Learn on to discover the haunted tales and wealthy historical past of Tucson’s Westward Look Resort, a must-visit for curious vacationers.
I’m intrigued by haunted motels, so after I found that Tucson’s Westward Look is rumored to have a ghost, I used to be desperate to discover. Whereas I didn’t encounter any ghosts, I acquired an actual really feel for the historical past that makes the resort so endearing to guests.
A Western Dream Dwelling
In 1912, Tucson was a tiny spot within the Sonoran Desert, house to about 13,000 residents. The encompassing desert referred to as to William and Maria Watson, who selected to homestead 172 acres 10 miles out of city on the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains.
The Watsons commissioned a neighborhood architect to design a hacienda-style house that might be a welcoming oasis for family and friends. Immediately’s Viga Room, situated simply off the foyer, was the household’s lounge. The ocotillo lining the ceiling is unique to 1912.
The couple continued to welcome visitors, finally including 15 cottages to the property to accommodate guests from the East. In 1917, the Watsons welcomed Mrs. Gloria Hutchins to their house to work as a maid and nanny. And that’s the place our ghost story begins.
The primary constructing at Westward Look Resort was the unique household hacienda. Picture by Susan Lanier-Graham
The Westward Look Ghost
Gloria Hutchins was a 19-year-old blonde-haired younger lady who traveled by rail to start her two-year appointment with the household within the Spring of 1917. She would spend the time there saving cash whereas ready for her husband to return from serving in France with the Military throughout World Struggle I.
Younger Gloria would retire to her second-floor room every night, open the window, and watch the oak tree shimmering within the moonlight set towards the Santa Catalinas. From that spot, she would write letters to her husband every night, which Mr. Wilson would mail for her. He additionally recalled gathering letters arriving from Europe and delivering them to Gloria. As World Struggle I grew extra fierce, the Watsons noticed Gloria grew extra involved because the summer time continued till sooner or later, a person arrived on horseback. It was August 12, 1917, and the person got here bearing a telegram from the US Struggle Division. Gloria’s husband had died on the Battle of the Marne on July 15, 1917.
The Watsons mentioned Gloria was inconsolable. She locked herself in her room and didn’t come down for dinner. She saved herself sequestered for 3 days. On August 15, one month after her younger husband’s demise, Mr. Watson discovered Gloria in a white robe, hanging from a saddle rope thrown over the bottom department of the previous oak tree, the love letters and telegram scattered under her.
The previous oak tree nonetheless stands within the again courtyard of the principle constructing at Westward Look Resort. Picture by Susan Lanier-Graham
The household by no means once more used Gloria’s room, and lots of report that even immediately, she wanders within the stairwell of the Tinaja Room, heading to look out of the window the place she left for her husband on the fifteenth of every month.
I wandered up the stairwell above the Tinaja Room and gazed out Gloria’s window. The previous oak tree nonetheless stands, and I might virtually really feel the younger lady’s heartache.
From Household Hacienda to Resort
The Watsons continued to take pleasure in their house within the desert regardless of the month-to-month hauntings and welcomed guests from the east who sought out the gorgeous Arizona climate. The household later bought the ranch to the Nason household, who renamed it Westward Look.
A poem by Arthur Hugh Clough impressed the ranch’s title. The poem was made standard in a 1941 speech by Sir Winston Churchill, through which he mentioned, “In entrance, the solar rises slowly, how slowly! However, westward, look…the land is vibrant.” It appeared applicable, and Westward Look turned a thriving dude ranch all through the Nineteen Forties.
The Nasons bought the property within the Sixties, and Westward Look turned Tucson’s first resort. It supplied wonderful eating with tuxedo-clad waiters, luxurious lodging, and chic assembly areas with breathtaking desert views.
I loved wandering the grounds at Westward Look Resort. Picture by Susan Lanier-Graham
Immediately’s Westward Look Resort
Immediately, Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa is a AAA 4-Diamond property surrounded by Tucson, a metropolis of greater than half 1,000,000 residents. Though you’re within the city, you continue to really feel faraway from the hustle and bustle as you wander the gorgeous grounds, with the Santa Catalinas on one aspect and town’s lights unfold out within the different path.
The resort is a gem that places you within the coronary heart of Tucson, providing an ideal respite for a number of days’ escape or a pleasant place to name house whereas exploring Tucson. There at the moment are 214 visitor rooms, the Sonoran Spa, Palm restaurant, eight tennis courts, three swimming pools, and ample mountain climbing and horseback using in cooperation with Catalina Driving Membership.
