Topic Wiki

Trip Reports


2014 - Mgarfin's 2014 trip to Arizona-Delta glitch
2014 - VacationLover's Sedona and the Grand Canyon TR
2015 - PBaruch's Dreams of Flight - Hummingbirds and Arizona
2016 - Pbaruch's Motorhome Adventures in Utah and Arizona
2016 - drewsky9's Arizona Trip Report
2016 - MahRabuMasecha's Vegas Zion Page Grand Canyon Sedona TR
2016 - ShlockDoc's Midwest Roadtrip - Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming
2017 - Davidmal's Phoenix & Scottsdale for 5 Hours
2018 - Ikelunious99's Arizona Trip Report

Utah has it's own master thread and wiki at https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=15858.0

Activities


Phoenix

Arizona Cardinals (NFL Football)
Arizona Coyotes (NHL Hockey)
Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB Baseball)
Phoenix Suns (NBA Basketball)

Camelback Mountain
Desert Botanical Garden
Encanto Park
Goldfield Ghost Town
Japanese Friendship Garden
Lost Dutchman State Park
Nordstrom Last Chance - one of the few in the world.
Octance Raceway- Extremely fast Go-Karting
Scottsdale Old Town

Arizona Science Center (Indoor)
Museum of Musical Instruments (Indoor)
Queen Creek Olive Mill (Olive farm and mill, with Olive 101 'factory' tour)
Arizona Boardwalk (entertainment complex, with aquarium, butterfly conservatory, etc. www.azboardwalk.com)
Children’s Museum of Phoenix (for kids under age 10, they claim to be top 3 Children's Museum in the country).

Sedona, AZ
Stunning red rock formations and scenery viewable throughout the small city with unique views along the many hiking trails (including Devil's bridge, West Fork Trail, and Sugar Loaf Loop)
Off road jeep tours (e.g. Pink Jeep Tours)
eclectic outdoor shopping
Slide rock state park: Natural water slide in creek (just north of Sedona)


Grand Canyon National Park (South Rim)
There are two trails from the south rim that go down into the canyon (and all the way to the canyon floor, which is a strenuous multi-day hike). You can experience a taste of it, by turning around at any point.
  • South Kaibab Trail - One of the top rated trails for the GC (trail descends into the canyon, uphill climb on return)
  • Bright Angel Trail - Also one of the top rated trails for GC (trail descends into the canyon, uphill climb on return)
There are also trails along the south rim (called Rim Trails) that don't descend into the canyon, and are relatively flat. These offer views of the canyon and are dotted with various scenic viewpoints. Some areas of the rim trail are paved others are not. These may be more suitable those with young children or those fear of hiking near the edge of the canyon cliffs. The National park shuttle buses also transport passengers to various points within the park, along the south rim.
A PDF map of grand canyon national park south rim is at https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/upload/sr-pocket-map.pdf
Grand Canyon National Park Lodges

Nearby attractions outside the National Park include:
  • Skywalk
  • Bearizona Wildlife Park - Williams, AZ

Page AZ
Lake Powell (popular lake for boating, with kayak, motor boat, pontoon boat, houseboat rentals, Jetski, boat tours, and swimming). Lake and surrounding canyon walls are uniquely scenic together (it's actually a huge artificial reservoir surrounded by canyon walls, resulting from the construction of the Glen Canyon Dam
Carl Hayden Visitor Center at the Glen Canyon Dam (Free museum about the Glen Canyon Dam)
Horseshoe bend (popular scenic overlook of a 180 degree bend in the Colorado river)
Antelope Canyon (beautiful slot canyons with stunning photography opportunity, controlled by Native Americans with entrance fees and guided tour, advance reservations are needed. Fees were recently increased to $60-$100/pp)

Tucson

Saguaro National Park

Kosher Restaurants

See the following for up to date info:
--http://www.kosherphoenix.org/index.php/kosher-food-in-phoenix/restaurants/
--https://www.ahavastorah.org/restaurants.html 


Phoenix

Cafe Chenar
LaBella Pizzeria and Restaurant
Manhattan Pizza & Subs
Samarkand Restaurant Glatt Kosher

Scottsdale

Fresh Mint
Kitchen 18
Milk+ Honey Espresso Bar & Eatery

Groceries


Imperial Market & Deli

Shuls


Ohr Hatorah Congregation- Located in Phoenix Map
Chabad Jewish Center of North Phoenix Map
Ahavas Torah:The Scottsdale Torah Center Map


