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Arizona Grand Review (Phoenix)- 11 Important Things To Know

Located near one of the largest wilderness preserves in the US, the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa is the only AAA Four Diamond all-suite resort in Arizona. It’s a luxury resort with modern amenities, including six restaurants, a spa, golf courses, and a 7-acre water park among others. All this makes the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa a great staycation destination and a great choice for families, couples, and even honeymooners. If you’re planning to stay here, keep reading; this detailed Arizona Grand review should help you decide whether this resort is a good choice for your vacation.

Arizona Grand Review Introduction

We’ll start this Arizona Grand review with a quick introduction to this resort situated on the doorstep of the South Mountain Preserve. The largest municipal park in the US and one of the largest urban parks in the world (17,000 acres). The resort’s unique location serves some absolutely stunning views of the park and the South Mountain and even though it sounds like the resort is remote, it’s quite easily accessible. Arizona Grand is located 10-15 minutes away from the Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix and can be easily reached via most major freeways.

The water park reserved for the resort guests is great for families. Golf enthusiasts will just love the 18-hole golf course. And with over 700 suites and 120,000 square feet of both indoor and outdoor meeting space, the resort has something in store for every kind of traveler. Another thing that makes Arizona Grand a great choice for a staycation is the fact that it offers guests the possibility to get a respite from city life without being too far away from the heart of downtown

Suites at The Arizona Grand Resort & Spa

Guest Suite Arizona Grand

This Arizona Grand review couldn’t be complete without an overview of the rooms, or shall I say, suites it offers. The resort has three different types of suites. All of them are quite spacious and have their own private balcony/patio. You can choose between a guest suite, a grand suite, and a villa. The guest suite is a two-room suite with either, one king-size bed or two queen-size beds, a private balcony (or a patio), and some very interesting artwork decorations that blend in with the interior.

The grand suites are a bit bigger than the guest suites. Most of them are three-room suites but there are some grand suites that have two spacious rooms. These suites have a more residential feel, they come with king-size beds, large working desks, and a beautiful pool view.

Arizona Grand Suites

Finally, the villa suites are the most luxurious type of accommodation in the resort. They are perfect for bigger families/groups that want their own space and deliver a residential experience like no other. It’s also worth mentioning that the villas have fully equipped kitchens and offer some amazing views of the golf course. Interestingly, guests can even purchase some of the villas and use them as a second home or a seasonal retreat.

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Arizona Grand Villas

Amenities

The amenities at the Arizona Grand Resort provide everything you might expect from a staycation destination. The resort features a 7-acre water park, an incredibly well-equipped Athletic Club, an 18-hole golf course, a soothing spa, six different restaurants, and numerous meeting & events facilities.

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Oasis Water Park

Oasis Water Park Arizona

If you’re traveling with kids, they’ll definitely love the big water park that spreads across seven acres. You can have a meal or a drink inside the water park, but you can’t bring your own. When you book a room in the Arizona Grand, four wristbands for the water park are included in the fee. If you want more wristbands, you can purchase them additionally or ask them to be included in a special package.

The water park features a lot of different facilities. Some of them are: the lazy river, a wave pool, water slides, and 8-story thrill slides including the tallest resort water slide in the southwest. The water park is reserved only for guests and there seems to be enough space for all guests, even when most of the suites in the resort are booked. And if you don’t like the crowds, you can always book a private cabana.

Athletic Club

Arizona Grand review

My personal favorite facility is the Arizona Grand Athletic Club. Covering an area of 20,000 square feet, the Athletic Club is one of the largest fitness facilities I’ve ever seen. There are a lot of different weight machines, cardio machines, yoga rooms, specialty sports rooms, etc. Fun fact: The Seattle Seahawks stayed here before the 49th Super Bowl and used the Athletic Club as their training facility.

Spa

Arizona Grand Spa

The Arizona Grand Spa is a great place to relax and forget about all of your problems. Here, you can choose from a range of different treatments and they even have spa packages for children and teens! This is another reason why this resort is a great destination for a family vacation.

Dining

Next on our Arizona Grand review, we’ll cover the onsite dining options. The Arizona Grand Resort has six unique dining venues for guests with different preferences. Guests can enjoy all kinds of high-quality food, from traditional Mexican food to delicious barbecue and seafood. In this section, we’ll give some basic information about the different dining options in the resort.

The Mexican restaurant Aunt Chilada’s is the oldest restaurant onsite. They have some delicious Mexican food, award-winning salsa, and more than 50 different kinds of tequila.

Next, the Lobby Bar is a cozy lounge bar with a Caribbean atmosphere. The bar has a pool table and it’s a great spot for golfers to hang out after their round. They have a wide assortment of snacks and desserts, as well as continental and Caribbean food.

