The Wigwam- Litchfield Park, AZ

The Wigwam has insanely beautiful grounds. A mixture of cacti, colorful flowers, lush grass, and palms, the landscaping feels almost tropical, and far removed from the surrounding desert. The property may have started as housing for Goodyear executives in 1918, but it has evolved into an amazing golf resort with a distinctly southwestern feel.

The Wigwam grew out of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s need for cotton. Turns out, long staple cotton extended the life of their tires, but the east coast cotton supply had been decimated by the boll weevil. Fortunately, cotton grows well in dry, sandy soil, which Arizona has a lot of, and land there was cheap.

By 1918 they were growing cotton in the area now known as Litchfield Park; a small lodge, known as the Organization House was constructed to house the ranch suppliers and company executives. Visiting executives found the ranch to be particularly pleasant during the winter months, and convinced the company president, Paul Litchfield, to expand the lodge into a winter retreat. On Thanksgiving day 1929, the Wigwam opened as a 24 room full service resort, with each guest receiving a horse and a room key. Sadly, horses are no longer issued upon check in, but it is still the perfect place for a winter vacation.

Over the years, the resort grew in both size and popularity. A nine hole golf course was added in 1930, which was expanded to 18 holes in 1941. It soon became a glamorous place to avoid harsh winter weather, in part due to a 1956 Oldsmobile advertisement photographed at the Wigwam, which ran in the Saturday Evening Post and Life Magazine. You can find these ads, as well as other historic resort photographs displayed throughout the resort; they are fabulously nostalgic and will leave you longing for time travel.

There are several spaces that retain the charm of the original resort, including the adobe and timber lobby, which is wonderfully decorated with Southwestern art. The original adobe fireplace is a highlight, and is not to be missed. If you prefer your fire alfresco, there are several fire pits throughout the property.

While The Wigwam is no longer a ranch, there are still plenty of things to do. First, the pools; they are fabulous. With four scattered throughout the property, overcrowding is not an issue. The Tower pool is the largest pool complex, and is worth visiting, but it is largely populated by families with small children, drawn to the water slide. The stunningly landscaped Oasis Pool, complete with cabanas, hot tub and a fire pit, is a quiet adult retreat, with its own small bar.

And then there is golf. There are now 3 championship golf courses at The Wigwam, two of which were designed by renowned golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr. in 1965. All are fabulous, but Jones’ Gold Course is considered the crown jewel. It is very long, very challenging, and it will probably beat you up, but you will enjoy it. All three courses are kept in wonderful condition, with plenty of mature trees, water hazards, and thankfully shade. The Adobe Fairway rooms overlook the Patriot course, and are located only a few steps from the golf clubhouse, the tennis facilities, and the fabulous ribs and patio seating of Red’s Restaurant.

The Wigwam actually has several dining options, and with the exception of the Tower Bar & Grill, all were excellent. Actually, the Tower made a pretty decent frozen drink, but you are better served going to another restaurant for actual food. The Wigwam Bar, located right outside of the pool fence offers much better dining options, with ample courtyard and bar seating. For a fancier dinner, head to Litchfield’s with its beautifully decorated dining room, patio seating, and a great selection of both large and small plates.

There are several different room types spread across the property, so choose carefully. The traditional casitas are one story, and share a wall with an adjoining room. They have been updated recently, but some still look a bit dated. Aside from historical photos, they don’t have a lot of character, but they are centrally located and have a small private patio. The Oasis Pool rooms are in a multistory building and have private balconies overlooking the pool area. I once was assigned a room in a two story building in the back of the property that was awful- our bedroom was under the deck of the top unit, and you could hear every step, all night. Absolutely make sure you do not get one of these rooms.

While the surrounding area is no longer rural, and cotton is no longer king of Litchfield Park, the Wigwam is still a relaxing retreat. The grounds are stunning, and you will leaving wanting to return. It may be a bit remote for some, but it is a true destination resort, and you can easily remain on the resort grounds for the duration of your stay.