Where to Stay in Phoenix: Top Areas & Accommodations

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Looking for the top spots where to stay in Phoenix? This guide to the top areas and accommodations is here to show you all the best places in Phoenix! 

You might be feeling overwhelmed trying to find a hotel since Phoenix is so spread out with tons of neighborhoods to choose from. This guide is broken down by the top areas to stay and then the top picks within those areas. 

Take a look at my guide on the top things to do in Phoenix if you’re visiting. Since I’ve lived in Phoenix for over 15 years, I’ve learned the hotspots. These hotels are all selected to be convenient to see the sights in town.

Phoenix is also a huge resort city. Looking for a place to hold a conference or a family reunion? Or maybe you just want to have a little luxury during your time away from home. Check out the resort section for all my best advice on resorts all across Phoenix. 

Ready to book your stay in Phoenix? This fabulous city in Arizona is waiting to host you for your next travel adventure!

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Phoenix Accommodation Quick Guide 

Need to quickly find a place to stay in Phoenix? Here’s my top 3 picks across the city!

Budget—Clarendon: I love this fun retro place set in a modern and stylish boutique hotel. They have three different room types, including suites if you’re traveling with a large group. Some of the rooms and hotel areas are also cannabis-friendly because, well, when in Phoenix… 

Make sure to check out the pool in your free time—complete with cabanas and underwater speakers. Clarendon is within walking distance of the convention center, several shops, and some of the best restaurants in the city. 

Mid-Range—Found:Re Hotel: This is another great hotel with a wonderful rotating artwork display. The restaurant is top-notch, so make sure to eat a meal or two there before checking out. And it’s in a great area filled with lots of others as well!

The rooms are industrial-style with an urban chic vibe. Our room had an interesting bathroom sink that you could access from the shower or outside the bathroom. Interesting, for sure! Take an afternoon dip in the pool where you can also get drink and food service while you relax. Or take a siesta in the super-comfortable beds.

Luxury—Hermosa Inn: This boutique hotel in Paradise Valley is one of my favorite spots in the entire valley. You have to try Lon’s, their on-site restaurant. It’s my favorite, offering a trifecta of great food, impeccable service, and a gorgeous setting. Many of the herbs and some of the produce are grown in their onsite garden. Make sure to grab a seat outside by the beautiful fountain. 

The rooms are intimate, with wood furniture and warm fireplaces. The pool is also stunning, and they offer amazing service all around. If you’re looking to be pampered, this is your place. 

Resort—The Phoenician: I stayed here for a business conference years ago and still can’t get it out of my head. This place is gorgeous! 

It’s a luxury resort in Scottsdale with large rooms, a golf course, and several incredible restaurants with breathtaking views of the city. They also have a full-service spa with massages and wellness scrubs. 

Downtown Phoenix and Phoenix

Staying downtown puts you right in the middle of the historic and cultural hub of Phoenix. It’s the best place to stay in Phoenix as a first-time visitor because you’ll be close to the main attractions in Phoenix and minutes from the main highway. 

The nightlife options are also abundant if you feel like going dancing or having a few late-night drinks. It’s a very walkable area, and of course, there’s always Uber if you need it. The shopping and dining options are also endless, most within walking distance of the best hotels!

Budget—Cambria Hotel Downtown: Though this is more in the mid-range price-wise, it offers a great downtown location just a short walk from all of the action. You’ll also be right in the center of the Roosevelt Arts District. 

This hotel has an amazing fitness center and large upscale rooms. The bar and on-site restaurant are also perfect for relaxing after being out in the city all day. 

Mid-Range—Rise Uptown Hotel: This hotel is in the trendy and fashionable Biltmore area, just a few minutes’ drive from downtown Phoenix. This stylish boutique hotel is locally owned, with fun and colorful rooms. 

Enjoy a poolside cocktail or locally sourced food at the on-site restaurant. Spend your evening watching the sunset from the rooftop lounge. 

Luxury—Kimpton Hotel Palomar: This is a must for a luxury stay in the heart of downtown Phoenix. The rooms are extremely spacious, making it a perfect place to stay if you’re traveling in a large group. 

