The ultimate staycation would involve just staying home. Maybe playing tourist and visiting a few local attractions. There's also relaxing with a good book or catching some bargain matinees.
But in staying put there are always the risks of checking work emails, zoning out in front of the TV or getting caught up in home projects that leave you more drained than when you started, and wondering where the time went.
Luckily, Tucsonans have a Plan B in the summer - resorts promise relaxation and a break from the daily grind at discounted rates and without the hassles and expenses of travel. In turn, locals help fill rooms in the slow season.
This is Casino del Sol Resort's first summer and it's been 80 percent full - in large part thanks to locals, said Wendell Long, the chief executive officer of the Pascua Yaqui Gaming Enterprises. "It's a new exciting property. We're able to offer a lot to people and we're able to offer a great value."
Here are some of the deals offered throughout Tucson. Check out websites for more details.
Hacienda del Sol Guest Ranch
5501 N. Hacienda del Sol Road, 299-1501, www.haciendadelsol.com
• Summer rates: From $89 per night through Sept. 24.
• The deal: The Summer Romance Package includes 20 percent off the price of a room and a $100 dining credit for $80.
• Bonus: Many local guests time their stays around events such as the resort's next five-course wine dinner, which is July 16. Hacienda del Sol's next chocolate-themed dinner, which was recognized by Food Network Magazine, will be Aug. 7.
Arizona Inn
2200 E Elm St., 325-1541, www.arizonainn.com
• Summer rates: From $139 Sundays through Thursdays, $169 most Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 27.
• The deals: With the July Getaway package, stay any two nights this month and receive $100 dining credit, a welcome bottle of wine, and ice cream sundaes poolside each evening. The Bed and Breakfast package, from $169 weekdays and $199 weekends, includes full breakfast for two each morning in the dining.
Casino del Sol
5655 W. Valencia Road, 1-855-765-7829, www.casinodelsolresort.com
• Summer rates: From $99 through Sept. 3.
• The deal: Stay and Buffet for $149 includes one night stay, $50 resort credit and two meals at Festa International Buffet.
The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain
15000 N. Secret Springs Drive, Marana, 572-3000, www.ritzcarlton.com/dovemountain
• Summer rates: From $159 a night Mondays through Wednesdays, and $189 Thursdays through Sundays through Sept. 9. Includes waiver of resort activity-package fees that includes access to the golf driving range and use of mountain bikes.
• The deals: Summer Returns, from $199 per night, includes $50 spending credit.
The Summer Fun package, from $229 per night, includes a daily spending credit of $100.
Hotel Congress
311 East Congress St., 622-8848, www.hotelcongress.com,
• Summer rates: From $69 a night through Aug. 31.
• The deal: Stay the Night, See a Show, includes a ticket to that evening's entertainment in the Club Congress. One ticket per room guest.
JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa
3800 W. Starr Pass Blvd., 792-3500, www.jwmarriottstarrpass.com
• Summer rates: From $139 a night through Sept. 3.
• The deal: Family Fling and Swing starts at $189, which includes room for up to four guests, $50 resort credit, unlimited rounds of afternoon golf for four; kids under age 12 eat free for dinner at Signature Grill with paying adult, waived resort fee.
Loews Ventana Canyon
7000 N. Resort Drive, 299-2020, www.loewshotels.com/Ventana
• Summer rates: From $99 a night through Sept. 3.
• The deal: The Jazz Getaway Package for $139 includes room and two tickets and the VIP reception to Saturday's Jeff Lorber concert.
• Bonus: Wild Side of Summer offers an enhanced experience with Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum animals, hikes, stargazing and more.
Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Resort
10,000 N. Oracle Road, 544-5000, www.hiltonelconquistador.com
• Summer rates: From $99 a night with the fourth night free if booked by July 31.
• Bonus: Summer "Edutainment" offers guests an educational getaway through Sept. 3, with activities such as hands-on science experiments, Native-American flute performances and stargazing on weekends.
Omni Tucson National Resort
2727 W. Club Drive, 1-800-THE-OMNI (1-800-843-6664), www.omnitucsonnational.com
• Summer rates: From $99 through Sept. 3.
• The deal: The Stay, Play and Save Summer Package includes 20 percent off with two-night minimum stay, includes $50 resort credit, free kids' breakfast with paid adult and kids' check-in surprise through Sept. 16. Call for rates.
Tubac Golf Resort
1 Avenue de Otero, Tubac, 1-800-848-7893, www.tubacgolfresort.com
• Summer rates: From $99 a night through Sept. 27.
• The deal: Stay three consecutive nights in July and August and receive a $100 resort credit with package code "SHO12"
The Westin La Paloma
3800 E. Sunrise Drive, 1-866-716-8137, www.westinlapalomaresort.com
• Summer rates: From $99 per night through Sept. 8. Ask specifically for the "summer rate plan." Use the word "summer."
• The deal: Follow the resort on Facebook (www.facebook.com/WestinLaPaloma) to check for random $89-a-night rates that are posted periodically.
Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa
245 E. Ina Road, 1-800-722-2500, www.westwardlook.com
• Summer rates: From $99 a night through Sept. 30.
• The deal: Book a five-night stay and pay as low as $79 a night. Kids 12 and younger eat free with each paying adult at Gold restaurant and Lookout Bar & Grille through Sept. 30.
Rent a cabin on nearby Mount Lemmon
Summer is peak season on Mount Lemmon, which can be 30 degrees cooler than Tucson.
That means you need to call a couple of months in advance if you want to spent a weekend in one of Dorothy Crawford's cabins.
"Right now it's intense," said Crawford, who owns Mt. Lemmon Cabins.
Crawford rents out four cabins and her summer rates range from $135 a night, or $810 for a week in the Heaven on Earth cabin that sleeps six; to $165 a night or $990 a week in the Antler Ridge cabin that has room for eight adults.
She charges $15 more per night during the winter to cover the added heating costs, noting that she works hard to keep the prices down.
"We get a lot of out of towners, but we also get a lot of Tucsonans who come back year after year," she said. That includes a lot of families that hold reunions on the mountain.
When her cabins are full, as they are this week, she refers people to other cabin owners.
People can also find a list of some rentals at the Mount Lemmon Community Center, 12949 N. Sabino Canyon Parkway, which is staffed by volunteers on Fridays and Saturdays.
"It's gorgeous up here and there are so many things to do," said Bob Zimmerman, a broker with Mount Lemmon Realty Inc., which manages cabins owned by other people. He said rates start about $150 a night.
Staycation tips
• Some staycationers like to follow a set of rules, such as setting a start and end date. A bit of advance planning can also help boost the feel of a traditional vacation and avoid the pitfall of falling into routine, according to "The Great American Staycation: How to Make a Vacation at Home Fun for the Whole Family (and Your Wallet!)" by Matt Wixon. Wixon also considers any destination that's within 100 miles to be "near home."
• Need ideas? Check out The Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau's website, www.visittucson.org, for a host of suggested day trips organized by category - from astronomy and shopping to military history.
Take a minute
Make sure to read the fine print. Some offers may have restrictions or exclude additional costs such as resort fees and parking. Also, ask about cancellation and refund policies. Resort credits typically must be used that stay. All the of the prices listed above are base rates that exclude tax, unless otherwise noted.
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