Happy Monday! It’s the beginning of the week and you’re probably already looking forward eagerly to the end of it, and the 3-day holiday weekend to come. We did promise you that we’d be offering you a series of romantic getaways for you and your (maybe-not-so-) better half to recharge those batteries that the children wear down with lightning speed. While you probably already have family vacation plans for the upcoming weekend, there’s a whole summer ahead of you. Just remember – it tends to go by fast. (Of course, we’ll be showcasing these romantic getaways every week, so if you don’t make your escape this summer, there’s fall, winter, next spring…  but you don’t really want to wait that long, do you?)

We’re starting you off this week at the lovely Hermosa Inn in Scottsdale, Arizona. Situated in over 6 acres of desert landscaping and just 15 minutes from the Phoenix airport, the Hermosa Inn is a romantic haven just perfect for that weekend rendezvous. The hotel was handbuilt by cowboy artist Lon Megargee and has been welcoming discerning guests to its 35 guestrooms since the 1930s.

Villa Suite, copyright The Hermosa Inn

Rooms are decorated in – what else – tasteful Southwestern decor, and feature modern amenities like internet access, CD players and high-definition TVs that are discreetly tucked away in wooden armoires. For your weekend, two jacuzzis and a pool are at your disposal, and the intimate award-winning Lon’s at the hermosa restaurant offers interesting event series such as winemaker dinners and artists-in-residence along with its flavorful American cuisine.

Rancho room, copyright The Hermosa Inn

The following packages (just two of several) offer choices of either total relaxation or the chance to engage in more cerebral pursuits:

Hermosa Art of Retreat package

• One night in a casita
• An excursion to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West and gift book
• A copy of The Cowboy’s Dream: The Mythic Life and Art of Lon Megargee
• Dinner for two in the celebrated LON’s restaurant
• Champagne and dessert “art” at turndown
• Breakfast buffet

Artist for a Day package

If you and/or your partner is a secret artist, you’ll appreciate this package, which offers you a rich opportunity to explore that other passion further:

A relaxing two-night getaway in the artful setting of the Hermosa Inn. Follow in the footsteps of Lon Megargee, the artist who hand built the Inn during the 1930’s, with a private art class. Customized to your artistic desires, Scottsdale Artists’ School will provide an instructor to accommodate two guests with art supplies and instruction in drawing, watercolors or acrylics. Included in the two hour session is discussion about art and the local art community, learning basic drawing techniques, color mixing and color compliments, creating basic composition, and use of the artists’ tools. The stay includes accommodations for two nights in a deluxe Casita, breakfast each day and dinner one night in the acclaimed LONs restaurant, 2 hours of private art instruction, and an” artful amenity” upon arrival.

Rates depend on date of stay: for more information click here or call 800.241.1210.

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