14 Top-Rated Family Resorts in Arizona

With warm, sunny weather year-round and plenty to do, plus a plethora of family resorts offering kid-friendly amenities like waterslides and lazy rivers, Arizona is an awesome spot to plan a family vacation. If you’re willing to travel during the hot summer season, you can also get some serious travel deals at top resorts.

Where you stay in Arizona depends on what kind of family vacation you are looking for, and most travelers will want to combine a few destinations. The top natural attraction in this state is the Grand Canyon National Park, and many travelers will come here for a first visit. The red rock country around Sedona is another fabulous natural escape. It is easy on the eyes and home to a number of luxury resorts.

The Phoenix metro area, including suburbs like Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, is probably the most popular vacation destination in Arizona. Phoenix area resorts tend to have golf courses, lavish spas, kids’ clubs, and lots of swimming pools – some even have water parks on-site.

Tucson is another great choice for families. This laid-back city is home to giant saguaro cacti and fiery sunsets.

Plan your vacation with our list of the best family resorts in Arizona.

1. The Phoenician, A Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale

Accommodation: The Phoenician, A Luxury Collection Resort

The Phoenician is a landmark five-diamond, five-star resort in Scottsdale. It is set on 250 acres of gorgeous grounds at the base of Camelback Mountain. The property is very family friendly with an on-site Funicians Club for kids with scheduled activities that change daily. They also have a kids’ zone in their nine-swimming-pool complex, which features a waterslide and treehouse.

Families will want to book one of the suites or casitas, which have enough space to move about. They are also quite comfortable, done up in modern Southwestern style with large flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and balconies. Other on-site amenities include a 27-hole golf course, eight restaurants including some with children’s menus, and a number of boutique shops.

Address: 6000 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale, Arizona

2. Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

Accommodation: Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North

The Four Seasons brand is known for being kid-friendly, and the Troon North property is no exception. This adobe resort sits outside Scottsdale at Pinnacle Peak’s base, surrounded by high desert scenery and saguaro cacti. Families can check out the network of hiking trails around Pinnacle Peak for outdoor explorations. The resort also hosts a Kids Camp with daily activities.

Accommodation at the five-star resort is in casita-style rooms done up in modern Southwestern style, and the rooms come in a variety of styles. Try the patio fire-pit casita, which comes with either a king or two double beds and the option to place a rollaway in for kids as well. Its best asset is the outdoor fire pit, perfect for roasting marshmallows over. Suites are even more swanky, with private heated pools on the patios.

On-site amenities include three restaurants, a spa, gym, and a swimming pool. There is also a shuttle to the Troon North Golf Club.

Address: 10600 East Crescent Moon Drive, Scottsdale, Arizona

3. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

Accommodation: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

Kids have four pools to choose from when staying at the luxe Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, including one with its own white-sand beach and another with waterslides. There are two adult-only pools as well, which are relaxing when you drop your little ones at the free morning kids’ club with different activities each day. There is also an afternoon Family Adventure Centre. More kid-focused amenities include a children’s check-in station and mini sized robes.

This huge property sits on 65 acres in north Scottsdale and features Spanish Colonial-style buildings. The grounds boast fire pits, lagoons, gardens and paths meandering through them, which gives you somewhere to walk with the little ones.

There are 750 rooms and suites with contemporary decor and an earthy color scheme. All are comfortable and come with extras like Nespresso machines. On-site amenities include four restaurants, boutique shops, a spa, and two golf courses.

Address: 7575 East Princess Drive, Scottsdale, Arizona

4. Enchantment Resort, Sedona

Accommodation: Enchantment Resort

In a gorgeous canyon in Sedona, Enchantment Resort accommodates kids aged four to 12 at its Camp Coyote, which features special daily activities. Enchantment offers more than 100 activity options each week to guests including family-focused adventures, from nature walks to outdoor yoga and stargazing.

On property there are also three swimming pools, tennis courts, croquet courts, and an adults-only spa. The restaurant serves three meals a day. Rooms are luxurious and done up in adobe casita style. They come with large bathrooms including deep soaking tubs.

