Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak's atmosphere is busy by default. The top-notch conference center hosts groups of up to 1,500, so the resort gets busy at times. The four-acre water park and kids' camp also attract many families, keeping the resort bustling with activity. But the huge complex is laid out in such a way that it remains a peaceful desert oasis where quiet places are easily found.  Lush, palm-shaded courtyards with beautiful fountains, inviting pools, and sitting areas seem to be around every corner. Nestled in the hills next to a 300-acre mountain preserve, the Spanish Mediterranean designed resort exudes a rustic, calming ambience. The two-story main lobby is bright and airy, with reception desks along both walls. Cozy sitting areas are set below arched windows on both sides of the entrance. Other interior spaces feature polished tile floors and stucco-style walls. Like the grounds outside, large plants flourish inside as they're bathed in natural light by two-story, floor-to-ceiling windows with majestic arches.

The resort is located about eight miles north of downtown Phoenix in a developed area that's surrounded by businesses and residential complexes. A few restaurants are within a three- to five-minute walk, but it’s not in an ideal walking area for dining or shopping. The resort is just off the Piestewa (51) Freeway and an eight-minute drive to Piestewa Peak Park’s hiking trailheads. Great hiking is 15 minutes away by car at the Echo Canyon Recreation Area where trailheads lead up Camelback Mountain. A plethora of shopping is available at the Biltmore Fashion Park (a 10- to 12-minute drive) and Metro Center Mall (15- to 20-minute drive), which also has a cinema complex. Approximately 15 to 20 minutes of driving is what it takes to reach the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and notable attractions in the downtown Phoenix area including Heard Museum, Chase Field, Talking Stick Resort Arena, and the Phoenix Convention Center. Old Town Scottsdale’s numerous shops and restaurants are about 25 minutes away by car, as is the Desert Botanical Garden. Arizona State University’s campus in Tempe is 20 to 30 minutes away. A bus stop is about a three-minute walk from the resort, but it typically takes significantly longer to travel anywhere in the Valley by public transit than it does by car. 

Decor in the bi-level Casitas and larger Ambassador and Presidential Suites varies, but the 430 Standard Suites offer the same design elements. The suites are clean, spacious, and well maintained, but decor feels a tad dark and dated. The textiles in general are dark, such as the striped carpet in shades of blue, red, and brown or the drapes in similar colors with circular, Southwestern accents. Painted, light yellow walls are hung with colorful Southwestern art. Furniture in reddish-brown wood includes headboards, nightstands, work desks, and dressers with granite tops. Standard Suites come in one king or two queen bed options with Hilton’s comfortable Suite Dreams bedding package; bedding is bright white, including the duvets. Separate living rooms have drab, salmon-color sleeper sofas and blue armchairs with Southwestern accents, as well as a second flat-screen TV. Standard room amenities include mini-fridges, coffeemakers, and magnifying mirrors. Dual-line phones with voicemail and Wi-Fi access (included in the resort fee) are standard as well. 

Like the bedroom and living room areas, the bathrooms are spacious and clean, but there’s nothing special about them. Bathrooms have roomy, granite-top wood vanities that are separated from the toilets, and shower/tub combos are framed by light beige tile. Free toiletries by Peter Thomas Roth are provided. 

The larger, bi-level Casitas offer villa-style accommodations. They come in one bedroom/one bathroom or two bedroom/two bathroom combinations and have a microwave and full-size fridge. Some large suites have three bedrooms. The suites’ small patios or balconies offer lovely views of the mountains, pools, or other areas of the hilly complex. 

Most guests at Pointe Hilton are here for the extensive convenient and fun features. A daily resort fee covers Wi-Fi access and admission to the four-acre River Ranch water park that encompasses several pools, whirlpools, slides, and a meandering lazy river. The various pools are heated in colder months and open year-round. The 10,000-square-foot, full-service salon and spa offers numerous treatments and has a spa shop. 

The resort's simple fitness center includes a broad range of Precor cardio and weight-training equipment and free weights. Outdoor recreational options are more appealing, and include tennis and basketball courts, an 18-hole mini-golf course, and golf privileges at the 18-hole course at the nearby sister property, Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort. 

The Coyote Camp is a supervised center for children four to 12 that offers a busy schedule of fun activities. Babysitting services are available through the concierge. 

The resort has a conference center with 46 separate meeting rooms in 46,000 square feet of event space. The business center has Internet access and remote printing capabilities. Valet dry cleaning and laundry services are available, and multiple self-service laundry facilities are on-site. A gift shop located in the lobby sells clothing, Southwestern jewelry, and art. Self-parking is free, but valet parking is not. A fleet of golf carts transport guests throughout the 27-acre property upon request. Pets are welcome in select rooms with a surcharge.

It's entirely possible to eat all of your meals at the Pointe Hilton. Hole-In-The-Wall provides family-style dining in a refurbished ranch house for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Kids' menus are available and the breakfast menu features cowboy-inspired fare like skillets and griddle cakes. Rico's American Grill also serves three meals a day, and pets are welcome on the outdoor patio. Breakfast is served buffet-style or a la carte and lunch and dinner menus have American dishes with a Southwestern flare. Breakfast isn't included in the room rate. Room service is available 24 hours a day. There's also a Starbucks on-site. Slim Pickens provides cocktails, smoothies, and lighter options by the pool.