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Paradise Valley Houses Exquisite Montelucia Resort

Monday, October 25th, 2010

Many people own beautiful luxury Paradise Valley homes and real estate. But what if you’re a visitor or want to enjoy fine dining or entertain special guests? Nestled on the boundary of Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, one of the most sumptuous resorts in the entire Phoenix metropolitan area is the luxurious InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa. This breathtaking resort is a magical place reminiscent of a European town square with floral walkways, arching entryways and splashing fountains. While at the resort, you can indulge yourself at the exotic Moroccan-inspired Joya Spa or dine at Prado Restaurant and enjoy locally grown ingredients crafted into award-winning dishes. If you’d rather sit poolside at ROQ, this outdoor American bistro features an elegant menu of American classics updated with a modern twist.  

 

The InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa boasts 253 luxurious guest rooms and 40 suites, including the Andalusian Presidential Suite and the Camelback Villa, host to 3,000 square feet of indoor living space, plus a private patio and pool. Each guest room enjoys flat-screen televisions, high-speed and wireless Internet access, individual climate controls, a fully stocked mini bar, feather beds and large working areas. In addition, all guest rooms pamper the senses with lavish baths flaunting an oversized sunken bathtub and a roomy walk-in shower with dual showerheads. All rooms also have private terrace patios with mountain or pool views and living-room style seating.  

When it comes to upscale dining, the InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa wows with six unique restaurants and venues, highlighted by Prado, the resort’s signature restaurant that reflects the architectural motifs of Villa San Michele which was designed by Michelangelo in Florence, Italy. Prado offers an amazing menu of delicious fare, flavored with an Italian accent and focused on locally grown, seasonal and sustainable ingredients prepared over a wood-fired grill. Within Prado is Mbar, featuring an extensive collection of premium 100 percent agave tequilas, authentic tapas and an ambience ideal for socializing.  

For Joya Spa guests, Joya Terrace serves healthful food and drink to savor by the rooftop pool whose spectacular views are of the dramatic majesties of Camelback Mountain. Meanwhile, ROQ entices guests with a sparkling pool and showcases a bar that prepares sensational poolside cocktails and delights the palette a wealth of fabulous dishes including a variety of flavorful French fries from around the world. Another poolside option is Oasis Pavilion, a tranquil pool with seasonal service of beverages and light fare.  rl0z1

Source: www.icmontelucia.com; information used with permission.

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Many Luxurious Resort At Home in Paradise Valley

Tuesday, October 19th, 2010

The town of Paradise Valley, Arizona real estate houses several  gorgeous resorts that offer guests classic elegance in peaceful settings with amenities and charm galore.  

For example, the InterContinental Montelucia Resort & Spa is well-known throughout the state as one of the Valley’s premier resorts. In fact, President Obama stayed at the Montelucia during a recent visit to Phoenix. Snuggled at the foot of Camelback Mountain, the facility is awash with the ambience of a quaint European town square thanks to its crystal clear fountains and flower-draped walkways. If you’re feeling stressed, book a treatment at the Moroccan-influenced Joya Spa or go for a relaxing swim in one of the resort’s smooth-as-glass swimming pools. When you’re ready for dinner, the resort has six on-site restaurants including the delectable Italian eatery Prado and the poolside bistro, ROQ. If children or grandchildren are along for your stay, be sure to check out the Planet Trekkers Kids Club.  

Paradise Valley Resort InterContinental Montelucia

Tucked high up on a mountainside overlooking a sea of shimmering city lights, Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain boasts 105 luxurious casitas with incredible views of the surrounding area. Sanctuary Spa has a soothing meditation garden and fitness center as well as Asian-inspired treatments. The on-site restaurant, elements, is famous locally for its fresh cuisine, while jade bar features an impressive wine list. Close to distinctive Scottsdale shopping and championship golf courses, guests of the resort may also enjoy spending time in the infinity pool, playing tennis, or perhaps hiking trails nestled along Camelback Mountain. Some of the casitas even come with private outdoor soaking tubs, kitchen alcoves and/or alfresco balconies from which to admire the panoramic views.  

