Last Updated on January 20, 2024 by Katrina
The “it’s a dry heat” experience of a desert getaway is even better when you’re lounging next to a glittering resort pool. In the Phoenix area, having a good pool at your hotel is an absolute necessity—both for enjoying that desert air and for having an easy way to soak up the mountain scenery. That said, in this Arizona destination, one pool is often just the beginning. These six resorts offer what are arguably the best hotel pools in Phoenix, each one a picturesque oasis that is also a serious crowd-pleaser.
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch (7500 E. Doubletree Ranch Rd.; 480-444-1234) Scottsdale
The 2.5-acre water playground at this 493-room Hyatt Regency resort has 10 pools of varying sizes as well as waterfalls, a three-story water slide, a sand beach, and gondola rides in the surrounding waterways. “Totally blown away by the swimming pools,” says one Google reviewer, giving shoutouts to “the sit-in bar pool where drinks are brought to you, a regular pool, a kiddie pool, and a pool that goes underneath a shaded roof.” A Tripadvisor user liked how the pool area never felt crowded. “It was the best property layout of any hotel I have stayed at,” she said. “The adult pool was large and not just the normal square pool off to the side. It was perfect.” >> Book this hotel for less
Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes (2000 W. Westcourt Way; 602-225-9000) Tempe
This 345-room resort, just five miles from the airport, gets its name from the towering butte that provides some of the view—nicely seen from the two pools that are connected by a lazy river and one water slide. “The setting at The Buttes is a peaceful, natural oasis in the desert,” says one Tripadvisor user. “Pools set amidst the rocks, with hot tubs sprinkled up the rocky hillside, very private hideaways in the rock walls with lovely views all around. Our room overlooked one of the pools with brilliant fuchsia that was simply breathtaking.” A Google reviewer agrees, calling the pool area “spectacular. Be sure to take the (free for guests) morning walking tour up the adjacent butte.” Many reviewers note that the rooms are nice, but the pools are nicer. >> Book this hotel for less
The Phoenician (6000 E. Camelback Rd.; 480-941-8200) Scottsdale
Set against Camelback Mountain, this 643-room resort has gardens, waterfalls, and seven pools spread across three levels. “Pools, pools, everywhere!” says one Google reviewer. “Spa is fantastic. Don’t need to leave for the entire visit!” One Trip Advisor user did note that the towels and cushions in the pool area could use updating, and found differences among the pools. “Upper pool is biggest and seems to be the busiest, middle pool is adults-only quiet, and the pool at the bottom is somewhere in the middle. We used the bottom pool 90 percent of the time, being in the Casita. My 6-year-old daughter loved the waterslide and made a few friends during her multiple trips up and down! This place is very kid-friendly.” >> Book this hotel for less
JW Marriott Desert Ridge (5350 E. Marriott Dr.; 480-293-5000) Phoenix
This 869-room resort in the city’s Desert Ridge areahas a modern vibe as well as five restaurants, a spa, a golf course, and a four-acre pool complex. The pool area alone has five pools, a lazy river and 89-foot waterslide. While some Google reviewers found the hotel rooms to be a little small, they liked the overall relaxed scene. “Great pool area,” one user says. “Lazy river, live entertainment on the weekends, cooling waterfall, and slide. The service at the pool is great—they kept the drinks coming—and the lobby had entertainment on the weekends.” A Yelp user offered a tip for making the most of the pool scene: “Cabanas are fabulous, but if you don’t have one booked, get to the pool by 9 a.m.” >> Book this hotel for less
Arizona Biltmore (2400 E. Missouri Ave.; 602-955-6600) Phoenix
This 1929 resort on 39 acres has old-school glamour but a nicely up-to-date pool scene. The eight-pool complex includes a 92-foot waterslide, an in-water bar, poolside games and summertime dive-in movies. “Phoenix’s grande dame is understated and elegant,” says Travel+Leisure, and adding to the movie magic, “Irving Berlin reportedly wrote ‘White Christmas’ while afloat here.” The resort also features seven tennis courts, two golf courses, five dining options, and a kids’ camp and playground. “That pool is off the charts fun,” says a Google user. “ I took 50 trips down the slide, my kids were so happy. Live music by the pool was awesome.” >> Book this hotel for less
Arizona Grand Resort & Spa (8000 Arizona Grand Pkwy; 877-800-4888) Phoenix
This all-suites, AAA Four Diamond resort knows how to spread out: Its Oasis Water Park sits on seven acres. “It might be a stretch to call it a ‘waterpark,’” says one Tripadvisor user, “but it does have two killer slides, a more modest slide, a lazy river, a wave pool, and a regular pool. It was fairly crowded.” One Google reviewer noted that the food and drink are pricey enough that you might want to explore beyond the waterpark and resort for meals, but still found it to be an “awesome resort—something for everyone.” The resort also has an 18-hole golf course, a spa, and six dining venues, and sits next to the 17,000-acre South Mountain Preserve, with 60 miles of trails. >> Book this hotel for less
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