Golf & Spa Resort in ARIZONA?

[kimthebride]

We are booking a vacation to Arizona - Phoenix, Scottsdale or Sedona - asap for this October.

Any resort suggestions?

We need:
- golf
- spa
- local stuff to do with a baby: museums, malls, sight-seeing, movies, etc.

Thanks!

[Jaycee]

I know a few people who have stayed at the The Phoenician, and it's supposedly really nice:

http://www.thephoenician.com/pages/index.html

[Sue]

The Arizona Biltmore... I stay there every year for business. Golf course on site, spa on site, it's right in Phoenix, 15 min. from the airport. The architecture is beautiful, the grounds are beautiful - I LOVE this place.

http://www.arizonabiltmore.com/

The view from the patio...
http://www.arizonabiltmore.com/gallery/images/squawpeaklawn_936.jpg

[kimthebride]

Cool-keep 'em coming! Thanks! :)

[sublime311]

The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess (http://www.fairmont.com/scottsdale/) is AMAZING! DH took me here when we were still dating. It was a major extravagance for us, so we didn't use the spa facilities (loved the spa gift shop, though) or golf (18 hole championship PGA tour course). The rooms were GORGEOUS! Room service (breakfast) was impeccable. The grounds were beautiful with a lake for FISHING in the the back!

Not sure if this will mean anything to you, but this resort was showcased in a Newlyweds (Jessica Simpson) episode. Jessica and Nick met some friends there. Nick went golfing and Jessica and her friends laid out by the pool. One of her friends had a baby and so when the baby started crying (heard though a monitor) Jessica went in to take care of the baby. Anyway, if you watch it and remember the episode, that was all shot at The Princess!

[sublime311]

You didn't say Tucson, but we have really great ones here, too! I'll just post the links for you (or anyone else interested) to explore:

Westin La Paloma (http://www.westinlapalomaresort.com/)

Starr Pass Marriot (http://www.starrpassmarriott.com/) (brand spanking new!)

Sheraton El Conquistador (http://www.hiltonelconquistador.com/)

Omni Tucson National (http://www.tucsonnational.com/)

Westward Look (http://www.westwardlook.com/) (no golf listed, but it seems like there is a golf course on every corner in this area!)

[juliemag]

I second the biltmore - I have a friend who works there and it is WONDERFUL. I can have him send you more info if you like. :)

[craftyT]

Hi Kim!

I went to college in Tempe and worked at The Pointe South Mountain (http://www.pointesouthmountain.com/) (but that's south Phoenix not near Scottsdale).

There are 2 other Pointe resorts in North Phoenix (very close to Scottsdale) - Tapatio Cliffs (http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=FVUO1FJKSJULUCSGBIU2VCQKIYF C3UUC?ctyhocn=PHXTCPR) and Squaw Peak (http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=FVUO1FJKSJULUCSGBIU2VCQKIYF C3UUC?ctyhocn=PHXSPPR) -they are sister properties so you can stay at one and still have charging priveleges at the other (they are only a few miles apart from each other). Both are very nice (all suite rooms). Tapatio has a wonderful spa and golf course - Squaw Peak doesn't have golf but they do have a water park (which is nice to have in the desert ;) ).

Have fun! Scottsdale has lots of great shopping / restaurants / etc.

[tinkerbelljenny]

The Arizona Biltmore... I stay there every year for business
My husband goes there too for business and it is really nice but we have never taken our son there to stay.

We have taken our son who was an infant at the time to the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and that was a great place to stay.

I also recommend The Phoenician.

[kalogrias]

I third or fourth the Phoenician. I loved it there.

[Ilovemygeek]

Everyone has already mentioned the resorts I would reccommend, with the exception of the James Hotel (http://www.jameshotels.com/) , but it does not have golf. The golf course at the Fairmont Princess is supposed to be exceptional.

As for shopping, I would check out the Biltmore and Keirland Commons in North Scottsdale for sure. If you are a bargain shopper, Last Chance is a store right down the street from the Biltmore that has all of Nordstrom's returned and overstocked merchandise and is, I believe, exclusive to Phoenix. Some items are obviously used, but many are new or barely used. You can find some amazing things there: 7 for All Mankind Jeans for $30, Coach bags for $80, Marc Jacobs shoes for $70, I could go on and on.

As for sightseeing, you can't miss the Grand Canyon if you are in Arizona. It is amazing. The Arizona Science Center is a lot of fun and kid friendly. The Cine Carpri Movie Theatre is a landmark that could be fun to go to as well. Enjoy your trip, the weather should be perfect in October!

