A mega cabana with its own private hot tub. A seven-acre water playground. Pool parties with Phoenix athletes. Dive in to find out where you can enjoy the coolest Arizona resort pools–and even cooler poolside experiences–this summer.
Water Park Wonderlands:
Arizona Grand Resort & Spa
The award-winning Oasis Water Park at Arizona Grand Resort & Spa is found on seven massive acres at the Phoenix resort. Families line up to hitch a ride on the eight-story thrill slide towers, featuring a variety of blood-pumping water slides. Other water park amenities include a giant wave pool, a 25-person hot tub, the Valley’s only side-by-side active river and Wild Cat Springs for younger children. Resort guests and ResortPass day pass-holders enjoy complimentary lounge chairs and pool towels.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Whether you’re seeking a tranquil adults-only sanctuary or a family-friendly escape, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has a pool to match your mood. For those traveling with tots, you can’t beat Sonoran Splash. There, little ones can make sandcastles in the large shade-covered sandboxes while those measuring in at 42 inches or taller can twist and shout on the duo of 200-ft. water slides. The palm tree paradise of Sunset Beach pool–with 9,000 square feet of cool-to-the-touch soft white sand–is also not to be missed. ResortPass can be booked here.
The Wigwam Resort
All summer long, The Wigwam Resort at Litchfield Park is brimming with fun activities for the entire family–from character breakfasts with superheroes and princesses to Saturday-night pool parties. Between all of the exciting activities, guests head to Tower Pool for some aquatic adventuring, with its 25-ft. twisting dual water slide, splash pad and private cabanas.
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
Families flock to The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale to visit its action-packed Adventure Water Park. The resort pool is home to the Kierland FlowRider flow-board simulator (that’s right–surfing in the desert!); a lazy river, featuring a Tommy Bahama Relaxation Reef private island; and a 110-ft.-long waterslide.
Coolest Cabanas:
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
There are cabanas. And then there are JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa’s luxurious Lazy River Pool Suites. The poolside suites are fully-enclosed spaces with an air-conditioned interior, featuring a flat-screen TV (there is a TV on the patio area, too), a wet bar, a half bath, a mini fridge and a plush sectional. Each pool suite also comes with reserved lounge seating beside the lazy river, as well as a dedicated host and in-suite food and beverage service. Those who just want to pop in for the day can book a Daycation Pass, which includes entry to four sparkling swimming pools, the serpentine waterslide and the lazy river. Daycation Passes are available for purchase Monday through Thursday based on availability. Reservations should be made through Real Rime Reservations here.
Hotel Valley Ho
Grab 29 of your nearest and dearest and book The BIG Cabana at Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale. This VIP cabana comes with plenty of plush lounge seating, private mini fridges, TV’s, ceiling fans and–get this–its own hot tub. Plus, enjoy live bands at the OH Pool, one of the Valley’s coolest pools, every Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. and DJs every Saturday and Sunday from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m., through October. This cabana can be reserved through ResortPass.
The Phoenician
Found at the base of Camelback Mountain, the infinity-edge Canyon Pool at The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician is one of the more luxurious spots to spend a summer day. The most unique aspect of The Canyon Pool is the cabana experience. The 200-sq.-ft. cabanas feature a full bath (toilet, sink and shower), as well as Wi-Fi, interior seating, reserved poolside lounge chairs, a mini fridge with water bottles and Gatorade, select F&B amenities, sunscreen and more. The pool is exclusive to Canyon Suites guests.
Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
For the ultimate luxury experience, Arizona Biltmore visitors can book a private poolside cabana at Saguaro Pool. In addition to glorious shade, the experience–suitable for up to six guests–is complete with a personal pool attendant, food and drink service from Saguaro Pool bar, a mini fridge, a complimentary fruit plate, bottled waters, a mister fan, a flat-screen HDTV and two chaise lounge chairs. Book your cabana for DJ entertainment at Saguaro Pool on Fridays and Saturdays with the exception of three-day weekends, when it shifts to Saturdays and Sundays. Cabana rentals at Saguaro Pool are available for non-guests or non-guests can book day passes or cabanas at the family-friendly Paradise Pool Sunday through Thursday; visitors can book online through ResortPass here.
W Scottsdale
The WET Deck and cabanas at W Scottsdale were recently renovated–making Scottsdale’s coolest pool party central even more of a destination this summer. The cabanas now have refreshed furniture and upgraded TV’s, while the WET Deck has pop-up partnerships with AWAY Spa, giving guests the option to enjoy poolside spa treatments. Fun fact: the pool at W Scottsdale is actually chilled–not heated, like most Arizona pools.
