This was my first ranch adventure and I think future trips will have a lot to live up too!!!
Food - excellent and varied - breakfast to order, packed lunches for day trips or lunch on ranch (I was never at the ranch for lunch - rode a ton! :-) , dinner delicious and different every night w/dessert!
Accomodations - absolutely gorgeous - we stayed in a place called Faraway - it consisted of 3 separate suites all surrounded by a wrap-around porch. The accomodations include a hearth, beds, bathroom, carpeting, central room and bedroom - all very nice. Each accomodation is a little different. *** SPECIAL*** - when we were there they completed a honymoon suite w/ the finest in furnishings and a private hot tub!

Facilities - pool table, dartboard, ping-pong table, movie / book room, sitting room, pool, hot tub.

The horses - something for everyone - I'm a pretty experienced rider and found they had horses easy enough for people who have never ridden and horses challenging enough to keep my occupied (in a safe way - more responsive to leg yields, half-halts, deep seat, etc)

The day trips are AMAZING - so much to see, amazing scenery - I'm out of the Boston MA area so it was an amazing difference.

The staff is awesome - say hey to Butch, Anne, Punk, and of course Eve the owner - all the staff rocks - wicked friendly, helpful, fun / funny, and informative. Butch is a history buff of sorts.

Downsides: - Water pressure - but hey, you're in the desert so you should come to a place like this expecting that. Time flies by so fast - a week felt like 2 or 3 days :-( ... I can't wait to go back. You won't want to go home and you'll end up hiding out in the desert to miss your plane! :-)

Having just returned home from Grapevine, i think its fair to say i left a little part of my heart there, although im sure it will be very well looked after.
I looked for weeks at all the Ranch websites i could find in the USA and Canada and i finally decided on Grapevine. Even on the drive from the airport with my Mum(who dosnt ride much) i was nervous that i had made the right choice, especially when the road runs out and you're suddenly on dirt tracks.
I have never been more glad that i made the choice i did. It is a truely wonderful place, as are ALL the staff. I felt like part of their family.
DO NOT visit here if you want Sky TV in every room, non-stop nightlife, tacky tourist shopping malls or to be allowed to ride recklessly around the pastures alone.
DO visit if you want to suddenly not be able to remember what it was you were worrying about before you left home, ride great horses in the most beautiful countryside, feel welcome and not just like a paying guest, meet great people who may become great friends and see more stars than you've probably ever seen.
The food is simple but well done and very welcome after a days riding, the bar is well stocked and always full (which was lucky with us there!) and the rooms are very comfy, with en-suite bath/shower rooms and mini-bars. Theres a swimming pool/hottub, pool table, ping pong table, tv and video/DVD and internet access if you want to use them, although its just as nice to sit around and chat and listen to stories of horses and other peoples lives.

The best holiday i've ever had and over far too soon.

Just returned from a wonderful ranching experience. The staff, from the moment you arrive at reception, are so relaxed and genuinely friendly. My husband and I have very basic horse-riding skills but were able to undertake all the trail rides without any worries. The horses are a joy to ride and the scenery and history of the area are inspirational. Really hope to be able to return before too long.

Finding Grapevine Canyon Ranch via looking up Arizona Dude Ranches on our computer was wonderful. We flew from Orlando to Tucson, rented a car, and did some sightseeing - Old Tucson included. We'd booked only 3 nights at the ranch. My husband was not a horseperson but he was game. We found the dirt roads and out-of-the-way natural look quite refreshing. We were greeted at the office by a very nice young lady, and our cabin was clean and large--all two people could need. All meals were served buffet-style, which was quite nice, and the ranch cook did her best to please my hubby the vegetarian/lowfat eater (request special diet in advance). Breakfasts were made to order...loved the granola-yogurt "parfait". The horses we rode were gentle and well-trained, and the morning ride lasted approx. 2 1/2 to 3 hrs (longer than I expected). We travelled down steep slopes at times (made it exciting). And to think we were riding not too far from Tombstone! It was overwhelming to think about those who had journeyed through the area so long ago on foot, in wagons or on horseback. We met a young couple from England visiting the ranch and enjoyed their company. Did I mention I am over 60 and my hubby is beyond 70 yrs of age? The first morning's ride made me so stiff & sore, I simply could not manage it the 2nd morning! And I am the horselover! My hubby went without me and had a great time. The group rode up to an overlook, and the guide pointed out the wagon track below...the old road toward Tombstone. I spent the morning walking around, taking OTC painkiller, and reading....something I enjoy. It was not boring--very relaxing. I saw some quail out near our cabin. That night, in the rec room we ate popcorn and watched a video of the ranch owner & Adam, the horse guy, trying to teach a non-cowboy how to do ranch-type stuff--for a tv series where the contestants try to fool the judges into thinking they are real performers. Anyway, it was delightful. Next morning, I was ready to ride again and thoroughly enjoyed the crisp morning air--the wonderful companions & guide....and the horses. After lunch, we had to say goodbye to one and all...wished we didn't have to go. In the office, we were presented with some homebaked chocolate chip cookies "for the road". As we drove back through the ranch gate toward to road, I promised myself I'd go back again. Have not had the opportunity yet, but it is still a goal. Didn't miss tv, radio, phone or anything. These were available but not in the cabins. Wouldn't have used anyway.