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Just 45 minutes from
Phoenix, Arizona and a world away from the pressures of everyday life,
Francisco Grande Resort in Arizona is a unique and stylish gem in the desert, the perfect getaway
for vacationers who want to experience something just a little bit out of the
ordinary. It weaves a rich tapestry in Arizona tradition, playing host to
celebrities and sports stars in its heyday, and accommodating visitors for more
than 40 years.
It emerged from the imagination of Horace Stoneham, legendary owner of the San
Francisco Giants, who conceived of a first-rate training facility for his "Boys
from the Bay." He built this getaway to cater to their every need, and in time,
word of this major-league play land grew. Fans traveled from around the
country-and around the world-to see their Giants, play superlative golf, and
bask in the Arizona sun.
Among the many names of a golden past, John Wayne loved Francisco Grande, and he
kept a penthouse suite at the top of the hotel where he often stayed. Pat Boone
took part in opening ceremonies more than 40 years ago, and was a frequent
visitor to the hotel. Today, you can walk the same grounds where baseball greats
like Willie Mays and Willie McCovey once practiced their skills on the diamond,
and see the coach's stand that overlooked the vaunted practice fields. You can
play rounds of golf where the rich and famous strolled, and take in the view
from the Eagle's Nest, where "The Duke" once held court.
Luckily for us, this monument to a game still stands today, modernized and
restored through a multi-million-dollar renovation. These are the accommodations
that played host to legends of sports and show business. Now it's your turn.
A commitment to preserving a rare and glittering past.
Francisco Grande was built as an ultramodern palace for major league baseball
players to work and play, and its originality is reflected in its unique and
stylish architecture from the outside. The main tower is reminiscent of a sports
stadium, and its top-floor patio roof looks like the enormous brim of a baseball
cap. Even the swimming pool reflects our national pastime, shaped like a bat and
accompanied by a jacuzzi like a baseball.
Every guest room in the tower has a large, inviting balcony with expansive views
of the golf course, and the resort's restaurants, nightclub and watering holes
provide a variety of casual and upscale dining and entertainment options.
A centerpiece of the landscape is a mature, newly renovated 18-hole golf course,
originally built for the Giants to play between practice sessions, and enjoyed
by amateurs and pros alike today. Facilities also include a fitness center,
restaurant and a cocktail lounge, ballrooms and meeting facilities with
state-of-the-art audio and video and high speed internet access, activities
including bocce ball, horseshoes and volleyball.
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