A few hundred bucks can buy lots of family fun at luxury resorts on the northwest side.
Many are offering kid-friendly summer package deals at prices that have been dropping as temperatures rise.
Free food, golf and special Fourth of July events are among the enticements as the hospitality industry strives to fill rooms during the off-season and generate word-of-mouth publicity.
Many locals who patronize resorts on the cheap during summer end up returning at other times of year, managers say.
"It gives people who wouldn't normally think they could stay at our resort a chance to experience it," said Mary Beth Seamands of Westward Look Resort, 245 E. Ina Road.
"Once they see what we have of offer, they think about coming back. Or maybe an organization they belong to needs a facility like this, and they're in a position to share information."
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Westward Look's summer rates start at $99 a night for a room that can cost up to $350 during peak season. The summer price includes a full breakfast buffet for two adults and two kids and a free child's meal with each adult dinner. Kids 12 and younger stay free with parents.
Amenities include three swimming pools, a spa and fitness center, nature trails, a stargazing telescope and, on weekends, a supervised kids' activity room overlooking the pool.
For the July Fourth weekend, Westward Look's rates jump to $139 a night, which buys all the same features as the $99 deal, but with extra evening activities including ice-cream socials and movies.
The Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf and Tennis Resort in Oro Valley is pulling out the stops for Independence Day, with live bands, fireworks and cookie decorating for kids. Rooms go for $159 for the holiday weekend, with a minimum two-night stay, and kids younger than 18 stay free with parents.
The resort's waterslide will be open Saturday and Sunday nights for the holiday weekend with special effects including fog, music and colored glow bands for riders. A $5 per-person fee covers both nights on the slide.
After the Fourth, El Conquistador's summer rates drop as low as $99. Attractions and amenities include poolside "dive-in movies" on Fridays, live music, a free waterslide, a nine-hole golf course on site and 36-hole course a few miles away.
Golf is a family affair this summer at Omni Tucson National Resort, 2727 W. Club Drive, where children ages 5 to 17 can play for free with a paying parent. Additional kids pay only $10 to play instead of the normal $40 green fee.
Room rates at Omni Tucson start at $159 a night for a family with children younger than 18. The price includes a $101-a-night resort credit good for food, drink, golf fees or spa services.
"It essentially means the room rate is $58," said sales and marketing director Dan Dickhart.
A similar resort credit deal is being offered at The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain, 15000 N. Secret Springs Drive in Marana. Rates there start at $229 a night, which includes breakfast for two and a $100-a-night resort credit.
The resort boasts a four-story waterslide, three pools, a children's interactive splash pad, hiking and biking trails and a 27-hole course designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus.
On the Saturday night of the July Fourth weekend, a movie will be shown in the main pool area, with free popcorn and inner tubes for floating in the water.
Contact reporter Carol Ann Alaimo at calaimo@azstarnet.com or at 573-4138.