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North might be known for its gorgeous desert setting, impeccable accommodations and divine dining but don’t sleep on its two-tier, saltwater pool complex. Resort guests get to dig into complimentary passed poolside treats, chilled oshibori towels and more. For a true treat, book the Adult Pool Luxury Cabanas, featuring a mini fridge stocked with refreshments, complimentary chips and salsa and an additional appetizer, two complimentary cocktails, a TV, chaise lounges and seating for up to six guests.
Most Unique:
Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia
What’s more pinch-me than your own private pool during a resort stay? The stunning Andalusian Presidential Suite at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia has its own private pool and spa! The bucket-list suite also offers 2,800 square feet of space, two bedrooms, an oversized living area, a patio with plenty of alfresco furniture and views of Camelback Mountain. While the resort has three additional sparkling pools for guests, day passes are only available the Kasbah Pool via ResortPass.
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa recently appointed Pooltime Planners to make the most out of your day at the resort’s 2.5-acre water playground (that means 10 pools, a built-in beachfront and a three-story waterslide). Whether you’re seeking time with your little ones or a romantic rendezvous at some of Scottsdale’s coolest pools, Pooltime Planners can develop itineraries that suggest how to best spend your day with activities like family float races, lawn games and adults-only poolside yoga.
High Country Motor Lodge
Those seeking to escape the heat in the Valley can enjoy the largest outdoor swimming pool in Northern Arizona at the newly opened High Country Motor Lodge in Flagstaff. Water enthusiasts should also take note that the boutique hotel will soon open the very first Nordic Spa experience in all of Arizona. There, guests can enjoy alternating hot and cold relaxation therapies for an out-of-body experience, all from the comfort of a private sauna.
JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa
An experience like no other, Hashani Spa at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa in Tucson offers poolside moonlight meditation every month on the night of a full moon. The classes are held at the spa’s private saltwater pool. Once there, guests are blessed with sage, and those 21 and older are invited to enjoy a craft brew from locally owned Crooked Tooth Brewing Company (Julie Vernon, owner of Crooked Tooth Brewery, guides the meditation). Guests may either float in the pool with noodles or sit poolside. The classes, which are open to the public and resort guests, are $25 per person at the door. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the meditation begins at 7 p.m. Attendees must be 18 years or older to attend.)
Do it for the ‘Gram:
The Scott Resort & Spa
At its two sparkling pools, The Scott Resort & Spa features an array of photo opp-ready settings. One pool offers a sandy entrance while the main lagoon pool is lined with private cabanas, day beds and a pool bar. The Canal Club’s specialty cocktails alone make for vacation-perfect pics, including the frozen Caribbean Frosés and piña coladas. The Scott pools offer a limited number of day passes for locals to enjoy through ResortPass.
Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass
As part of its expansion this year, Wild Horse Pass added two new pools, available to resort guests only. Plus, those staying at the hotel the last Saturday of each month through September will receive two complimentary wristbands for the pool parties hosted by Jae Crowder–talk about an IG-worthy moment!
The Boulders
The beautiful backdrop of many a social media moment, The Boulders’ resort pool blends seamlessly into sculptural rock formations (the glow of sunset is particularly stunning) and its dramatic atmospheric waterfall cascades over the gigantic granite boulders above. Pool guests are also likely to see chuckwallas and lizards as well as colorful birds, roadrunners and Gambel’s quail families scurrying through.
Rise Uptown
If you don’t take a photo of an over-the-top cocktail by the pool, did you even staycation? Lylo at Rise Uptown in Phoenix is home to the most delicious, summer-friendly and social media-ready cocktail: Dole Whipped. The frosty tipple is inspired by the soft serve theme-park favorite–but is definitely not for the kiddos. Rise Uptown offers day passes through ResortPass.
Sanctuary Camelback Mountain
The infinity-edge pool at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain could very well be the postcard image of Scottsdale. Its famous pool is among the largest of its kind in the Valley. From the pool, guests can take in panoramas of Phoenix Mountain Preserve and Mummy Mountains and, to the west, the iconic Praying Monk on Camelback Mountain. And the best way to take in one the area’s coolest pools? While enjoying the poolside drink menu from Sanctuary Camelback Mountain’s world-renowned bar chef, Christiaan Róllich.