#318 - Lodge on the Desert Tucson

Lodge on the Desert

There were dramatic skies when Don and I arrived in Tucson, last January.

The rustling palms and dark clouds were ominous, but a sudden glow of sun, made the entrance to the old resort looked bright and welcoming. In fact it looked new.

The Old Resort

Actually, Lodge on the Desert is nearly 90 years old. I found this photo displayed with others, inside the lobby. It shows the modest lodge in earlier years.

The "Lodge" (the hotel's name is a mouthful!) began as a private residence in 1931. The owners expanded their 4-bedroom property and began welcoming guests to their desert oasis, in 1936.

New Lobby

The lobby and staff was very welcoming, but our room wasn't ready. No problem. I studied old photos and news clippings.

Staff member Caitlyn was eager to share about the hotel's history. She said the old lodge almost became a strip mall a couple decades ago. Luckily the property was rescued from demolition in 1997! Massive renovations and additions made the lodge lovely again.

1950's

The lodge began with only 7 guest rooms. By the fifties, there were many more rooms. Guests could swim or play pingpong... or just relax on a chaise lounge with a view of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

By the 1950's the hotel had become popular with filmmakers and stars. Many classic western films were shot in the Tucson area. The people involved in them, sometimes ended up at Lodge on the Desert. 

​Filming in 1915

I wish I had photos of some of those celebrity guests. The Lodge website mentions John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart and Paul Newman. My grandmother wasn't on that list, but I have a photo of her when she was in a film, shot in Tucson.

Filmmaking was happening in Tucson, as early as 1915. That's when my grandmother (age 10) played the part of a child, who was hit by a car. She ran home with a 5 dollar gold piece for her small part.

The Pool in 2023

In 2008, 69 new rooms were added, along with this contemporary pool.  

Our stay was too short! I regret that we didn't at least make time for the hot tub!

Cactus Garden

After we got our room key, we wandered the grounds.

Today the property has expanded to 5 acres and it was easy to get lost. 

I have no clue how many different kinds of cactus we spotted.

I don't know about wild life. Desert snakes? I only saw a metal donkey.  

The garden was so lovely, with so many varied shapes and shades of green.

Comparing!

​We arrived at the Lodge, after an afternoon at Saguaro National Park. It's hard to compete with that park's amazing desert landscape!

But the lodge grounds competed well. They were appealing in a totally different way. 

The brick-lined path was neat and tidy after the dusty park. Our luggage rumbled along easily.
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The Buildings

The shapes of the buildings were as varied as the cactus. Well, actually the building shapes were mostly straight lines, but the structures were all different.

The levels and arrangements were unique. It reminded me of building a village with wooden blocks.

Which is Old?

​I knew that the original stucco buildings went back to the 1930s. I knew the new buildings had been added over the decades. ​

But honestly, it was hard to tell which buildings were original. They did a great job with the additions.

Old Pueblo

I assume the original structures were all single level.

I tried to find something that matched this old postcard.

​Almost. But this was actually a second story deck and guest room. 

I loved the mountains in the distance. This view made it feel like we were still out in the middle of nowhere. But Tucson has actually grown up around the 5-acre property.

Casita #239

I skipped Expedia and booked a Casita Room by phoning the hotel. 

The website was a little confusing and I wanted to be sure we got a room in one of the original buildings.

Our room was on the second level, overlooking the cactus gardens.

Our 2 windows offered a good view of the village-like property.

There was something so soothing about the earthy colors!

Fireside Casita Double Queen

When I phoned to book, I spoke with Caitlyn and told her I was hoping for one of the historic rooms, with beamed ceiling and fireplace. 

Lucky for us, the vintage Casita Rooms were cheaper than the recently renovated luxury rooms. (This one was $222. on a weekend.) Caitlyn steered me towards a vintage double queen room that had beams and fireplace.

Guest Ranch Rooms

​The 2 queen beds hardly took up any space in the room. The original guest rooms at the lodge were built large to welcome guests who came for long periods in the winter.

The 19-inch thick adobe walls meant we didn't hear our neighbor's smoke alarm, when it went off in the night. She apologized when we met her outside in the morning.
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Large Bathroom!

Our bathroom wasn't as updated as most of the lodge rooms, but we had a crazy amount of space.

There was a dressing area with dressers and fridge and coffeemaker and a huge closet.

​Sitting Area

I was excited about our sitting area with the corner fireplace.

But we hardly had time to make use, since we had friends to visit in Tucson.

In the morning, we at least enjoyed coffee with the fireplace!

A Quick Visit to Cielos

For many years, the lodge didn't have a restaurant. Today the hotel restaurant & bar, attracts lots of travelers and locals.

The gated entrance from the parking lot made it clear that Ceilos attracts more than hotel guests.

We took a different journey, that took us through the gardens. I loved the old mission-feel, with the bells!

Patio Dining

It was January, so the beautiful Saltillo-tiled patio was empty.

But there was a 4-sided fireplace, so I'm guessing crowds came a little later. It was just 5 pm.

Just past the covered part of the patio, I found the restaurant entrance.

I didn't disturb the early diners, who were in a different room.

But I enjoyed a peek in this space, with rough-hewn beams, colorful planters and curious lighting fixtures.

Happy Hour!

Don and I only had 30 minutes before heading off to meet friends. But we couldn't miss Happy Hour, with our complimentary margaritas!

This is not how the bar looked at 5 pm. It was actually full of guests. (my photo is from morning) Don and I grabbed the only remaining table.

Ford Treasury Cookbook

Our bartender was a little rushed with the crowds, but he made it over to us and we placed our order.

As he dashed off to get our complimentary margaritas, I pulled out my cookbook. 

Cookbook Encounter!

When Luis returned with our food and drink, I didn't waste time. "Luis, do you know if the restaurant serves Banana Chantilly anymore?" Luis was pretty sure they didn't. 

Before our bartender could escape, I showed him our 1963 cookbook, with recipes from restaurants and hotels all over the U.S. The featured recipe for The Lodge, was the sweet meringue treat. The vintage illustration was from a time, back when the dining room was closed in the summer.

Photo Time!
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Luis was maybe not as impressed with the old book, as some older folks who remember driving around the country in a Ford... (me) 

But he was game to take a photo with us! Thanks to the guest at a nearby table, who took our photo. She made sure to get some Saguaro cactus art in our photo! 

Passing the Book

Before long the book was being passed around. 

The other guests were mostly our age. Retired winter travelers, who were curious about the book and the watercolor image. showing an old sign and barbed wire fence. 

Award Winning Margarita

​I forgot to take a photo of our margaritas and our guacamole. 

I stole a photo off the internet and now the image is making me crave a margarita and guac feast! The Cielos Margarita won World Championship Margarita, in 2019!

Peaceful Night

​Don and I returned from our friend meet up, with a box of pizza and salads.

It was lovely walking along the glowing pathways, to our casita. 

I made use of the hotel robe and enjoyed my pizza by the fire!

Morning

We had a long travel day the next day. I hated leaving without more exploring.

What was this big lawn for? Weddings? I wish we could have had a real meal at Cielos. But we had to get on the road. 

​What's Notable?

I absolutely love how this hotel feels. Isolated and cozy and safe, as if it were still in the middle of the desert. Now, the 103-room lodge, is an Urban Hacienda, surrounded by neighborhoods and busy streets. 

I love that the lodge was rescued and renovated. I love the history. (It was even used for air force officer training during WWII! But mostly I loved the quiet cactus gardens and our spacious room with fireplace! I would love to return and spend some time on the restaurant patio and around the pool! 
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