Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa

Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa Overview

You know what surprised me most about Westward Look? It’s actually built right into the foothills of the Catalina Mountains, so when you’re sitting by the pool, you’re literally looking up at hiking trails and saguaro cacti scattered across the hillside. I mean, most Tucson resorts just give you views of other hotels, but this place feels like it’s part of the desert landscape rather than fighting against it.

The property itself has this interesting split personality thing going on – it’s definitely upscale (hello, Wyndham Grand branding), but it doesn’t feel stuffy or overly polished. The spa building is gorgeous, honestly, with these massive stone walls that keep everything cool even when it’s 110 degrees outside. And speaking of heat, if you’re visiting in summer, the pool area becomes your best friend around 4 PM when that brutal afternoon sun finally starts to mellow out. The main pool has this infinity edge that seems to spill right into the desert – pretty dramatic for photos, though the deck chairs fill up fast during peak season.

What I really appreciated was how they’ve managed to keep some of that old Arizona charm while still feeling modern. The rooms are solid (not huge, but well laid out), and most have those private patios where you can actually hear coyotes at night if you’re staying on the mountain side. Fair warning though – if you’re a light sleeper, maybe request a room away from Ina Road because you’ll catch some traffic noise, especially during rush hour. The resort restaurant is decent, but honestly, you’re like fifteen minutes from some incredible Mexican food on Oracle Road, so don’t feel obligated to eat every meal on property. Check-in was smooth when I was there, though I’ve heard it can get backed up during snowbird season when all the Midwest retirees descend on Tucson.

The hiking trails basically start from the hotel grounds, which is pretty cool if you’re into that sort of thing – just remember to start early because desert hiking after 9 AM from October through April (and after sunrise the rest of the year) is not for amateurs. The concierge actually knows the trails and can point you toward the easier ones if you’re not trying to summit anything. Overall, it’s one of those places that manages to feel both relaxing and genuinely connected to why people fall in love with Southern Arizona in the first place.