Today we’re reviewing a summer staycation with kids at the Arizona Grand Resort.
Located practically in the East Valley, this is the closest staycation you can book, and one of the best with kids, because included in the resort fee is access to the Oasis, a seven acre water park.
Keep reading for everything you need to know to maximize your staycation at the Arizona Grand Resort, plus a 20% off coupon code for bookings.
Want more inspiration for local staycays? Here’s more local staycation reviews from our writing team.
XO,
East Valley Moms
Arizona Grand Resort Suites with kids
Booking a suite room; it’s the best for early to bed kiddos. Parents still have the hotel bedroom and patio while kids can go to bed early in the first room of the suite. We stayed in the Camelback Suites this stay and it was great for not feeling trapped in a dark hotel room when my son went to bed at 7:30 p.m.
Contributor Kira also likes booking a suite for larger families (four kiddos) to give a little extra space than a standard hotel room.
The mini fridge was empty upon arrival (not filled with minibar drinks!), which was great for a family trip; we packed some basic snacks, protein drinks and sandwich fixings for lunches.
Also included in the suites are a wet bar and small countertop for basic meal preparations for kids, plus ample seating and tables in the first suite room for everyone to eat at.
Is the Oasis Water Park at Arizona Grand Resort good for kids?
Yes! This seven acre water park is family friendly and caters to young families. For babies and toddlers, there’s Wild Cat springs, a splash pad and kiddie pool area that’s a bit secluded from the rest of the water park.
For school aged kids, they’ll spend the day in the wave pool and the 8-story Slide Canyon Tower that includes a Free-Fall slide, Speed slide and Serpentine slide.
The lazy river is one of the only in Arizona that fits two tubs next to each other, which is nice for parents with young children. If you’ve got a baby who needs a nap, the lazy river is the perfect nap at the water park.
We stayed in the Camelback Suites building, and it was less than a 10 minute walk from our room to the water park–this was nice for nap breaks, lunch breaks (outside food isn’t allowed in the park) and just felt easy to navigate around the property without my four-year-old telling me his legs were tired.
Mom hack: a cabana rental with kids is a game changer. If it’s in the budget, book it! It offers a nice break from the sun, a chance for some quiet time (especially for really little ones and babies) and with a focused server, you’ll get fast service and avoid waiting in lines for all the random little requests that go with the territory of adventuring with kids.
Budget hacks for staying at the Arizona Grand Resort
Arrive early on your check-in day to maximize your time at the water park. You can arrive as early as 12 p.m. to begin enjoying the Oasis water park, hours before your room is ready.
Similarly, on departure day, you can stay at the water park the full day after you leave your room by 11 a.m.
Pack your own breakfasts and lunches; there is ample on-property dining, but it adds up with kids. Some of our go-to hotel easy eats include: yogurt and fruit; instant oatmeal; sandwiches and meat sticks and cheese.
For dinner, kids can eat FREE seven days a week with purchase of an adult entree at Rustler’s Rooste a classic Arizona steakhouse located on property. Just ask your server for the free, annual card that provides this perk. A big spool of complementary cotton candy is also included at the end of every meal. (Cool mom hack: go down the slide to enter the restaurant).
Get 20% off room rates at the Arizona Grand Resort by using code EVMOMS.
Is the Day Pass worth it for Arizona Grand Resort?
If you don’t need a full staycation but want a special water park day, Oasis Water Park does offer day pass access.
Daily passes start at $55 for adults, $45 for kids which is comparable pricing to other local water parks like Sunsplash, but the crowds here are much smaller, plus the food and customer service is better. 😉
It is worth noting that each hotel room receives a standard number of water park wristbands (based on your room’s standard capacity–most come with four). For us, since there were only two of us, we shared the other two with friends and family to come play for the day.
