Learn how to build monsters and massive monoliths out of LEGOS at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa this summer.

GRAPHIC: Click here to see a chart of East Valley summer hotel deals

Get a map of the 10 best places to share a kiss in the Valley and a couple of chocolate massages to get the romance started at the Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center.

Begin a girls' night out with caramel appletinis, crème cheese brulee and pedicures in your room at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa.

When the temperatures soar to sweltering heights, and tourists from the North stay away in droves, Valley hoteliers turn to local folks to fill their rooms and restaurants.

The Phoenix metropolitan area accounts for 34 percent of Scottsdale's hotel guests in the summer, according to the Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

At the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa, about 40 percent of the summer trade is from Arizona, said spokeswoman Ann Lane. Another 20 percent of the guests come from next-door neighbor California, she said.

This year, a faltering economy, sky-high gas prices and tanking consumer confidence could make things better or worse for the local inns, keeping even more local people close to home - a boon for the business - but potentially keeping them actually in their homes, if their budgets are already tight.

"Maybe we're overly optimistic, but we think the rise in gas prices will generate more business for us, especially on weekends," said Steve Eberhart, general manager at the Buttes Marriott Resort in Tempe. "For the price of gas to drive to San Diego, they could stay a night with us."

At the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort on the Gila River Indian Community, spokeswoman Kristen Jarnagin also thinks more value-conscious Valley residents will stay around town instead of heading West this summer.

"When the economy is down and gas prices are up, it's an opportunity for our resort," Jarnagin said. "We think we'll be very busy this summer."

And the Valley Ho in Scottsdale already has business on the books for June and August, said spokeswoman Kristin Escalera, hotel spokeswoman.

But in summer, vacation reservations are very last-minute, Lane said.

So while all the hoteliers seem optimistic that local folks will spend time and money on a close-to-home getaway, the hotels are serving up specials to distinguish their properties from the other vacation options, adding packages with extra perks to the usual spa- and golf-focused deals.

The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort, for example, has teamed up with LEGO, which plans to open its first Arizona store at Chandler Fashion Center this summer, to hold a couple of weekend workshops with LEGO master builders at the resort.

The Buttes plans to bring in live music and a caricaturist to entertain guests poolside.

The retro Valley Ho in Scottsdale will show retro drive-in movies.

The Phoenix Mesa Marriott is handing out tickets to water parks Sun Splash and Big Surf with its rooms as part of a Splish Splash package clearly targeting families.

The Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center's "Kiss me all over" package is designed for those who plan to leave the kids at home.

But despite all the gimmicks, still the primary enticement for local folks looking at a local resort vacation is the opportunity to stay at a pricey property for as little as a quarter of the tab paid by winter visitors.

And there are lots of bargains this year.

The hip, trendy Mondrian in downtown Scottsdale even has a deal for Arizona residents only. Snag a $95 room with an Arizona ID.