Hi! It’s Allison from Tips for Family Trips. I’m excited to be back at Or So She Says to share my tips for getting a fantastic deal on a family-friendly luxury resort this summer.
Budget travelers know that the off-season is the best time to score deals at resorts that might be financially out of reach at other times of the year. It’s always the off-season somewhere, and during the busy summer travel season, that somewhere is Phoenix, Arizona.
I am aware that Phoenix is really, really hot during the summer. But if you can handle the heat, summer is the time to find rooms for less than $100 per night at luxury resorts that could cost 2-3 times that much at other times of the year.
Resorts know that Phoenix can be a hard sell during the summer, so they drop their rates and line up a fun schedule of indoor and nighttime activities to fill empty rooms with bargain hunters and locals.
Still need convincing? I recently visited the historic Wigwam Golf Resort and Spa and the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa. Here’s what they have coming up this summer.
Great Pools
Phoenix is a land-locked city with year-round sunshine, so its luxury resorts have exceptional swimming pools. Multiple pools, water slides and splash pads are the norm at most top resorts.
The Arizona Grand Resort has a private 7-acre water park reserved exclusively for its guests. You can cool off while your family floats on the lazy river, rides one of three 8-story water slides, plays water volleyball, runs around the splash pad or soaks in the gentle wave pool.
Family activities
Phoenix resorts line up an impressive array of family activities year-round. Many host dive-in movies and pool parties with family-friendly DJs in the evenings, and special seasonal activities during the day. This summer, The Wigwam has planned glow-in-the-dark pool parties, family game nights, superhero camps and a zip line!
Spas
Who says your kids get to have all the fun? All of the top Phoenix resorts have luxurious spas where you can unwind with a massage, facial, manicure, pedicure and more. Many of the spas are for adults only, but some offer treatments for children too. My daughter and I enjoyed side-by-side pedicures at the Arizona Grand Resort which has several spa packages for girls and teens.
Golf
Phoenix and Scottsdale are filled with top-notch golf courses that are maintained all summer long. Golf lovers can start the day at the historic Wigwam Resort with a sunrise tee time on one of its three courses, enjoy breakfast on the patio, and then nap through the heat of the afternoon.
Out and About
There are plenty of fun indoor, air-conditioned activities to be found when you’re ready to take a break from the pool. The Arizona Science Center is fun and fascinating for children and adults. It’s also located just across the street from the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. Love baseball? The Arizona Diamondbacks play in an air-conditioned stadium with a retractable roof throughout the summer.
Phoenix’s hot temperatures drop when the sun goes down, so visitors can find a number of exciting outdoor activities after dark. Examples include flashlight tours at the Desert Botanical Gardens and First Friday – a popular monthly event where attendees explore art galleries, shops and restaurants in downtown Phoenix.
Where to find deals
How do you find the best deals at these resorts? There are lots of options online. Some of the best are:
- The resort’s website – This is the best way to find package deals.
- The Arizona Grand Resort is currently offering a Summer Stay n Play Package that includes six wristbands for the water park, a $50 per day resort credit, and kids eat free.
- In the Wigwam’s Summer Splash deal, room rates start at $99 per night. BOGO rates apply for golf and spa packages, and kids can golf and eat for free.
- The Visit Phoenix website – Visitor’s bureau websites are an often overlooked way to find deals at resorts and local attractions. Right now at visitphoenix.com, you can review summer deals from 28 local hotels at a glance.
- Groupon – This is where I have seen the very lowest rates. A few weeks ago, you could get a room this summer at The Wigwam on Groupon for $89 per night. That deal is gone, but there are still plenty of screaming summer deals to be found. Before you buy, read my post 5 Tips for Getting the Most from Groupon Getaways.
One more way to get a deal is to call the hotel directly, especially if you are booking at the last minute. If a hotel has rooms to fill, they will usually give you a better price if you ask for it.
I hope this inspires you to try a family vacation in Phoenix!
Disclosure: My family was hosted by the Wigwam Resort, the Arizona Grand Resort and the Arizona Science Center during our stay in Phoenix so that we could share our experience with other families. All opinions are my own.
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