Chabad of Flagstaff AZ (Kosher meals available), Minyanim in the summer and chol hamoed (1 hour south of the Grand Canyon National Park)

« Last edited by Yr18 on October 02, 2023, 08:46:50 AM »

Author Topic: Arizona Master Thread  (Read 381324 times)

Offline lifetimedeals

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #700 on: April 30, 2017, 05:33:11 PM »
Anybody been here: Hyatt Pinon Pointe, A Hyatt Residence Club ? Is it worth staying here in Sedona?

Offline Denverite

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #701 on: April 30, 2017, 06:04:28 PM »
whats the current consensus on the best resort in phoenix?
looking currently at the waldorf biltmore vs Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort. or perhaps any other ones that are top notch

No Way Tapatio Cliffs. Biltmore if you're only looking for high end.  I actually just got back from Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak.  The decor was cheesy there but lazy river and water area are nice and only $12 uber from the airport and $5 Ubers to La Bella Pizza and 613 Grill...it was way cheaper and less annoying than renting a car and staying in Scottsdale.  Are you looking for a couple or a family? If it was a couple Biltmore is great but I wouldn't take my kids to a place that didn't have a lazy river, slides etc. when so many resorts there do have that stuff.  Squaw Peak also has included mini-golf tennis and basketball courts and the lowest room is a two room suite. It would be my first HHonors choice with kids.

Offline thaber

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #702 on: April 30, 2017, 06:41:50 PM »
Tell me if I'm crazy for considering :
Leave lax Thursday night direct to Phx for shabbos.
Sunday morning Sedona and then grand canyon South rim Sunday evening /Monday.
Leave 5 or so Monday to drive back to lax.
Memorial day weekend, bunch of kids from 8 months - 11.


Offline Chief Rabbi of New York

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #703 on: April 30, 2017, 07:26:06 PM »
Tell me if I'm crazy for considering :
Leave lax Thursday night direct to Phx for shabbos.
Sunday morning Sedona and then grand canyon South rim Sunday evening /Monday.
Leave 5 or so Monday to drive back to lax.
Memorial day weekend, bunch of kids from 8 months - 11.



why not fly?
Show Some Respect for Me, I am The Chief Rabbi of New York :)

Offline thaber

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #704 on: April 30, 2017, 07:40:46 PM »
why not fly?
To Phx? Schlepping kids and luggage and food and will take just as long

Offline zagguru

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #705 on: April 30, 2017, 08:58:09 PM »
No Way Tapatio Cliffs. Biltmore if you're only looking for high end.  I actually just got back from Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak.  The decor was cheesy there but lazy river and water area are nice and only $12 uber from the airport and $5 Ubers to La Bella Pizza and 613 Grill...it was way cheaper and less annoying than renting a car and staying in Scottsdale.  Are you looking for a couple or a family? If it was a couple Biltmore is great but I wouldn't take my kids to a place that didn't have a lazy river, slides etc. when so many resorts there do have that stuff.  Squaw Peak also has included mini-golf tennis and basketball courts and the lowest room is a two room suite. It would be my first HHonors choice with kids.

Its going to be a two couple vacation
What other hotels do you recommend? Looking for something that is luxury and also has alot of pools and lazy rivers. Etc..

Offline zagguru

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #706 on: April 30, 2017, 10:21:14 PM »
FYI, looks like the Phoenician is closing its pool for renovations for 6 months. Dont think it makes sense to stay there anymore...

Which is better TAPATIO CLIFFS RESORT or Squaw Peak? I want to split half my time with one of those and the other half with Biltmore

Offline Denverite

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #707 on: April 30, 2017, 10:48:04 PM »
FYI, looks like the Phoenician is closing its pool for renovations for 6 months. Dont think it makes sense to stay there anymore...

Which is better TAPATIO CLIFFS RESORT or Squaw Peak? I want to split half my time with one of those and the other half with Biltmore

I haven't stayed at Tapatio Cliffs but it looks they just have regular swimming pools and it's in an out of the way location

Offline Denverite

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #708 on: April 30, 2017, 10:50:42 PM »
Its going to be a two couple vacation
What other hotels do you recommend? Looking for something that is luxury and also has alot of pools and lazy rivers. Etc..

