We will be attending a convention at the convention center the first week in May. Want to stay somewhere relatively close but with a great pool for my son who is 5. My Mom will probably be joining us and I will want to treat her to a really nice resort type stay. Any suggestions as I have never been in Arizona. Thank you so much.

You're asking the impossible, unfortunately. There are no nice resorts near the Convention Center, which is way downtown. There's a convention-type Hyatt right there and assorted other moderate chain hotels. The resorts are all at least 5 miles away (Phoenician, for instance) and commuting to the Conv Ctr on weekdays requires a bit of time committment.
You have 2 choices, as I see it: 1) convenient location sacrificing the resort ambience (Hyatt downtown) or 2) pleasant resort hangout but moderate drive time committment to get to the Conv Ctr each day. I once opted for 2) and stayed at the Princess (knew what I was getting into, having lived in Phoenix for several years...before traffic REALLY became a problem). The commute was easily 1.3 hours each way door to door (partly due to construction). The Phoenician is more like 25 minutes. Hyatt Gainey Ranch, maybe 45-50 minutes on weekdays.
My advice would be to accept the driving committment and enjoy the nice resorts. If cost isn't an issue (room rates start going down in May as temps are starting to reach 100 with some regularity) I'd check Phoenician first, then Biltmore, then Gardiner's, then Hyatt Gainey Ranch. Arizona can be pretty nice in May. If you can build in a side trip to northern Arizona, you should. See Sedona or the Grand Canyon or both. Tucson has an entirely different flavor from Phoenix as well. Hope you have a great time.

Thank you so much for your detailed posting. I had no clue on traffic. I think we will opt to stay away from the convention center and deal with traffic. Will do some research on your recommended list. Want something really nice. Thank you.

Even the Ritz-Carlton on Camelback would be a good choice. The interiors are more beautiful than the Phoenician's, although it is NOT a resort! However, they do have a lovely pool area as well! But for more of the "resorty" feel I would select the Phoenician!

I don't know how much you want to spend for a hotel . . . I would imagine the Phoenician will run you between $250-$500 a night depending on your room. For those of you who've been there, does that sound about right?? I stayed at a hotel that used to be an Embassy Suites -- now called Chapparal - in Scottsdale. The room rate in June was $79 and the rate in March was $117. It included a 2-hr free coctail session each night (draft beer and well drinks) and also breakfast in the am. All of the rooms were suites and the one we were in was quite nice. It had two pools, though I don't remember there being a kiddie pool (probably not needed for a 5-yr old though). There were waiters that served you while at the pool, etc. It was definitely worth the rate.

I would definitely stay at the Arizona Biltmore....it is a very easy drive to downtown,.straight south on 24th Street, and the Biltmore is entered from 24th Street. Also, a very short distance from there is the Embassy Suites Biltmore which is very nice and has a very nice pool. Both are close to our most beautiful shopping center, Biltmore Fashion Park(Embassy Suites is steps from it) and there are plenty of restaurants, shops and movie theaters. The Ritz Carlton is also very close...all three are extremely nice and in a very good location and area. Prices should be somewhat decent because "the season" will have ended, but now Phoenix seems to be a year around touristy, despite the heat...real bargains at the resorts.

As follow-ups:
Len's comment is interesting. I think the Ritz is the best all around deal in PHX. Its rates haven't risen anywhere near as high as those of the major resorts (because it's not a resort and can't compete) but for a business trip or brief getaway, you can't beat it. Gotta ask for an eastern (mountain) view room. The Club Floor rooms are well worth it IMO. The larger rooms at the Phoenician are still nicer, though. (I hate the showers at the Ritz).
Melinda:
If this is a 'special' trip, you should really look into the Phoenician. It's a real cut above the others (except in service, where it is only average). The others I mentioned are very nice, just not as beautiful and elegant feeling. The Boulders, in some ways, outdoes the Phoenician, but is WAY too far out for your purposes. Good luck.

Thank you so much for all the help. I am so looking forward to seeing the area as my husband goes quite a bit and raves on the golf etc. We have been very fortunate to have traveled so many places and somehow I never made it to Arizona. He longs to move there but I am so happy in Seattle that I don't want to go but perhaps might change my mind. I appreciate all the comments and really enjoy this board except for the loons that lurk with Florida Crime reports etc.

I believe everyone is giving you good suggestions and MOST of them are around the "Biltmore Area" where there is tons to do (better than downtown, that's for sure)

The warning I give you is that most of these places are "pricey."

Biltmore, Ritz - $$$$ (at least $250-300 a night, correct me if I'm wrong)

Embassy Suites - $200 a night, but can get a %50 "ENTERTAINMENT" discount

Courtyard by Marriot - $129 a night

Phoenix Inn - ?? Should be cheaper than all the others

Gainey Ranch, Phoenician - I would pick the Phoenician because is much mush closer to downtown and just as nice.

Just my 2 cents...

No one has mentioned the POINTE HOTELS in the phx area and IMO the Pointe at Squaw Peak may be a great offering. It is near the Squaw Peak parkway which will take you downtown in a half hour even in rush hour. The Pointe at Squaw Peak has a great pool, river run and other water features. It is also in the North Phx. Mountains and is a very nice resort. It is run by Hilton. Another excellent choice would be Doubletree La Posada, located on the corner of Lincoln and Tatum Blvds in Paradise Valley. This too will get you downtown in approx 30 minutes in rush hour. It has a great pool with a big waterfall etc. It is near the base of Camelback mountain. Both of these hotels are not as pricey as the other resorts mentioned; but offer a great resort vacation atmosphere. Neither are as stuffy as the Phoenician nor the Biltmore which may be a consideration with a 5 year old.
Enjoy your trip!