Blue Agave Bed and Breakfast, the nectar of Tucson

As you travel just six or seven miles northwest of downtown Tucson, Arizona, you’ll find yourself in a sparsely populated area in the foothills of the majestic Tucson Mountains—here, is where I discovered the marvelous Blue Agave Bed and Breakfast. The Blue Agave is situated on fifteen acres and is perched atop a bluff, in one direction overlooking the city of Tucson, in the other, peaks of the Tucson Mountains. As I made my way up the declivitous driveway, I was struck by the sumptuous architecture and landscape…the Blue Agave was grand, with varying lines that indicated a truly unique layout and design. I later discovered that famed architect, Frank Lloyd Wright, inspired many of the home’s design elements.

After parking my vehicle, I made my way toward the entrance…the hefty and beautifully designed iron gate opened to a large courtyard that was impressively landscaped with plants indigenous to the Southwest. Original artwork accents the property throughout, much of which has been created by owner/innkeeper extraordinaire, Dana Smith, who is a highly accomplished artist. The Blue Agave is a fair size at 5500 square feet. However, the home looks much, much larger with all its covered outdoor open space. From the courtyard, you can head in one of three directions; to the right will take you down a breezeway to the four guest quarters, each with a private entrance, and each with its own private patio to take in the extraordinary views. As an early riser, I found myself gravitating toward the patio each morning for a cup of coffee to enjoy the sunrise over the butte in front of the B&B.

As you head toward the opposite direction of the guest rooms, you’ll enter the kitchen, dining and living areas. The living room is quite expansive and handsomely decorated. French doors lead one onto an extensive patio with a large outdoor fireplace and plenty of places to sit, relax and enjoy the views. I imagine during the cooler months, breakfast must be served on the patio, but as it was during my visit, it was already getting quite warm by 8am. As you meander around the exterior of the home from the main patio, there is a barbecue area, and as you continue, you come to the pool area which makes you feel like you’re at a top-notch resort. Not only is the pool beautifully designed with a near negative edge, but the décor includes a number of comfy chaise lounge chairs on which you can relax. Just beyond the pool is a covered area with outdoor furniture to provide a reprieve from the sun.

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One of the many impressive aspects of the Blue Agave is how you are immersed in nature. During the construction of the home, many of the enormous Saguaro cacti were left in place and the home designed around them. As a matter of fact, the location of the Blue Agave within Tucson Mountain Park, has probably the highest density of Saguaro Cactus you’ll likely ever see. From the B&B you can walk to miles of hiking trails throughout the park, which allow you to get up close and personal with the Sonoran Desert.

There are also a number of nearby things to do while at the Blue Agave…here are just a few you may want to consider:

• Arizona Sonoran Desert Museum encompasses 21 acres and fuses a botanical garden, zoo, art gallery, natural history museum, aquarium and restaurants into a wonderful educational excursion.
• Old Tucson Studios is an old western movie set not far from the Desert Museum. It’s now closed to the general public, but still worth a drive by. Old Tucson is open to tour groups and special events.
• International Wildlife Museum highlights over 400 species of insects, mammals and birds from around the globe. Some of the collections are more than 100 years old and all the animals found at the museum were donated by various government agencies, wildlife rehabilitation centers, zoos and individuals.
• Saguaro National Park is home to the nation’s largest cacti, the giant saguaro, which is the universal symbol of the Southwest. At Saguaro National Park you’ll have a chance to see these enormous cactus up close, and, during the evening, see them silhouetted by the beauty of a magnificent desert sunset.
• Gates Pass – There is a fantastic spot just a few miles from the Blue Agave, near the top of Gates pass, to which you’ll want to take your sweetheart to watch the sunset. Click here for map.

Toward Tucson (east of the above activities) you’ll find an array of art galleries, live music, horseback riding, historic tours to world-class restaurants and many more activities to excite and thrill.

Back at the Blue Agave you can wind down and find solace on your own patio, or in one of the many common areas. Wildlife is abundant, and so too are the changing skies, casting vibrant light that accentuate the rugged, yet beautiful desert landscape that surrounds the property. Each morning you’ll be treated to a hearty breakfast that celebrates the culinary influences of the Southwest. In the evenings, you’ll likely see guests enjoying a glass of wine or a cold cervesa on the patio near the fireplace.

The four guest rooms are only slightly different from one another, the main difference is in color scheme, which takes decorative cues from the vibrant Southwest color palate. The accommodations are relatively modest in size and luxury…in comparison to the rest of the property, but comfortable nonetheless. Standard amenities accompany each room, but what’s nice is each has a mini-refrigerator—which allows guests to pick up snacks and refreshments, limiting the need to venture out as often and simply enjoy the property and stellar surroundings.

The bottom line is that the Blue Agave Bed and Breakfast is a fantastic property I highly recommend. Every aspect of your stay will be a memorable one, including your interaction with the innkeepers, Dana and Peter—both of whom are very personable and attentive, not to mention absolutely fascinating. As I mentioned, Dana is a highly accomplished artist, as well as registered nurse…the compassion from being in the health care industry translates well into accommodating guests. Peter is a well-known planetary scientist and professor emeritus at the University of Arizona, where he played an integral role in the Phoenix Mars Mission. He also plays a mean tambourine, as you’ll hear toward the end of the video above.

If you’ve ever stayed at the Blue Agave Bed and Breakfast in Tucson, Arizona, please leave a comment below and share your experience with my readers and me. Click the following link to see more photos of the Blue Agave B&B.

Blue Agave Bed and Breakfast Information:

Address: 455 N. Camino De Oeste – Tucson, AZ 85745
Website: BlueAgaveBB.com
Phone: 520-250-2202
Email: click here
Rates: $220-$245 per night, two night minimum
Accommodations: Four rooms to choose from