Arizona is a romantic destination, and summer is a great time to check it out. We have partnered with Susan Lanier-Graham of the Phoenix-based blog Wander With Wonder, to get insider tips on where couples can find cool deals during the hot summer months in Arizona.

Those of us who live in Arizona have a love-hate relationship with summer. Sure, it’s hot. But there is something to that “dry heat” thing. And we Arizonans know that there are some sizzling deals to be had at local resorts with a fun “staycation.” Whether you live in the Grand Canyon State and want to get away for a romantic weekend, or are looking for a budget-conscious luxury escape, here are some of my favorite Arizona staycations.

Romantic Escapes

Arizona offers beautiful places for the two of you to reconnect. The luxurious Royal Palms Resort & Spa is in an Italian-style villa from the early 1900’s in Phoenix.

The front entry looks like an Italian Villa. Photo courtesy Royal Palms Resort and Spa

The resort features Via Cappello, or quiet, candle-lit lover’s corners around the grounds. These signature spots are ideal for a customized romantic dinner or a quiet space to sit and dream.

Enjoy a spa day at Alvadora Spa. Photo courtesy Royal Palms Resort and Spa

The Director of Romance can arrange a spa day for two at Alvadora Spa. After your treatment, soak up the sun in a poolside cabana. Complete your “romantication” experience with a meal-to-remember at T. Cook’s or in one of those private nooks, then retreat to your suite or casita with rose petal turndown service and a bubble bath for two.

The pool is open 24 hours. Photo courtesy Royal Palms Resort and Spa

Find another quiet romantic escape at Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia in Paradise Valley, which brings the essence of the Mediterranean to the Arizona desert. The setting at Montelucia is breathtaking with Camelback Mountain as the backdrop. Imagine yourselves in the romantic hills of Spain as you walk along the piaza, past arches and fountains.

The Piaza. Photo courtesy Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia

Montelucia is a perfect escape for a long weekend, where you can sit poolside and take in the magnificent views as the sun sets over the desert. Dinner at Prado is a culinary experience, bringing the flavors of Spain to your table.

Sit Poolside for Amazing Sunset Views. Photo courtesy Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia

For ultimate pampering, book a couple’s massage at Montelucia’s Joya Spa. The Moroccan-inspired spa is one of the most luxurious in the state. The spa suites open to the Joya Terrace with its private rooftop spa pool.

Joya Spa Suite. Photo courtesy Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia

Water, Water Everywhere

The desert might be hot and dry, but Arizona pools are the place to hang this summer. If the two of you want to work on that tan with lazy days poolside, head to Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, where you can relax by any of the resort’s six pools.

Enjoy Fireworks Every Summer Weekend. Photo courtesy Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

Whether you prefer slipping down a 200-foot water slide, playing on a white sand beach, watching movies at the pool, grooving to live bands, snuggling in a luxurious private cabana, or chilling in the rooftop adult-only retreat, there’s plenty to keep you cool this summer.

Fairmont Scottsdale’s Spa Pool at Well & Being. Photo courtesy Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

If you want to add in a day of indulgence, head to Well & Being for a couple’s massage, then grab a cabana on the rooftop pool for a day of solitude under the brilliant blue skies.

Spa Day at Well & Being. Photo courtesy Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

Another North Scottsdale gem is The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. Westin Kierland embraces Arizona’s history and heritage, blending Old West with New West. The central feature of this modern resort is Dreamweavers Canyon Courtyard. Enjoy the Scottish bagpiper at sunset — honoring the Scottish immigrants who built Arizona’s railroads — while sipping cocktails and enjoying fire pits and mountain views.

Dreamweaver’s Canyon Courtyard. Photo courtesy Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

Westin Kierland has plenty of water activities for the two of you, from romantic to adventurous. Head to the adult-only Aguamiel Pool located next to Agave, The Arizona Spa. Relax in a private cabana and order cool cocktails poolside. The pool is open 24 hours, so how about a romantic swim under the moonlit sky?

Adult Aguamiel Pool. Photo courtesy The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

Over at the Adventure Water Park, jump on a float and make your way down the lazy river or scream in delight as you jettison down the 110-foot-long waterslide.

Adventure Water Park. Photo courtesy The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

If you want even more adventure, head to the Kierland FlowRider, which simulates water board sports.

Kierland FlowRider. Photo courtesy The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

Once you’ve hit the waves, there are many choices for relaxing at The Westin Kierland. I don’t think there’s anything more romantic than dinner for two at deseo, the resort’s fine dining restaurant. The Nuevo Latino cuisine serves up creative dishes. Choose to sit on the patio or take part in the culinary adventures at The Rail, watching the chefs prepare beautiful tasty treats.

The deseo Patio. Photo courtesy The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa

Summer Pool Party

If the two of you are looking for a party this summer, there are a couple of options where the pool parties are the place to hang. For a Central Phoenix escape, check out Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar Phoenix. Located downtown, Hotel Palomar is adjacent to CityScape and close to Talking Stick Resort Arena and Chase Field.

Hip Guest Room. Photo courtesy Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix

Head to LUSTRE bar for an open air pool party all summer. The margaritas flow and DJs spin sounds long into the night.

LUSTRE bar is Pool by Day and Bar at Night. Photo courtesy Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix

Downstairs, Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails serves up custom cocktails and tasty bites. For those who love the smoky taste of whiskey, start with the lawless, featuring bourbon and tobacco smoke. Great bites include deviled eggs with bacon jam, shishito peppers, and a hot game chicken with tasty sweet and sour flavors.

There’s another great pool party all summer at Hotel Valley Ho in Old Town Scottsdale. This mid-century modern resort in the heart of Scottsdale successfully combines hip party with a touch of retro.