Backed by the scenic terrain of majestic Mumm
y Mountain, the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa is located on a spectacular 125-acre parcel of prime Paradise Valley real estate. The resort, which originally opened in 1936 as a seasonal getaway with rates ranging from $10 to $25 a night, was used by the late U.S. Senator Barry Goldwater as his headquarters during the 1964 presidential campaign. In 1967, the Camelback Inn was sold to the Marriott Corporation, and it has since been renovated to become a AAA Five-Diamond resort. Start your day with 36 holes of fabulous golf and then spend the afternoon at the Spa at Camelback Inn, followed by a memorable meal at one of the resort’s six delightful restaurants. rl0z1

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If You Love to Golf, Paradise Valley is Home to Great Courses

Friday, October 15th, 2010

If you love to golf, you will definitely love Paradise Valley, Arizona. The exclusive Paradise Valley real estate is tucked against beautiful Camelback Mountain near Scottsdale and Phoenix, has some of the most scenic golf courses in the entire state of Arizona.  

Let’s start with Mountain Shadows Golf Club. Located in the foothills of Camelback Mountain, Mountain Shadows just might be one of the most gorgeous courses in the state. This 3,081-yard, par-56 executive course, which gives the illusion of playing right into the mountain, is landscaped with lush oleanders and tall palm trees that help visually guide you through your play. PS: If your tee-time is late in the day, you could be lucky enough to witness an awe-inspiring sunset as you finish out your round on the 18th hole.  



If we cruise on over to Tatum Boulevard, we’ll find the Paradise Valley Country Club, home to the Paradise Valley Golf Course, an 18-hole par-72 course featuring over 6,800 yards of amazing golf. Opened for play in 1954, the course was designed by noted golf course architect Lawrence Marion Hughes.  

Meanwhile, the JW Marriott Camelback Inn has 36 holes of championship golf that are sure to please golf aficionados. The Padre Course has water holes, challenging bunkers and mature trees, all spread across its 6,903 yards, and here’s an interesting factoid: Its 18th hole was once voted the “Best Water Hole” by Arizona Golf Magazine. The Indian Bend Course is a more traditional American-links course with sensational mountain backgrounds as well as eucalyptus- and palm tree-lined fairways. Formidable, but also very laidback, this par-72 course offers golfers of all skill levels a great day on the links.  

What else? How ‘bout Stonecreek Golf Club on East Paradise Village Parkway…this links-style 18-hole course boasts five separate holes with water hazards. In 1989, the course was redesigned by Arthur Hills to maximize its speedy greens and hilly fairways. Each year, the club hosts the LPGA Mitsubishi Pro Am along with a number of local tournaments.  rl0z1

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Fast Facts About Paradise Valley Arizona

Friday, October 8th, 2010

Magnificent scenery and topography, majestic urban mountains, breathtaking mansions and sumptuous estates have made the aptly-named town of Paradise Valley one of the premiere places in the entire Southwest in which to live.  

Details: An exclusive enclave of luxury homes and prime Paradise Valley real estate intimately nestled in the center of the Phoenix, Arizona metropolitan area. Although the town is relatively small in terms of land and population, the home-buying market is definitely high end—median home prices are currently $1.74 million, with many exceeding $5 million and some over $20 million.  

According to the town’s website, Paradise Valley is primarily zoned for single-family residential use, allowing just one home per lot. No multiple housing units are permitted, and since most of Paradise Valley is zoned R-43, the size of each lot must be at least one acre. There are some smaller residential lots that are also zoned R-43, but they were less than one acre when they came into the town and are considered “grandfathered”. Complete zoning ordinance information, including information on building and structure heights, setbacks, etc., is listed on the town’s website.  

Here are a number of interesting and useful “Fast Facts” about Paradise Valley.*  

  • Incorporation date: May 24, 1961
  • Population: 14,215
  • Area: 16.5 square miles
  • Borders: Shea Boulevard to the north; Scottsdale Road to the east; 32nd Street to the west; Chaparral Road to the south
  • Town mailing address: 6401 East Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, Arizona 85253
  • Paradise Valley Town Website Information: 480-948-7411 (Town Hall) or 480-948-7418 (Police)
  • Police, Fire or Medical Emergency: 911
  • Type of government: Council/Manager
  • U.S. Congressional District Number 3
  • State Legislative District Number 11
  • Maricopa County Supervisorial Districts Numbers 2 and 3  

*Source: (http://www.ci.paradise-valley.az.us)  #RL-bp~2

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Interesting Information About Paradise Valley and Real Estate

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010
Nestled in the center of the Phoenix metropolitan area, Paradise Valley, Arizona is located about three miles from Scottsdale and about eight miles from Tempe. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 15.5 square miles.

