While most Valley residents have pools at home, these locales go above and beyond—whether due to unique offerings such as slides or stunning scenery—making them perfect for a staycation, daycation (check ResortPass.com), or trip abroad.
VALLEY DESTINATIONS
Visitors from all over the world flock to Metro Phoenix for its resorts and hotels. While many showcase pools set against stunning scenery—including rock formations and desert vistas—these four destinations go above and beyond with features such as lazy rivers, water slides, wave pools, and even a white sand beach.
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa’s new AquaRidge WaterPark—part of the resort’s $80 million transformation—is ready just in time for summer fun. Float your cares away on the enhanced lazy river or head to one of the three new water slides, including the only dual-person vertical wall tube slide at a resort west of the Mississippi. There’s also Splash Island, a new family area with two luxurious cabanas and a kids’ splash pad. Late this summer, the adult-only area Sedona Springs will open with cabanas, daybeds, a hot tub, and more. 5350 E. Marriott Drive, Phoenix; JWDesertRidge.com
With six pools on the expansive Fairmont Scottsdale Princess grounds, there’s some cool fun for everyone. At Sunset Beach, relax in a beach chair on an actual 9,000-square-foot white sand beach. There’s also a splash pad and a large pool. Over at Sonoran Splash Pool, there are two 200-foot twisting water slides, a zero-entry pool deck, and a sandbox play area with beach toys. Meanwhile, Princess Pool is the resort’s main pool, with views of the lagoons and the TPC Stadium golf course, as well as hot tubs. Adults craving adult-only time enjoy Sonoran Landing, with day beds, floating bean bags, and oversized hammocks. Rounding out the pool options are the Well & Being Rooftop Pool at the spa and the Privado Pool at the Privado Villas. This summer, the Princess also goes all-out with its Retro Recess-themed seasonal event, with a vintage arcade, laser tag, neon mini golf course, roller rink, and more. 7575 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale; ScottsdalePrincess.com
At Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, find plenty of water fun. There are seven pools and four hot tubs, including the Catalina Pool (a personal favorite of Marilyn Monroe); the Ocatilla Pool; the Terrace Court Pool; the Bougainvillea Villas Pool; the Saguaro Pool; and the Paradise Pool, which is equipped with a triple 65-foot waterslide aptly named The Twist. Each pool is chilled during the summer months and heated during the winter to ensure a comfortable 82–84-degree temperature all year round. 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix; ArizonaBiltmore.com
Meanwhile, the Travel Channel voted the Arizona Grand Resort’s Oasis Water Park as one of the country's Top 10 Water Parks—and for a good reason. Built on 7 acres, the park offers 8-story thrill slides, a giant wave pool, a hot tub for 25 people, and a side-by-side active river. There’s also Wild Cat Springs, an area perfect for younger children. 8000 S. Arizona Grand Pkwy., Phoenix; ArizonaGrandResort.com
AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THE GLOBE
Four Seasons Hotel Seattle, Washington: The heated infinity pool at this locale, which is the only Forbes Travel Guide Five Star hotel in the state, appears to flow directly into the sparkling waters of Elliott Bay and is Seattle’s only outdoor pool with a view. Take a dip while also soaking in the view of the Olympic Mountains, Seattle Great Wheel, and the bay. FourSeasons.com
The Resort at Pelican Hill, California: This five-star luxury resort is perched upon 504 acres of unrivaled coastal beauty, with a pool that overlooks the endless sea and coastal backdrops of Newport Beach. PelicanHill.com
Magma Resort Santorini, Greece: Opened last summer, this 59-room hotel set amongst the hilltops of Vourvoulos in Santorini, Greece, is surrounded by lava sand beaches, sweeping vineyards, and the endless blue of the Aegean Sea. An infinity pool overlooks the island’s dramatic coastline. The locale also boasts Santorini’s largest spa. Hyatt.com
Rancho Pescadero, Todos Santos, Baja California Sur: The resort, which opened in December, was recently named to Condé Nast Traveler Hot List of World’s Best New Hotels and earned the 2023 Travel + Leisure Global Vision Award for its community and environmental efforts. Its curved infinity pool hugs a near-empty stretch of pristine Pacific coastline, and there are also cenote-inspired jetted tubs. RanchoPescadero.com
The Westin Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta: Tucked among the lush landscaping of the resort, developed on the site of a former palm tree farm (there are still 600 on the property(, are two pools: Tlaquepaque and Periquillos. Both were strategically built around the palms to preserve their charm, resulting in mini palm tree islands scattered throughout the water. Marriott.com
