Stay-cations

Arizona summers are extremely hot, but it’s a dry heat. The travel industry comes to a halt and the best resorts are discounted dramatically. This is the time to visit Arizona!  When booking your family stay-cation always ask about discounts. Just because the price is listed as $150 a night, that doesn’t mean you cant get the same room for $75-$95. Call the hotel, they might have a discount for Arizona residents, AAA, Military, Raytheon, or teacher discount. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

There are three very important things to remember when you visit Arizona in the summer: drink water, swim in water, and drink more water. If you are not drinking water in the hot Arizona sun, you will die!

These are my favorite places to stay in Tucson in the summer:

Ritz Carlton Dove Mountain http://www.ritzcarlton.com

The rooms are spectacular, the views are phenomenal and the food is delicious! The kids love the water slide and I enjoy lounging in the chairs in the pool.

If you are traveling without children, or your husband will give you the afternoon off, I highly recommend the spa! Get a massage and then relax in the spa sauna, Jacuzzi or the spa pool. The pool has cabana beds and you can get wait service for lunch and cocktails! It is heaven!

Loews Ventana Canyon http://www.loewshotels.com

This resort is a little older but it is very nice. We enjoyed 4^th of July here last year. They don’t have a water slide but they made up for it with lots of fun activities and their own firework show.

Westin La Paloma Resort www.westin.com

This resort has undergone a few updates since I stayed there last. I have heard it is much nicer now. We had a summer membership a few years ago and we really enjoyed the pool and waterslide. The restaurants and rooms were fine.

Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort http://www.hilton.com

This is another older resort but it has been maintained well. We enjoyed the resort for reunions, couples getaway and a family staycation. It has a nice waterslide and we enjoy the full service bar.

JW Starr Pass Resort and Spa http://www.marriott.com

I have never stayed here, but my kids have! They had fun with Aunt Susan eating ice cream, chilling on the lazy river and enjoying room service. I’m not jealous! I swear I’m not!       Maybe a little!

These are my favorite places to stay in Phoenix in the summer:

Arizona Grand Resort http://www.arizonagrandresort.com

This is my favorite resort by far! We love the AZ Grand because every room is a suite! The kids can sleep on the pull out bed and wake up in the morning and watch cartoons while we sleep in.

The Rustlers Rooste Steak House is a Must! You can get a van to pick you up and drop you off. The restaurant has a slide inside that is enough entertainment for the kids that we can sit back eat a steak and have a drink! Try and visit right before sunset, the views are incredible!

The Arizona Grand’s Oasis Water park is our favorite place in Phoenix! My kids love the HUGE waterslides, I love the lazy river and my husband loves the wave pool. It has something for everyone.

Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort   http://www.swuapeakhilton.com

The rooms were nice. The water park was small and the slide was for younger children. We enjoyed our stay but the water park would be cramped on a hot summer day.

If you haven’t been to any of these resorts I recommend you check them out! The prices during the summer make them affordable and sometimes you don’t have to travel far to have a fun vacation with your family!