The Paradise Valley real estate market is definitely high end—median home prices are currently $1.74 million, with many exceeding $5 million and some over $20 million. Although Paradise Valley is relatively small in terms of its land and population, its dozen or so exclusive resorts and its wealth of gorgeous mansions, sprawling estates and magnificent topography have made it one of the state’s premiere tourist destinations. Speaking of terrain, Paradise Valley is surrounded by some of the best-known and most scenic natural formations in the metropolitan Phoenix area. Mummy Mountain is close by, as is Camelback Mountain to the south and Piestewa Peak to the west.

Piestewa Peak

The population of Paradise Valley is estimated to be about 15,000 and the 2000 Census report found 5,549 households, representing about a 17 percent growth rate from 1990. The home-ownership rate is about 97 percent.

Overall, the average household size in Paradise Valley was 2.71 people and the average family size was 2.98; 76.1 percent were married couples living together. One-third had children under the age of 18 living with them and just over four percent were headed by a female with no husband present. Almost seven percent had someone living alone who was over the age of 65.

Just under 25 percent of Paradise Valley residents are under the age of 18; four percent are from ages 18 to 24; almost 19 percent are from ages 25 to 44; and almost 36 percent are from ages 45 to 64. The median age was found to be 46, with just over 16 percent aged 65 years or older. Meanwhile, the male-female ratio is pretty evenly split, with 98.7 men for every 100 women.

The racial makeup of Paradise Valley is about 95 percent White; 0.73 percent African-American; 0.20 percent Native-American; two percent Asian; 0.04 percent Pacific Islander; and 2.66 Hispanic or Latino. Crime statistics in Paradise Valley tend to be much lower than the Arizona average and violent crimes are also much less than the state average.

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Camelback Inn Real Estate is True Paradise In the Valley

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

Way back in the day, i.e., around 1936, an ambitious would-be hotelier named Jack Stewart persuaded a group of investors to finance construction of a new resort nestled in the lush high Sonoran desert. The investors were led by Stewart’s friend, John C. Lincoln, an Ohio businessman who believed in Stewart’s vision of a world-class retreat snuggled in the shadows of Camelback Mountain on acres and acres of prime land. In years to come, the gorgeous Scottsdale and Paradise Valley real estate area that is home to the Camelback Inn, became a haven for luxurious homes, estates and mansions.

Designed by architect Edward Loomis Bowes, the Camelback Inn originally accommodated 75 guests and cost an at-the-time whopping $75,000 to build. The resort immediately attracted affluent travelers who endured long train rides to Phoenix from the East Coast and Midwest, then suffered another 12-mile trek down bumpy dirt roads to reach their Southwestern adventure. But the trip was well worth it, culminating in a serene setting and activities such as horseback riding, desert exploration and other outdoor excursions that introduced vacationers to the wonders of their secluded surroundings.

Welcoming guests and making them feel at home is a Camelback Inn tradition that was begun by Stewart and his wife, the former Mabel Louise Shoemaker. Louise was known as a social dynamo who organized grand events instilling a spirit of camaraderie among guests that lives on to this day.

Early guest-lists were rife with rich and famous business leaders, high-placed politicos and A-list Hollywood celebrities including Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart and Bette Davis. J. W. Marriott, Sr. shared the Stewarts’ love for the Camelback Inn, and in 1967, Marriott proudly made the Camelback Inn the company’s first resort.

J.W. (Bill) Marriott, Jr., sustained his father’s commitment to the Camelback Inn by overseeing further expansion. These continuous improvements have earned the resort numerous accolades over the years, and in February 1989, another magnificent addition was unveiled: The Spa at Camelback Inn. The 31,000-square-foot full-service facility has been ranked one of the Top 100 spas in the world.

While spa-fans will fall in love with The Spa, golf aficionados will definitely appreciate the Camelback Inn’s 36 holes of championship golf. In fact, the Padre Course features soaring shade trees and strategic bunkering, while desert and mountain views, towering palm – and eucalyptus-lined fairways and multiple lakes surround the Indian Bend Course.

The Camelback Inn, a celebrated fixture at the foot of Camelback Mountain for nearly eight decades, saw some major updates in 2007, including new restaurants, a reinvention of the main building, a complete rebuild of the ballroom and the creation of a soothing experiential courtyard with water and fire elements. Known for some time now as the JW Marriott Camelback Inn, all of these new changes were designed to showcase the unique essence and soul of this legendary historical landmark whose tag-line says it all: “In all the world, only one.”

