City: Litchfield Park, AZ

Category: Accommodations

Telephone: (623) 935-3811, (800) 327-0396

Address: 300 Wigwam Blvd.

Insider Pick:

Description: Some say the Wigwam comes closest to capturing the essence of Arizona and the lure of the West. In recent years the west Phoenix resort’s owners have used a $7 million “rejuvenation” redesign to reestablish the Wigwam as a destination over more glamorous spots in Scottsdale and central Phoenix. This once-private club was built in 1918 to lodge visiting executives of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. and was way out in the country back then. By 1929 it opened to the public, with room for 24 guests. The 440-acre west Phoenix resort still carries reminders of a more rugged, cowboy era. Much of the original building from 1918 has been incorporated into the Main Lodge, including a sitting room with a large stone fireplace.The Wigwam is only 20 minutes from downtown Phoenix. Also distinguishing it from other resorts is the fact that it’s the only one in Arizona with three 18-hole golf courses on its property. The Gold and Blue courses were designed by Robert Trent Jones; Arizona’s “Red’’ Lawrence designed the Red course.Accommodations are arranged in clusters of casitas—331 in all, including 72 suites, decorated with distressed-wood furnishings, stone fireplaces, leather chairs, Mexican ceramic tiles, and Native American-style pottery and baskets. The casitas are Territorial Adobe architecture. They are enabled with Wi-Fi and touch-screens for easy access to the concierge. The Wigwam is home to the elegant Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa—the first Red Door in the West Valley. The 26,000-square-foot facility boasts 16 treatment rooms, an extensive menu of body treatments, and a complete range of indoor and outdoor programs in plush surroundings. Guests will be pampered in true Red Door fashion.The new Palm Courtyard outdoor plaza opened in January 2011 to host live entertainment. It is located next to the indoor/outdoor Wigwam Bar, which features classic cocktails and small bites like house-made organic potato chips and buffalo chili. Other recreational amenities include 9 tennis courts and horseback riding. For families on vacation, there’s Camp Pow Wow, a supervised recreation program that offers marshmallow roasts and other activities for children ages 5 and older. The resort features a 25-foot tower and waterslide for family fun at its uniquely designed Lodge Pool. The other, the Oasis Pool, is a great place to chill out.As part of its rejuvenation overhaul, the Wigwam chefs have shifted their focus to fresh and local Arizona ingredients. Innovative chef Chris Bianco, of the internationally renowned Pizzeria Bianco, designed the menu at the resort’s new signature restaurant, Litchfield’s. It features al fresco dining and a giant exhibition kitchen.

City: Litchfield Park, AZ

Category: Accommodations

Telephone: (623) 935-3811, (800) 327-0396

Address: 300 Wigwam Blvd.

Insider Pick:

Description: Some say the Wigwam comes closest to capturing the essence of Arizona and the lure of the West. In recent years the west Phoenix resort’s owners have used a $7 million “rejuvenation” redesign to reestablish the Wigwam as a destination over more glamorous spots in Scottsdale and central Phoenix. This once-private club was built in 1918 to lodge visiting executives of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. and was way out in the country back then. By 1929 it opened to the public, with room for 24 guests. The 440-acre west Phoenix resort still carries reminders of a more rugged, cowboy era. Much of the original building from 1918 has been incorporated into the Main Lodge, including a sitting room with a large stone fireplace.The Wigwam is only 20 minutes from downtown Phoenix. Also distinguishing it from other resorts is the fact that it’s the only one in Arizona with three 18-hole golf courses on its property. The Gold and Blue courses were designed by Robert Trent Jones; Arizona’s “Red’’ Lawrence designed the Red course.Accommodations are arranged in clusters of casitas—331 in all, including 72 suites, decorated with distressed-wood furnishings, stone fireplaces, leather chairs, Mexican ceramic tiles, and Native American-style pottery and baskets. The casitas are Territorial Adobe architecture. They are enabled with Wi-Fi and touch-screens for easy access to the concierge. The Wigwam is home to the elegant Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa—the first Red Door in the West Valley. The 26,000-square-foot facility boasts 16 treatment rooms, an extensive menu of body treatments, and a complete range of indoor and outdoor programs in plush surroundings. Guests will be pampered in true Red Door fashion.The new Palm Courtyard outdoor plaza opened in January 2011 to host live entertainment. It is located next to the indoor/outdoor Wigwam Bar, which features classic cocktails and small bites like house-made organic potato chips and buffalo chili. Other recreational amenities include 9 tennis courts and horseback riding. For families on vacation, there’s Camp Pow Wow, a supervised recreation program that offers marshmallow roasts and other activities for children ages 5 and older. The resort features a 25-foot tower and waterslide for family fun at its uniquely designed Lodge Pool. The other, the Oasis Pool, is a great place to chill out.As part of its rejuvenation overhaul, the Wigwam chefs have shifted their focus to fresh and local Arizona ingredients. Innovative chef Chris Bianco, of the internationally renowned Pizzeria Bianco, designed the menu at the resort’s new signature restaurant, Litchfield’s. It features al fresco dining and a giant exhibition kitchen.

City: Litchfield Park, AZ

Category: Golf

Telephone: (800) 909-4224

Address: 300 Wigwam Blvd.