The entrance entry welcomes you to Westward Look Resort. Picture courtesy Westward Look Resort
Finest Rooms at Westward Look
We stayed in a casita junior suite and loved that. It had a beautiful sitting space, excessive ceilings, and a big balcony providing views over town.
Casita Jr. Suite at Westward Look Resort. Picture courtesy Westward Look Resort
Our suite missed the grownup pool, a quiet place to hang around and benefit from the climate.
The decrease, adult-only pool is a quiet respite on the foot of the Catalinas. Picture courtesy Westward Look Resort
If you wish to be nearer to the motion, I like to recommend one of many poolside rooms. These open to the household pool, which is a great spot for heat days.
The central household pool is the hub of exercise through the summer time. Picture courtesy Westward Look Resort
One of the best rooms on the property are the 1300-square-foot Spa Suites. Every has a personal patio with an outside sizzling tub. I’d have cherished to sit back within the sizzling tub after dinner, watching the starry sky overhead whereas sipping champagne. And sure, there are many stars as a result of Tucson works onerous to reduce gentle air pollution, providing nice stargazing alternatives.
Having fun with the Desert Landscaping
One of many highlights of my keep was touring the grounds with Raymundo O’Campo. O’Campo has been with the property for greater than 40 years, and he is aware of each plant and might let you know why all the things is planted in its exact spot. I’ve lived within the Sonoran Desert for 3 a long time and thought I used to be well-educated on the flora. O’Campo shared so many insights that I had by no means earlier than skilled.
Wandering the paths on the resort provides you the sensation of being within the desert, removed from town. Picture by Susan Lanier-Graham
We wandered by way of the backyard planted for the spa, then on to the Chef’s Backyard, which was used to provide the restaurant. We walked to the labyrinth, and I defined the way it was created exactly in alignment with the necessities of Native elders. We wandered into quiet corners that O’Campo designed to supply respite to vacationers. We nibbled on berries and fruits and tasted herbs as we explored. I’m all the time fascinated by the issues that develop within the desert, and this tour across the grounds left me much more in awe of the onerous work that goes into making issues lovely in a typically harsh surroundings.
I loved stress-free and clearing my thoughts whereas wandering the labyrinth. Picture by Susan Lanier-Graham
Having fun with the Sonoran Spa
The Sonoran Spa is small, however I had a pleasant expertise throughout my keep. I opted for the Wellness Backyard Ritual, which is billed as a farm-to-body remedy. My go to started within the gardens. I used to be thrilled as a result of I had simply explored the world with O’Campo, so I knew a bit about my choices. My therapist defined the vegetation and recommended I sniff and wander by way of the backyard, amassing herbs that appealed to me. I ended up with a beautiful bouquet of herbs, which she then blended with my choice of different elements to create a customized scrub that was certainly farm-to-body.
After the scrub, I melted away with a full-body therapeutic massage. This 80-minute remedy relaxed me, and I drifted off briefly earlier than it was time to prepare for dinner.
Backyard exterior the spa at Westward Look Resort. Picture by Susan Lanier-Graham
Eating at Palm
Again within the Sixties, when this was Tucson’s solely resort, the wait employees wore tuxedos, and eating was fairly a sublime affair. Happily, we now not wanted to decorate in pearls and tails to take pleasure in dinner.
We made our option to the restaurant and sat on the patio. A hearth cracked within the open firepit, birds chirped in a close-by tree, the solar set within the distance, and a slight breeze made it the perfect setting for dinner.
The chef makes use of elements from the Chef’s Backyard, native Arizona beef, produces from the world, and seasonal elements to mix thrilling Southwestern flavors.
I loved the colourful flavors and the cool drinks at Palm. Picture by Susan Lanier-Graham
After dinner, we took our drinks to the firepit and watched the celebrities overhead earlier than delivering for the night time, questioning how quiet it will need to have been in 1912 when the Watsons homesteaded this piece of paradise.
My favourite time was sundown, after we sat on the patio with a cocktail, watching the solar dip behind the distant mountains. Picture by Susan Lanier-Graham
Articles Associated to Tucson, Arizona
Visiting Tucson and the Westward Look Resort
Whereas I didn’t have any haunted experiences throughout my keep, I might really feel the spirits of all those that handed earlier than me as I skilled this little piece of paradise within the Arizona desert. We invite you to discover extra of our favourite issues to do in Tucson or different locations in Arizona. In search of extra haunted motels? Take a look at our favourite haunted motels.
.
