Co-owner, Kim Hebert, recently took a trip Out West with her family to celebrate the long holiday weekend. They settled on Arizona and decided to spend some time exploring Northern Arizona then finish up by relaxing in Scottsdale. Read more to hear all about their stay!
Stop #1: Under Canvas Grand Canyon
This growing brand is perfect for families or adventurers wanting to explore a bit “off the grid”. Under Canvas properties are conveniently located outside of many of the US National Parks which allow for tons of outdoor recreation. They each feature a restaurant on property so you truly have everything you need while on site.
OUR TENT
Our kids were most excited about the camping aspect of our trip! When we arrived, Under Canvas did not disapoint! There are several different tent styles you can choose from when selecting a tent at an Under Canvas property! Many tents feature a private bathroom, which is what we opted for with the kids, but they do offer an entry level “Safari” tent that utilizes a shared bathhouse that features private locking stalls. You can even opt for a tent that has a separate “kids tent” that features two twin sized beds. This tent is a separate “teepee” styled tent that is adjacent to the main tent! I would recommend this for families with older kids who would be comfortable staying in a room alone as this is a completely separate space!
WHAT WE LOVED
With most of its’ guests exploring national parks during the day, Under Canvas comes alive in the evenings. This is where I truly felt the magic! With nightly activities like arts and crafts, trivia, s’mores, games, live music there is something for everyone!
THINGS TO DO
Located in the heart of Northern Arizona, there are endless opportunities for things to do including hiking, rafting, biking, and so much more!
- South Rim of the Grand Canyon – 25 Minutes
- Williams – 40 Minutes
- Flagstaff – 1 Hour
- Sedona – 1 Hour, 35 Minutes
- Horsehoe Bend – 2 Hours, 45 Minutes
- Antelope Canyon – 3 Hours
- Lake Powell – 3 Hours
PACKING SUGGESGTIONS
Truth be told, I “forgot” to mention to my husband before arrival that Under Canvas is a sustainable property and doesn’t have electricity or AC in the individual tents. Whoopsies! The goal of the property is to encourage the guests to unplug, recharge, and truly connect with the beauty surrounding them; which is exactly what we did! Waking up to the sound of the birds (and my kids snoring) was the perfect start to our long adventurous days. Luckily the temperatures in Northern Arizona tend to dip in the evenings and we were never hot! We even had to pull out the extra blankets available to keep warm at night! Each tent comes equipped with a personal fire place that can also be used to stay warm! Under Canvas provides the essentials (fans, lanterns, and 2 charging batteries per tent) however, below are a few packing tips that might make your stay even better:
- Extra phone power banks
- Car AC Adapter, for anything you may need to power up while on the go. We used this to recharge our power banks for the evening!
- Closed Toe Shoes
- Reusable water bottles
- Lots of sunscreen
Stop #2: Four Seasons Scottsdale
We decided to finish up our trip in Scottsdale for a little bit of relaxation after “camping” and before heading back home! 10/10 recommend pairing an Under Canvas experience with a luxury hotel so you can truly unwind after “roughing it”! Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North was the perfect place for us!
OUR CASITA
We opted for a Premier Casita but there is a room category for every group and size, even residences for large family gatherings. They conveniently placed us just a short walk from the pool which was much appreciated! Each night when we came home from our activities, the sofa sleeper was pulled out and made and the crib was in place for the kids! The best part about this casita was the outdoor patio. This was a generous space with a second TV which was great for mom and dad after putting the kids to bed!
WHAT WE LOVED
From check in to check out, and all throughout our stay, our kids were truly catered to! Upon arrival, they were greeted with resort passports, tote bags, stuffed animals, and fun snacks in our room! They even provided all the essentials (baby crib, diapers, wipes, baby soap and shampoo, books, diaper rash cream, and more). If you are a traveling parent – you know this is a DREAM.
Another feature that I can’t forget to mention was the KFAS Kid’s Club. I worried that we may never get our kids out of there, but luckily they close for lunch! The Kid’s Club featured doll houses, kitchen sets, basketball games, air hockey, Leggo walls, movie screening rooms, X-Box/Playstation room, Wii Center, scheduled crafts and activities and SO much more! My kids were in heaven and it was the perfect place to take a mid day break from the heat!
The service at Four Seasons is truly unmatched. By day two, the staff members were greeting our kids by name — which made them feel extra special! We spent a couple of our afternoons by the pool and after realizing we forgot our swim shoes (and the cement being too hot for them to bear), I ultimately encouraged my little ones to go in the pool with their normal daytime sandals. Do what you have to do, you know?! I guess one of the pool attendants witnessed this and next thing I know, she brought us brand new water shoes for each child. We were blown away!
At Four Seasons Scottsdale, there is an outdoor space for everyone! The property features a family pool, kids pool, and adults pool!
THINGS TO DO
Scottsdale is known as a premier golfing destination, so my husband was truly in heaven! With over 200 courses in the area, this destination is also great for a golf or couples group! Other activities in the area include:
- Hiking
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Sunbathing
- Luxury Shopping
- Fine Dining
- Day Trips to some of Arizona’s Hot Spots
BEST TIME TO VISIT
While Arizona and Scottsdale is known as a year round destination, their peak seasons are spring and fall! Due to our schedules, we were a bit limited on when we could getaway, and while July is considered the hottest time of the year, we still made the best of it. This is a trip my little ones will be talking about for years to come!
There is still time to plan your late summer and fall getaway to Arizona, and we would LOVE to help create a trip that is perfect for you and your family.
