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A Marvelous History of Providing Luxurious Scottsdale Lodging and Services
Nestled in the gorgeous Sonoran Desert, just north of Scottsdale for more than 40 years,
Carefree Resort & Villas has had an enduring reputation as one of the Valley's most
venerated and charming resorts. Built in the early 1960s, it was the only destination resort
in the once-remote area now known as Carefree. Playing host to some of Hollywood's brightest
stars, The Carefree Inn - as it was known then - was a favorite retreat for the likes of
Dick Van Dyke, Lucille Ball, and Bob Hope.
Today, this luxurious resort has been renovated
and expanded to retain much of the small-town hospitality and unique Arizona heritage that guests
have come to cherish. For more than 40 years, the Resort has welcomed guests to an exquisite escape
to the desert, and a refreshing departure from the everyday experience of nearby Scottsdale lodging
and accommodations. To this day, couples who honeymooned at Carefree Resort & Villas in the early
1960s return to experience the same Arizona charm and romance of this extraordinary property and
community.
The town of Carefree itself has a vibrant history. In 1958, two friends and business partners
created the town, fulfilling their lifelong dream. Tom Darlington, an engineer, and K.T. Palmer,
a secondhand dealer and frustrated lawyer, became friends in the 1940s and decided to establish
a real-estate company. It was then that they discovered their shared vision of creating a new
town in the high Sonoran Desert, and in 1955, purchased a local goat ranch for $44,000. Gradually,
they acquired more than 2,000 acres of property adjacent to the ranch - forming a company they
lightheartedly named Carefree Development Corporation.
With the same whimsical attitude, Darlington and Palmer took it upon themselves to name the streets
of the town. As history recites, they attended a dinner party and a play one evening with friends.
During the long intermission (and after a few beverages), Palmer remarked that he was scheduled to
present the town's map to county officials the next day, but had not yet named any of the streets.
The group began to suggest many of the roads' present-day names - including Primrose Path, Tranquil
Trail, Rockingchair Lane, Nevermind Trail, and the intersecting Ho and Hum roads. In fact, the first
bank in Carefree stands on the corner of Wampum Way and Easy Street!
In addition, the two pioneers erected the world's largest sundial as a central focus for Carefree's
new business district and community. Eclipsed today in size only by a sundial in India, it can still
be seen in the center of Carefree. Along with stunning desert landscapes and scenic mountain vistas,
an abundance of wildlife call Carefree home - including coyotes, javelina, quail, dove, white wing
hawks, and jackrabbits - offering the ideal Scottsdale Arizona family resort vacation destination.
Black Mountain, located just west of the Resort, rises to nearly 4,000 feet and bears a split personality -
the eastern half is light in color and strewn with massive red boulders, while the western half
is studded with multiple cacti and exhibits a darker, greenish color.
Just north of Carefree are the Continental Mountains, part of the renowned Tonto National Forest,
reaching altitudes of 4,500 feet. Today, the community of Carefree - with a population of approximately
1,800 - is a unique mix of very upscale homes, eclectic shopping boutiques, and lush natural desert
surroundings, offering a true sense of Arizona and its historic heritage. Having just celebrated the
20th anniversary of incorporation, the town lies at an elevation of 2,500 feet and is 1,000 feet higher
than downtown Scottsdale - allowing for slightly cooler summer temperatures.
Carefree is located within minutes of Scottsdale and only 35 minutes north of Phoenix Sky
Harbor International Airport. Nestled in the center of this charming community, surrounded by scenic
foothills and majestic mountains, Carefree Resort & Villas has been a staple of the community since
the early 1960s. The Resort offers the perfect retreat from the everyday experience of nearby Scottsdale
Arizona lodging - featuring spacious suites and
one- and two-bedroom
luxury Villas; 60,000 square feet of meeting space;
three sparkling pools, five tennis courts, and a full-service spa; a deluxe Fitness
Center, two restaurants, an Internet Café and wine bar; and a
multitude of recreational activities,
nearby golf on some of the Valley's finest courses.
Click here for more Features & Services at this Carefree Arizona Luxury Resort.
Nestled in the scenic foothills surrounding Scottsdale, Carefree Resort & Villas offers a luxurious vacation and conference spot - with sophisticated
lodging, access to endless recreation, and savory dining choices. Escape the everyday experience of usual Scottsdale lodging.
Book your reservations online today for preferred rates.
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