Six nights at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs. We drove from California, arriving on Easter. Used a TEEN award. Gold. 2 Adults, no children.

Check in was easy (although parking no so) and done at the special area of the counter for HHonors members. Given welcome letter and breakfast vouchers right off. Letter allowed two (total for stay) small waters from the honor bar free (they charge you then take it off). Offered, but declined, the $9 per day resort fee. As Gold, we had free access to exercise area, but never went. A little smoozing with the clerk, resulted in a room with great views (top 10 to 15%, from what we could figure). Room 2131. Room is smallish (similar to most of all the rooms) for a suite, somewhat like Embassey Suites. Nice balconey. We found room service timely, given the great distances. Also, unlike a prior write up we found housekeeping good.

Parking is awful, often. There is a fair amount of illegal parking, to help the rest of us that do not do that. Room refrig. had room for a 6pk and some chicken, beyond what you could buy out of the honor bar. Lots of space to put luggage, ice chest and groceries if you want.

Several pools. Main pool is noisy. No shade near the pool, except at the bar. Water free. Drinks (at least an arm) Two adult. One up the hill, fairly near our room seldom had anyone.

The breakfast cert is good for Free continential. Normal, plus hot cereal. You can also use it for $11 credit. Bacon and eggs (not on menu) which is $10 (each) when ajoined by coffee ($3.50 for 2) left us with a bill of almost $4 the first day, $1.75 for 3 days and free 2 days. Each day we ordered the exact same breakfast. The $1.75 I believe to be correct. You could also apply the voucher to the $14 dollar breakfast (I believe this is bacon and eggs AND juice and coffee). Or you can apply it to the $18 buffet, including made to order eggs. Only one place serves breakfast and it is down by the road, spa and golf carts. Parking is a premium and none existant when they have a golf tourney. On Saturday, breakfast is also served at the Mexican rest. Shuttle service is available for those without a car, or not want to drive or take the material walk, including the hike back up hill. For those without Certs, a McDonalds is close by

Food and drink prices were quite high, IMHO. We ate off site most all meals, except breakfast. Room service is price, plus $2, plus tax, plus 20% tip. Honor bar use also includes a 15% tip! The really nice rest. on top of the Hill is very pricy, although I cannot speak to value, as we did not dine there.

Gasoline is available at the ARCO on Thunderbird (1 1/2 miles) for $1.92 mid grade or at QT (right on Thunderbird) for $1.91. These price were about 10 cents less that the ARCO in Downey CA.

Thanks to someone at FT, who posted a site for a 2-4-1 at Hard Rock, we had a steak there one night. Thanks to another person on FT we were able to attend serveral attractions, also for 2-4-1. The Hard Rock coupon is dead on May 4. The others are in the Entertainment book.

This was our 6th trip to the Phoenix area (usually stay at Hyatt Scottsdale). The following are some of the things we did:

1. Visited the Wildlife World Zoo (16501 W. Northern Avenue Litchfield Park). Entry is $13.95 for adults. Open 9-5, 7 das. Allow 2.5 to 4.5 hours. Skyride ($3), Boat ($@), Train ($2), and Merry Go Round ($2). Shows free. Highlight, 4 3 week old tigers in a playpen on display. This is more of an old fasion zoo. Lots of "cages" rather that habitate. Until fairly recently this facility was for reproduction of animals, rather that displaying them. 320 species. There is an In N Out off the freeway on the way back if you want a late lunch.

2. Arizona Capitol Museum (1700 W Washington St.) Free parking. Free admission, although a no pressure donation container is available. Museum is 4 stores high. Adults can figure 1 to 1.5 hours.

3. Hall of Flame (6101 E. Van Burean Ave,in Pagago Park). Claimed to be the largest display of fire equipment in the world. Charge is $5.50. Cheaper if over 62. Free parking. M-Sat 9-5, Sun 12-4. Figure 1 hour if low interest, 2-2.5 if quite interested. Add 1 hour if you have children for the "toys".

4. Arizona Doll and Toy Museum (Heritage Square) was not visited by use. Parking in the area is not cheap and we only we attending this one place. Daily parking looked to be $5. As the Science Museum is here (been there, done that) and the major museum is there (ditto), this might be good area to spend a day. Note Pizzaria Bianco is only open for dinner. Also note that the Hard Rock Cafe is nearby (still a drive, on Jefferson).

5. Deer Valley Rock Art Center (3711 W. Deer Valley Road). $5 adults ($3 if 55!!). free parking. Tue-Sat 9-5. Guided tours Sat 10am, Sun 12-5. Allow 45 minutes minimum, plus up to another 45 minutes if you watch the film. Not very interesting for childern. Actually not too interesting to us.

6-8. Superstition Mountain Museum (Goldfield Ghost Town 4 miles NE of Apache Junction on the Apache Trail, State Rte.88. Parking is free. Walkabout is free. The museum is $2. Timing is 45 minutes without the film, or 1.5 hours with (recommended). Horse riding, mine tour, meals and souv. are available in the "Ghost" town. Oct-May 9-4. Summer 9-3. Continuing allow the highway (Lake District) are some great views. The Tortilla Flat Restaurant (sandwitches $6-8. with fries)serves a broad menu of food in a very casual way. The walls have money affixed to the walls from all over the world. I must admit this was quite an interesting stop the first time we did it. Further along is a Theodore Roosevelt Lake and Dam (been there,done that before). They have (had?) snakes in cages in the lobby before, and wife had NO interest in going back!

9. Phoenix Zoo (off Galvin Parkway in Papago Park). Free parking. Adults $12. Traditional zoo with changes headed to make it a childerns haven and less adult interest. They have a substantial farm on site. With animals, buildings,etc to match. There is also a maze area to roam. The area where the bears are kept, is also a hide and seek area. I have a bad foot and was not amused by all the extra walking with little reward. This zoo is approximately the same as the Los Angeles Zoo in visitor pleasure. Below the San Diego Zoo and naturally dwarfed by the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

I hope this write up helps someone. I have done it with that in mind. I get so much help from FT. Pardon mispellings, etc, as my typing is only fair.

Glad you had a good trip & could use some coupons! I need to keep the Hall of Flame in mind for my nephews (big fire truck fans) on their next visit.

JP

Thank you again J379pa.

I did not use your handle in the thanks above, as I do not do that without getting permission first.

Hall of Flame. Parking is on the side of the building. Plenty. You are given a loose leaf binder with the history of each on the fire apparatus in the building. Many predate the 1900's. They are numbered for reference. All the equipment has been repaired, painted and well displayed. Paths lead up and down inside the building. They have patches from many fire departments and a reference book so you can see if "yours" is represented. They will give you a donation slip, if you wish to send one in from your area. One room has a nice display of helmets and fire extinguishers.
Firefighers lost and those commended are also represented at the Hall. This material is very imcomplete and only fairly recent. A full accounting is not possible as such records were not centralized and maintained before.
One major size engine is available for children to play on or otherwise abuse. There is also an area that is for home safety and has playables. They may also have more out back (we did not go, as I believe they were talking kid stuff). A gift shop may set you back for a hat or similar item (cheapest hat, plastic I beleive was $2. Next, better, was $20? Sorry did not pay that much attention). At some time during our visit they started up one of the engines. We did not see that (building has several very large rooms), but "suffered" with the hydrocarbon fumes for the rest of our visit.
When we arrived a couple was being given the VIP treatment (I guess) at they were decked out in had and coat (balance of clothing was street closthes) and headed to the back with a couple of the staff.