[kimthebride]

You all are awesome - thanks for such quick answers! :) We'll decide and book tomorrow...

[HeatherFL]

I also love the Phoenician, the Biltmore and the Fairmont. Another big time favorite of mine not listed here is the Hyatt Gainey Ranch (http://scottsdale.hyatt.com/property/index.jhtml) in Scottsdale. BEAUTIFUL! You can't go wrong with any of these places.

~H.

[kimthebride]

We were in AZ last year and stayed at the Camelback Resort. We had drinks at the Hyatt and decided when SIL finds a FH she has to get married there - it is gorgeous! lol

[Bloomwood]

kim - you should also check out The Boulders (http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/PHXTB/main.wnt). We stayed there over Memorial Day two years ago. Absolutely amazing. I'm longing for it now.

[pickle]

I'll fifth or sixth the Biltmore. I just went there in April with a group of my college girlfriends to celebrate our 30th bdays, and it was fantastic. The spa was like heaven. :)

[justHB]

I just read a really great review of the Hyatt.

[linda_loo]

Has anyone stayed at Sheraton's Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa (http://www.wildhorsepassresort.com/)? They offer cash & points, and we have well over 20,000 points that we would like to use.

It says that there is a Children's Pool - so I am assuming that people bring families there. I'm wondering if we would enjoy a stay, we have 2 small children (would be 2 and 3.5 when we go).

[sublime311]

Has anyone stayed at Sheraton's Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa (http://www.wildhorsepassresort.com/)? They offer cash & points, and we have well over 20,000 points that we would like to use.

It says that there is a Children's Pool - so I am assuming that people bring families there. I'm wondering if we would enjoy a stay, we have 2 small children (would be 2 and 3.5 when we go).
I've never stayed there as a resort guest but we did have a work-related day retreat there. Service and food for our retreat was outstanding. There is a casino, but there are lots of Las Vegas hotels that are kid friendly and still have a casino. Unless you get a response here about it, I think you should contact them directly to ask about how family-oriented they are.

[linda_loo]

Thanks - they do have a Children's program, and I have asked about that. But, my kids aren't old enough for it. Blech. Just another few years. ;)

[MarriedaGoalie]

Hi Kim!
There are 2 other Pointe resorts in North Phoenix (very close to Scottsdale) - Tapatio Cliffs (http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=FVUO1FJKSJULUCSGBIU2VCQKIYF C3UUC?ctyhocn=PHXTCPR) and Squaw Peak (http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml;jsessionid=FVUO1FJKSJULUCSGBIU2VCQKIYF C3UUC?ctyhocn=PHXSPPR) -they are sister properties so you can stay at one and still have charging priveleges at the other (they are only a few miles apart from each other). Both are very nice (all suite rooms). Tapatio has a wonderful spa and golf course - Squaw Peak doesn't have golf but they do have a water park (which is nice to have in the desert ;) ).

When I worked for the hockey team, we would always have our league meetings at the Pointe Tapatio Resort. It was awesome! I miss it so much (now that I don't work for the team and don't get to go with them to league meetings). I love their pools.. they are many hidden pools as well... so have fun finding them! My favorite was this one that you had to climb up like 3 flights of stairs to get to... it was beautiful and there was never anyone in it!

[Chimichanga]

Where did you end up booking?

DH surprised me with a trip to the Biltmore and we LOVED it! We didn't get to golf (ran out of time) but we both loved the spa. It was such a relaxing vacation. I'd love to go back again!!

[kimthebride]

"Life" has been getting in the way and we haven't booked yet - so I am still reading everyone's posts. Thanks everyone!
I am hoping we still do go...

[She-Ra]

I used to live in Phoenix & I was there 2 times for business this year.

I stayed at Wild Horse Pass in May for 2 nights & I did not have DS, so I didn't really check out the kiddie pool, but they do have a huge pool area. The casino is in a seperate building that you take a shuttle boat to. The food was great, especially the lunch menu out by the pool, but my dinners were a bit over-priced for what the quality. It is in the middle of nowhere & I didn't have a car, so I did not venture out.

I stayed at the Phoenician in August (Horribly Hot then!). It is a beautiful property & great for families if it is not summer. The rooms are huge, there were bunnies hopping around everywhere, bocce ball, crouquet, several pools(some of which are adult only), a water slide, and it is very close to shopping & other attractions.