Loews Ventana Canyon

Inspired by the Sonoran-Desert environment of Tucson, Arizona, Loews Ventana Canyon opened in 1984 as one of the world’s first environmentally conceived resorts. Groups share the 93-acre property with more than 3,500 saguaro cacti, an 80-foot desert waterfall, 36 holes of golf, and low-rise granite buildings that almost disappear against a Santa Catalina Mountain backdrop.

Much of the 37,000 square feet of meeting space occupies the west wing, which holds the Grand and Catalina ballrooms, plus seven smaller conference rooms with a separate porte cochere for efficient loading and unloading. Other venues include the freestanding Kiva Ballroom for gatherings of up to 1,000; the Western-style Coyote Corral with picnic tables, grills, a dance floor, and soundstage; and several other unique outdoor venues. Experienced managers orchestrate everything from entertainment to meeting setups, menus, and audiovisual aids and support. Meanwhile, a host of meeting amenities, ranging from Wines by the Glass and the Loews Meetings Experience menu options to Color Breaks—an integrated approach to decor and ambience—set Loews in a class by itself.

Guests take in stunning desert views from all 398 rooms and suites, where the high-end features include oversize soaking tubs. Free-time rewards start with golf at two Tom Fazio–designed courses and go on to include tennis and visits to the Lakeside Spa’s fitness center, lap pool, and full-service salon. While some prefer to bask in the lap of luxury, others answer Mother Nature’s call to experience the high desert’s wonders via hiking and horseback riding.