Need Advice: Driving Vegas to Phoenix
 

:cool: Hi Everyone,

I have a ton of Marriott points to burn and I am a Plat so I am planning on taking a trip to Vegas this summer (HOT HOT HOT). I have 2 nights at Bellagio (through Virtuoso) and then 3 nights at JW Las Vegas. From there my sister, neice and myself will drive 93 (possilby include Rt 66 as a detour) and take in the sights.

My questions are:

1. Is it really necessary to stay at night in Williams or Flagstaff to sight see - or do you all think I can make it to the JW Camelback in one day and feel good about the sight seeing trip? Is there anything along this route that we need to take our time with that would require an overnight stay in the Flagstaff area? I do not think we are that interested in doing the whole Canyon adventure thing.

2. We are thinking of staying 2 nights at the JW Camelback - but I would like real advice as to whether this is a better hotel over JW Desert Ridge - if anyone can offer up advice I would appreciate it. I have read a few conflicting reports. For me it sounds like Camel back is more relaxing and unique. But I will listen to any new advice.

We will leave Camelback and drive to Palm Springs and stay a night there. I really do not want to stay at the JW Desert Springs again - but I have an 8 year old girl to think of. Does anyone suggest a different Marriott brand in the Palm Springs area? I just want to go to dinner at Billy Reeds... I love that place - so I do not care too much about hotel dining options.

Thanks in advance for any and all help. :)

The only question I can answer is the Palm Springs one. I have had several great stays at the Rancho Las Palmas Marriott, and so would recommend it for your stay there.

Wth kids, I would stay at Desert--very large and great facilities. Camelback is very unique and casitas are great if just you and a companion.

I'd suggest making time for Sedona.

Thanks akpfft. I will do so. I think that is what I really want to see. I hope I can do it in a few hours and then drive to the JW in time for a 3 pm check in.

BTW I called the JW Desert Ridge about staying there. I would love to experience the Cloud Club. We always book the Club Level at Ritz Carlton and other resorts if they have them. The Cloud Club will not allow my 8 year old neice into the lounge with us. She is so well behaved and is so well travelled. It is silly, but it really turns me off. :mad: They will allow 16 year olds, but not children. I think it is for the businessmen. They do not have to deal with children but they can look at the young girls. I see through it. Honestly, I don't know if I want to stay at this place if they are so business oriented and unfriendly to children. Does not seem like a warm environment at all.

It would be a shame to run thru Sedona like you plan to. 1st of all up the 89A from Sedona is Slide Rock Park, your niece will have a Ball its like Natural Water Slides.

Its so beautiful in Sedona a pity youll be rushing thru, almost like saying you saw LA cause you took the I-10 past it or the 110. But much more so.

Flag is a 40 min trip from Sedona and the Hotels up there can be alot cheaper then in Sedona, plus that way you can drive down 89A 'Oak Creek Canyon' on your way to Sedona. PHX is 2 hrs from Sedona if you drive as I do. I would forget about an early checkin and stay for what is usually a Magnifianct Sunset in Sedona watching the Suns and sky turn color as well as the rocks go to beatiful Reds and Gold has me wanting to jump on a plane right now simply thinking of it.

When I was in PHX last May we did a tour of most of teh Hotels. I would say stay away from Camel Back your niece wont care for it unless shes a very stuck up type not interested in doing kids stuff. I didnt care for it, The JW is the way to go

We just made this trip in March. The scenery is fantastic. If you go through Flagstaff, you pass near the following notable tourist atractions:
- Hoover Dam
- Lake Mead
- Grand Canyon
- Lowell Observatory
- Oak Creek Canyon
- Slide Rock Park
- Sedona
- Montezuma Castle
If you skip the Grand Canyon and organized tours at the other sites, you could hit several of these in a long day without spending the night in the Williams area. I suppose that it ultimately depends on your interests. As noted, many people would enjoy spending several days in the Sedona area alone.

If you decide to stop in Wiliams, there is a dirt cheap, typical Fairfield Inn.

Vegas to Flagstaff is about four hours, give or take. (Getting across the dam can cause delays at times.) Then Flagstaff to Phoenix is approximately three hours. I'd drive to Flagstaff (or Williams) and stay the night. This will provide plenty of time to see sights in the area, and catch some sights from Flagstaff to Phoenix.

If you are going to Sedona, take the Route 89A from Flagstaff to Sedona. It takes longer because it is primarily a 2-lane road, but it is a beautiful drive. Also, from Sedona, I'd go through Jerome, an old mining town, to Prescott. Prescott to Phoenix is a pretty easy drive.

This is definitely a longer route, but can easily be done in a "long day".

(If your goal is to get from LAS-PHX with no stops, just take 93 all the way. There are a few interesting spots along the way, like Nowhere, AZ, but nothing to right home about.)

...or Nowhere to write home about ;)

For Palm Springs, the Ren Esmeralda has gotten good reviews. I'm staying a couple nights there later this year.

Thank you!
 

Thanks for the info and confirmation on spending time in Sedona. I am going to try and stay a couple of nights in the Sedona area or just take a very late check in at the JW Desert Ridge. The Camelback did look nice - but I guess I will forego it on this trip. I am realizing that I do not need to be in a hurry to get to Phoenix. I have been there before and know that it is really just a large desert city.

I wish there were Marriotts in Sedona! Would make my trip planning a heck of a lot easier. My main concern is that I did not want to have to drive back to the FF or RI in Flagstaff after touring Sedona all day. I will figure this out somehow. I do plan on taking in all of the sights I can.

Any info is still appreciated.

One last question - after spending 4 days in Vegas and then time in Sedona area - is it really necessary to spend 2 nights at Desert Ridge? Anything really must see in the area? Otherwise I will just spend one night at Desert Ridge and move on to Palm Springs area for a night. Thanks again for taking the time to read and give great info!!! I am very grateful.

Just don't stay at the Williams FI
 

One of the worst marriott properties I've ever stayed at. The one in Flagstaff is much, much better and only an hour or so away.

Billy

Not staying in Williams...
 

Thanks for the strong warning. I am not going to stay in Williams. I will be staying at the RI in Flagstaff.

After 4 nights in Vegas at Bellagio and the JW we will move on to the Arizona desert. I have decided to spend the day in Sedona area - 89a, Slide Rock Park, Pink Jeeps, Montezuma's Castle and Jerome... all in one day. Then we decided to stay at the Camelback Inn. Most recommend the Desert Ridge, but we do not want the typical hotel fell. Camelback seems very unique and luxurious. Something we will appreciate...my 8 year old neice will have to deal. Then we will move on to the Ren Esmeralda for a night or two. This should be a nice and hot trip!!!

Thanks for all of the posts. You all really helped us plan our trip. I will give a full report when we return in August! LOL

:D

The Ren. Esmerelda is great in PS area, but if you want to be directly in PS, I guess the Courtyard is fine, I did a small meeting there and it was "Courtyard basic" and has a pool for the kids.
You've got the idea with doing the desert backroads. The awesome vastness, beauty and desolation will be profound. Hopefully you will be able to experience dawn and dusk every single day, Carry plenty, plenty of water for you and your car!

Thanks DesertDave
 

I will make sure that we have our water. Thanks for the well wishes. I am looking so forward to this trip. I've always wanted to go to Sedona...now I will! :cool: