Best 2023 summer staycation deals at Phoenix-area hotels and resorts
When temperatures rise in metro Phoenix, hotels start attracting hometown guests with summer staycation deals promising a memorable resort experience while filling hotel rooms when out-of-state travelers avoid the Valley's triple-digit weather.
It gives locals the chance to feel fancy for a night, get closer to nightlife or just unwind for a day or two.
"We certainly want to be enticing to local residents where they can escape their house for a few days," said Shy Coleman, director of sales and marketing for the Westin Tempe. "We know what it's like to be cooped up in the house."
Here's a look at the top summer staycation deals for 2023 in metro Phoenix. Read the fine print carefully for minimum-stay requirements and cancellation penalties.
Coming soon: Biggest hotel openings and renos in Arizona in 2023
Senna House
The deal: Senna House, a Hilton boutique hotel in Old Town Scottsdale, is offering a Check In Early rate starting at $145 per night, which represents a 23% savings. The rate includes early check-in, late check-out, a bottle of sparkling wine and pool-friendly champagne flutes. Senna House does not charge a resort fee.
When to book: The rate is available for stays through Aug. 31, subject to availability Book at https://thesennahouse.com/offers-packages.
How it compares to peak season: Rates from January to March 2024 range from $249 to $567 per night.
Know before you book: A minimum two-night stay is required. Reservations can be canceled up to one day before the stay.
Details: 7501 E. Camelback Road Scottsdale. 480-946-5500, thesennahouse.com.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
The deal: The Princess has two deals this summer: an early bird special that must be booked by May 15 and a year-round package, both offering access to its 1980s and 1990s nostalgia-themed Let's Roll Summer at the Princess event featuring an outdoor roller rink:
Let's Roll Summer Early Bird Package: Up to 40% off best available rates, starting from $240 per night. This rate is nonrefundable.
Game, Glow and Roll Summer Package: This package is about $10-$30 more than best available rates depending on the date but includes a valuable perk: a $100 resort credit per night. Rates start at $379 per night.
When to book: The rates are available for stays from May 25 to Sept. 4.
How it compares to peak season: Rates during the winter start at around $600.
Know before you book: The rates do not include the resort fee of $47 per night. The early bird rate is nonrefundable. Reservations with the Game, Glow and Roll package can be canceled up to three days before the stay.
Details: 7575 E. Princess Drive, Scottsdale. 480-585-4848, scottsdaleprincess.com. Book the early bird rate using the code PEBS or the Game, Glow and Roll package using the code PGGR.
Hotel Valley Ho
The deal: Hotel Valley Ho will offer two promotions during its annual sale, which kicks off May 19: Get 25% off nightly rates or stay two nights and get the third night free. Both offers include two welcome drinks, upgraded internet and a room upgrade upon arrival if available. Currently, summer rates at Hotel Valley Ho start at $143 per night. The hotel does not charge a resort fee.
When to book: The promotions can be booked May 19-26 for stays between May 19 and Sept. 30.
How it compares to peak season: Winter 2024 rates range from $359 to $729.
Know before you book: Each offer requires a one-night nonrefundable deposit.
Details: 6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale. 877-326-7832, hotelvalleyho.com
Mountain Shadows Resort
The deal: Mountain Shadows in Paradise Valley, a sister property of Hotel Valley Ho, will also offer 25% off nightly rates or stay two nights, get a third free during its annual sale May 19-26.
Mountain Shadows also has a Fee Free Staycation package that includes 15% off a room, no resort fees and two welcome drinks. Rates start at $263 per night for a garden premium king room.
When to book: The Fee Free Staycation deal is available for stays through Sept. 30.
How it compares to peak season: Winter 2024 rates range from $343 to $703 per night, plus the $37 per night resort fee.
Know before you book: The deals are available only to Arizona residents. The Fee Free Staycation deal requires a minimum two-night stay and is available on select rooms. Reservations require a one-night nonrefundable deposit.
Details: 5445 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale. 855-485-1417, mountainshadows.com.
The Wigwam renovation: Historic Phoenix-area resort will get a multimillion-dollar makeover
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
The deal: A Splash Into Summer staycation package with three options:
Share the Splash: Buy one room, get the second at 50% off. Includes self-parking for one car per room. Rates start at $294 per night.
Stay and Splash: Overnight accommodations plus $50 resort and self-parking for one car. Rates start at $309 per night.
