This is the second post in a series of posts by Brie Mason on her mini vacation to Phoenix with her two kids. Read her first post on Overcoming Fears Road Tripping to Phoenix Arizona by clicking on this link.
I felt right at home exploring in Phoenix, yet it was different enough for me to feel like it was a true vacation getaway. With the kids, of course, and I’ll admit, myself too, the first thing to explore is always the hotel! We routinely drop our luggage and run around the room, bouncing on the beds, scoping out the bathroom, checking out our view, the TV, and any other fun features that might be there. Next, the kids have to locate the ice machine and fill the bucket, even if we don’t have anything to put in it! On this particular trip, we stayed at the Marriott Canyon Villas in Desert Ridge. It’s an incredible place and I fear the kids may have been spoiled for any of our future trips!
This Marriott is really like a self-contained little resort. There are several pool areas, with one being a splash pad for young ones, another a quiet pool for adults and a main pool area that includes a waterfall, volleyball net, basketball hoop, and at least two hot tubs! We also had free access to the JW Marriott Desert Ridge, which was adjacent to us, and boasted a long lazy river.
The Marriott Canyon Villas Main Pool Waterfall
The JW Marriott’s Lazy River
To add to the resort element, there were also activities going on all day. There were the typical ping pong tournaments, and water aerobics classes, but it was some of the other listed events that had me intrigued. Imagine racing on giant blow-up alligators, for example, or joining in a real cowboy sing-a-long! The one that interested my teen son the most was making survival bracelets. He was really impressed with the idea that he could make something that he’s been seeing in the stores.
Finished product. There’s a special spot to push and all the rope will unravel giving you 7 feet of rope to use for survival purposes.
Since our return home, every time I look at the computer screen, it’s on images of paracord for sale. I think it left a lasting impression on him! From what I hear, all the kids at school are asking him to make them one. At least we know his class will be prepared if they ever end up stranded needing emergency rope that’s all compacted on their wrists!
Although we could have spent all our hours at the hotel, Phoenix with it’s beautiful desert landscape was calling! Stay tuned to more of our Phoenix adventure, as we strayed out of our hotel oasis to explore!
Until I came here, I didn’t realize a cactus could be so beautiful!
Nishadha says
What an amazing villa experience. Its great that they had some activities included in the stay to make it much more interesting. We usually include items like preparing local cuisine, picking fresh fruits/vegetables for themselves from the farm etc in our villas. Some items like that would definitely come in handy though.
Erica Hargreave says
Definitely most appealing activities Nishadha!
Anne says
I can’t believe how beautiful the pool is at Marriott Canyon Villas. I will definitely put this on my list for the summer.
Great article Brie! Thanks
Brie says
Thanks! It’s a dream of mine to get back there again too, but I must save up for all the other places I still haven’t been! You will love it if you go.
Scott Winters says
that is really awesome…i live in desert ridge!!!
Brie Mason says
Sorry that I am just now seeing your comment! I’m jealous that you live so close… perfect excuse for a weekend ‘staycation’! I heard that it gets extremely hot out there in the summer so maybe you want to go pend the day sitting under the pool waterfall! I also heard that a lot of places out there drop their rates in the high summer heat so that might be something to look into as well.
Laura Lane says
Awesome property, awesome grounds.. very well manicured landscaping, great service with well trained customer focused team, great food, great amenities.
I absolutely loved this property! They always have something fun going on and the fact that you can be shuttled over to the JW and enjoy.
Great Article..Thanks!
Brie Mason says
Glad you had the same kind of wonderful experience that we did. I looked into going back recently but it was all booked up!
Nelson M. Castilloo says
Hey bud,
Thank you for sharing this marvellous experience.This place is just unbelievable . The JW Marriott’s Lazy River is so beautiful .The waterfall is really charismatic.I will explore more about this villa.
Erica Hargreave says
Yeah, it is definitely a fun place to stay with the family.
Gaurav Roy says
Watching your picture, I wonder why so many people around me think I’m gonna stop travelling now that I’ll be a mum.. Really pretty pictures
Erica Hargreave says
Kids just give you more of a reason to travel, and the excitement of seeing the world through their eyes.
Darrel says
My wife and I had a staycation just recently after winning a text to win contest from KMLE and even though we were just minutes from our home it was exactly what we needed to unwind and get some us time in.
We loved our stay and if you get the chance to do the same take it. You won’t regret it. The hotel was great but far from a 5 star but just being away from our normal routine and being alone together was the best mini vacation we ever had!
Melissa says
We have done a couple staycations here in the valley – But we haven’t stayed at the Marriott here yet so we definitely will make plans now!
Tatiana says
This villa looks amazing. Love the waterfall into the pool, great place to relax!
Alex says
Sound like you have a pretty good time. We lived out west for several years and my job had me traveling to phoenix on a regular basis. This is one of my favorite western cities. I very much enjoyed the desert landscape with the beautiful flowers so unlike what we had at home. Thanks for the memory.
Ann Tucker says
Wow! the Marriott Canyon Villas in Desert looks amazing. I love the pools you have pictured, especially the quiet pool for adults and the pool with the waterfall.
If the price is right, my husband and I plan to go there in the near future.
Thanks for sharing!
Garry Christin says
Every travel experience are giving fresh feeling, off course you are able to convey the same feeling to us through your blog. The images taken are beautiful. Enjoyed a lot. Thanks.