Nicole knows the Valley—the Phoenix/Scottsdale area in Arizona—the way only a local can. Not as a destination to check off, but as a backdrop for daily life and weekend (or even weekday) exploration.
As VP of Marketing at ResortPass and a mother of two, she’s also the person who has quietly road-tested more pool decks, splash pads, and spa menus than most. Her version of a perfect day in the desert starts with a hike, some mountain air, and the awareness that the Arizona landscape—full of blooming cacti, palm silhouettes, mountains catching the midday light—is still worth stopping to notice, even after years of living in it.
We asked her how she spends a day off in Phoenix and Scottsdale. Consider this your insider guide.
First and foremost: Get outside
Nicole’s ideal day begins outdoors. In the spring, that means a scenic hike before the heat sets in, ideally when the saguaros are blooming. “It’s insanely gorgeous and feels unbelievable that cacti could produce such beautiful flowers,” she says. If she’s feeling ambitious, a tennis match with her husband follows. But after that, the agenda gets beautifully simple.
“My favorite part of a pool day is looking into the distance seeing palm trees and mountains in the background with a sparkling pool in the foreground,” she says. “It’s just so relaxing.” She orders a salad and fries or fish tacos with a spritz, and she always gets in the water.
Lazy rivers and waterslides are a yes, not a maybe. And if time allows, she books a massage or facial in the afternoon to cap things off before returning to what she calls “the chaos that is my toddlers.”
Throwing shade is a yes
When we asked what’s truly non-negotiable in the Arizona desert, Nicole’s answer was immediate: excellent shade, and a pool worth spending hours in. “The sun is HOT,” she says. “Many of the best pools have zero-gravity entries, lazy rivers, or infinity ledges you can spend hours in, halfway submerged, drink in hand.”
On timing, her advice is to go midweek if you can swing it. Tuesdays and Wednesdays can be the quietest days on the pool deck, which makes a real difference in overall relaxation and experience.
For family days, Nicole thinks in two modes: When the kids need somewhere to burn energy, she heads somewhere with a splash pad (the JW Marriott Desert Ridge is a favorite) and lets the property do the work. When the goal is to actually exhale, she divides and conquers: one parent peels off to the spa, the other holds down the pool. “With older kids who can swim on their own, a pool day is gold,” she says. “You can just chill in the cabana while they’re endlessly entertained.”
The unspoken rule of a successful family pool day, per Nicole: if mom and dad got a cocktail in peace, you’ve won. If nobody got a sunburn and everyone remembered to drink water, it’s a core memory.
She also recommends packing a change of clothes for everyone, even if you arrive in your swimsuit. “You might decide you want to stay for dinner or to play around the hotel even after the swimming is over,” she says. As for what her kids request every single time: a bucket and a shovel. Basic, but apparently essential.
What makes a resort day feel like a real vacation without leaving the city? For Nicole, it comes down to picking somewhere that genuinely feels different. “Scottsdale is full of pools,” she says. “But resort pools have the extra touches: unique food and drinks, waterslides, swim-up bars, fake beaches. I like to pick places that really feel different and unique than pools I might access more often.”
Nicole’s picks: Top ResortPass properties in Phoenix & Scottsdale
For a serene, adults-focused day: Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North
This is Nicole’s top pick for a proper reset. Nestled in the foothills of Pinnacle Peak, Troon North’s bi-level saltwater pool complex includes a main pool, an adults-only pool connected by a negative-edge waterfall, and 18 private cabanas with daybeds overlooking the Sonoran landscape.
For a family day with room for anything: JW Marriott Desert Ridge
When the kids need somewhere to burn energy, Desert Ridge delivers: it features waterslides, a splash pad, multiple pools, and enough space that a full group can spread out and do their own thing. Day passes are available for adults and children.
For something luxe and immersive: Omni Scottsdale at Montelucia
Designed to evoke an Andalusian village at the base of Camelback Mountain, Montelucia offers arching entryways, tranquil fountains, and towering palms. The property boasts three pools (including a private adults-only option) plus the award-winning Joya Spa, which offers Arizona’s only hammam experience. It’s Nicole’s go-to when she wants a pool day to feel like a genuine escape.
For a quieter solo retreat: Royal Palms Resort and Spa
The Royal Palms is a lushly landscaped Mediterranean property tucked at the base of Camelback Mountain with a single beautiful pool and a level of calm that’s hard to find elsewhere in the valley. The property is smaller and quieter than others in the area—which is exactly what makes it special.
