J.W. Marriott Camelback Inn Reviews
5402 East Lincoln Drive, Scottsdale, AZ

93%
families recommend
101 family reviews



Perfect Family Escape!
samrosin - Apr 29th, 2011
So we were tired of the uncharacteristically cold and rainy "spring" so far in California and wanted to go somewhere fun for spring break...but money has been tight, so we started haunting the internet, looking for deals in warm climates. more +We settled on Arizona because there is so much to do there and based on the typical weather patterns, we knew April would be a great time to go. And we got a great package deal on our flight and our hotel--the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa was the perfect family-friendly place to go.

Our first impression was the gorgeous lobby. Fresh floral arrangements, marble details, a chandelier, and a beautiful view of the outside area of the resort, made it very beautiful, without being stuffy. As soon as we checked in, we were greeted by the very friendly Marriott staff....and as if our great deal wasn't enough, we were told that we'd have a $50 resort credit for each day of our stay, which could be used anywhere at the resort! Wow! We knew right then and there that this would be a great trip.

So our rooms were very nice. We opted for the "deluxe guest room," which is their standard room. It was very nice, and had a balcony with a view of the mountain range in the distance. You can upgrade for an even better view, but we didn't think it was necessary at all. The bathroom had marble countertops and a separate tub and shower, a very nice touch, particularly if you have kids who like to bathe rather than shower. The rooms are very quiet. We never heard any of our neighbors, which was nice.

There are several different themed restaurants on site: A Hawaiian BBQ with tiki torches and a firepit, a steak house, an Italian restaurante, a casual cafe, a Starbuck's, pool side snack-shacks, and even a deli-type counter with fresh fruit and snacks. Our favorite was the taco cart they had set up by the lazy river. They BBQ'd steak and chicken right there and had a taco bar--yum! So many choices, you really don't need to venture out to eat. But if you want to, take a scenic stroll through the resort on the paved paseos and sidewalks. You'll see jackrabbits, roadrunners, lizards, and all kinds of cactus along the way. At the intersection, cross that street and you are in a very nice outdoor mall with shops and more great kid-friendly restaurants like Islands, TGIF's, Macaroni Grill....And don't forget the Cold Stone Creamery! There is also a Target and a CVS there in case you forgot anything at home or need more sunscreen. Very convenient.

The resort boasts 8 separate pools, but we only saw 4 because we never made it around the entire property, which is HUGE, and perfectly manicured. Our favorite was the pool with the lazy river and water slide. All the pools we saw were spotless and were just the right temperature. Clean, fluffy beach towels and inner tubes are provided to guests, but you can't leave the pool area with them-they are collected at the exits. So if you plan on doing any water activities off-site, you'll need to bring some from home. If not, don't waste the suitcase space! There are lighted tennis courts available, and I saw that several kids were having a lesson with a (very patient) tennis pro one afternoon.

The kids' activities offered at this resort were mainly Nickelodeon-themed (Sponge Bob, Dora, etc), so if your child(ren) are into them, they will flip for the character breakfasts and the afternoon "meet & greet" in the hotel lobby. Some activities cost an extra fee, but most were free for guests. My son really liked the "mass sliming" one night, and also the "dive-in movie" where all the kids lounged in the pool and watched "Despicable Me" on a large movie screen. Very cute movie, by the way. They offer a "Family Escape" for an extra (reasonable) fee for kids 4-12 if mom and dad want a little alone time, where the kids get to play Kinnect video games, frisbee, use IPads, and do arts and crafts, all while supervised by staff members. There are large grassy areas around the resort where you'd see kids and parents playing tag, frisbee, football, etc. They really do cater to families with children at this resort, so I wouldn't necessarily pick this hotel for a romantic getaway. It's beautiful, but it's all about the family.

There is an air-conditioned gym next to the Family Escape. Adequate equipment, clean and fairly new. Fresh fruit and ice water is provided to guests, which was a nice touch. There is also a spa, but we couldn't fit that into our schedule this time.

There were so many things to do on-site, we only left a few times. We had plans on visiting the Grand Canyon---until we found out it was a 4-hour drive. So here's a money-saving tip: If you think you'll need a car for just part of your trip, take a shuttle ($22/pp) or taxi (about $60) to the hotel. Then for the last few days, rent a car from the Hertz place right on the hotel property. They will let you drop the car off at the airport when you leave without any extra fee. Otherwise it is outrageously expensive to rent a car at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport for some reason. So that might save you some cash. So there are some truly great, family-friendly places and activities that you should definitely check out if you have transportation. Catch a professional sports event-Arizona has a professional baseball team, hockey team, and basketball team. The Salt River is fun for rafting, but the Upper Salt may be too treacherous for little ones. The Lower Salt is great for kayaking and swimming. Crackerjax Family Fun Park in Scottsdale is a great way to spend a few hours-they have mini golf, bumper boats, go-karts, a bungy dome, and batting cages. Fun for kids of all ages. You can also hike Camelback Mountain. It's good for all levels. Just bring water and try to go early or later so it's not so hot. There is A LOT to do in Arizona, particularly in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area!

If you really want to visit the Grand Canyon, I'd suggest flying in to somewhere closer, maybe Flagstaff? Rent a car and drive to the GC, maybe see the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert (we wanted to see these, but just didn't get to this trip). But make sure you finish your trip by driving to the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix and spend the last couple days frolicking and relaxing in the pool. They really do cater to families with children.....You won't regret it!

All in all, the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa was the perfect family vacation choice for us. We had a wonderful time and the best part--we didn't have to go into debt to pay for it! One last bit of advice: BRING and WEAR SUNSCREEN. That desert heat can be brutal! But it was just what we were hoping for and more for our sunny spring break escape!

Date of Stay: 04/18/2011
Children in Party: 1


Tweens (10-12)
Accommodations
Dining
Kids Play Area
Money Value
Pool & Water Fun
Staff


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