To celebrate my daughter’s college graduation in May, I wanted to treat her to a luxurious getaway with my sister. We initially eyed a spa weekend in Massachusetts or Pennsylvania, but got sticker shock from the prices, which averaged $2,000 per person for the weekend. My sister, a seasoned traveler, got an idea. If it was luxury we craved, why not stay at an upscale resort in a place that’s eager to attract tourists in the summer?

We decided on a long weekend in July at Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows in Scottsdale, Ariz., where the temperatures ranged from 90 to 110 degrees. The resort’s “Heat It Up in Scottsdale” summer package starts at $189 a night and includes two cocktails per person per day, a waived resort fee (usually a $39-a-day charge), a full breakfast for each person, served until 3 p.m., and 25 percent off spa services. Compare that to peak season rates, which start at $349 a night, without any of the inclusions.