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Arizona Grand Dining

If you like to eat by the poolside, Oasis Bar & Grill is part of the water park and it’s famous for their mouth-watering, juicy burgers, fresh salads, and their signature Typhoon ice cream.

Marketplace Café is a great choice for breakfast and is actually one of the finest cafes within the Phoenix area. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for some good coffee or tasty pastries and cakes.

The newest restaurant in the resort is the Lobby Grill. The restaurant has an open-air kitchen and serves a range of delicious dishes. This includes wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, teriyaki salmon, steaks, seasonal kinds of pasta, etc.

Finally, if you don’t fancy any of the dining options onsite, you can check out The Rustler’s Roost; a restaurant decorated in an old-western style that serves some delicious stakes and has a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains. The Rustler’s Roost is located only a 10-minute walk away from the resort.

Golf Courses

Arizona Grand Golf

Even though I’m not a big fan of golf, the golf courses in the resort are nothing short of spectacular. Not only are they well-equipped and maintained but they also feature beautiful panoramic views of the surrounding desert landscape. Guests can also participate in both, intimate and large tournaments (organized by the resort on demand), depending on their preference.

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Venues

Arizona Grand Meeting & evenets

As mentioned earlier, Arizona Grand Resort features 120,000 square feet of meeting and event venues, both indoor and outdoor. The resort has 28 conference suites designed for small groups but also large event venues that can accommodate up to 1,000 people. Additionally, Arizona Grand also has 16 outdoor event venues for all kinds of different occasions. If that’s what you’re looking for, you can organize different kinds of events, including golf tournaments, themed events, and even weddings.

Things To Do In And Around The Resort

This Arizona Grand review couldn’t be complete if we also don’t quickly go over the things you can do in the area while staying here. As you can see, there are a lot of things to do inside the resort itself but the good location provides visitors with a range of different outdoor activities that they can indulge in. There are a lot of hiking and biking trails in the mountain preserve, which is right next to the resort.

If you’re an avid hiker, the resort also organizes guided hikes for guests where you can explore the area surrounding the resort and learn a lot about the plants and wildlife you might come across during the hike. Alternatively, if you’re not an outdoor person, you can head to the Arizona Mills Mall which is only one (complimentary) shuttle away from the resort.

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If you don’t want to leave the resort (which might happen after you stay here for a while), there are also some additional activities that I didn’t mention in this Arizona Grand review, such as the stay-and-play package that includes a $50 per day resort credit; a great choice for families traveling with children! Or, you can also watch movies by the pool every evening or join a fitness class if you want to try something new.

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Looking For Similar Accommodation Further Away From Downtown?

Scott Resort

If you like the Arizona Grand Resort but would prefer a resort that’s further away from the busy streets of downtown Phoenix, another great choice is the Scott Resort & Spa. Located in the heart of Scottsdale just a few steps away from the Fashion Square Mall, the Scott Resort & Spa is a charming resort surrounded by some of the most interesting attractions in the Phoenix Area. So, if you’re looking for luxury accommodation like Arizona Grand Resort that’s located in a more urban area, Scott Resort & Spa is a great value-for-money option.

The Scott is brand new and just underwent a complete, property-wide remodel last fall (2018). After the renovation, the resort is one of the most photographed and Instagrammable spots in all of Phoenix

Rooms & Suites at Scott Resort & Spa

The resort has four different types of suites and all of them are quite spacious with their own private balcony/patio.

Pool View Guestroom

pool view room

On first sight, the Pool View Guestroom looks like the perfect beachside retreat (at least until you realize there’s no ocean around). However, the pool view guestrooms (as their name suggests) overlook the two large pools, have their own private balcony (or patio), and are available with one King-size bed or two Queen-size beds.

Lagoon View Guestroom

The Lagoon view guestrooms are situated around the resort’s lagoon that will make you feel like you’re somewhere in the Mediterranean. The suites are very spacious, covering an area of 400 square feet, and needless to say, have an amazing view.

Courtyard Guestroom

Scott Resort & Spa

If you’re looking for a place where you can relax and forget about all of your problems without ever leaving the city, consider booking the courtyard guestroom. These spacious guestrooms are situated in the lush green garden of Scott Resort & Spa and will make you feel like you’re in some tropical paradise.

Suites

If you want to get your own secluded oasis that will satisfy all of your needs, the suites at The Scott Resort & Spa are a great choice. The suites are decorated in Old Havana style, they all have their living area as an addition to the bedroom and they also come with custom-designed Murphy beds. However, if you plan to book a suite, keep in mind that you need to book it at least three days prior to arrival.