Address: 525 Boynton Canyon Road, Sedona, Arizona

5. L’Auberge de Sedona

Accommodation: L’Auberge de Sedona

L’Auberge de Sedona is a luxury retreat in Sedona, with a renowned creekside restaurant that works well for couples and families. Kids love the duck-feeding ritual, which takes place each morning. And there are also stargazing sessions with a local astronomer that interest older children.

Choose from either lodge-style rooms or detached cottages. The latter are especially elegant and feature views of either the creek or the red rocks. Some even come with Jacuzzi tubs for two (great for after you put the kids to bed).

Amenities include a saltwater swimming pool and a beach next to Oak Creek. There is also an excellent spa on-site and all sorts of rotating resort activities, including natural history talks, photography lessons, and full moon meditations each month.

Address: 301 L’Auberge Lane, Sedona, Arizona

6. Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale, Curio Collection by Hilton

Accommodation: Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale, Curio Collection by Hilton

Offering one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas and haciendas, the Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale is a favorite with families. These vacation rentals offer plenty of space for kids to run around. And they come with fully equipped kitchens, so parents can easily whip up meals if they don’t feel like dining out.

Other perks include laundry rooms with washers and dryers. The service is excellent, and the decor is Southwestern comfy luxe. We love the rock formations and desert landscaping around the property as well.

There is plenty to keep you busy on the grounds. If golf is your game, check out the Boulders Golf Club, which hosts two award-winning Jay Marrish designed courses.

There is also a 33,000-square-foot spa offering everything from desert-inspired facials and body treatments to a full range of massages. Babysitting for the kids can be arranged.

The resort can set up a host of activities that can be tailored for families. There is horseback riding across desert terrain and morning hot air balloon trips, as well as hour-long nature and wildlife adventures that are suitable for all ages.

Other amenities include a large swimming pool, tennis courts, fitness center, and a few different dining choices.

Address: 34631 N. Tom Darlington Drive, Scottsdale, Arizona

7. JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

Accommodation: JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

Set in Paradise Valley, the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa offers views of Phoenix’s famed Camelback Mountain and the Mummy Mountains. It has a relaxing away-from-it-all vibe, but the location is still convenient to downtown Phoenix and Old Town Scottsdale.

This five-star property dates back to 1936 and has hosted everyone from Jimmie Stewart to Oprah Winfrey over the decades. It has a historic-meets-modern vibe and gorgeous grounds laced with walking trails. The rooms have hand-made, dark wood furniture; vaulted beamed ceilings; and cowboy artwork. They also come with microwaves and refrigerators that parents will appreciate for heating up snacks.

Amenities include the Jackrabbit pool complex with children’s pools, a kids’ play area, two golf courses, and a spa. There are also six restaurants on-site.

Address: 5402 E Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, Arizona

8. Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Phoenix

Accommodation: Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

There are eight swimming pools, including one with a 92-foot-long waterslide at the luxury Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix, making it a top choice for families. This historic property on 39 acres also features a kids’ camp and playground. There are a range of room choices offered here, including suites and villas that come with kitchens and plenty of space for families to spread out.

Amenities include five restaurants, an upscale spa, fitness center, and multiple tennis courts. There are also hot tubs, and the Arizona Biltmore is pet-friendly.

Address: 2400 East Missouri Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona

9. The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain

Accommodation: The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain

Set amid gorgeous high Sonoran desert scenery in the Tucson area, The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain is a 5-star resort experience that is great for the whole family. The brand is well-known for its luxury amenities, as well as being child-friendly, and there is a kids’ club on-site, as well as special activities for little ones. If parents just want some alone time, babysitting can also be arranged (for a fee).

At the base of the Tortolita Mountains, the resort features well-appointed rooms and suites that have a modern hacienda style about them, with wood beams on ceilings; a neutral color scheme; and pops of color in wall art, lamps, and chairs.

There are plenty of amenities to keep you busy. Play a round of golf on the Jack Nicklaus Signature course, go for a hike through one of the nearby canyons, chill by the swimming pool, or get pampered with a massage at the spa. There are also indoor and outdoor dining options, a fitness center, and bike rentals on-site.

Address: 15000 N Secret Springs Drive, Marana, Arizona

10. Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort, Tucson

Accommodation: Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort

Known as a popular romantic getaway, the Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort on a hill just north of Tucson is family friendly, although it works best for older kids. The property features stunning views of the Santa Catalina Mountains and Tucson Valley below and is a great desert retreat just a 10-minute drive from downtown Tucson.

The historic, boutique guest ranch has a charming Old West vibe and is famed for its attentive service and stunning sunsets. During the 1950s, it was a popular hideaway for A-list movie stars, and today it retains some of that yesteryear glamour along with some modern upgrades like a zero-edge swimming pool.

Rooms come in all sizes, but the casitas and suites are a good choice for families. Everything is luxurious – think Oriental rugs on top of shiny hardwood floors, and very comfy beds draped in high-quality linens. There are also a few different dining options with children’s menus. Ask the concierge about family activities.

Address: 5501 N Hacienda Del Sol Road, Tucson, Arizona

11. Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale

Accommodation: Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale

Views of the Sonoran desert and Camelback Mountain abound at the swanky Mountain Shadows Resort just four miles from downtown Scottsdale, which is filled with shops and restaurants. During its 1950s heyday, it was a magnet for celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and John Wayne, and today you’ll find black-and-white photos of old stars in the elevator.

There are no specific kid-focused amenities here, but there are half a dozen room styles, so families are well accounted for, and adjoining rooms can be booked. Decor is modern elegant, with art and colorful furniture juxtaposed against gray walls and crisp, white linens on comfy beds.

Resort amenities include a par 3, 18-hole golf course, which is great for teenagers playing with parents. The entire course can be played in less than three hours. There are also multiple swimming pools, a spa, and restaurant.

Address: 5445 E Lincoln Drive, Paradise Valley, Arizona

12. Lodge at Ventana Canyon, Tucson

Accommodation: Lodge at Ventana Canyon

If your family enjoys golfing, check out the kid-friendly Lodge at Ventana Canyon, which is a luxury golf resort. This all-suite property sits in a gorgeous locale on a 600-acre desert preserve outside Tucson. The suites are modern in decor, with comfy beds, leather couches, and kitchenettes.

There are two 18-hole golf courses to play, but even if golf isn’t your game, there are nature trails to walk on the property. There are also tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a relaxing spa. Grab a meal at the on-site restaurant

Address: 6200 N Club House Lane, Tucson, Arizona

13. Yavapai Lodge

Accommodation: Yavapai Lodge

If you want to stay inside Grand Canyon National Park, check out the Yavapai Lodge, which is within walking distance of the South Rim. This sprawling hotel offers a number of room styles in two complexes separated by the Market Plaza, which houses the lobby, house restaurant, and shops.

The newest rooms are in Yavapai Lodge East and are the only ones with air-conditioning. There are family room options on this side, and rollaway beds and cribs are also available with advance request. The Yavapai Lodge West rooms are the original Route 66 motoring heyday abodes, and these don’t come with air-conditioning. They are, however, high in nostalgia value and they are the only pet-friendly options on property should you be traveling with your pup.

Address: 11 Yavapai Road, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

14. Junipine Resort, Sedona

Accommodation: Junipine Resort

On the gorgeous Red Rock Scenic Byway just outside Sedona, the Junipine Resort is a favorite for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a back-to-nature but still luxurious experience where you can feel Sedona’s vortex energy. The resort offs a mix of spacious rooms and suites spread across large well-maintained grounds.

There is an on-site kids’ club, as well as multiple swimming pools, including one for kids, which comes with water features. For dining, there are a few different restaurants. There is also a fire pit for roasting marshmallows that is a favorite with kids.

Address: 8351 N. Highway 89A, Sedona, Arizona

Map of Family Resorts in Arizona

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Exploring Arizona: Once you’ve found the resort of your choice, you may want to start planning out your activities. Bring your hiking boots and hit the trails with our lists of the best hiking trails in Phoenix, Tucson, and Sedona. Browse through our list of things to do at the Grand Canyon to find the best overlooks and other attractions. And if you brought your mountain bikes, you won’t want to miss out on the best mountain biking trails around Sedona.