Visting Arizona - now accepting recommendations!

[kelleigh1]

I know people will think we're crazy, but my husband and I are planning on visiting Arizona for my 40th birthday this summer. (We've talked about maybe moving there one day and figure it would be a good idea to visit in the heat of summer to see if we could really stand it.)

We're looking at spending about 5 days in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. We haven't booked anything yet as (a) I'm heading to the AAA travel show next weekend in hopes of finding a great deal and (b) I'm trying to get recommendations.

So, throw it at me. Where have you stayed - that you liked or didn't like?

We'll both be 40 (I'll be celebrating the birthday) and have no kids. We don't golf, so that's not important, but wouldn't shun a resort because it has golf. We love the water! We're not big drinkers, but love to try all kinds of food, so wherever we stay should have at least 1 good restaurant in the moderate price range?

What activities would you suggest while in the area? Not sure we'll be able to budget in the extras, but I'm open to ideas. I did go in a hot air balloon last time I was there and loved it, but hubby has a fear of heights, so I don't think I could talk him into that this time around.

Calling all LOCALS - what are some of your favorite places to eat in the area? Off the beaten path? Places only the locals go? What is something we absolutely can't miss while we're there? Give me all you've got.

Thanks so much for any and all advice.

Oh, and as for the budget...well, I'm not really sure yet. We have to figure in airfare too. Ideally, under $200 per night (including all taxes and fees) is where I'd like to be, but I also want a nice place. (And since it will be July - the off season for the Phoenix area - I'm hoping that we'll be able to stay in luxury at a Motel 6 price )

 

[Magix]

I've stayed twice (including my own 40th birthday celebration) at the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale. I highly recommend the Studio King room. Check the specials on their website, where you can sometimes find some pretty good deals. It's VERY hot in the summer (my b-day is July 4 and it was blazing out there!), so be ready to just visit town at night. If you do go out during the day, there are lots of art galleries to wander through. At night, you can still look in all the windows, which is enough for me. There's also a very convenient free trolley that picks up right outside the hotel and has stops all through Scottsdale during the day.

The Valley Ho has a terrific spa on site, if you'd like to spend part of the hot day getting a massage (I very much recommend it). They've got their own restaurant, Cafe ZuZu, which my friends and I have really enjoyed. They also have a Trader Vic's in the parking lot of the hotel. There are many great restaurants within a few blocks, too (try Arcadia Farms!). The pool is pretty small and can be a little Spring-breaky on the weekends, but it's really pretty fun with entertainment and a bar. The place was originally built in the 50's and they've worked very hard to retain the hipster style, while maintaining a friendly and unstuffy atmosphere.

We enjoyed the place so much on my 40th, that my friends and I agreed we'd go back once each year. We went in August last year and the weather was actually much more tolerable. We're thinking of maybe trying September this year, for Spa Week.

Check it out: http://www.hotelvalleyho.com

 

[bgohre]

Save yourself some money. Turn on your stove to 450. Now jump in and close the door. SHAZAM...Arizona in summer.

Which I could help, only been to Tucson. Lots of nice things to see and do around there. Have a great trip.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

Sedona. Beautiful.
Oak Creek Canyon.
Canyon de Chelly.
Enjoy, Arizona is a beautiful place.

 

[cabmom]

We live north of Toronto and visited Phoenix last end of August.
It was 112 the whole time we were there. It is normally only around 70 to 75 at our home. So this was extreme heat. Their summer is like our winter, no one goes outside, only if you have to!
My friend took us to Sedona. I would suggest you stay there for one night. The area is beautiful. I had never seen such beauty before.
We didn't really do anything in Phoenix other than visit with each other as we hadn't seen eachother in 23 yrs.
Be prepared for extreme heat!

 

[minniebeth]

When my DH and I took a trip to Scottsdale by ourselves, no kids, we stayed at The Camelback Inn, it's a JW Marriott resort. It is absolutely wonderful! The rooms are little casitas and are very comfortable. All the ammenities are top notch. The spa there is on the list of top spas, and worth the $25 day pass to use all their facilities and pool. The restaurants are very good and had a Sunday champagne brunch that was divine. I would highly recommend this resort for a celebration such as yours!

 

[maelstrom]

I recommend going to Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright's home in Scottsdale. I was just there in September and it's really beautiful.

Then, of course, there's Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. And since you'll already be at the Arizona-Nevada border to visit Hoover Dam, you may as well drive another couple of hours and see Las Vegas!

 

[golfgal]

We stayed at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge when we went to Phoenix. It is a GREAT resort-it has 2 golf courses . The grounds are lovely for walking, they have a nice spa, a GREAT lazy river and other pools as well. The food there was good too. It is across the road from a shopping center. When we were there the center had a make your own stir fry restaurant where you pick your ingredients and they make it for you as well as a huge arcade. I can't remember what either of them were called or if they are still there.

We also drove up to the Grand Canyon one day. That was amazing. We have some good friends that live in Anthem. That is a really nice area--it was growing enormously when we were there so I am sure it has changed a lot but they still live there and love it.

 

[CindysGusGus]

I was in the Phoenix area in November and stayed one night at the Scottsdale Resort and Spa (4 star) it was $79 from Hotwire. It was beautiful, however they require a $50 per night hold on your credit card which can add up if you are there for a while. We held our conference at the Hilton in Mesa. This was a beautiful hotel and was conveniently located. Since I was working for most of the time cannot tell you many things to do, however, if you get the chance to eat at the Salty Seniorita, their coca-cola pork tacos are amazing!!!

 

[eduk8r26]

Stay away from the Valley of the Sun--it's called that for a reason!! Head to Sedona and Flagstaff, much cooler.