Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort, Phoenix AZ - March 27-April 3

Rating - 8.2 (driven PRIMARILY by the pool and great staff)

This was our Spring Break trip for 2009.

THIS IS NOT THE POINTE TAPATIO---that is the property I thought I booked.

Squaw Peak is better fitted for families with young (under 12) children. The room was "Embassy Suites Style" - a small room right through the main door with a pull-out couch and a small tv; a door that closes leads into the small bathroom/shower/tub and sink (that leaked); a pocket door and then 2 queen beds crammed into a small room; an extremely small patio that barely fit two chairs. The room was small, and older. We were in room 2238, located on the second floor (four floors total) next to the elevator, coke machine, and ice machine. Room was surprisingly quiet and located fairly close to the pool. The property in general reminds me of a Holiday Inn with a center court yard and pool. I used my Hilton points so the stay was "free", and I would have been pissed had I paid for it.

The pool was great for smaller kids. The deepest part of the pool was only 4 feet, and they had a smaller pool for toddlers. Had a great lazy river that was only a few feet deep, and relatively crowded all the time. That was our favorite place, it took about a 1/2 hour for two laps. They also had a small slide that Kara won a race on in 8 seconds to go down.

For a $2.95 daily fee you get the resort package. That also gets you access to the mini golf course. It is pretty basic, but the kids enjoyed playing it at least once a day. That fee is better than most charge, the Biltmore charges $28 a day in resort fees.

The chairs at the pool were pretty much full by 11 am, but the best part of the pool was the small depth (kids could run by themselves) and that they had activities 3 or 4 times a day: water slide race, balloon toss, watermelon eating contest, mini-golf, etc.

Without the pool, the rating would probably be a 3, although the staff was VERY NICE. Its just an old property. The last night we were upgraded to a casita. It was much bigger, but the master bed was on a second level loft style - so all the sound carried. In addition, there was a sky light that let the sun in around 7 am. It did have a fridge and microwave, but we ate every meal out.

Pointe Tapatio is much nicer (4 star vs. Squaw Peak 3 star), but seemed better suited for adults and older kids.

Meals are below.

Hole in the Wall Breakfast
2 Adult Buffet 28.00
3 Child Buffet 21.00
1 kid milk 2.00
Total 29.23

Pool Bar service
2 Blue Moon 14.00
1 G Canyon Chard 7.00
Total 22.74

Lantana Grille Breakfast
1 coffee 3.00
1 kid juice 1.25
1 classic eggs bene 12.00
1 mickey pancake 5.00
2 child buffet 15.90
1 full buffet 16.95
Total 58.59

Lantana Grille Breakfast
2 Full Buffet 33.90 (adults)
1 child Buffet 7.95
Total 41.85

Slim Pickins Lunch at Pool
1 The Rattler 10.00 (turkey wrap)
1 diet coke 3.00
Total 14.08

Rodeo Drive (ice cream)
5 single scoop 15.05
3 waffle cone 1.50

Total 17.92

Lantana Grille Breakfast
2 full buffet 33.90
3 child buffet 23.85
Total 61.49


Total for 6 nights: 219.98