Where all the fun is this summer

Vacationing, relaxing with a new twist

Summer Made Simple

Summer fun has begun! No need to plan or worry about budgets, we have made summer simple, safe and affordable. Join us for carefree days, blue skies and fun-filled activities. At our expansive 2.5 acre water playground there are plenty of locations to create your own space and at the same time have everything you need for daytime fun; a white sand beach, ten pools and three-story waterslide. There’s no reason to leave the resort, as kids eat dinner free and play free golf with a paying adult. In the evening, relax near the cascading fountains or retreat to your room for a family game night or in-room movie. It’s that simple! This year especially, you can look forward to a fun-filled vacation close by

By Debra Gelbart

If the coronavirus has made you nervous about summer travel but you’re itching to have a vacation, a staycation at one of the resorts short drive away may be the ideal solution. It’s the perfect opportunity to unwind and experience five-star amenities without having to get on a plane or drive for days.

Perhaps more than any industry, the hospitality business is obsessed with offering guests an outstanding, flawless experience in the unprecedented era in which we find ourselves.

“In addition to ensuring our guests feel comfortable and confident that we’ve implemented the proper protocols on every level,” said

James Anderson, director of sales and marketing for JW Marriott

Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, “we still want them to have a fun, memorable experience that allows them to reconnect with what they enjoy doing most – vacationing with their family.”

“We’re focusing on providing guests the opportunity to stay close to their family and friends, while observing social distancing from other guests,” said Pam Gilbert, director of sales and marketing for the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess. “Being at the pool with other people, although not seated right next to you, gives us the sense that we’re getting some normalcy back.”

At the Princess, one of the most popular staycation attractions has been preserved—a “Dive-in” movie every Saturday night at the newly renovated Princess Pool. Unlike previous years, guests will not be given a pool float in which to watch the movie, Gilbert said. “But they can bring in their own floats or purchase them here at the resort.”

Recreation and fitness opportunities

At The Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park, “spending the day on the golf course is the perfect way to enjoy yourself and spend time with others, while social distancing,” said Katy Powers, managing director and

general manager for The Wigwam. “Guests may request a single-rider golf cart or choose to share a cart with another member of their group. Golf carts will be sanitized priorto and after play.” The Wigwam is Arizona’s only resort with 54 holes of championship golf.

The Wigwam also offers daily fitness classes, including yoga, total body conditioning, Hydro Fit and Gentle Strides. The number of people attending the class has been limited to 10 and the fitness classes are held outside when possible. The resort’s nine lighted, paved tennis courts are open, including one full size stadium court.

At JW Marriott Desert Ridge, the newly renovated Fitness Center and addition of the Movement Studio will be open with proper spacing between equipment, adjusted class capacities for physical distancing and increased staffing to sanitize after each guest’s use of equipment, Anderson said.

The Princess will have open two 200-foot water slides with chlorinated water continually washing through them in the resort’s Sonoran Splash pool, Gilbert said.

Privacy may be paramount

Another popular feature at resorts are cabanas. All three of the resorts spotlighted here offer them poolside. “A cabana at our pool offers private space enclosed on three sides,” Gilbert said. “It’s a great opportunity to have a luxury pool experience while feeling protected in your own private space.”

JW Marriott Desert Ridge added six new, private indoor/outdoor poolside luxury suites last year, and 12 private cabanas were added in the last 18 months, Anderson said. “The pool suites and cabanas provide a perfect profile for social and physical distancing for families and couples. Both can be reserved ahead of time.”

Dining options

You’ll notice that procedures and practices at the resorts’ restaurants will be a bit different this year. “The dining rooms and patios have been reconfigured to abide by all physical distancing directives,” Powers said. “All menus will only be used once and disposed of after each use. A digital menu is available as well. Our staff are all wearing masks and employ hand washing

Scottsdale Plaza Resort

and sanitizing procedures before and after interacting with each guest. All team members have completed the ServSafe Training from the U.S. National Restaurant Association.”

Dining and refreshment options at the resorts range from lobby and pool bars to burgers, steaks, Mexican food, Latin American fusion and classic American fare.

Looking ahead

The Princess will host fireworks every Saturday night, with concerts added specifically for July 4th that guests can enjoy either from their room patios, private cabanas or the TV in their room. “We will be restricting capacity this year to in-house concert package guests to maintain social distancing,” Gilbert said.

“I think many of us welcome a change of scenery and that muchneeded getaway,” Anderson said, “and it’s important guests know we’re committed to providing an authentic, safe staycation experience.” ▪