2014 was the year I moved halfway across the country and realized how little traveling I’d done. With a regular job affording only the standard vacation time, I don’t have many opportunities to explore but am doing my best to visit new cities. It’s been easiest to check out the southwest (my new home after leaving the northwest), but I’m working on plans for the east coast as well as some west coast cities I haven’t been to yet.
I live in Phoenix these days, so I’ve never stayed at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort but its proximity to my apartment makes it ideal for my family to stay at when they visit. On the first trip they (diamond members) were upgraded to a casita while the other trips have been stays in king suites. The suites are spacious, but lack a microwave. (There are a few restaurants on the property as well as within walking distance, so the hotel may not expect guests to want to warm up food in the room.) The casitas are more like homes with a full kitchen and living room separate from the upstairs bedroom(s). The casitas also have covered parking which is a huge bonus if one visits during one of the many hot weather months.
Resort guests have access to amenities like the River Ranch which features a lazy river, waterslide, and miniature golf.
While I’m not that familiar with the rooms, I’ve spent quite a bit of time at Tocasierra Spa and Salon which is the resort’s spa and fitness center. For guests, it might be a little inconvenient as it requires a walk across one or more parking lots (depending on where on the property your room is located) and there's no pool attached to Tocasierra (one must walk back to the part of the property where the rooms are). But the spa is wonderful.
I’ve experienced a number of services from facials to massages to pedicures (served up with a margarita for an extra $5 on Friday and Saturday evenings). Each service has been excellent, but I do particularly enjoy those margaritas.
It’s also where I have my hair cut and colored. There’s just one salon client at a time (unless you’re booked as a group), so you always get the full attention of the cosmetologist, Tracy.
If you're indulging in the spa services, there's a nice lounge area and plenty of lockers plus showers and a sauna. The gym has a variety of machines plus a daily schedule of classes including pilates, yoga, and zumba. There is an additional fee to use the gym.
