Editor’s Note: The following is a review of American Express’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program as utilized at The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain. This post is NOT a complete review of The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain.
We recently took advantage of the  $200 Find Hotels & Resorts credit from the American Express Platinum Card at The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain near Tucson, Arizona.
Review: Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) – The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain
Click here to read about the American Express Platinum card adding a new $200 FHR annual perk
About The Fine Hotels & Resorts Program
First, a quick refresher on the Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) program.
Click here to read more on Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts Program
Click here for reviews on Chase’s Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
How To Use FHR
You’ll need a premium American Express Platinum credit card to gain access to the FHR program.
Both the American Express Platinum card and the American Express Business Platinum card will grant access to FHR .
The Benefits Of The Fine Hotels & Resorts Program
American Express’s FHR program is an under-utilized benefit for many Platinum users, but it provides tremendous value when used at the right hotels at the right time.
The standard perks of the FHR program include the following 6 benefits:
The Benefits Vary By Property
The “unique amenity” at The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain was a $100 property credit.
Additionally, the “daily breakfast for two people” benefit was a $65 credit for use at CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar.
Review: Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) – The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain
During our stay at the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain, we utilized the benefits of the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts program – but did the program enhance our overall experience at the resort?
Image: marriott.com
Image: marriott.com
Booking Through FHR
At A Glance:
- Official Website: The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain
- Average Nightly Cost During Stay: $581.87
- Loyalty Program: American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts
- Loyalty Category: N/A
- Discount Applied: $100 Property Credit + $65 Daily Breakfast Credit; $50 off of $250 Amex Offer
- Room Type as Booked: Room, 1 King, Balcony, View
- Room Upgrade: None
- Resort Fee: $60 per night (Called the “Resort Activity Package”)
- Parking Fee: (Included in the Resort Activity Package)
Location & Parking
The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain is an elegant and luxurious resort located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert in Arizona, about a 45 minute drive north of Tucson, Arizona.
Valet parking is available as is self-parking (with a golf-cart ride to the lobby) – both are included in the hotel’s nightly $60 resort fee (Ritz calls it the “Resort Activity Package”).
FHOP Tip: Shuttle service is included in the “Resort Activity Fee”.
Lobby
Upon arrival, guests are greeted by the resort’s grand entrance and lobby. I have to say, we were impressed.
Image: marriott.com
Front Desk & Check-In
We were warmly greeted at check-in by the friendly and professional staff, and thanked for booking with the AMEX FHR program.
We were handed a welcome letter and a welcome package consisting of the resort’s menus, activity guide, and experience guide.
FHR Welcome Letter
Welcome Package
Room Key
Room Upgrade
We did not receive a room upgrade. Apparently, no upgrades were available, according to the front desk staff.
1 King Bed, Balcony, View, Room
1 King Bed, Balcony, View, Room Entrance
Bedroom (Promo Picture)
Image: marriott.com
Bedroom (Actual)
Although we did not receive a room upgrade, the guest room we did get was spacious and well-appointed, featuring plush bedding, high-end linens, and modern amenities such as a flat-screen TV, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a Nespresso coffee machine.
Living Area
Welcome gift
Room Amenities
Closet
Bathroom
Although Asprey Purple Water were the official products of Ritz-Carlton, we were curiously also given a bottle Lather body wash.
Balcony
The rooms have private balconies which offer views of the surrounding mountains and desert.
Our view was mostly obstructed.
View From The Room
Dining Options
The dining options at the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain are very good, offering a wide range of delicious and diverse cuisine.
Ignite
Image: marriott.com
Ignite Dinner Menus
Dinner At Ignite
We ate dinner at Ignite the first night, and we were not disappointed.
The restaurant was mostly outdoors and the filled to capacity.
The food was very good, although I can’t say it was “great”, but I did enjoy the Salmon and a Scotch Style Ale.
Kiltlifter Scotch Style Ale
Skuna Bay Salmon
House Gorditas
Dessert To Go
Turndown Service
CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar
One of the main benefits of the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts program is the daily breakfast credit.
We took advantage of this benefit and enjoyed a delicious breakfast at CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar, the resort’s fine-dining restaurant. The breakfast menu featured a variety of locally sourced ingredients with a southwestern twist and the restaurant had a charming atmosphere.
Image: marriott.com
CORE Breakfast Menu
Breakfast At CORE Kitchen & Wine Bar
Breakfast at CORE was excellent.
The spread was huge and the service really stood-out.
The Property Interior
Image: marriott.com
The Petroglyph Trail
There was a very short, but worthwhile, on-property trail that leads to a viewing area with some petroglyphs
The Property Exterior
Swimming Pool
Image: marriott.com
Spa & Fitness Center
The resort’s spa, The Ritz-Carlton Spa, offers a wide range of treatments and services. The spa features a variety of treatment rooms, including a couples suite, and offers services such as massages, facials, and body treatments.
The spa also features a fitness center, which is well-equipped with state-of-the-art cardio and weight-training equipment.
Image: marriott.com
Image: marriott.com
Golf Course
The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain offers a variety of recreational activities, and as an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts guest, the $100 resort credit offered through the program can be used on a round of golf at the Gallery Golf Club or the Jack Nicklaus-designed Golf Club at Dove Mountain (the two 18-hole golf courses at the resort).
Image: marriott.com
Other Recreational Activities
The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain offers a variety of recreational activities for guests to enjoy.
The resort also offers outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
FHOP Tip: What’s Nearby: The Wild Burro Trailhead
Late Checkout
Another benefit of the American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts program is the late checkout option, which allowed us to enjoy the resort for a few extra hours before our departure.
The Bottom-Line Review: Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) – The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain
We enjoyed our Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) stay at The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain. The resort is secluded, private, and beautiful – is was great to relax by the pool, and likewise, to stay active with hiking and golf.
I’d guess, based solely on my check-in experience, many guests opt to use the FHR program at The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain, and it’s easy to see why.
The breakfast option at CORE was excellent, and the $100 property credit was well utilized at the popular Ignite restaurant.
The staff at the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain were friendly, attentive, and went out of their way to make sure we had an enjoyable stay.
The one negative of the FHR program at The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain was the lack of a room upgrade when the hotel did not appear to be at capacity.
Overall, the Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain is a top-notch resort that offers a high level of luxury and comfort. The resort’s beautiful surroundings and impressive amenities, combined with the friendly and attentive staff, made for a relaxing and rejuvenating vacation that was amplified by the Fine Hotels & Resorts (FHR) program.
Final FHR Rating: 8.5 out of 10.
