Camelback Mountain is a postcard-perfect backdrop for kid-friendly InterContinental Montelucia.
By Nina Gass
You’ve done Disney, Myrtle Beach, San Diego and all the other pit stops on the spring break vacation circuit. This year, the desert is calling. In addition to being a base for the perennial family favorite — spring baseball training — Phoenix pitches so much more to families: great outdoor hiking, picturesque vistas and golf courses and spas for mom and dad. Hit these three Phoenix hotels for a departure from your usual spring break routine.
- InterContinental Montelucia is situated next to Camelback Mountain, which provides a spectacular backdrop to an incredible view of the property. I recommend a massage and facial at the dreamy spa. The hotel is located in the posh shopping and golf mecca of Scottsdale, which is also known for its art galleries and gourmet restaurants.
- The Arizona Grand Resort , which sits at the opening of the South Mountain Park and Preserve, spoils families with two-room suites, ensuring plenty of elbow room and privacy for the grown-ups and kids. There was so much for us to do — including biking and horseback riding — that we wondered if they would let us move in. After a trip to the Oasis Water Park on site, my son said (and I quote), “That was splashtacular!”
- A preferred hotel of ours (my husband originally picked itnot on the basis of a review but because it was named after his favorite hot sauce), the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort has undergone a $425 million renovation since we lasted stayed there, so it’s on our short list for a spring visit. It’s an all-suite AAA Four Diamond resort, so there’s no end to the luxury, service or choices. Highlights include golf, hiking and numerous views of the entire valley area.
If you like to stay in a more central location to be amongst the nightlife and shopping districts, some great downtown Phoenix hotels to try include well-known and admired brands like the Hyatt Regency,Wyndham and Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Midtown.
While in Phoenix, be sure to take in some great outdoor activities. You’ll find a wide array of golf courses for the beginner to the pro, numerous hiking trails, and some mouth-watering Southwestern food.
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Nina Gass is a freelance travel and business writer who lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two boys. An avid traveler and dreamer, Nina makes the most of her international family connections throughout the U.S., Australia, England and Mexico.
