Arizona Grand Resort552

The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the Best Place for Family Bonding in the metro Phoenix area, the newly redesigned all-suite Arizona Grand Resort is probably best known by Valley families for The Oasis, a seven-acre water park named a Top Ten Theme Park by The Travel Channel. The resort recently completed a $52 million renovation that included improvements in all 640 guest suites, exterior and landscaping enhancements, a re-designed golf course, upgrades to the spa, and construction of 100 new luxury villas and a new 25,000 square foot lobby featuring three new dining options.

The Oasis water park features the eight-story Slide Canyon Tower, which houses three slides with drops from 42 to 67 feet; a wave pool; the 950-foot-long Zuni Active River for inner tubing; hot tubs; and Wildcat Spring wading pool and water play area for little ones. Dive-in movies are offered every weekend during the summer months.

Family accommodations include one- and two-bedroom luxury villas, the standard suites, and oversized hospitality suites with expanded living areas. Each standard suite offers a patio or balcony, a personal safe, a mini bar, and a parlor with a sleeper sofa. Arizona Grand Villas offer lushly decorated luxury accommodations that include a breakfast bar, kitchen, flat screen TVs, wireless internet, and private balconies.

Family recreation options abound, starting with over 60 miles of hiking and biking trails at neighboring South Mountain, the country's largest municipal park.

Onsite amenities include an 18-hole golf course, a 20,000 square-foot athletic club and full-service spa, six pools with Jacuzzis, ping-pong tables, water volleyball, and racquetball.

Family-friendly dining options include a western steakhouse, an authentic Mexican cantina, a pool front grill at the water park, and signature American grill restaurant. An intimate new lobby with new bar and grill and a grab-n-go cafe opened in the spring of 2009.

Kids ages five to 12 can enjoy sessions of activities, crafts, games, and movies in the Grand Adventures Kids Club. Advance reservations are required due to limited space and seasonal hours.

As with most Valley resorts, rates drop significantly during the summer months. Book early on the resort's website, as weekend dates and holiday weekends in particular fill up quickly.