Suite Summer Splash: Includes a two-bedroom suite with a cabana for two nights, a $100 resort credit and self-parking. Rates start around $1,800 per night.
When to book: The rates are available for stays from May 25 to Sept. 16.
How it compares to peak season: The typical high season room rate starts at $649 per night.
Know before you book: A two-night minimum stay is required for the Share the Splash and Suite Summer Splash rates. The resort fee of $45 per night is extra. Reservations can be canceled up to a week before the stay.
Details: 5350 E. Marriott Drive, Phoenix. 480-293-5000, marriott.com. Use promo code EW5, or find the promotion under "Deals and Packages" on the website.
Sheraton Phoenix Downtown
The deal: Arizona's largest hotel is offering a Splash & More package starting at $194 per night. The rate includes one welcome glass of wine or cider, sunscreen, a bucket of local seltzers, a daily $25 food and beverage credit, two tickets to the Arizona Science Center or the Heard Museum, a two-hour bike rental, a 90-minute meeting studio rental and a 4 p.m. check-out.
When to book: This rate is available through Sept. 4.
How it compares to peak season: The high season starting rate is about $399 per night.
Know before you book: The resort fee of $25 per night is extra. Self-parking costs $30 per night; valet parking costs $40 per night. Reservations can be canceled up to three days before the stay.
Details: 340 N. Third St., Phoenix. 602-262-2500, marriott.com.
The Westin Tempe
The deal: The Stay and Play package starts at $179 per night and includes a daily $25 food and beverage credit, one drip coffee at Cup of Joe Market Cafe, one tequila flight tasting at Terra Tempe Kitchen & Spirits from 4 to 5 p.m., a two-hour bike rental for two guests and the resort fee of $22 per night.
When to book: This rate is available through Sept. 4.
How it compares to peak season: Most winter dates through March are more than $300 per night.
Know before you book: Reservations can be canceled up to a week before the stay. Blackout dates are May 7-9 and Aug. 11-15.
Details: 11 E. Seventh St., Tempe. 480-968-8885, marriott.com.
More: Why Tempe is landing luxe hotels and what it means for travelers
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
The deal: The Casitas and Ritas rate, starting at $339 per night, includes a casita stay plus two margaritas and a $50 resort credit for the resort's restaurants, spa, golf courses or tennis courts.
When to book: This rate is available May 25-Sept. 30.
How it compares to peak season: The typical high season rate starts at $899 per night.
Know before you book: Gratuities for the margaritas and the nightly $50 resort fee are extra. Reservations can be canceled up to a week before the stay.
Details: 5402 E. Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale. 480-948-1700, marriott.com. Use promo code ES1 in the Corporate/Promotional code box when booking, or find the promotion under "Deals and Packages."
The Hermosa Inn
The deal: The Summer in Paradise rate includes a discount off the best available rate plus a $25 food and beverage credit per night, two welcome drinks at check-in and poolside treats. The best rates are available June through August, starting at $239 per night.
When to book: This rate is available through Aug. 31.
How it compares to peak season: The lowest rates range from $459 to $679 for fall and winter stays.
Know before you book: The $35 nightly resort fee is extra. Reservations can be canceled up to a week before the stay.
Details: 5532 N. Palo Cristi Road, Paradise Valley. 844-267-8738, hermosainn.com.
Refreshing a Paradise Valley hotel: This shuttered hotel may be reborn as an exclusive boutique hotel
We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort
The deal: Summer staycation rates start at $129 per night for Sunday-Thursday stays and $159 per night for Friday and Saturday stays. Rates include a $25 food and beverage credit per night, 20% off spa treatments, 10% off gift shop purchases (excluding cigarettes and alcohol) and the $29-a-night resort fee.
When to book: This rate is available for stays through Sept. 4.
How it compares to peak season: We-Ko-Pa's average winter rates are $209 per night on weekdays and $249 per night on weekends.
Know before you book: Some weekend dates require a minimum two-night stay, and the rate can't be used for more than seven nights. Reservations can be canceled up to two nights before the stay.
Details: 10438 WeKoPa Way, Fort McDowell. 480-789-4957, wekopacasinoresort.com. Use promo code J-STYSUM1 for Sunday-Thursday stays or J-STYSUM2 for Friday and Saturday stays.
Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @salerno_phx.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Summer staycation 2023: Best hotel deals in Phoenix, Scottsdale