Summer Pool Party at OH Pool. Photo courtesy Hotel Valley Ho

Weekends by OH Pool are filled with fun as DJs spin hot tunes while you sip a cool summer treat.

OH Pool. Photo courtesy Hotel Valley Ho

If you book a cabana room, you can enjoy private chaise lounges just steps from the pool. If you prefer your own private party, book one of the hotel’s luxury suites. Each one has a private patio and some offer full gourmet kitchens.

Terrace Suite Living Room. Photo courtesy Hotel Valley Ho

When it’s time for food, wander down to ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho for a meal featuring creative twists on classic dishes, which you can enjoy in the space where Hollywood’s A-Listers have been noshing since 1956. Breakfasts are equally as impressive at ZuZu. Who doesn’t want to try Red Velvet Pancakes? For a non-alcoholic treat for a summer morning, order the Ho-J, a delicious and frothy concoction of vanilla bean ice cream and orange juice.

ZuZu at Hotel Valley Ho. Photo courtesy Hotel Valley Ho

Luxury Retreats

One thing we Arizonans know is that luxury stays are a hot deal during our summer months, including Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. Located in the foothills of Pinnacle Peak north of Scottsdale, Four Seasons offers stellar views of the entire Valley, world class golf, luxurious desert living, and gourmet dining.

Poolside Cabanas. Photo courtesy Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

While the pool is welcoming and the spa is relaxing, the most romantic part for me is that there are breathtaking views. I love to sit on the patio at Onyx Bar, cocktail in hand, looking out over the Valley below. The flavors that Chef Mecinas creates at the resort’s restaurant, Talavera, are among some of the best I’ve had in the world, so it is only fitting that the views from the restaurant’s patio rival the chef’s food.

Views of Scottsdale from Onyx Bar. Photo courtesy Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

For more casual dining, the two of you can pop into Proof, where the upscale diner serves up great food in a fun setting. Desserts are old school at Proof, complete with a soda fountain. Who doesn’t think it’s romantic to laugh over a cherry coke float or feed each other spoons of hot fudge sundae?

Proof Canteen. Photo courtesy Four Seasons Scottsdale Resort at Troon North

Nothing says luxury in Phoenix better than The Phoenician. The stunning marble in the lobby comes to Arizona from Carrera, Italy. The ceiling was etched in 24-karat gold. Outside, you’ll find the beautiful Oasis Pool Complex, where you two can relax in the Mother-of-Pearl serenity pool, lined in Italian tiles.

Oasis Pool Complex. Photo courtesy The Phoenician

After a romantic day at The Phoenician, head upstairs to J&G Steakhouse. The meals are complimented with handcrafted cocktails, fine wines, and beautiful views of Phoenix.

J&G Steakhouse Patio. Photo courtesy The Phoenician

Arizona Culture and History

If you want to discover the history and culture of Arizona while enjoying a relaxing retreat, there are several resorts I suggest. For a taste of Arizona’s Native American culture, check out Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass. Located on the Gila River Indian Community near Chandler, the AAA Four Diamond resort is home to luxurious Aji Spa, Whirlwind Golf Club, Ko’Sin Restaurant, and the state’s only AAA Five-Diamond/Forbes Five Star restaurant, Kai.

Pools and Water Features. Photo courtesy Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass

This is a beautiful spot to take in the Arizona desert and explore the Native American culture. You can walk hand-in-hand along the nature paths, take a romantic ride on the Gila River through the natural desert landscape, soak up the sun by the pool, or sip cocktails in the two-story lobby.

Lower Lobby with Native American Murals. Photo courtesy Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass

For a relaxing day that gives you time to unwind together while exploring more of the Native American culture, book treatments at Aji Spa. Most massages use indigenous ingredients and there are a selection of treatments developed specifically by the Pima and Maricopa Cultural Caretakers.

Pool at Aji Spa. Photo courtesy Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass

After a relaxing day, make it an evening to remember at award-winning Kai Restaurant. As one of the best restaurants in the entire country, Kai is sure to be a romantic evening for the two of you. This unique restaurant features ingredients farmed from the Gila River Indian Community and flavors that can rival those amazing Arizona sunsets.

Kai Patio. Photo courtesy Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass

One of my favorite resorts for immersing yourself in Arizona history is Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Resort. This historic hotel, inspired by architect Frank Lloyd Wright, features eight swimming pools, a spa, great dining options, and a real sense of Arizona. Opened back in 1929, Arizona Biltmore has hosted presidents, royalty, and movie stars over the years. I always enjoy the sense of place when I stay at the resort.

Arizona Biltmore at Night. Photo courtesy Arizona Biltmore

There are six pools at the Arizona Biltmore. The two of you can enjoy the buzz and fun at the Paradise Pool, or head to the peaceful Catalina Pool, which was always Marilyn Monroe’s favorite. The quiet, secluded Terrace Court Pool is one of my favorites.

If you book your stay at the Ocatilla at Arizona Biltmore, a hotel-within-a-hotel that features many exclusive amenities, you can enjoy the private Ocatilla Pool.

The expansive grounds offer little hideaways where just the two of you might sit and chat, or wide patios where you can enjoy drinks and the night skies.

Relax in the Gardens and on the Patios at Arizona Biltmore. Photo courtesy Arizona Biltmore

There are several options for dining, but a perfect romantic evening includes dinner for two at Wright’s At The Biltmore. The restaurant features classic items with creative flavors, using ingredients from boutique farms across the US. Save room for dessert, because the chocolate soufflé is simply divine.

Finding a perfect getaway just for the two of you in Arizona is easy with so many choices. The hard part is deciding which one you’ll choose for your Arizona staycation.

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