I love the JW Marriott Desert Ridge and if they are available the attached timeshare Marriott Canyon Villas is a great value and you can use all the amenities at the main hotel. Same goes for Westin Kierland and their Villas. For a couples vacation, as long as you have a rental car, either of these would be awesome.

Offline lifetimedeals

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #709 on: April 30, 2017, 11:05:44 PM »
What's difference going up to GC with highway 40 - 64 or 89 ?


Offline zagguru

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #710 on: May 01, 2017, 08:10:26 PM »
Want to split up my stay to two of these hotels. Which would you guys say is top two to stay at?

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale: Scottsdale Hotel

Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort | Phoenix
Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Phoenix

Offline Denverite

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #711 on: May 01, 2017, 10:02:50 PM »
Want to split up my stay to two of these hotels. Which would you guys say is top two to stay at?

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale: Scottsdale Hotel

Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort | Phoenix
Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort in Phoenix

Westin has great pools, river, slide and also a surfing machine (although I haven't stayed at the Hyatt and maybe others prefer it) and for couples would go to the Biltmore.

Offline zagguru

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #712 on: May 02, 2017, 10:32:05 AM »
Westin has great pools, river, slide and also a surfing machine (although I haven't stayed at the Hyatt and maybe others prefer it) and for couples would go to the Biltmore.

Did you stay at the Villa or actual hotel? Which do u recommend? hotel looks like there is much more to do but villa has the bigger rooms

Offline Mutty

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #713 on: May 02, 2017, 12:58:13 PM »
Did you stay at the Villa or actual hotel? Which do u recommend? hotel looks like there is much more to do but villa has the bigger rooms
Villas were very nice. We were there twice already. You can use all the facilities at the hotel. Also was less points if that's how you're going.
“You see things; you say, 'Why?' But I dream things that never were; and I say 'Why not?”

Offline damaxer91

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #714 on: May 02, 2017, 01:22:08 PM »
Villas are not luxurious but great pools and surprisingly good service. Kids loved it!

Offline Denverite

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #715 on: May 02, 2017, 04:21:48 PM »
Did you stay at the Villa or actual hotel? Which do u recommend? hotel looks like there is much more to do but villa has the bigger rooms

Stayed at the Villas and Much prefered having the space and kitchen, additional pool and slide AND you get to use all the main resort amenities too!

Offline shiframeir

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #716 on: May 03, 2017, 10:17:58 AM »
Stayed at the Villas and Much prefered having the space and kitchen, additional pool and slide AND you get to use all the main resort amenities too!
if u have kids, villas is pretty much no question for value/privacy/additional facilities (also nice sprinkler area for little kids and ping pong tables/lounges outside with fireplaces that are really nice esp on shabbos). one slight point, if u are there for shabbos and want to walk to the shul (cute place ahavas torah, all within the eruv), the resort is probably about 10 minutes closer than the Villas.

Offline damaxer91

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #717 on: May 03, 2017, 11:10:10 AM »
if u have kids, villas is pretty much no question for value/privacy/additional facilities (also nice sprinkler area for little kids and ping pong tables/lounges outside with fireplaces that are really nice esp on shabbos). one slight point, if u are there for shabbos and want to walk to the shul (cute place ahavas torah, all within the eruv), the resort is probably about 10 minutes closer than the Villas.

I didn't think the walk was too bad from the Villas. Pretty flat and straightforward

Offline Yoko

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #718 on: May 07, 2017, 04:44:48 PM »
Planning on going to Arizona in June with the wife for 4 days. Would like to go ATV or Jeeping, Hike Grand Canyon or White water rafting or horseback riding.
Is Scottsdale the best place to stay or is it worth staying in Sedona. How far is kosher food from Sedona? Any help would be appreciated .

Thanks

Offline gubevo18

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Re: Arizona Master Thread
« Reply #719 on: May 07, 2017, 11:12:07 PM »
Planning on going to Arizona in June with the wife for 4 days. Would like to go ATV or Jeeping, Hike Grand Canyon or White water rafting or horseback riding.
Is Scottsdale the best place to stay or is it worth staying in Sedona. How far is kosher food from Sedona? Any help would be appreciated .

Thanks
i would imagine the closest kosher food is in The Phoenix Scottsdale area. A solidly long drive