Beautifully appointed rooms and suites are spacious with high ceilings and large windows that let natural light flood in. Fusing classic style with modern functionality, suites feature handcrafted Richelieu furniture, Italian marble bathrooms, and deluxe amenities, including air-conditioning, LCD TVs, and wireless high-speed Internet. Savor contemporary American cuisine at the hotel's signature restaurant, The Garden Café, and delectable pastries at La Bonne Vie, while the exclusive Grand America Spa offers a variety of indulging treatments and massages and has a spa, sauna, and indoor swimming pool.

555 South Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, Phone: 800-304-8696 Photo: The Grand America

Shooting Star RV Resort offers guests a unique, fun-filled alternative to regular camping. The resort features several Airstreams that guests can stay in and RV sites for those with their own vehicles. Eight well-appointed, custom designed, Hollywood-themed airstreams feature fully equipped kitchens, comfortable bedrooms, private bathrooms with showers, and climate control, while the RV sites have full hookups for power, water, and dumping.

The resort boasts a variety of amenities, including an outdoor theater that shows films on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday evenings; a classic Snack Shack selling snacks and drinks; and a Resort Store for gifts, memorabilia, and merchandise. Hike into the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument from the resort or visit the Escalante Slot Canyons and the towers of Devil's Garden. Read more

2020 West Highway 12, Escalante, UT 84726, Phone: 435-826-4440 Photo: Shooting Star RV Resort

Nestled between Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks in the heart of the breathtaking Color Country, The Iron Gate Inn is a turn-of-the-century, historic inn that promises a home-away-from-home stay. Giving a nod to its 1897 origins, the inn has luxurious guest accommodations that combine charming country-style décor, antique furnishings, and plush linens with modern amenities, including air-conditioning, flat-screen televisions, and wireless high-speed Internet.

The inn is surrounded by award-winning manicured gardens, which provide the perfect place to enjoy the full gourmet breakfast that is served each morning. Sip freshly brewed coffee in the morning or a complimentary glass of wine in the evening against a backdrop of the breathtaking garden and mountain views. The inn is just a short stroll away from local dining and shopping in Cedar City's historic district.

100 N 200 W, Cedar City, UT 84720, Phone: 435-867-0603 Photo: The Iron Gate Inn

High up at 8,600 feet on the slope of the mountain, at the heart of the Wasatch National Forest, Alta Lodge has it all: spectacular panoramic views, cozy common room with a crackling fireplace, friendly Sitzmark Club with excellent margaritas and Collins Lift that will bring you from the slopes right at the door.

There is also a gourmet breakfast and multi-course dinner included in the stay, and 57 comfy, homey rooms in which modern amenities such as wifi go together with what really matters like boot driers. It is one of the last traditional European-style ski lodges, where tradition matters as much as the amenities - they have been around since 1940. Read more

10230 UT-210, Alta, UT 84092, Phone: 801-742-3500 Photo: Alta Lodge

Amangiri translates to “peaceful mountain” and this resort has 600 acres of land in Canyon Point overlooking the Grand Staircase known as Escalante National Monument. There are a total of 34 suites divided into two wings and each of these has air-conditioning as well as under-floor heating. Guests enter their suites via a private courtyard with a dining table, chairs, and sculptured light. The bedroom flows seamlessly into the living area. There is also a sitting area, a lounge with a central fireplace, dressing rooms, rain showers, and soaking tubs with gorgeous views. Guests don’t have to leave Amangiri to go for a hike – there are many different trails to choose from on property. There are numerous hiking maps or you can go on a complimentary short, one-hour “taster” hike led by an experienced guide. The Aman Spa covers 2,322 square meters in a serene setting with pavilions, a private courtyard, individual dressing rooms, the Water Pavillion, outdoor terraces, a Fitness Center, the Yoga Pavilion, the Amangiri Salon, and flotation therapy. The Pavilion houses the Library, Living Room, Gallery, Dining Room, Private Dining Room, and Cellar. Have a meal in the Dining Room while watching the chefs prepare your dishes in the open kitchen. From $875 per night.

1 Kayenta Road, Canyon Point, UT 84741, Phone: 435-675-3999 Photo: Amangiri

Monte Carlo resort is located on the Strip near MGM Grand and New York-New York and the Bellagio fountains. There is a casino, a luxury spa, tennis courts, and a 21,000 square-foot pool area with cascading waterfalls and lush landscaping. The pool complex features a wave pool with waves that reach 30". There is also the Easy River Ride down the 400-foot slow-flowing river, Lagoon Pool, Kiddie Pool and a heated spa. Book a relaxing treatment on your weekend getaway. The Tennis Club offers morning tennis clinics, lessons, ball machine, racquet rental and other tennis services.

There are 3,002 guest rooms, including 259 luxury suites. The accommodations feature Italian marble and granite finishes, brass fixtures and cherry furniture. The hotel has several restaurants, including a buffet, a steakhouse, a French restaurant and an Asian restaurant, giving you many dining options. Room rates range from $79 on certain weekdays to $589 per night on busy weekends.

3770 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89109, Phone: 702-730-7777

More places to stay: Enchantment Resort, The Phoenician, The Boulders, Arizona Biltmore, Westward Look Resort and The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. Photo:

Check into the romantic Inn and Spa at Loretto for a weekend of great dining, shopping and museums. Santa Fe is a beautiful city with stunning architecture, unique art galleries and many events year-round. In this diverse city, you can find nearly everything your hear desires, from painting classes to yoga and Feng Shui workshops.

211 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501, Phone: 866-582-1646 Photo: Inn and Spa at Loretto

In a rich, timeless blend of cultures - Mexican, Native American, Spanish, and the American West – and only a few blocks from Taos Plaza, El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa offers guests a luxurious, magical retreat from the modern world of stress and pressure. Surrounded by timeless mountains and mystical high desert, along a burbling cool stream, tropical flora and calming waterfalls, El Monte Sagrado offers 48 Taos Mountain rooms, 18 Native American Suites, six historic Casitas and 12 luxurious Suites.

All rooms are beautifully and tastefully decorated to recreate atmosphere of a particular theme or country. Private bathrooms, balconies, fireplaces, hand-crafted furniture, local art, and much more make this resort a unique, delightful surprise and an experience that is hard to forget. De La Tierra gourmet restaurants and quirky Anaconda bar provide opportunity for socializing with fellow guest and soothing, serene spa provide healing for the body and soul. Read more

317 Kit Carson Rd, Taos, NM 87571, Phone: 575-758-3502

Places to visit with kids: 25 Best Family Vacation Ideas in the Southwest. Photo: El Monte Sagrado