The Lodge on the Desert, a Vacation in Tucson, AZ

Vacations are expensive and staycations can feel like a consolation prize. Solution -- drive to Tucson, AZ, duh. It helps when you have a reason to go. We were attending a friend's play at the Beowolf Theater. More on that later. Here's a summary of our mini-vacation, a macation, if you will.

We booked a mystery hotel on +Hotwire. Pressing the "confirm payment" button is half the fun. It's a lot like playing Russian Roulette, but that's what makes a macation fun, danger. The mystery hotel, The Lodge on the Desert. Hooray!

I would love to tell you more about our room, but it wasn't a room at all. We stayed in a "Hacienda." It was spacious, retro, and had a functioning gas fireplace. The foilage and desert landscaping was delightful. The web of pebblestone walkways added character. The pool was heated. The jacuzzi jets were 757-like. It was a dream come true ... until morning. Around 6AM, the staff decided it was time to wake up the entire village. Laundry carts on the pebble walkways, it was cacophony. Stop the music!

All and all, despite the confusing mash of cultural references (do lodges typically have haciendas?), it was a delightful stay. The price was right, it's near downtown Tucson, and the staff was almost annoyingly pleasant.