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THE WIGWAM COMMEMORATES 85 YEARS OF HISTORY
Iconic Arizona Landmark Celebrates Milestone
PHOENIX (Nov. 20, 2014) – Located in the affluent community of Litchfield Park, just 15 miles west of downtown Phoenix, The Wigwam celebrates turning 85 years old on Nov. 28 along with Wigwam Golf Club observing its 50th anniversary of the Gold and Patriot courses in 2015. Designated as a “Historic Hotel of America,” The Wigwam is an iconic Arizona landmark and AAA Four-Diamond resort.
The Wigwam’s beginnings date back to 1918 when the resort was first built as a quaint gathering place for the Ohio-based executives of Goodyear Tire & Rubber who discovered the West Valley of Phoenix as a prime location to grow cotton for rubber production. On Thanksgiving Day in 1929, The Wigwam opened as a full-service resort with accommodations for 24 guests who received a horse and room key upon check-in. Steadily expanding and renovating over the past 85 years and recently completing a $16 million multi-phase renovation, The Wigwam pays tribute to its storied past. Guests experience true Arizona charm with historic resort photos, Arizona artifacts and the original hotel structure in the lobby.
“Seeing as we stand as a significant landmark in Arizona’s history, The Wigwam is honored to be celebrating a milestone anniversary,” says George McGann, vice president managing director of The Wigwam. “We pride ourselves in our commitment to offering the highest standards of luxury experience to our guests while still remaining authentic and look forward to serving up superior service for the next 85 years and beyond.”
To celebrate this impressive milestone, The Wigwam is launching commemorative anniversary-themed programming and new amenities including a citrus-flavored cotton candy, a callback to the resort’s history and cotton farms. Kids also are able to enjoy their own in-room wigwams for sleeping and entertainment for $25 per night. In addition, Wigwam Golf Club is offering a complimentary round of golf with any retail purchase of $85 or more in the Golf Shop between Nov. 28 and Dec. 23. Complimentary golf offer is valid for use the dates of Nov. 30 through Dec. 24, 2014.
Travelers who book between Black Friday and Cyber Monday can take advantage of 50 percent off luxury accommodations and receive a complimentary bottle of red wine as a welcome gift. Rates start at $99.50 plus tax and resort fee. Offer subject to availability and only valid for rooms booked Nov. 28-Dec. 1, 2014. Travel must take place Nov. 28, 2014 to Jan. 12, 2015. Blackout dates and restrictions may apply. Use booking code FRIMON.
Did you know?
- The Wigwam’s Fireplace Room still features the original wood flooring and adobe fireplace from when it was first built.
- The first permanent dwelling was established in 1918. The Organization House had three bedrooms and was later named The Wigwam because it was a popular gathering spot for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber executives.
- The first nine-hole course opened in 1929 and was very difficult. The fairways, tee boxes and greens were all made of sand with thick oil on the grass to keep the sand from blowing away.
- After Prohibition ended in 1933, Paul Litchfield, president of the Goodyear Corporation, was reluctant to sell alcohol. After negotiations, he agreed to have a permanent cocktail lounge if the community built a church. The church was completed in 1939 and still stands at The Wigwam today.
- The nearby Luke Air Force Base was built in 1942 and during WWII, The Wigwam closed its doors to the public to house military personnel, trainees and families.
- Bubbles Houses, a new type of accommodation shaped as domes, were built in the late 1940s at The Wigwam and their starting room rates were $42 a night for two people. After beginning to deteriorate in 1970, guest casitas were built in their place.
- The Wigwam has always been a social center of the Southwest. In the early days, guests arrived by horse and carriage, train, and plane to participate in the events and activities including hayrides, tours of the desert, cook offs, musical entertainment, rodeo lessons, archery, and shuffle board.
- In 1956, The Wigwam gained national attention when used as a backdrop for an Oldsmobile advertisement that appeared in the Saturday Evening Post and Life Magazine.
- The Wigwam’s longest employee has been at the property for 44 years.
- A few standout celebrities that have visited The Wigwam include Carrie Underwood, Paul Newman, Clint Eastwood, Wayne Gretzky, George W. Bush, Maya Angelou and Donald Trump.
About The Wigwam
Designated as a “Historic Hotel of America,” The Wigwam is an iconic Arizona landmark and AAA Four-Diamond property. In operation for 85 years, the property is rich in history. The Wigwam recently completed a $16 million, multi-phase renovation – including new interior décor, a new pool complex with both adult and family areas, new restaurants and bars featuring al fresco dining and entertaining areas, and a variety of new social areas and event lawns.
Situated on an estate-like setting, The Wigwam spans over 440 acres and features 331 casita-style guest rooms, including 72 suites, crafted from distinctive adobe architecture. The Wigwam also offers 54 holes of championship golf, a 26,000-square-foot Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa, four pools, and seven restaurants and bars. The Wigwam invites guests to create new traditions and lasting memories by participating in a variety of activities from morning nature walks to cooking classes, seasonal farmer’s markets, wine tasting events and more.
A winner of the TripAdvisor 2014 Certificate of Excellence, The Wigwam is located in the affluent community of Litchfield Park, Ariz. – just 15 miles west of downtown Phoenix. Litchfield Park was named the best city in Arizona in which to live by online real estate brokerage, Movoto.
For more information, visit www.wigwamarizona.com or call (623) 935-3811 or (800) 327-0396. You can also like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and check us out on Instagram.
About Pyramid Hotel Group
Pyramid Hotel Group manages and asset manages a diverse portfolio of resorts in one-of-kind destinations across the United States and Caribbean. These locations range from Hawaii to Arizona to Florida and to the Cayman Islands. Pyramid Resort Group delivers creative, engaging experiences for the leisure and group guest inclusive of golf, spa, fitness, dining, meetings, recreation, water sports, and cultural immersion. www.pyramidhotelgroup.com.
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Maralyn D. Hill
Maralyn D. Hill, M.Ed., The Epicurean Explorer
Executive Editor, LuxeBeatMag.com
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