Staycation: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

They have it right there on the website, "The Ultimate Desert Oasis in Scottsdale." And I concur with that statement. The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has become a household name and part of our family traditions. I feel so lucky to be able to spend so many holidays at this resort and that we, as a family, have so many memories built around this place. I know I'm not the only one. Each year and at each holiday, I see thousands of families enjoying all the amenities and events that the Fairmont Scottsdale has to offer. The resort works hard each year to plan the season out with events that are destined to make your face light up with joy and want to come back again!

You'll find me at the Fairmont Scottsdale for Christmas, Easter, Fourth of July, I've been for Thanksgiving when we didn't have family in town, the Waste Management Open and of course, for a summer staycation. This AAA five diamond resort has really taken the experience of staying at a resort to the next level, especially for families. My kids ask for this place by name, sure they call it 'The Fairy' but I'm pretty sure it's because they find it so magical.

This summer we stayed only a few days after the Fourth of July celebration. We also made it to the resort on the Fourth Of July, which I always recommend. In this heat, it's nice to have a place that is really worth being in the heat. The Princess brings in all kind of entertainment from people jumping out of planes, music for the kids, an amazing Las Vegas Michael Jackson tribute group, you can fish, enjoy delicious food from one of the many restaurants on property, and the fireworks are some of the best around town. You don't have to stay on property to get this experience, you just have to dine at one of the restaurants and you're granted access. Pretty sweet deal if you ask me.

As I mentioned, we stayed the following weekend and still had tons of fun holiday events to experience. We saw the fireworks again, we played at the nighttime pool party where they had a DJ, neon lights and other games to play. We hung out with the mermaids and pirates at the beach pool and searched for treasure. You can also go to mermaid school for an additional cost but story time and activities are free of charge. We ate tacos and burgers at our cabana by the family pool, slid down the waterslides, played games with the pool crew for prizes. They even had a foam party, which was quite fun, if I don't say so myself! If you want to drop the kids off, you can do so in the morning at their camp, which is free of charge. The kids will get to play, while you get to enjoy some alone time at the adults only pool! Here the only sound you'll hear is hip music playing, glasses clinking, the words cheers and the sound of giant pool swan floaties going by your comfy pool seat.

Once you've had your fill of the sun and worked up an adequate appetite, there are plenty of restaurants with all kind of food to eat. We went to Toro for dinner that night and enjoyed high quality sushi that we couldn't get enough of. The La Bomba dessert is something I look forward to seeing because it's quite the show as they throw a chocolate ball filled with goodies on the table. Please don't @ me anymore, they put a fresh protective lining on the table just for the dessert, it's clean people, calm down! For breakfast, we treated ourselves to the breakfast buffet, you know I had to see the donut wall on display. After some coffee, eggs and grits, donuts and more, we were ready to head back out to the pool.

Who should stay here? In my opinion, this is the best spot for families to come and enjoy a vacation or staycation.

If you're still looking to head to a resort to beat the heat and relax, here are some of their current specials.