One of the best parts of the crazy heat in the summer is that local resorts are in their off season. It makes a lot of sense, because who wants to go on a summer vacation to the surface of the sun? Since we’re already here, we get to reap the benefits of low hotel check-ins and gather up our friends and family for a staycation and pretty much live in the hotel pool.
With so many locals participating in staycations, our local resorts are having to out-do one another to get you in their beds! One such way this is being accomplished is through designing really unique and upscale poolside menus. With some of these resort offerings, there really is no reason not to get out of the house and head to your local resort and live in the pool for the weekend.
4 Resorts for Perfect Poolside Dining
Arizona Biltmore
2400 E. Missouri Ave.| Phoenix| 85016| 602.955.6600
The Arizona Biltmore has long been known as one of the best resorts in the Valley and one with the richest of histories. You may not know that the resort also boasts an impressive 6 separate pool areas, the biggest of which is the Paradise Pool. This pool is made up of three combined pools and an impressive 92-foot water slide. Just next to the water slide and adjacent to the swim up bar is the Cabana Club providing a perfect spot for al fresco dining. You’ll find great views of the pool as well as a variety of snacks, sandwiches, bowls and other light options. Their Shrimp Cocktail is an elegant poolside appetizer; the presentation is such that while you lounge poolside you can almost imagine what it was like to be a guest over 50 years ago. Add in a New England Lobster Roll to complete your poolside experience; the sweet Maine lobster salad combined with the sweet crunch of celery and the bite of red onion create a perfect contrast in flavors and textures that you’ll almost swear you can smell the salty ocean air.
Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort
11111 N. 7th St.| Phoenix| 85020| 602.866.7500
An expansive resort with excellent amenities and dining a thing to behold all on its own, but when you add in an entire waterpark to the property you can easily tip the scales of awesome. Falls Water Village features fully stocked private cabanas, a Kids Korral that ensures that all your tiny friends are sure to have a great time, acres of pool, waterfalls, a 138 foot enclosed waterslide and the Cascades Café. The Cascades Café features light dishes and snacks to add to the fun of a day at a waterpark. The café is situated with views of the waterfalls and a large patio and bar area. The Santa Fe Rolls here are stuffed with seasoned chicken, roasted corn, black beans, and cilantro served with a side of cooling avocado cream sauce to ease the slight kick to the roll. Looking for something a little more substantial? Check out the Southwest Chopped Salad, a hearty serving of mixed greens, corn black beans, red bell pepper, pepitas and is topped with cojita cheese and a spicy chipotle ranch dressing. The spiciness of these dishes will give you a little kick in the pants but that cool refreshing water is waiting to cool you off.
phot courtesy of Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort
The Clarendon
401 W. Clarendon Ave.| Phoenix| 85013| 602.252.7363
The space and design of the Clarendon bring to mind the boutique hotels of Miami; colorful and lively. The pool features a silver coated waterfall and a variety of poolside lounging options from cabanas to chaise lounges and pool beds. The pool also has underwater speakers so the party doesn’t have to stop just because you are working to get laps in. Café Tranquilo offers poolside service and their menu is wide-ranging, massive portions and great prices. A major bonus of their menu is that breakfast is served all day. All day. The restaurant focuses on Mexican fare and they are heavy on flavor as well as the perfect amount of heat. Chilaquiles are enough to make any local resident’s heart happy and they are featured in both breakfast and entrée versions. The dish is made up of chicken or seasoned vegetables, two sunny side up eggs Oaxaca cheese and red chili sauce. You’ll find a slight crunch in the untouched tortillas that will match nicely with the sauce soaked pieces. The creaminess of the eggs and the salty bite of the cheese make a great collection of flavors and textures for poolside dining!
Hotel Palomar
2 E. Jefferson St.| Phoenix| 85004| 480.478.1765
Situated on the third floor rooftop deck of the Palomar Hotel in Downtown Phoenix is the LUSTRE Rooftop Garden. LUSTRE is home to the only rooftop lounge in the Downtown area, a fully functional open-air rooftop garden and a pool that provides amazing views no matter your vantage point. You’ll never be wanting for attention from the service staff and the drinks are believed to be mixed by some of the best in the Valley. Whether you are looking for a little nosh or something to really nourish you during your day in the sun, the LUSTRE menu is full of light, healthy and locally sourced items. They offer a variety of salads, flatbreads, paninis, sliders and wraps. You’ll definitely want to start with their Classic Hummus which is definitely not classic in the run-off-the-mill sense; the combination of sharp and salty feta, toasted pine nuts and smoked paprika paired with their in-house baked pita chips create the perfect poolside snack. If you’re looking for something with a little more bite go for the Black Bean Quinoa Sliders. These healthful sliders combine familiar flavors with smooth goat cheese, fried fresno chilies and a velvety avocado aioli that all work together to provide a bite that bites back – in the best possible way.
photo courtesy of Kimpton’s Hotel Palomar
This article originally appeared in the August 2015 issue of Uptown Magazine.