Take advantage of deals for Labor Day staycations
The school calendar says summer is over. The thermometer in Phoenix, not so much.
What’s a sick-of-the-heat Phoenician to do? Jump into someone else’s pool and order room service with the A/C turned down to 65.
Labor Day weekend offers one last chance for cheap(er) hotel and resort stays in metro Phoenix. Room rates start to spike in the fall as tourists and conventioneers return in droves.
The room rates listed here are starting rates, with the cheapest prices generally found on Friday and Sunday night. Prices may rise as the holiday weekend approaches and last-minute bookings pick up. Check Travelzoo, Groupon and other deals sites for endof-summer hotel specials, too.
When comparing deals, don’t forget to add in resort fees and parking charges, which are prevalent throughout metro Phoenix.
Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, Phoenix
Deal: The Big Chill package starts at $159 a night and includes a $50 resort credit. The corporate/promotion code is BIGDINE.
Activities: On Saturday and Sunday, the resort will have its Big Chill party, in-
cluding a 300-pound ice-cube drop, FlowRider shows, an igloo, poolside games, arts and crafts and music. The best part: Rides on the resort’s FlowRider surf simulator will be free for hotel guests on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. (A one-time registration fee applies.)
Details: 480-624-1000, kierlandresort.com.
Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs
Deal: Rates starting at $110 per night.
Activities: Poolside games and movies, Wildlife World Zoo visits, salsa challenges, scavenger hunts and dining and drink specials.
Details: 602-866-7500, tapatiocliffshilton.com.
The Wigwam, Litchfield Park
Deal: Rates starting at $120 a night for Arizona residents with ID.
Activities: Poolside games including water-slide races and obstacle courses, DJ, family game night and poolside movies.
Details: 623-935-3811, wigwamarizona.com.
Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak, Phoenix
Deal: Rates stating at $125 a night.
Activities: The resort’s River Ranch pool complex will feature games, dive-in movies, arts and crafts, scavenger hunts and music.
Details: 602-997-2626, squawpeakhilton.com.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Deal: The Best Summer Ever package, which include a $50 nightly resort credit, starts at $179. The promotion code is PBSE.
Activities: The Princess goes all out for holiday weekends and has a Hawaiian cruise-ship theme for Labor Day. Activities include live music, poolside games, dive-in movies, nighttime water-slide party, hula lessons, lei making and fireworks.
Details: 480-585-4848, scottsdaleprincess.com.
Hotel Valley Ho, Scottsdale
Deal: Rates start at $189 a night. Want to stay the entire long weekend? Check out the third night free special.
Activities: Pool party central with DJs, live music and drink specials.
Details: 480-376-2600, hotelvalleyho.com.
The Phoenician
Deal: Rates starting at $148.
Activities: Dive-in movies, live music, poolside games and, on Saturday, an On the Boardwalk carnival with food, games and entertainment. The resort recently underwent a $90 million renovation in honor of its 30th anniversary.
Details: 480-941-8200, thephoenician.com.
The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch
Deal: Rates starting at $72 a night, including a waived resort fee and 50 percent off spa treatments with the Rockin Staycations package. The corporate/ promotion code is F72AZR.
Activities: Live poolside music, dive-in movies and games including beer pong, corn hole, horseshoes and ping pong.
Details: 480-991-9000, destinationhotels.com/ scottsdale-resort.
Embassy Suites Scottsdale
Deal: Rates starting at $89 a night, which includes the chain’s complimentary made-to-order breakfast and evening reception offering free drinks and snacks. Activities: Poolside games, dive-in movies and a barbecue. Details: 480-949-1414, scottsdale.embassysuites.com.
The Camby, Phoenix
Deal: The Summer Escape package starts at $159 and includes a $25 food and beverage credit. The promotion code is SUM.
Activities: Lively pool scene, guitar loaner program and Tipsy Tea, high tea with an alcoholic twist. There are new turntables and vinyl records in the lobby from Phoenix-based Zia Records. Details: 602-468-0700, thecamby.com.
Mountain Shadows, Paradise Valley
Deal: Rates starting at $169 a night for Arizona residents, with the resort fee waived. The promotion code is AZRFF. The resort is also offering a third night free with the promo code 3RDFREE.
Activities: A Labor Day resort special includes a round of par-3 golf at the Short Course, a beer and a burger for $45.
Details: 480-624-5400, mountainshadows.com.
Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix
Deal: Rates from $120 per night with the 100 Days of Summer package, which includes a $25 dining credit at the hotel’s Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails or Lustre Rooftop Bar. Activities: Pool party at Lustre Rooftop Bar, with a DJ and and daily barbecue. Details: 602-253-6633, hotelpalomar -phoenix.com.
Royal Palms, Phoenix
Deal: Rates starting at $199.
Activities: Movie at the pool at 8 p.m. Saturday, bingo at the pool all weekend, lawn games and complimentary yoga and tai chi.
Details: 602-283-1234, royalpalmshotel.com.