Phoenix, Sedona...AZ

[Chris2597]

We are going to be visiting the Phoenix area in March. I would greatly appreciate suggestions concerning hotels, restaurants, attractions. I saw a show on the Travel Channel about Sedona and it looked beautful and some of the attractions. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[Beth76]

Not sure what your budget is, but we stayed the Fairmont Princess in Scottsdale last year. It was very nice. Very posh, but family friendly too. I know the Westin Kierland (also in Scottsdale) is supposed to be very nice too. There's a really cool shopping area next to the Westin.

 

[DisneyfeverTN]

I grew up in Phoenix and my dad sold property in Sedona in the 70's, so we used to drive up every weekend. Sedona is beautiful! I just visited Sedona last month. We went to a public park where there were several hiking trails that led through trees, a stream, around boulders and up a small mountain.
We also went to an area that had a strip of shops with many unique items. My DD and oldest DS went to a psychic for fun and bought some things at a shop there. It is a very spiritual place and the scenary is just beautiful with the red rocks.

 

[lulugirl]

The Marriot at Desert Ridge is a beautiful hotel. Great selection of restaurants and shopping nearby. Also, they have a great pool w/ a lazy river.
The Boulders in Carefree is also very nice, but I'm not sure how "kid friendly" it is.
Sedona is about an 1.5-2 hours away from Phoenix. Lovely place to visit. We try to get up there a few times a year.

 

[honeymom]

The Marriot at Desert Ridge is a beautiful hotel. Great selection of restaurants and shopping nearby. Also, they have a great pool w/ a lazy river.
The Boulders in Carefree is also very nice, but I'm not sure how "kid friendly" it is.
Sedona is about an 1.5-2 hours away from Phoenix. Lovely place to visit. We try to get up there a few times a year.

I live about 5 minutes from the Boulders. It markets itself as more of an adult destination now (i.e. they ran a couples special over the summer). It is very beautiful however.

Marriott Desert Ridge, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Westin Kierland, Phoenician and Hyatt Gainey Ranch are all good bets. Hilton Squaw Peak is also supposed to be good for kids (water features) - less money than the others, but not as upscale. Four Seasons very upscale, not as much water features, however supposed to have a great kids program. I've personally only stayed at the Princess - kid club is included in the room price. We always have a great time.

We hit the resorts in summer - prices take a deep dip. Be aware that most of these hotels are really pricey (like $400/nite up) in March. If that is too much, we stayed at the Embassy Suites Paradise Valley (on Paradise Village Parkway South) a couple of years ago. The hotel is only about 3 years old now. It is not your typical atrium Embassy Suites. It is much nicer. We paid an extra $10/nite for a view of the golf course. It was beautiful and had a stunning mountain view (I think Camelback). While they only have a pool (no slides or anything), it was a very nice pool. The suites are also better decorated than any other embassy suites that I have been too.

 

[debabe723]

Please be aware that March is Spring Training in Phoenix and many of the nicer hotels are already sold out for the month (or at least on the weekends). In Scottsdale, the restaurants will be packed almost every night (its not unusual for a 2 hour wait for a table on the weekends during March).

Do you have any idea where in Phoenix you want to stay? It is a very, very big city (can take me an hour to get from where I live to the other side of the city) and there is lots of traffic. If you can give me an idea of what you like to do and see, I can give you more ideas.

Sedona is also a great place to visit. We went up for a weekend last March and it snowed, which only made it more beautiful but did make hiking a little harder. HTH

 

[Disneymaddness]

While you are in Sedona make sure you take a Pink Jeep Tour through the desert, it is so much fun!

 

[Chris2597]

We are going to a wedding in Chandler so we would want to be in that area. We are driving and are planning to drive to Sedona and spend 2 nights, then go on to Phoenix/Chandler.
The Travel show about Sedona talked about how spiritual the area is. What aspects of the area make it that way? The pictures of the area look breathtaking.
We will be traveling with our 18yr dd....so no little ones.

 

[Forevryoung]

im 22- 21 when my parents and I went (scottsdale and sedona) so close in age to your daughter.

If you have the money stay at the Fairmont Princess in Scottsdale- the sunday brunch buffet is expensive but if you are a brunch person, it's worth it. The spa was super nice too (i got a facial, parents got massages and we were able to use the spa facilities all day).

I dont remember where we stayed in sedona but it was wonderful. Let me know if you want to know the name (restaurant there was great too).

I definitely agree to do the Pink Jeep tour as well- the three of us loved it and our tour guide was knowledgable and fun.

We were there in June. We did a few short hikes- definitely a great trip.

 

[momrek06]

While you are in Sedona make sure you take a Pink Jeep Tour through the desert, it is so much fun!

In 2002, we did a 12 days tour, Boston to Vegas, onto Grand Canyon, and then onto Sedona (most of Rte 66) and flying home from Phoenix.

I cannot remember the hotels we stayed at BUT I will totally agree with THE PINK JEEP rides. That was awesome. My DS was 16yo at the time and loved it so much.

 

[biras jim]

the Pointe South Mountain in Phoenix has a nice golf course, a self-contained water park, and is a bit away from the hustle and bustle

I HIGHLY recommend Sedona -- just went there a couple weeks back -- place is absolutely gorgeous -- plenty of hiking options in the cleanest air you've ever taken in

 

[minniebeth]

Our favorite is J.W.Marriott's Camelback Inn...
The spa is incredible!

 

[lulugirl]

I live about 5 minutes from the Boulders.

OT...small world, my mother lives in Cave Creek..we moved up to Anthem a few years ago.

 

[shoes99]

We are going to a wedding in Chandler so we would want to be in that area. We are driving and are planning to drive to Sedona and spend 2 nights, then go on to Phoenix/Chandler.
The Travel show about Sedona talked about how spiritual the area is. What aspects of the area make it that way? The pictures of the area look breathtaking.
We will be traveling with our 18yr dd....so no little ones.

My friend lives in Chandler, AZ 1/2 year, and NJ 1/2 year. Here is a picture taken in Oct, 2005. I had a great visit to Sedona.

 

[Vivianne]

We stayed at the Sky Ranch Lodge. What a beautiful view. We also ate breakfast at the Airport restaurant (some people were raving about it on another message board) it was very good. Very close to the lodge.

www.skyranchlodge.com

I'm sure there's alot of great places, part of the fun is the planning.

 

[DisneyfeverTN]

OT...small world, my mother lives in Cave Creek..we moved up to Anthem a few years ago.

Totally OT - but we used to live in Cave Creek, then my brother moved to Anthem. They now live in Portland though.