Slide Into Vacation: 6 Fun Water Park Hotels in Phoenix, AZ

The Adventure Water Park at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa is the only resort in Arizona to feature the FlowRider. Guests can channel their inner Laird Hamilton and go surfing in the desert. Even if you’ve never carved a wave before, it’s easy to jump on the boogie board and start riding the waves. If you want to take it easier, grab a tube, and take a slow meander down the lazy river. You’re sure to hear screams and giggles as you pass kids and the young at heart flying down the 110-ft. water slide.

Families can rent private cabanas or even their own private “island.” The Tommy Bahama Relaxation Reef is an island experience that affords day access to a private section of the lazy river and room for eight to lounge and soak up the Arizona sun.

Located in North Scottsdale, the hotel is within walking distance of two major outdoor shopping malls. The fine dining restaurant on property, Deseo, is one of the most underrated restaurants in the city. Scotch aficionados will revel in the scotch “library,” boasting over 300 varieties of the libation.

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The largest full-service resort in the city, the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge makes a splash with its family-friendly water features. The property boasts four acres of lushly landscaped waterways including a 1,600 ft. lazy river, serpentine slide, and five pools.

For a more secluded, luxury experience, rent one of six new pool suites next to the lazy river. The suites boast an air-conditioned indoor seating area with flat screen TV, half-bath, wet bar, and patio with ceiling fan, misting system, and privacy drapes. For further social distancing, Griffin Bay is an exclusive poolside retreat within the main pool. There are 12 cabana cottages and luxury lounge seating. A dedicated concierge and personal attendants are on hand to cater to your every need.

The sprawling property offers golfers the chance to play a round at the championship Wildfire Golf Club, home of the LPGA Founder’s Cup. Tee up at the signature Arnold Palmer course, or The Faldo Championship Course. From each, you’ll have stunning views of desert mountains and century old cacti. In the evening, sit on the expansive lobby patio listening to some of the best live music found at any resort in the Valley.

The Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak is an all-suites resort tucked into an enclave near the Phoenix Mountain Preserve that caters to families with its four-acre River Ranch Water Park. The signature feature is a half-mile long lazy river, billed as the longest lazy river at any resort. Other water features include a 140-foot slide, scenic waterfalls, sports pool, and kids pool. The water park also offers poolside dining and a kid’s club.

Book one of the 224 newly remodeled Agave Suites at North Pointe, and you’ll enjoy an exclusive lobby, concierge, and Agave Pool. With the Splash. Stay. Save offer, a stay in these new suites comes with four extra passes to the water park and a daily resort credit.

Great Wolf Lodge, made a big splash in the Valley of the Sun with its 85,000 square-foot water park when it opened in 2019 in Scottsdale, a few miles from Phoenix. The multi-level Talking Stick Treehouse is the park’s signature attraction with five slides and a 1,000-gallon tipping bucket that spews water on everyone below every three minutes.

The Diamondback Drop claims to be a first of its kind, four-person, high-speed raft that sends riders careening into overlapping 360-degree coils during the ride. River Canyon Run is a family white-water adventure, while the Slap Tail Pond wave pool and Whopping Hallow are ideal for younger kiddos.

The 350-room property has a wide variety of lodging options including standard, premium, and themed suites, some which can sleep up to 13 guests. In addition to the water park, Great Wolf Lodge boasts an Adventure Park featuring mini-golf, bowling, an arcade, rock climbing wall, and ropes course. The hotel offers nine dining options.

Arizona Grand Resort’s Oasis Water Park was named one of the 10 best in the country by The Travel Channel. The park stretches for seven acres and includes several eight story slides, a wave pool, and a side-by-side active river. The Wild Cat Springs area is designed specifically for younger kids with many jets that shoot water.

The four-diamond property boasts 744 family-friendly suites, and families can socially distance by renting a private cabana in one of three areas of the water park. A challenging par 71 golf course and spa are sure to entice mom and dad.

With the Oasis Bar & Grill serving burgers, salads and other American fare it’s easy to spend the entire day without leaving the park. The onsite Aunt Chilada’s is a local favorite serving traditional Mexican favorites like the Molcajete Bowl.

Located in in Central Scottsdale, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch offers a 2.5-acre water playground. Plunge down the three-story, high-speed water slide, lounge on the beach, or play a game of water volleyball or basketball. The resort has a whopping 10 pools, more than 40 waterspouts, and 20 fountains that spill water from above into the pools.

At the Hyatt, kids don’t get all the fun—the adult-only pool has a 20-foot Big Gun Thunderfall, a wide, rushing waterfall. For a more sedate experience, relax in the Grecian style water temple, a hot tub surrounded by four plunge pools.

Don’t miss the Wine Me, Dine Me, chef’s table experience at SWB restaurant where you’ll take a culinary journey with top Southwest dishes expertly paired with a variety of adult beverages. After dinner, grab a ride on one of the resort’s Venetian gondolas. You’ll enjoy a slow paddle around the resort’s lake, while being serenaded by an Italian ballad.