Source: www.CamelbackInn.com; information used with permission.

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Paradise Valley Boasts Delicious Restaurants

Monday, September 13th, 2010

Whether you’re a visitor or you own real estate in Paradise Valley AZ is definitely a fabulous place for gourmets, gourmands and foodies on the prowl for palette-pleasing cuisine.

Let’s start with LON’s at the Hermosa Inn, which has been named by numerous reviewers as well as national publications as one of the most desirable places to eat in the entire Phoenix metropolitan area. In fact, USA Today, Zagat and the Wine Spectator have all sung the praises of LON’s at one time or another. Flattered by rich hardwood and adobe touches, the dining room itself is a place of beauty, but if you’d rather, you can savor your meal on the patio by one of the romantic fireplaces scattered throughout the bar and dining areas. Interesting factoid: Many of the herbs, vegetables, grains and fruits used in cooking at LON’s are grown right on the Inn’s grounds, and much of the other produce used is locally grown.

If you’re yearning for Spanish-style dishes, then you should head over to the Prado restaurant at the InterContinental Montelucia Resort where the wood-fired grilled entrees are inspired by traditional Andalusian cuisine. Along with a well-stocked wine cellar, Prado boasts patio and private dining areas with to-die-for views of Camelback Mountain and the lush resort grounds.

Meanwhile, Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa recently renovated its elements restaurant with a state-of-the art kitchen ready to serve up an expanded menu featuring farm-fresh American cooking with an Asian flair. Along with LON’s, elements prides itself on using only the finest local produce available. A favorite meal for many begins with a braised bacon and poached egg salad served on organic greens and topped with soy sesame vinaigrette, followed by a main course of prime flat-iron steak, roasted oyster mushrooms, baby potatoes and spring onions.

On a more casual note, Rita’s Kitchen inside the JW Marriott Camelback Inn is a charming eatery with home-style regional fare. Flaunting terracotta floors, wood-beamed ceilings and copper and stone accents, Rita’s enjoys a warm and welcoming Southwestern feel. The menu includes selections from north and south of the border, and as with the restaurants mentioned above, Rita’s is also well-known for its seasonal selection of delightfully delicious fresh ingredients.

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The Pleasures of Living in Paradise Valley

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

If you’re looking for multi-million dollar homes on acre-plus homesites, as well as amazing vistas and a community that has a sophisticated yet rural look and feel to it, you are looking for Paradise Valley, Arizona. This town of Paradise Valley is nestled at the base of Camelback Mountain and Mummy Mountain, and is almost perfectly situated between Scottsdale and Phoenix. Here you can find sprawling properties that are home to man-made masterpieces, as well as nature-created scenic views that simply have to be seen to be believed.

There is not a lot of Paradise Valley real estate, with only 16 miles worth of homes, making this a high-class real estate area. There are also a number of private schools and world-class hotels and resorts that call Paradise Valley home – names like the Camelback inn, the Phoenician, and the Sanctuary Resort and Spa are names that you’ll instantly come to associate with luxurious. These places, however, not only cater to the rich and famous, but they offer amazing venues that the locals and visitors can also enjoy, including tennis, hiking, and golf.

This luxurious area was not always an expensive place to live. In the 1880’s, the Rio Verde Canal Company used it as a place for cattle to graze as well as farmland. In 1889, Rio Verde sent three surveyors to work on the project, and they became so enthralled by the tranquility and beauty of the desert landscape that they deemed the name “Paradise Valley” to the area. It wasn’t until 1961, however, when it became what it is today. At that point the residents opted to keep real estate zoning to one house per acre minimum, and to keep the community largely residential, which allows Paradise Valley to have a charm-filled ambience, and what transformed it into a place that is synonymous with luxury and high class. With large open spaces, sensational views, amazing mountains and desert vistas, Paradise Valley will always be a little slice of paradise for not only people who live there, but also for those who visit.

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Experience Paradise Valley From a Jeep Tour

Friday, September 3rd, 2010
If you want the inside scoop on what makes Arizona- and specifically Paradise Valley- so wonderful, then the Arizona Desert Jeep Tours are for you.  There are a few different companies that offer this service in and around the Scottsdale and Paradise Valley real estate, but regardless of which you choose, the experience will be unlike anything else you have ever encountered.  Capture some unbelievable snap-shots, or simply enjoy the breeze through your hair as the open air jeeps cruise the desert paths, giving you the ride of a lifetime. 

photo from www.azdesertmountainjeep.com

One company that provides a number of exciting options to tourists is Arizona Desert Mountain Jeep Tour.  You have the luxury of choosing from a number of themed tours, which provide the benefits of taking in the landscapes and learning along the way.

