If all escape routes out of town seem to be closing for you right now, don't worry -- you can get away mentally without ever leaving the Valley. While the tourism industry booms in Phoenix in the winter and spring, many great resorts and hotels lure locals during the summer months with great deals and the promise of much-needed R 'n' R. Poker and slots, poolside cocktails, vintage vibes, breathtaking views, and some of the Valley's best restaurants wait for your next staycation at these 10 spots.
See also: 10 Favorite Tourist Attractions in Metro Phoenix
Upscale resorts might not be your thing. In fact, maybe you like your stay to be homey and comfortable. Maybe you also like the option of using a basket-laden Pashley bike for a nighttime ride. With a brilliant mix of luxe and cozy, Bespoke Inn's rooms look like they're straight out of the 19th-century English countryside, with more modern-looking common areas and a fountain pool. Best of all, guests get a delicious Mediterranean brunch from Virtù Honest Craft included with their stay in the hotel. Call 480-664-0730 or visit www.bespokeinn.com.
Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain
For desert beauty junkies, look no further than Sanctuary. The entire property sits on the mountain's slope, giving each room a unique view of Camelback, which turns bright and colorful at sunset. You also can enjoy the view from the newly renovated Jade Bar, which has lounge seats overlooking the mountains and some pretty stellar craft cocktails, too. Call 480-948-2100 or visit www.sanctuaryoncamelback.com.
Mid-century hotels abound in Phoenix, thanks to that era's tourism boom. One of the Valley's best examples of Midcentury Modern is Scottsdale's Hotel Valley Ho. Beautifully bright and bold rooms range from simple rooms to lavish suites with giant soaking tubs. You can dine at ZuZu or rent a cabana by the pool and order refreshing classic cocktails from the Oh Pool Bar all day long. Plus, if you stay three nights this summer, you can get the fourth consecutive night's stay free. Call 480-248-2000 or see www.hotelvalleyho.com.
With a more rustic, but still refined, take on the resort experience, the boutique Hermosa Inn has it all with food from Lon's and delicious drinks from Last Drop Bar mixologist Travis Nass. Beginning as a homestead for artists and cowboys in the 1930s, it began accepting guests later in the next decade and has been a must-stop for weary travelers ever since. Nowadays, folks can enjoy poolside yoga and The Blue Door Spa while they stay. Call 602-955-8614 or visit www.hermosainn.com.
Blow off steam and maybe even win big this summer at Talking Stick. Sure, the casino has all the gambling you can handle, but there's more to Talking Stick than just slots, roulette, and poker tables. Live entertainment from national touring acts in the ballroom and showroom are sure to take you away, while the Release weekend pool parties have become known as hot spots for waterside partying with DJs spinning from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Call 866‑877‑9897 or see www.talkingstickresort.com.
If you wish to spend your staycation in the heart of Phoenix rather than stray to a sprawling resort on the outskirts of town, the Clarendon Hotel in Central Phoenix is the perfect spot for you to rest up in city style. The colorful tiled pool is the ideal spot to lounge around and sip spicy Bloody Marys garnished with celery, lemon, olives, and a dilly bean. You can also get your fill of tacos at Gallo Blanco or opt for a bike over to a nearby restaurant like Pane Bianco or Clever Koi. Call 602-252-7363 or visit www.goclarendon.com.
Stay in vintage style at the Biltmore this summer where you can pretty much pretend you're a movie star while basking in the hotel's rich history. With past guests like Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and Liza Minnelli, the Biltmore's gorgeous art deco Frank Lloyd Wright architecture is a dream destination for design geeks. You can even visit the hotel's super-secret speakeasy hidden in the back hallways of the hotel -- that is, if you know the password. Call 602-955-6600 or see www.arizonabiltmore.com.
The Saguaro is another great spot for mid-century hotel style in Old Town. Even though Old Town Whiskey is no more, you can enjoy Distrito's modern Mexican fare and impressive tequila selection. However, one of the best reasons to stay is the Summer Lounge deal, which starts at $129. The dirt cheap deal includes the room, a poolside daybed, a pitcher of sangria, and late checkout at 4 p.m. so you can be sure to enjoy that whole pitcher of sangria as leisurely as you please. Call 480-308-1100 or see www.thesaguaro.com.
If indulging is your idea of relaxation, you have to check out the JW Marriott resort in Scottsdale. Camelback Inn boasts a steakhouse, a Southwestern restaurant, a trendy bar, a golf course breakfast and lunch joint, a healthy spa eatery, and some kid-friendly fare by the pool like pizza, ice cream, and burgers. If that's not enough to have you clamoring to get a room at the resort, let's just say BLT Steak's extensive happy hour options are enough reason to drive up just for an afternoon getaway. Call 800-228-9290 or visit www.marriott.com.
Over on the west side is one of the Valley's best-kept resort secrets. Though not as well known as the other spots on the list, Glendale's Wigwam has a long history of pleasing guests with its kitschy Southwestern style. After a huge renovation in 2011, the nearly 100-year-old resort, which features golf and spa packages, adopted its historic name again. Honestly, though, the main draw for Wigwam is its two 25-foot waterslides. Call 623-935-3811 or see www.wigwam arizona.com.
