I was forced to visit Tucson, Arizona for a few nights at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa! Oh, no… A truly stunning resort on the inside, the Westin Paloma as locals call it, is a great place to settle in for a relaxing visit to Southern Arizona. With an inclusive resort shuttle, you can even explore some more without driving which means more tequila – or mezcal – tastings with their over 70 bottles available. Each room is nicely anchored at a cool 65 degrees and my room had a great balcony space overlooking the mountains and the pools. It’s also part of the Marriott Bonvoy family so make sure you sign up, it’s free and gets you perks such as early checkin, late checkout, welcome gifts and other surprises along the way. Not to mention you’re treated like a VIP! This resort certainly soothed my soul, now I’m looking forward to visiting the spa experience next time.
As part of the Sabores de Tucson festival happening throughout a long weekend, it only made sense to stay and play so that we did! The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) reached out to me about the event originally and the Westin was happy to host me for a fully immersive experience – the best kind to have. Driving down on a Thursday afternoon around 12 p.m. from North Phoenix should have been a breeze or so I thought… it seems that weekday traffic is always there no matter what. Fortunately I drove back on the weekend and that was much smoother! Make sure to stop at the gas stations down there to fuel up though – $2.69 a gallon made my eyeballs pop out of my sockets and my wallet happy.
After I arrived a bit stressed and sweaty from driving, I went about getting my content and then gobbling down a chicken salad sandwich (yay, tasty protein) from the cafe as my stomach wasn’t going to make it until dinner at 5 p.m. Then I did what I call a “lay down” where I hydrate – and in this case also caffeinate with tea like the drink goblin I am – in the cool, dark room and recharge myself. With a quick rinse off shower, I was ready to enjoy a lovely evening making new friends with an intimate culinary experience. But first let me show you around!
Driving up to Westin Paloma was easy and breezy with an early checkin, available for all Marriott Bonvoy members.Looking toward Tucson from the Westin Paloma.A walking path in front of Westin Paloma.The smell of honeysuckle was intoxicating at Westin Paloma.A very cool covered hallway patio behind the honeysuckle which would make for amazing photos at Westin Paloma.The shuttle available to drive guests nearby at Westin Paloma. Inquire for availability, I heard mixed messages as the place was packed.You can valet your car or go inside to checkin but must leave your keys in the car and windows down at Westin Paloma. I took my valuables with me while I checked in and poked around just to be safe.First view of stepping inside the Westin Paloma.A large lounge area to the left at Westin Paloma.Looking through the lobby to the bar area at Westin Paloma. I loved the large, open space.The even bigger lobby area to check in to your left at Westin Paloma.A faux succulent wall at Westin Paloma.The La Vista cafe that gave me life at Westin Paloma.Inside it has almost everything your heart could desire at Westin Paloma.I was surprised to see Top Golf at Westin Paloma but the kids gotta start somewhere!I was loving on the lighting fixtures at Westin Paloma, much more beautiful in person.And these views were just stunning to the eyes at Westin Paloma.The social spot to be in the middle of the well-stocked bar at Westin Paloma. Submitted image.So you can see what they’re working with at Westin Paloma – over 70 bottles of mezcal and tequila.The lineup goes on for days at Westin Paloma!Back out to park the car and these signs lingered… but not really in use. Perhaps to deter randoms from loitering at Westin Paloma? Regardless, please for the love of God hotels and resorts just include parking. It’s giving Frontier vibes.A restaurant I didn’t get to explore but on my to do list at Westin Paloma across from the parking lot.And the view from the bell stands is epic at Westin Paloma. Perfect for a sunset photo!Soon I was walking down a path to my room at Westin Paloma.There are elevators located between buildings labeled with the alphabet – mine was B329 on the third floor at Westin Paloma.Each room has a little night light at Westin Paloma, ours was a dove.Inside the room and a robe awaits the first shower of the trip at Westin Paloma.The