FAMILY STAYCATION AT WE-KO-PA RESORT CASINO

Its been a few weeks since our staycation at the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, and Atlas keeps asking if we can go back to “We-Ko-Pa-Pa!” where our family enjoyed an unforgettable experience. Here’s a glimpse into our delightful itinerary and the fantastic time we had and Phoenix’s first Casino and new fam fav and Finding Arizona FIND.

Thursday, Check-in and Property Tour - Our adventure began with a warm welcome and an effortless check-in process. We all arrived as a family, with my parents visiting from San Diego. We thought a suite could accommodate some bomb babysitters for Atlas, making it a perfect setup. After checking in, we were greeted by Gail Manginelli, who took us on a fascinating tour of the property. Gail’s insights made us appreciate the resort's unique charm, and we were especially impressed by the resort's ties to the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.

Pool Time! Next, we hit the pool, our favorite spot at the resort. Atlas, our little fish, loves the water just like his mama! The waterfalls were a big hit, and the pool depths were perfect for a casual cool-off or a full swim. It was the ideal way to start our staycation.

7 pm - Dinner at Ember - Jose and I had the pleasure of enjoying a date night dinner at Ember, the resort’s signature restaurant. We were treated to shared bites from the kitchen and a welcome glass of champagne to kick off the night. My favorite part was the piano player who rocked the evening with fantastic tunes. It was a lovely way to wind down and connect with out our extra co host.

Friday am Early Morning Dip - The next morning, the family started our day with a refreshing dip in the pool, being the first ones in to watch the fountains turn on. It was a serene and magical experience.

Breakfast at Ahnala - Before our podcast recording ,Jose and I got to enjoy a nice breakfast at Ahnala. Breakfast is my favorite and the Starbucks coffee was exactly what I needed. We stuffed ourselves again and enjoyed a producer prep conversation before our interivew.

9 am - Podcast with Liz Norton - We then recorded a podcast with Liz Norton, the Acting Marketing Director of We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort. Jose, as the host, led a wonderful conversation where Liz shared fascinating stories about the resort. Her personal anecdotes and genuine passion for her work added a special touch to our conversation. You can watch the full episode HERE.

11 am - Massages - After a busy morning, Jose and I treated ourselves to a relaxing one-hour massage. The skilled therapists worked their magic, melting away our stress and leaving us rejuvenated. It was the perfect way to conclude our staycation while Atlas, Papa and GG got some fun suite time in. You have to SEE the vlog to see what we walked into

Hotel Atlas" was a vibe! Atlas strutted around with a straw in his stuff, danced up and down the elevators, and snacked his way through the days. His joyful energy was contagious and added an extra layer of fun to our stay. The overall family feel of the resort was fantastic. Everyone had a great time, including grandpa, who hit his favorite game and cashed out as a winner. Bingo!

Until next time

XoXo

Britt

STAYCATION- POINTE HILTON SQUAW PEAK

The more I explore Arizona, the more I fall in love with it. Sometimes exploring is only 16 minutes from your house, but it feels like hundreds of miles away. Staycationing has become a popular trend and I understand why all the hype! Over the weekend Jose and I had the pleasure of staying at the Hilton Pointe Squaw Peak with endless amenities and all the chances to relax.

The Pointe Hilton was an older resort, with Spanish charm and filled with lush vegetation. It is tucked away in the Squaw Peak Valley and surrounded by mountain peaks. Throughout the property you can find several water features leading you to various pools, restaurants, and activities. We lost track of how many great photo ops were around with the perfect lighting and the perfect backdrops.

We stayed in a pool suite and took advantage of the views and the size of the room. It had the comfiest king bed dressed in clean white down linen, a private patio, and a separate living room with a queen sofa bed. Central air throughout the suite allowed us to also escape the triple degree heat outside and snuggle in the big comfy bed!

Room service was what I was most looking forward too. What’s more romantic than breakfast in bed? After sharing buttermilk pancakes and building our own omelets we rested a few more hours before the fun! The food was warm and tased just like home. Plus the coffee was strong and the pot seemed bottomless. I felt bad leaving my dishes at the door but it was encouraged..

We couldn't wait to visit the water park and the mini golf course and we were thrilled to find that our room had four passes, so my parents, visiting from San Diego became our plus 2!

It reminded me of my childhood vacations in Palm Springs or Arizona when we could only complete a few holes before needed to take a dip in the pool to cool off. It is amazing to think that these favorite memories are ones I am still looking to relive as an adult: sunshine and swimming!

Time went too quickly and soon it was time to turn in our towels and keys and check out and head back to reality, Escaping 16 minutes away overnight was much more than it sounds. We appreciate the Hilton Pointe for letting us escape our minds for 24 hours.