Resorts, hotels and places to stay and restaurants for your Arizona Golf trip

Here are some recommendations when you are booking your trip to the Valley of the Sun and points beyond for your golf vacation. They are in no particular order.

High End:

1) The Boulders Golf Resort, Carefree, AZ
Price: $298 and up for unlimited golf and one nights stay in a casita.
Setting: 7 stars
Value: 5.5 stars
Golf: 5 stars

The Boulders is a must play and stay at least once in your life. It is a world-class resort in the gorgeous community of Carefree, 15 minutes north of Scottsdale. The entire resort is nestled in the giant monzonite boulders piled high on top of each other. The golf is good, with Jay Moorish's South course, a par-71 out and back course as the centerpiece. Individual rounds run from $95 in summer to $250 in winter.

2) The Arizona Biltmore, Scottsdale, AZ - another solid choice and my next destination when I return to Scottsadale. Convenient to all major Scottsdale Golf.

3) Ventana Canyon, Tucson, AZ
Price $199 and up for unlimited golf and a nights stay in the Resort (not the Loews).
Setting: 7 stars. Set in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mtns near trhe Saguaro National Forest
Golf: 4.5 stars. Fazio built both the Mtn and Canyon Vourse himself (not his signature team!), so its better than his McFazio work of late (see Turning Stone Casino...or on second thought...DON'T)
Value: 6 stars.

4) Enchantment, Sedona, AZ - the only choice for refined ladies and gentlemen. Call it The Boulders North, just substitute the striated Red Rocks for the monzonite Boulders.
Price:$300 and up
Setting: 7 stars
Golf 4 stars. I actually find the resort course charming and low impact. Its 5500 feet above sea level, so I hit the ball like an animal.

Mid-Range:

1) McCormick Ranch (Millenium Resort), Scottsdale - The umber one choice for Mid Range. Huge three room villas in a centrally located area convenient to everything - golf, restaurants and shopping.
7401 N. Scottsdale Rd
480.948.5050
Price: $250 Villas, $100 rooms
Value: 5.5 stars
Setting 5 stars.
Golf: N/A - set up your own trip.

I stayed here this trip and it was just perfect - everything I needed at a great rate. The number one choice for families and golf groups.

Budget:

Resort Suites:

If you're on a budget, this is the choice. www.resortsuites.com. Can setup packages.

Food:

1) Sapporo - phenomenal sushi and habachi dinners. great digs and beautiful young women. I wished my girl was with me this trip just to take her here. Check out the torches...amazing. Seen below, Gary and Chris from Bowling for Soup and I enjoy Eel, Lobster and pear martinis.

2. Tonto Grill - what a great deal. The most expensive meal on the menu - filet mignon was $24. Most dishes are about $18. The Flauta of lobster and shrimp was a meal of itself and the New Mexican penne pasta with feta and red peppers and onions was quite an original take. Seen below, rock meets golf course architecture as Brian Silva and his wife Madeline party like rock stars with your author and BFS. Rock on Honorable Ones.

3. Zinc is a terrific French Bistro/cafe. Try the steak.