Diamond Resorts PVC at The Roundhouse Resort is located in Pinetop, Arizona. I have not stayed in the area before, so I was ready to check things out.
Video by Arizona Insider
Day One Travel & Arrival
A trip to Arizona for me starts with a flight or two. So, I began my day at my local International Airport in Norfolk, VA. My flight included 2 stops, and the last was to get on what I would call a puddle jumper (very small turboprop plane) to the Show Low regional airport.
Thanks to the stops and some layover time, my travel time was almost 10 hours. That was not ideal, but it was better than driving across most of the United States.
The reason to add the regional jump flight is the distance of the drive from Phoenix to the area. It just made sense, given that a flight was available. Show Low puts you very close to the resort and made life easy.
Had it not been for the regional flight, the drive from Phoenix to the resort would have been a little over 3 hours.
Once I arrived at the resort, I was happy to find 2 bedroom cabins that felt perfect for my trip. Once I had unloaded my bags and gear from the rental car. I went around the resort to check things out.
Onsite there is a nice indoor pool and a giant spa or hot tub at one end. I could see mom and dad in the hot tub keeping an eye on the kids in the pool and everyone having fun here. Next, if you read my blog, you know I am a sucker for mini-golf and there is a nice little course on site.
The resort also had nice grills and picnic tables set up for you and ready to go. I also think the pool tables and the outdoor giant chess and checkers were nice to have.
After looking around, I wanted to go get some supplies. Often when driving into a resort I will stop but this time I waited because I wanted to find the resort first.
Just back up the road is Eddies Country Store, which is small but has everything you need for meals in the cabin. I even grabbed a pack of hamburgers and hot dogs to grill those out one day. You just can not purchase 2 hot dogs and a burger to cook, but maybe I will invite a family to a nearby cabin for a free meal.
Once I had supplied up, I headed back to the cabin and made spaghetti for dinner.
I want to share some real customer and guest reviews with you.
Recent Reviews
Just awesome. The two-bedroom cabins are spacious and beautiful. It is as modern as a cabin should feel with all the amenities. I wish our stay was longer. We will be back!
Beautiful cabin condos. My family stays here when they come up to SHOW LOW/ PINETOP. HAS RECREATIONAL THINGS TO DO. PET FRIENDLY. AFFORDABLE AND BEAUTIFUL CABIN CONDOS. GOT SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT!!! (I rate this resort 2,000 + STARS)
This resort has clean rooms and excellent amenities. The staff is professional and polite. The location off the beaten path was really nice. It was away from all the road noises and more private. I am used to very fast internet but for the Pinetop area, it was not too bad. I am always wanting faster internet.
This resort was amazing. The staff was nice and professional. The cabin was huge. With everything, you could need. Dishes, sink, oven, refrigerator, washer, and dryer. Staff picks up garbage every hour… a quiet hotel. Mini golf, big indoor pool/ hot tub. Great trip for all. Great food nearby. Horseback riding around the corner. GO TO DERBIES CAFE.
The place to stay if you want a cabin vs hotel room, and to be on the Pinetop side, further east, closer to the Greer area. I had a fantastic stay here in Sept 2021 for my birthday, cannot wait to return!
We really enjoyed our time here. Our private vacation cabin was more than we expected. Large kitchen, nice comfortable living space. Both bedrooms were large, and the beds were great. We were here on memorial day weekend and even though it was fully occupied, it was still very quiet at night. It was really nice to have a washer and dryer en suite. All the activities were very well maintained and our boys loved them all. Very safe and comfortable environment.
This place is absolutely amazing and very clean. One bedroom has two queen beds and the other room has a king bed with a huge tub. The kitchen comes equipped with everything you might need during your stay. The people in the office and housekeeping are very friendly.
Very clean and spacious cabins. Beyond my expectations. Everything needed for a wonderful family weekend is provided. More than enough kitchen supplies, towels and bedding plus trash pickup and propane grills just off the front porch. Lots of on-site activities and great customer service. Can’t wait to visit again for skiing/snowboarding season!
Villa Amenities
- Balcony/Porch
- Blender
- Cable TV
- Coffee Maker
- Dishwasher
- Ice Maker
- Microwave
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Stove/Range
Then the resort itself offers all of these options.
Resort Amenities
- Free WiFi
- Outdoor Pools
Day Two Pinetop Means Nature
This area is reached with the best from mother nature. Within just a few minutes drive, you can visit several national parks and even local lakes.
If you love to hike or even a bike ride, this is a great area for trails and hiking paths. You can use a great website called tracks to find the trail that is right for you. They provide free access via phone apps on both Android and iPhone. I figured today (since I am not a huge hiker) I would stick to a few trails that say easy on the tracker charts. There are several in an area called Woodland Lake Park, so I went there first to check things out.
From the local website:
Located in the heart of Pinetop-Lakeside, Woodland Lake Park is the shining centerpiece of our community. In the developed areas of the park, you’ll find volleyball courts, softball fields, walking paths, and play areas, while the wilder sections are crisscrossed with hiking, biking, and equestrian trails. It’s also home to a number of different fish and bird species, so don’t forget to bring your binoculars and a fishing pole!
Woodland Lake is a great place to go kayaking or boating. There are also public Ramadas overlooking the lake, which can be reserved for a family barbecue, or used during your workday for a peaceful lunch break. You may not be alone for long, though–the park is a great place to run into old friends, and maybe even make some new ones.
I liked this area even though I am not huge on lakes or hiking. The fresh air and the views of the water did me good. The views are great and you run into some nice people along your hikes and walks.
Day Three Fort Apache Reservation
I have always loved the stories of the wild west and westward expansion. I grew up watching old reruns of John Wayne movies with my grandmother. Later, as I entered my teens and understood more about the challenges and hardships of the Native Americans, I began to study more and feel empathy for the people from this amazing culture.
The opportunity to visit a reservation of historical and cultural significance like this was too good to pass up. Today most of the Apache live on five reservations: three in Arizona (the Fort Apache, the San Carlos Apache, and the Tonto Apache Reservations); and two in New Mexico (the Mescalero and the Jicarilla Apache).
The White Mountain Apache live on the Fort Apache Reservation. Their economy is based on tourism, forestry, and ranching. About 15,000 Apache Indians live on this reservation. So, by visiting and learning about their culture, you can help support their economy and have a growth experience at the same time.
If you get to overcome by local history, you can drop into the air conditioning at the casino for a while. The local tribe will not mind if you lose a few dollars there. They also have giant buffets and table games and machines here. After I took a tour and then visited the gift shop, I headed for the casino and the promise of the dinner buffet.
To see this area, you really need to stay local and save by booking with Tzort.