Many of the main Phoenix tourist attractions are just steps away, including the Arizona Science Center, the Phoenix Symphony, and the Comerica Theatre. Make sure to check out the rooftop pool and take advantage of the yoga mats and essential oils in every room!

Old Town Scottsdale 

Old Town Scottsdale has a unique vibe and it’s right on the outskirts of Phoenix (but in Phoenix metro). It’s a quaint downtown area of this city with an amazing art scene and a lively tourist scene. 

There are plenty of shops and art galleries to wander through as well as fun bars. Restaurant options are endless, with casual places as well as upscale dining options for fancier meals. Golfing is also a popular activity in Scottsdale and there are many gorgeous courses to choose from. 

Budget—Comfort Suites Old Town Scottsdale: This is a great budget and basic hotel in Scottsdale if you’re looking to save some money while traveling. 

It’s located right in the center of Old Town Scottsdale. This is the perfect location to walk to many different attractions and restaurants, including the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall and the Footprint Center Arena. While at the hotel, enjoy the free Wi-Fi and a hot breakfast. 

Mid-Range—The Saguaro Scottsdale: This stylish boutique hotel offers a unique stay in Old Town. Grab your free welcome margarita at check-in and enjoy the excellent customer service. 

The hotel always has events going on, including yoga and taco nights. The pool and happy hour specials make it popular for bachelor parties and fun weekends away with friends. 

Luxury—Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town: All the best shops, bars, and restaurants are within walking distance of the Canopy Hotel. They have an incredible Southwest cuisine restaurant and a large rooftop pool. 

The balconies in the rooms also give you a clear view of Camelback Mountain. Enjoy the comfy beds and the nightly free beer and wine tastings.  

Tempe

Tempe is just east of Phoenix but still within the Phoenix metro area. The Phoenix airport is located in Tempe as well. If you want a hotel in a fun convenient area that’s not too far from the airport, Tempe is your best bet.

There’s a friendly college vibe all throughout the city, with an amazing art and cultural scene as well. The Mill Ave. area is completely walkable, with plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from. 

If you feel like being outdoors, visit Tempe Town Lake for kayaking and paddleboarding. Tempe Beach Park is also a great place to see outdoor concerts or attend seasonal events and festivals, depending on when you’re visiting Arizona. 

Budget—Home 2 Suites by Hilton Phoenix-Tempe University: Located right off Loop 101, this hotel gives you access to all the major roads to get around Phoenix. 

Wi-Fi and hot breakfast are included, and there are fully equipped kitchenettes in every room. It’s only a short drive to the ASU Research Campus and Mill Ave. 

Mid-Range—Hyatt House Tempe Phoenix University: This modern hotel is right in the heart of Tempe, within walking distance to many restaurants and some bakeries. 

The rooms are huge with plush beds and small living areas with pull-out couches. Enjoy the luxury toiletries and the free Wi-Fi when relaxing at the hotel. 

Luxury—Tempe Mission Palms Hotel & Conference Center: Located right on the thriving Mill Ave, Tempe Mission Palms is within walking distance to over 100 restaurants, bars, and fun boutique shops. 

Grab a spot and relax on the rooftop pool or eat at the onsite restaurant. The rooms are spacious and pet-friendly, with free Wi-Fi. You should also take advantage of the free airport shuttle if you don’t want to drive!

Top Phoenix Resorts 

A stay in Phoenix isn’t complete without spending a night or two in a resort! Phoenix has some of the best resorts in the country, with beautiful views of the city and/or the mountains and upscale service! The resorts below are in the Phoenix metro area, including Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe. 

Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort has everything you need to enjoy your stay in Phoenix. All the rooms are large suites giving you plenty of space for an entire family or group of friends. 

You have to eat at the restaurant for incredible valley views and fresh seasonal foods with amazing wine pairings. The hotel is close to many different hiking trails and has a stunning golf course. The pool is fantastic, with waterfalls, coves, and cabanas with poolside service. 

Royal Palms Resort & Spa: There are many different room types at this incredible resort, from standard rooms to private villas. All the rooms have stunning mountain views you won’t want to miss. The large pool is a fantastic place to relax when you’re not out and about in town or at the spa. 

