We are a family of four which includes two teenagers. We have reservations at both the Phoenician and Camelback. I have heard alot about the Phoenician, but not alot about Camelback. Anyone have any insights?

The Phoenician is located on the south slope of Camelback Mtn. Camelback Inn is located on the south slope of Mummy Mtn., about 1-2 miles north of the Phoenicain. I stayed at the Camelback Inn on my honeymoon and thought it very nice with a nice pool, tennis courts, etc. That has been several years ago, but I'm sure they have kept it up well.

What are you looking for..what's important to you?

They're both great hotels.

Theses are two of the nicest resorts in the area, you won't go wrong with either. Your teenagers might like the Phoenician more. The pool is great and its closer to more restaurants, shopping, movies, etc. The Camelback is beautiful but surrounded by a golf course and beautiful homes and scenery. The kids wouldn't find as much to do.

My kids like a pool with slides and falls. I am concerned that Camelback is an older place and the rooms may be "tired"

Because I have always lived in Phoenix I have not stayed at Camelback Inn recently....I would be shocked if the rooms were "tired"...this is a world class resort, beautiful amenities...there must be loads of websites that have photos or virtual tours of the place. There are several pools and casitas with their own pool. You can't go wrong with either resort and while you're here go by and check out the one you didn't pick.

Not sure about the Phoenician, but the pools at the Camelback Inn do not have fun slides. It IS a beautiful resort, and having stayed there numerous times in the past year on business, I can tell you the rooms are definitely NOT tired.

If it's pools and slides you seek, try the Hyatt at Gainey Ranch. Fabulous waterslide, beach entry pool (one of 10 pools!), and beach movies on the weekends.

Enjoy!

I have stayed at Camelback, The Phoenician and Gainey Ranch, They are all wonderful. I would give the edge to the Phoenician, though we do not have kids they might prefer Gainey Ranch/Hyatt

We just returned from the Phoenician two weeks ago. We also had two teenagers with us (ages 17 and 14). We absolutely loved the resort! The pools are beautiful, there is a water slide, and there also is a basketball hoop in one of the pools. There are many pools from kid-active to "relaxing" so you don't ever feel like the kids are intruding on people by being too noisy. There is also lawn bowling, croquet, a putting green, and badmiton, with all equipment easily supplied. The rooms are lovely with huge balconies and plenty of room for four. The staff was also very nice to the kids. One note of caution, the food prices are very high everywhere in the resort so be prepared! We would stay there again in a heartbeat!! I personally like it better than Camelback.

Be forewarned that the Phoenician has added on a whole wing of rooms to the northwest of the main hotel, and these rooms are quite cut off from the rest of the resort. The wing has its own pool which is pretty bland, and it's a hike to get to the main lobby and pools.
We checked out of the addition immediately and asked to be transferred to the city/pool view rooms in the main building, which are the best rooms location-wise.