Discovering Arizona - Resorts - 10 Tips To Help You Save Money

and spring months - you can expect to pay a princely sum for a popular Arizona resort accomodation.

What is a cost-conscious traveler to do?
Believe it or not, an Arizona resort stay doesn't have to be out of your reach. With some careful planning, you can stay at an Arizona resort and still have change left over. Here are my top ten tips to help you get the most out of your dollar.

Take a vacation at the off-peak times.
Actually, the desert locations get pretty hot in June, July and August but that's when Arizona resorts drastically slash their rates and costs drop to the low to mid-$100s per night. There's plenty to do to keep cool such as swimming, spending time at the spa or visiting one of Arizona's great indoor (and air conditioned) attractions like the Heard Museum in Phoenix, famous for its collection of Native American art and culture.

Make your stay during the early part of the week.
No matter what time of the year, Arizona resort room rates will generally be cheaper Sunday through Thursday.

Dine elsewhere and avoid room service.
It's no secret that meals at hotels and resorts are more expensive than similar restaurants in the surrounding community. Arizona resorts are no exception. Try eating your meals at local establishments, where prices are lower and the food is often better.

Consider joining the resort's "passport" or membership club.
Most Arizona resorts are operated by major hotel chains such as Starwood, Hyatt or Hilton. Joining their "club" allows you to earn bonus points every time you stay at one of that chain's lodgings, no matter the type. Points can be used for discounts on future stays, similar to an airline's frequent flyer miles. These clubs may also offer free room upgrades or access to special features like members-only cocktail hour or breakfast buffet.

Don't forget to use your automobile club membership when booking an Arizona resort room.
Many resorts offer special rates to automobile club members such as AAA. You can often get very good price reductions or packages such as a room plus free breakfast during your stay.

BYOB.
Yes, that means bring your own booze. Alcohol at resorts is often overpriced. Watch out for the minibar where even a bottle of water can cost 4 times as much as one bought at a grocery store.

Don't use the room phone for outside calls.
Many Arizona resorts charge extra fees for using the phone in your room, even for local calls. Before you pick up the phone, check on the costs which are usually posted on the phone or in the room's guest service book.

Check with your company's travel provider.
If you work for a medium or large-sized company that does a lot of business travel, you may be able to get a discount on your non-business related travel through your company's travel provider.

Looking for more information about Arizona resorts? Visit Paula Hartgraves' Arizona resort page at www.arizona-vacation-planner.com for in-depth Arizona resort reviews.