Need Phoenix/Scottsdale help!

[kpgclark]

We're thinking about going to Phoenix or Scottsdale in March (it's either there or Punta Cana). We're leaning toward Arizona though. I've never been there and it sounds beautiful. I don't know anything at all about the area. We'd like to stay at a really nice resort with lots of activities and a great pool. We'd also like to not have to rent a car but still sightsee. Is that possible? Does anyone have any ideas? We have two children who will be 8 and 10 when we travel.

 

[MosMom]

A Few...

http://www.greathotels.com/states/az/phoenix/index.htm

The Biltmore...

http://www.millenniumhotels.com/MCIL.nsf/lu_hoteldoc/122$$hotelDescription?opendocument

HTH!

 

[Dodie]

The part about not renting a car but still sightseeing is the part that probably won't work. Phoenix is actually a huge town and is very spread out. I can't imagine how you'd ever get where you wanted to go if you didn't have a car.

We used Priceline to get a really nice resort in Scottsdale for a couple of nights this past March (in conjunction with a vacation to Tucson). We stayed at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort for $80 per night. I think the real rate was more like $183. It was nice and a good deal. You might explore the Scottsdale Priceline information on www.biddingfortravel.com. The money you save there might allow you to rent a car (which you're going to need).

 

[kpgclark]

Money is not the issue at all for the car. Normally we like to stay in the center of activity and walk places rather than have to learn our way around a new city-- well at least that's how I feel. My husband probably wouldn't mind renting a car. It would be nice to be able to walk to restaurants for meals too.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Phoenix has no real night life, unfortunately. However, there is a ton of stuff to do and see. A really beautiful place to stay is the Westin Kierland in north Phoenix. Near some really nice restaurants and great shopping. For kids, there is a cool science museum, The Heard Museaum concentrates on Native American history in the AZ area.OF course there are the Diamondbacks baseball team, inclusind the Big Unit. You really have to have a car, the Phoenix Metro area is as big as almost 4 Atlantas. It is made up of several cities, each running into the other. ALl the nice resorts have great pools, you may also look at the Pointe Hilton Resorts, at both South Mountain and Tapatillo Cliffs. ThHey both have really fun pools and good places to eat. There is a place called Pinacle Peak, north of the city, it has an old west town recreation area, and the restaurant is casual and fun dining. If a man wears a tie into there, they will cut it off. AZ is a much more casual state than the east coast. Most places, men don't wear ties or jackets to work, women don't wear pantyhose. (Can you tell I would rather still live there than here?). If you want to see some true local info, go to www.azcentral.com that is the local Phoenix paper, they have lots of great travel info. Be forwarned, it is high season at that time of year, but the weather will be wonderful. Low 90s with little humidity (like 6%). Scottsdale has a nice Old Town area, with tons of shops. There is Rawehide, which is a recreated west town, very tourity, but fun.

If you like fine dining, you will find tons of 4 star places to eat. My very favorite is Michaeal's at the Citadel, in north Scottsdale.

Hope that helps.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Driving around AZ is a snap. All the cities are laid out one a N/S/E/W grid. You can get on Broadway (for example) way out east and drive all the way west, way past PHX. So getting around is very simple. You will hear directions being given as "on the southwest corner of Brown and Greenfield", and you can find that on any local map.

Again, Phoenix and the metro area isn't like down town in most east coast cities. Thre really isn't a place you can be "in the middle of all of it", as stuff is spread out. I am sure if you go you will like it.

 

[kpgclark]

Thanks! You have all been very helpful. I'll start looking into hotels.

 

[kpgclark]

Have any of you heard of the Pointe South Mountain Resort? It looks really nice and has a great water park on site. What do you think?

http://www.pointesouthmtn.com/resortinfo.htm

 

[preshi]

We are having our annual conferece here

http://www.kierlandresort.com/

next April. I can't wait, the pool has a lazy river, looks fantastic.

 

[mikki]

ITA with mickeyfan1. I strongly second the car is must! Also, you might check out "Satisfied Frog" in Cave Creek, AZ just north of Phoenix. My sister's family love to go there when they visit. It is very rustic and has great bbq.

 

[Tea Please]

My husband went to a conference here at the Phoenician Resort
and loved it. Try this link.

arizona-spa-resorts.com

 

[TxJasmine]

We used to go to Phoenix in the summer to get away from the heat (no....I'm not really joking!!), although it's probably been about 3 years since we last went. We always stayed at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak which had a really nice little water park with a lazy river, slide, and pools. However, it looks like South Mountain now has a better water park. This must be fairly new because South Mountain did not have anything special 3 years ago. The Pointe Hiltons are very nice hotels. With kids, you can't go wrong staying at one. South Mountain looks really nice. We may need to plan a trip there this summer....

 

[kpgclark]

Just bumping to see if anyone has stayed at the Pointe South Mountain Resort.