Description: The Wigwam Resort is another bastion of the old high life of Arizona resorts. Originally built as the private domain of Goodyear executives, the Wigwam is open to those who can pay the price for these elegantly rustic surroundings. And the same goes for its 3 golf courses. The Wigwam has earned Golf Magazine’s Silver Medal Resort honors and Links Magazine’s Best of Golf Award. In addition, the Gold course was ranked as the top resort course on Golf Digest’s list of Arizona’s Best Courses. In 2005 a $5 million renovation restored both the Gold and Blue courses to their original grandeur.The Gold course features a traditional layout designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. A 7,430-yard, par-72 course, the Gold is a tough one to play with elevated greens, narrow landing areas, bunkers, and water. At 6,085 yards, the par-70 Blue course is the shortest layout at the Wigwam, but that doesn’t make it the easiest. It’s a fairly unforgiving links-style course. The 6,865-yard, par-72 Red course was designed by Arizona’s Robert “Red” Lawrence and V. O. “Red” Allen, and features lakes, creeks, and huge greens. It’s a traditional layout that is something like comfort food compared with the others, although it still presents a challenge.Greens fees for the Gold course are $129 in high season. The Red and Blue courses charge $109 in high season. All fees decrease after 10 a.m., and all fees include carts. Amenities include a clubhouse, pro shop, driving range, and practice area, as well as tennis courts, spa, dining facilities, and lessons. The Wigwam includes a staff of fully certified instructors, video bays, target greens, and putting greens. 

City: Litchfield Park, AZ

Category: Golf

Telephone: (800) 909-4224

Address: 300 Wigwam Blvd.

Description: The Wigwam Resort is another bastion of the old high life of Arizona resorts. Originally built as the private domain of Goodyear executives, the Wigwam is open to those who can pay the price for these elegantly rustic surroundings. And the same goes for its 3 golf courses. The Wigwam has earned Golf Magazine’s Silver Medal Resort honors and Links Magazine’s Best of Golf Award. In addition, the Gold course was ranked as the top resort course on Golf Digest’s list of Arizona’s Best Courses. In 2005 a $5 million renovation restored both the Gold and Blue courses to their original grandeur.The Gold course features a traditional layout designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. A 7,430-yard, par-72 course, the Gold is a tough one to play with elevated greens, narrow landing areas, bunkers, and water. At 6,085 yards, the par-70 Blue course is the shortest layout at the Wigwam, but that doesn’t make it the easiest. It’s a fairly unforgiving links-style course. The 6,865-yard, par-72 Red course was designed by Arizona’s Robert “Red” Lawrence and V. O. “Red” Allen, and features lakes, creeks, and huge greens. It’s a traditional layout that is something like comfort food compared with the others, although it still presents a challenge.Greens fees for the Gold course are $129 in high season. The Red and Blue courses charge $109 in high season. All fees decrease after 10 a.m., and all fees include carts. Amenities include a clubhouse, pro shop, driving range, and practice area, as well as tennis courts, spa, dining facilities, and lessons. The Wigwam includes a staff of fully certified instructors, video bays, target greens, and putting greens. 

City: Litchfield Park, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (623) 935-3811

Address: 300 E. Wigwam Blvd.

Description: The new Wigwam restaurant opened in 2011 as a replacement for Red’s Steakhouse. The menu features local ingredients and rivals those of other major Valley resorts. It was established by Chris Bianco, the famed pizza chef of Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix. Litchfield’s uses a wood-grill oven and features dishes that include a beet salad with vegetables from local farms, Arizona trout with pecan sage butter, and grass-fed local beef. The hype around Bianco’s new project is part of Wigwam’s recent resurgence in the Valley hospitality market, as it adds a modern flair to some of its uniquely Old West features (see Resorts chapter for more). Dinner is served daily. 

City: Litchfield Park, AZ

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (623) 935-3811

Address: 300 E. Wigwam Blvd.

Description: The new Wigwam restaurant opened in 2011 as a replacement for Red’s Steakhouse. The menu features local ingredients and rivals those of other major Valley resorts. It was established by Chris Bianco, the famed pizza chef of Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix. Litchfield’s uses a wood-grill oven and features dishes that include a beet salad with vegetables from local farms, Arizona trout with pecan sage butter, and grass-fed local beef. The hype around Bianco’s new project is part of Wigwam’s recent resurgence in the Valley hospitality market, as it adds a modern flair to some of its uniquely Old West features (see Resorts chapter for more). Dinner is served daily. 

City: Litchfield Park, AZ

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (623) 935-9453

Address: 16501 W. Northern Ave.

Description: Billed as the place to see exotic animals, Wildlife World Zoo is worth visiting if you like an informal zoo that lets you encounter animals up close. The collection, about 350 species total, includes everything from giraffes and rhinos to penguins and an albino alligator. Many visitors come to see the impressive array of birds, such as toucans, macaws, cockatoos, and ostriches. Most of the birds are in a large, walk-in aviary. At the giraffe feeding station, kids can mount a platform that puts them at eye-level with the giraffes. They can also feed the lories (small parrots) with apple wedges. Admission prices are $27.50 for adults and $14.25 for children ages 3 to 12. It’s free for children younger than 3.  

City: Litchfield Park, AZ

Category: Tours & Attractions

Telephone: (623) 935-9453

Address: 16501 W. Northern Ave.

Description: Billed as the place to see exotic animals, Wildlife World Zoo is worth visiting if you like an informal zoo that lets you encounter animals up close. The collection, about 350 species total, includes everything from giraffes and rhinos to penguins and an albino alligator. Many visitors come to see the impressive array of birds, such as toucans, macaws, cockatoos, and ostriches. Most of the birds are in a large, walk-in aviary. At the giraffe feeding station, kids can mount a platform that puts them at eye-level with the giraffes. They can also feed the lories (small parrots) with apple wedges. Admission prices are $27.50 for adults and $14.25 for children ages 3 to 12. It’s free for children younger than 3.