shower at Westin Paloma was nice and spicy as needed but the rain shower head was certainly a guy’s design at Westin Paloma. There was a wand to switch to but the top still dribbled and it was wonky.The tile floors could use some elbow grease or new grout at Westin Paloma. I have black tiles and it is a PITA!This design was seen all over the property in various sizes at Westin Paloma.Two sinks are better than one when with a plus one for sure at Westin Paloma.The bath tub meant for children… if only you could have watched me try to bubble bath in there at Westin Paloma. My ass is big but not that large! Plenty of space for a true soaking tub, I’m sure that’s on the next upgrade list. Were people really that small in the 80s or 90s? Damn!The coffee and cocktail station with a fridge underneath with temperature control at Westin Paloma. Starbucks is the coffee here but hoping more places catch on to using local brew instead of burnt beans.The coffee and tea lineup at Westin Paloma.A desk for work that you don’t want to do at Westin Paloma.The TV setup was much like most nowadays – enter your own passwords to apps – which I’m growing increasingly annoyed by at Westin Paloma. Part of the fun of travel was watching those HBO movies!The bed at Westin Paloma was comfy as expected by Marriott, literally why I’ve been a member for so many years at Westin Paloma. The bad part? I had a door slamming, lead foot neighbor keeping me up until at least 2 a.m. each night. I swear I’m cursed!I liked and used this little lounge space often as you can look out or just relax and read at Westin Paloma.View from the sliding glass doors included two chairs and a table in the middle at Westin Paloma.To the right you can see the window from the lobby area at Westin Paloma.Looking straight ahead and it’s pool views at Westin Paloma.And to the left, apparently there is a turtle in that mountain at Westin Paloma.Back inside the room, the telltale Westin details of lavender scents.This was actually a really good read at Westin Paloma, I learned so much about the area!And if you were brand new to Arizona, this hard back book had all the knowledge at Westin Paloma.I then walked back inside the main building to see if I wanted a full late lunch but opted for the cafe at Westin Paloma.Behold my chicken sandwich at Westin Paloma, it did a great job at keeping me satiated until dinnertime. I may have had another later!
Fine Dining in Tucson
After relaxing and then getting ready, I was excited for the Chef’s Table Dinner at The Westin La Paloma to kick off Sabores weekend whosted in the private dining room at The Westin La Paloma. Starting at 5:30 p.m. with a $100 price tag per person, this intimate evening featured a beautifully curated, multi-course menu led by Executive Chef Devin Pinto, with a special presentation by James Beard-nominated Chef Donna Nordin of Café Terra Cotta. The experience began with a refreshing mezcal and citrus spritz welcome cocktail and continues with standout dishes including Goat Cheese-Stuffed Prawns with Creamy Orzo and Black Beans, Confit Duck with Oaxacan Mole and Blue Corn, and Beef Cheek with Local Corn, Huitlacoche Foam, Hibiscus-Pickled Vegetables, and Chicharrón. For dessert, we indulged in a bright and balanced Hibiscus Lime Tart with Citrus Cremieux.
What to Wear in Tucson
This was actually pretty dressy for the Chef’s Dinner in Tucson, Arizona. Even flip flops are allowed and no, I didn’t go barefoot just for this pic!Make sure to grab a photo on the balcony in your Arizona dinner attire at Westin Paloma.
Trying to match the yellow from the cactus in bloom at Westin! You can never go wrong with a long, flowing dress in Southern Arizona. From a festival to dinner and drinks at the Chef’s Dinner, Tucson Arizona is even more relaxed and casual than even Phoenix. I even spotted flip flops in the wild which is crazy to me, especially being from the East Coast. I will admit I have traded in some heels for elevated slides – and hidden under a long skirt sneakers for running around the grounds with my Nikon. Comfort and soft fabrics over restrictive pain any day, something I completely identify with nowadays. Huge props to Gen Z, thanks for making dresses and sneakers normalized. My back and feet are sighing in relief! This was a rare opportunity to experience the culinary artistry of Tucson’s finest in an intimate, immersive setting and I was loving every minute of it. We began the experience upstairs with a roped off section adjacent to the bar.
