On our last Spring break (April) trip to Florida, my DH and I decided that we needed a change.

We've never been to Arizona and have chosen Phoenix because JetBlue flies direct to that location (and the fares are relatively cheap - saving FF miles for another trip).

We want a special hotel with beautiful surroundings, great bedding, and an outstanding pool (and all that goes with it -- poolside dining, room to move, and dare I say it, not a kiddie hang out. Okay I said it).

We do like to "get up and go", so some suggested activites would be appreciated.

Frankly, I messed up BIG TIME on my last two spring break vacation choices. I promised my DH I wouldn't let him down this time!

Please help me, that way I'll have someone else to blame if I mess up again!! LOL!

Thanks so much!

STW

&$#&@!!

SIGH!!

Yes, Yes, I know it should be AZ!!!

I wish there was a feature to fix that!!!

Okay, carry on.

I have never stayed here, but when I'm ready for a splurge I'd try the Westin Kierland:
http://kierlandresort.com/golf_spa/index.html

Very well rated on Trip Advisor. Although, I'm curious Seetheworld. What were your last two spring trips that were mess ups?

http://www.arizonabiltmore.com/
http://scottsdale.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

This newspaper article sounds like what you are looking for -
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale at Gainey Ranch

Sections of the pool are adults only, so you can drop off the kids in the water-slide area and sneak off to one of the many swim-up or walk-up bars. The setting is beautiful, and guests can enjoy the full-service spa. Lie back on one of the upholstered poolside couches, swim around the waterfalls, or snooze on the Arizona fake beach -- it's the perfect mini vacation without leaving the city.

How about the Four Seasons or the Phoenician? I've heard the Royal Palms is lovely too.

Have to through my 2 cents in for the The Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain. Beautiful, laid back luxury resort. Spent 3 days there in September '04 and can't wait to go back.

The Arizona Biltmore's main pool is amazing. Add to the fact that they have something like 11 other pools.

The Arizona Biltmore is one of my favorite resorts in the world.

Gosh, how I wish I could pack my bags and go now!

You've given me some great recommendations.

I didn't realize that Scottsdale is only about 30 minutes from Phoenix -- that gives me a lot more possibilities.

Initially I thought about going to Sedona, but my search turned up empty, particularly on the luxury pool aspect. Amara Creekside Resort looks nice, but has a tiny pool. It's also 2+ hours away.

April is high season. Anyone know if these resorts, during the winter, offer spring packages?

I'd stay at the Biltmore FOR SURE.

I have one problem with your request though. Spring Break + Luxury Pool = Kids. I can't imagine how you can avoid them unless you stay at the Royal Palms, which isn't quite as fabulous IMO.

Sanctuary on Camelback. It is wonderful -- luxurious, wonderful food, spas, lots to do but not huge (no golf course on site although there is tennis). In the last two years I have been, I have not seen kids there although I don't think the resort bans them. Just not a kid friendly place -- I certainly wouldn't go with my toddlers.

You are right nina that's why a resort with 11 pools sounds good. The last "resort" we went to on the east coast of Florida had a pool the size of what you would find in a backyard. I can't tell you how many times we were bopped in the head by some flying object. You couldn't swim if you wanted to. But I know that's the price you pay for going during spring break.

Camelback? I have to do a mapquest to see where that is.

seetheworld, the main pool at the Arizona Biltmore is so massive (and a very cool water slide), there is no way the pool could ever get crowded.

April was a wonderful time to visit.

I love the Biltmore, it has one of the nicest ambiences of any hotel I've ever been to.

See, even if you don't stay at the Biltmore, try to go and have dinner on the terrace, it's so beautiful, they have a huge outdoor fireplace in the middle, and I'm salivating thinking of their warm breadsticks with olive dip (I even got the recipe, it's so popular they have them preprinted on little slips of paper because so many people ask for it).

I'd go to Phoenix just to stay at the Biltmore and I wouldn't need to go anywhere else.

I was also there in April, it got cool at night and was in between 75-78 degrees during the day, just gorgeous weather.

That is exactly what we did Nina, we arrived and only left the property one time.

It was so fabulous! I'm an architecture buff anyway so that was an even double treat.

We ended up in the suite below and beside the Presidential Suite which was an added plus.

Oh I wanna go back!

Forgot to add the pool cabanas are a fabulous amenity for families. Kitchen, flat screen TVs, full bathroom facilities, comfy chaise recliners.

I know, I just love the Biltmore, my husband is an architecture buff too and checked it out on a biz trip then came back and told me we had to go there, he raved about it and knew I would love it.

We took a peek at the Phoenician while we were there and I didn't like it nearly as much as the Biltmore, too glitzy.

Nina and GoT, sound soooo good!!

I was wondering about the daytime temps. I would imagine that the pools are heated, no? The Biltmore is also part of the Hilton family of hotels (not my favorite hotel chain). But the Biltmore sounds top notch (as the price would reflect).

It was really hot during the day as we were there mid to late April. The temps were in the 90s by day and dropped at night. No humidity.

No, the pools aren't heated that I know of but you would not want them to be.

It was really hot!