I know what you’re thinking: this must be a joke. I agree, typically when I think of vacationing with my 1 & 3 year olds, the last word that comes to mind is “relaxing”. When we were heading out to Four Seasons Scottsdale, AZ in May, we decided to try the impossible: relax while on vacation. Around the time we planned the trip, I was trying to plan a family vacation for all 4 of us & also a getaway for just Tom & I.  But, I quickly realized we only had the time & money for one trip.

Instead, we figured out a way to combine the trips. We chose to head to the Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North. You can read more about the trip & the wonderful hotel here. To see all the ways we made the trip fun for the kids, check out this post. Now for the ways we made the trip relaxing & enjoyable for adults:

A Relaxing Vacation with Toddlers

Four Seasons Spa Morning for Mom

Last time I checked into a hotel spa was on my honeymoon,  I decided the best way for me to relax on this vacation was to spend an hour getting pampered. The Four Seasons Spa had the perfect spa treatment for a mom who needed a lot of relaxing in a little bit of time: Head Over Heels. The Head Over Heels Treatment was only 50 minutes but included a facial, hand, leg & foot massage. With two technicians working at once, I felt months of stress melting away in those 50 minutes. I left relaxed & refreshed!

 Troon North Golf Afternoon for Dad

The Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North is right next to the renowned Troon North Golf Club. When we were planning the trip, I wasn’t sold on parenting solo for a full day on a 4 day vacation. We had a lot of family activities we wanted to get in, but I did want to make sure Tom had some time to himself to golf. The Troon North Golf Club had the perfect solution: the Monument Express. This is a 9 hole option with tee times starting at 3pm. It was perfect for our trip. Tom got to play golf at Troon North & was only gone for a few hours. The course also has some great family golf offers, for when the kids get a little older.

A Night Out

One of the best ways we were able to relax on vacation with toddlers was to have a night out, just us. Family vacations are fun, but often hectic. There is a lot of “you take this screaming kid, while I take screaming kid #2 for a diaper change”. It was such a treat to have a nigh to unwind & enjoy vacation as a couple, while the kids slept.

No, we didn’t leave the kids in the hotel room while enjoying a night on the town. Instead, with the help of the hotel concierge, we had a babysitter for the night. The Four Seasons Scottsdale uses a trusted nanny service in the area to help guests hire a babysitter. I was nervous (of course) & honestly went back & forth for days leading up to the trip. The girls would be asleep the whole time & we were only going to dinner at the resort. When the sitter showed up, she couldn’t have been sweeter. She was from the town where I went to college & had grandchildren the same ages as my girls. I felt better & excited for a date night with my husband.

We enjoyed drinks by an outdoor fire & then had a fantastic meal at Talavera. The restaurant was quiet, had a lovely view  & a fabulous menu of locally & regionally sourced cuisine. Every part of the meal was delicious & we even stayed for dessert. We enjoyed all of the meals on vacation with our sweet little girls, but having a night out, just the two of us, was a very special part of the trip for me & Tom.

Gym & Sauna Nap Times

We were up early each morning. The kids were stuck on their east coast schedules & since we were in the desert, it was best to start the day early anyway. We did a ton each day by noon, so the kids were exhausted. While they rested from about 12-3pm, my husband & I took turns staying in the room with them. When it wasn’t our turn for nap duty, we would head down to the beautiful fitness center & then enjoy the sauna & steam room. It was so nice to have a little time alone to unwind each day of vacation.

Room Service

Dinning out with toddlers can be stressful. Ease the stress by planning to eat a few meals in the room. We loved having time to enjoy a cup of coffee & breakfast on the balcony on morning. The kids ate some cereal & then played in the room.

Our vacation was wonderful. The kids had so much fun! They ask all the time when we can go back to Arizona. My husband & I found time to relax & enjoy some time together. We all left refreshed & happy. A big part of being able to balance a family vacation with relaxation was thanks to the amazing accommodations at the Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon North. They went above & beyond to make sure each member of our family was enjoying every minute of the trip. We hope to plan another family getaway soon!

I was not compensated for this post. A portion of our stay was complimentary for the purpose of review. As always, all opinions are my own.