Amenities at Scott Resort & Spa

The amenities at the Scott Resort & Spa might not be as good as the ones in the Arizona Grand but let’s not forget that Scott Resort is located near downtown Old Town Scottsdale, where you can find anything you might need. Anyway, the resort still features two large pools, private cabanas a poolside club, meeting & events facilities, and a fabulous spa.

Pools & Private Cabanas

Scott Resort pools

Scott Resort & Spa has two large outdoor pools which are surrounded by lush gardens. The pools are open every day between 6 AM and 10 PM. Additionally, there’s also a restaurant inside the pool (The Canal Club) where guests can have a meal in one of the private cabanas that can accommodate up to 4 people. You can select from a variety of sandwiches, Caribbean-inspired classics, appetizers, salads, local beers, cocktails, and more.

Spa & Fitness Center

Scott resort spa center

The resort’s fitness center isn’t as well-equipped as the one in the Arizona Grand but it has everything you’d expect from a resort fitness center. The spa, on the other hand, is on par with the one in the Arizona Grand. Here, visitors can get rejuvenating massages combined with contemporary spa therapies. There are six sun-washed treatment rooms onsite and all visitors to the spa can also enjoy complimentary use of the resort pools and fitness center.

Meetings & Events

scott resort events

Scott Resort & Spa has 13 flexible venues with more than 14,500 square feet of indoor meeting space and an abundance of outdoor event space. There are boardrooms, ballrooms, conference rooms, and a lot of other indoor meeting areas that can easily be decorated for many different occasions. Whether you’re looking to organize a gala dinner, a family celebration, a corporate event, or even a wedding, Scott Resort & Spa is a great choice. In total, the resort can comfortably host up to 350 guests for a dinner party or up to 600 guests for a standing cocktail reception.

Conclusion

The price range of both resorts might sound a bit high but with all the amenities they provide, it’s more than realistic. Overall, the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa and the Scott Resort & Spa are superb value-for-money options and resorts with a “home away from home” kind of feeling, and I would recommend it to all travelers who are looking for a place to stay within the Phoenix Area.

Did you ever visit Phoenix? Are you planning to visit? Did you like my Arizona Grand review? Which one of the two resorts left a better impression on you? Let me know in the comments!

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scott resort & spa review

Geeky Daddy

Wednesday 24th of July 2019

Well detailed review! While I am more of a lazy river type of guy (I prefer to relax and chill on vacations) my wife would go right for that amazingly tall water slide! That looked insane! We have friends in the Phoenix area we keep meaning to visit. You just made the trip out west much more enticing!

Passport Symphony

Thursday 25th of July 2019

Thanks, Geeky Daddy. I'm glad you liked this review and that you're considering to visit the Arizona Grand

Jas

Monday 22nd of July 2019

Oh how I wish I'd known about this resort the last time I was in Arizona! The villa rooms with kitchen and golf course view sounds amazing and I really love that there's so much to do on the resort grounds itself. I mean a 7-acre water park??? I'm sold! Defs gonna have to book a vacation here next time I'm back!

Passport Symphony

Tuesday 23rd of July 2019

Well, there's always next time, I suppose :)

Amrita

Thursday 18th of July 2019

Arizona Grand Resort & Spa looks like a perfect place for staycation with luxurious amenities. The villa suites look just the place where I would love to relax. The golf course is one of the best features of this place. The Mexican restaurant seems just the place for me with 50 tequilas!! Would love to experience their hospitality someday.

Passport Symphony

Thursday 18th of July 2019

I loved the golf course too (even though I don't play golf lol) and yes, if you love tequila, you'll love Aunt Chilada’s

Shreya Saha

Wednesday 17th of July 2019

These two are indeed very luxurious resorts that you have brought up. I loved the villa suite of Arizona Grand Resort & Spa and the best part is to have the entrance facility to the water park when you book a room there. That's a great plus! However, as I like to stay a bit further the crowd or downtown, Scott Resort & Spa, which looks equally gorgeous to me, will be my preferred option for accommodation.

Passport Symphony

Thursday 18th of July 2019

Definitely, Shreya. The villas are perfect for families or people traveling in big groups. I'm glad you got some useful recommendations from this article.

Medha

Wednesday 17th of July 2019

The resort is like a mini-city! Six restaurants mean a lot of F&B options and that's always great in any hotel or resort. The pools and cabanas look like an amazing place to relax. What catches my eye is the 7-acre water park, you could spend an entire day there! AAA Four Diamond all-suite resort sounds like such a luxury!

Passport Symphony

Thursday 18th of July 2019

You're right, Medha. The water park is amazing too and that's exactly what I did (spend entire days there :))