The mezcal and citrus spritz welcome cocktail, so good I had two at Cassie Hepler Westin Paloma.Fresh made tortilla chips and three types of fresh made salsa, all very tasty at Westin Paloma.I then ran downstairs to peek into the Chef’s Dinner area in a white metal cage of art at Westin Paloma.Everyone was already excited and buzzing around at Westin Paloma.So much wine at Westin Paloma!And chilled of course as well at Westin Paloma. Full disclosure, I don’t think these were included in the cost of the meal.Once we were all settled and seated, the chefs came out to introduce themselves to us all at Westin Paloma.I switched over to the bubbles as we were starting with prawns at Westin Paloma.The Chandon rose was very sweet at Westin Paloma. See how the fork reflected in the bubbles, I love it!Very proud of this photo, I got the elusive Chef Devin to smile at Westin Paloma. Chef Donna was the sweetest pea and loved her style!The best prawn I’ve had in a while with goat cheese was divine at Westin Paloma.My neighbor was enjoying the Decoy bubbles so I tried this more dry kind at Westin Paloma.The best duck with the perfectly crispy skin at Westin Paloma, every bite was heavenly! I was getting blown away fast.The Prisoner is my new favorite red wine at Westin Paloma. I went to take a photo and Chef Devin said oh wait stop, as he added the finishing touches on our plates.Falling apart beef cheek with flavors exploding in your mouth at Westin Paloma. It was epic and I was getting stuffed!And let’s not forget the most beautiful dessert at Westin Paloma, tangy and filling.
I left the Chef’s Dinner fat and happy with another glass of red wine in my hand which I didn’t need but wanted. That was one the most filling and satisfying meals I’ve had in a long time. Usually there is something off – too much salt or not enough, too tough of meat, etc. but literally I could not find one flaw in the meal and that’s coming from a Virgo so you know it’s good. I was stuffed which was also delightful – no slice of pizza needed afterwards. Plenty of portions for everyone and so many new friends made, it was a socially fun event too.
The next morning I woke up late to this glorious spread at Westin Paloma.All the fresh everything you could ever want at Westin Paloma.A fresh made omelet? Yes please at Westin Paloma.This breakfast, coffee with oat milk and lots of fruit brought me back to life from all that wine at Westin Paloma.After checking some emails and lingering, I decided it was pool time before the big event at Westin Paloma.Creeping a little closer to get the lay of the land at Westin Paloma.I found an adults only pool which was glorious and cold as ice at Westin Paloma.There was also a larger, warmer adults only pool at Westin Paloma.But I hunkered down here both early afternoons and loved it so much at Westin Paloma. I made so many new friends here too!
Doing the cold plunge at the adults only waterfall pool! Honestly every single resort needs to have adults only sections and this was my favorite place lounging next to the waterfalls, hearing the rush of water humming a meditative tune, no screaming kids or pee in the pool while being refreshed after sizzling in the hot sun – even under umbrellas. There was also a bit warmer and larger swimming pool behind us, a hot tub right next to this ice tub water and some crazy cold loving adults stood right in the waterfall which would have given me reverse brain freeze. I would seriously return just to enjoy this slice of summer heaven!
The full weekend of Cinco de Mayo inspired culinary experiences included Saturday poolside DJ (we enjoyed that before packing up to go home), taco bar, paletas, agua frescas, and Sonoran hot dogs. Latin flavors abounded at Casa 71 and La Luz while enjoying the some Latin flavor in each brunch buffet (chilaquiles were a hit). Dining options include a Southwestern restaurant, a casual bar and grill, and a coffee shop. There are 5 outdoor pools and a waterslide (for the children on the kids side of things), as well as a kids’ club, a spa, fitness center and a 27-hole golf course Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, Country Club, tennis courts, La Paloma Spa & Salon, and more. You have to see for yourself, book here to experience the beauty and peace of Tucson, Arizona. Marriott Bonvoy members save 20 percent right now!