The sunset dinner tour highlights the unbelievable night skies including the famous sunsets that make Paradise Valley such a desirable location.  Cover the unclaimed real estate of the west before settling in at a real Country Western Steakhouse for a good meal, some good old fashion country music, and even an Old West stage show.

If that isn’t quite what you are looking for, then you might consider the Old Prospector Gold Panning Tour, which takes you through a living cactus forest to a natural running stream and teaches you the art of gold panning.  This trip is guaranteed gold and you may even take some of it home with you.

It is not just jeep tours that this company specializes in, however.  These men and women live in and understand the real west.  The Paradise Valley residents are willing to show you the real ways of the west.  Join them for a horseback ride through the desert, a photo shoot of some of the best landscapes this area has to offer, or even shack up for the night.  Pitching a tent in the Paradise Valley desert is truly being one with nature.  The guides will even take you out on a nocturnal tour to witness the marvelous wildlife that ventures out in the late hours.

Arizona Desert Mountain Jeep Tours wants to provide you a real western experience and they make sure to offer a myriad of ways to take it all in.  You might even join them for a true Western cookout.  Enjoy the tastes of the west grill side, and take a seat to taste, drink, and take in all that the desert has to offer.  Whether jumping in a open-topped jeep or sitting at a picnic table, this is one way that the west can leave a lasting impact on you.

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The Sanctuary Real Estate in Paradise Valley Has Storied History

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

One area of Paradise Valley luxury real estate that exudes not just sophistication and style, but also a wealth of history, is the Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa. And what many people do not realize is that this exclusive resort’s legacy is filled with Hollywood celebrities, international tennis stars and even highly placed politicos.

According to The Sanctuary’s website, www.sanctuaryoncamelback.com, the story begins back in the early 1950s when the unique mountainside property was purchased by a group of investors including Hollywood stars Joanne Dru, John Ireland and Sydney Chaplin, Charlie Chaplin’s son. Joanne Dru was a famous actress who worked with big names including Jimmy Stewart, Al Jolson and John Ford; she and Ireland, who worked with Stanley Kubrick, Michael Landon and Broderick Crawford among others, were married at the time. Well-known architect Hiram Hudson Benedict, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright, was tapped to design a clubhouse, and Benedict and Ireland developed the clubhouse, five tennis courts and a prototype casita that become John Ireland’s Arizona home.

Throughout the 1950s, the facility was known as the Paradise Valley Racquet Club. Thanks to its Hollywood cachet, the tennis club attracted la crème de la crème of motion picture stars along with world-ranked tennis figures such as Ken Rosewall and Pancho Gonzales. As the 1950s turned into the 1960s, local real estate entrepreneurs Vik Jackson and Les Heitel brought together an investment group that purchased the Racquet Club’s 53 mountainside acres, including the tennis courts, casitas and clubhouse. Meanwhile, tennis-training impresarios John and Barbara Gardiner were in the process of expanding their California-based tennis business. They became part of the operation and decided to construct additional casitas as well as expansive homes on the property, which then became known as John Gardiner’s Tennis Ranch.

At about the same time, Paradise Valley resident and political heavyweight Senator Barry Goldwater was spearheading a group that was formed to preserve Camelback Mountain. The Tennis Ranch provided strong support for the preservation movement which eliminated development of land above the 1,700-foot level of Camelback Mountain. To help ensure that the mountain was preserved, the owners of the tennis facility transferred acreage from their privately-owned real estate into the Preserve.

In addition to helping save Camelback Mountain, the resort also supported community causes by holding numerous celebrity tennis tournaments to benefit a variety of charities. These tournaments drew many Hollywood stars, both as players and as spectators, including Dean Martin, Jimmy Durante, Liza Minelli, Johnny Carson, Bill Cosby and others. The Senator’s Cup Tennis Tournament was also hosted at the Ranch, featuring members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and other politicians who battled for bragging rights in front of an often-packed gallery.

A few ownership transitions later, along with massive renovations, and the resort took on new life when it reopened in March 2001 as Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa. The Sanctuary is now home to not just a storied history, but also magnificent spa-like amenities, sensational valley-wide views and award-winning fine dining.

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