Arizona Grand Resort

HOTEL OVERVIEW

Honestly, when I first pulled up to the Arizona Grand Resort, I wasn’t sure what to expect – it’s one of those sprawling places that seems to go on forever along South Mountain. But you know what? It actually grew on me pretty quickly. The resort sits right at the base of South Mountain Park (which, if you haven’t been, is massive and perfect for hiking), and there’s something about that desert backdrop that just works, especially during sunset when the whole mountain turns this incredible red-orange color.

The thing that really sets this place apart is the water situation – and I mean that in the best way possible. They’ve got this ridiculous water park area that honestly feels more like a lazy river resort you’d find in Orlando than something in the middle of the Sonoran Desert. The kids absolutely lose their minds over it, but here’s the thing nobody tells you: it gets packed on weekends and during spring training season when all the baseball families are in town. If you’re planning to actually use the pools, aim for weekday mornings or late afternoons. The main pool area can get pretty loud with all the families, but there are quieter spots tucked away if you know where to look – ask the staff, they’ll point you in the right direction.

What I really appreciated was how they handle the whole resort experience without making it feel too corporate, you know? The rooms are solid – not fancy, but they’re clean and the AC works like a dream (which, let’s be real, is all that matters in Phoenix). Parking is free and easy, which is more than I can say for some of the Scottsdale places. The spa is actually pretty decent too, though I’d recommend booking treatments for earlier in the day before the desert heat really kicks in. One small thing – if you’re staying during summer months, the walk from some of the rooms to the main areas can be brutal in the afternoon heat, so maybe request something closer to the lobby if that’s a concern. The resort does run little shuttles, but honestly, they’re not super frequent. All in all, it’s the kind of place that works really well for families or groups who want that resort feel without the pretentiousness – and being this close to South Mountain means you can actually escape the resort bubble pretty easily if you want to explore some real Arizona desert.