You have to eat at the onsite restaurant, T. Cooks, as it’s one of the best in the valley. They serve amazing Mediterranean food with seasonal ingredients. It’s a feast for your eyes and your belly!

Sanctuary Camelback Mountain is located within the beautiful scenery of Camelback Mountain. The restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows giving you gorgeous valley views while you sip your drink and enjoy an exquisite meal. 

Make sure to book a service at the spa, complete with mountain views and Asian-inspired renewal techniques. You have the option to book a suite or reserve a villa for more privacy. 

Fairmont Princess in Scottsdale gives you a stunning resort experience in the middle of the desert. There’s plenty of outdoor space at this resort for you to relax around a fire pit or enjoy a stargazing night. 

Many of the rooms are pet-friendly, so you can include every family member in your vacation to Phoenix. Booking a luxury suite will also give you whirlpool bathtubs and full kitchens to cook in. 

Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort is easily one of the best resorts in Phoenix. I stayed here once, and it was just amazing. They have many different room options, including cottages, resort villas, and suites. All the rooms are modern and stylish. They offer all-inclusive packages as well as basic room rates. 

Make sure to enjoy the outdoor firepits and the pool in your free time! Their spa is one of the best in the valley, and their restaurants as well. Am I gushing? Yes, I love this place.

Phoenix Marriott Resort Tempe at the Buttes is an award-winning resort in Phoenix. It’s probably best known for its restaurant with ridiculous views of the valley and the gorgeous red rock in the area. It serves farm-to-table cuisine nearly as amazing as the view.

From almost every room in the hotel, you’ll get a killer view of the valley. There are several outdoor pools, and they all are gorgeous. Some have cascading waterfalls, and all have stellar poolside service. There’s also a tennis court, a spa, and a huge fitness center within the resort. 

Top Things to Do in Phoenix

If you decide to venture out from these incredible places to stay in Phoenix, there’s a lot to do!

Phoenix is a huge city with plenty of great options! For all my favorites, check out my post on the 25 Best Things to Do in Phoenix. 

Here is a quick list of some of the top things to do in the Phoenix area, to give you a taste.

Phoenix

• Musical Instrument Museum—One of the most unique and fun things to do in Phoenix is visit this museum. Now, you may be thinking you’re not a “museum person,” and that’s ok, but you’ll still want to visit this one. It’s easily in my top three museums of all time. Take a tour of the world through every country’s music. Not only do you get to see instruments unique to each place, but you get to see and hear them played. It’s magic.
• Desert Botanical Garden– The garden is such a great place to learn about desert plant life and all the different plants that call Arizona home. You’ll find over 140 acres of pathways to guide you through the gardens. They also have a wonderful restaurant on-site. Learn to fall in love with the desert and learn a thing or two when you visit.
• Hike Camelback Mountain—This mountain is located between Phoenix and Paradise Valley. The summit gives you incredible views of Phoenix and the valley. You can also rock climb if you’re adventurous or hike the “butt” end of the camel for an easier trek.
• Take a stroll through the Roosevelt Arts District- If you’re staying in downtown Phoenix, you’ll see street art all across the town. Snap some photos of your favorite ones before heading to one of the nearby restaurants or bars. There are a lot of amazing places to choose from in this area. And, if you happen to be there during the first week of the month, check out First Fridays.
• Heard Museum- This museum is one of the best places to visit in Phoenix for Native American art. The art represents local tribal communities and American Indian artists across the United States, with a concentration in the Southwest. Along with amazing paintings, they also have incredible textiles and pottery. 

Scottsdale

• Western Spirit Museum– This is a must-see if you are in the Scottsdale area. The museum focuses on what life was like in the American West, including Arizona, of course. Learn about the art and cultures of the West through photographs, artifacts, and real audio recordings. 
• Stroll around Old Town Scottsdale. It’s such a pretty and quaint area with lots of fun restaurants, shops, bars, and wineries.

Tempe

• Go boating or kayaking on Tempe Town Lake, then stroll Mill Ave to enjoy the amazing restaurants and nightlife. You might even get lucky, and there may be a show playing at the Gammage Theater.

How to Get to Phoenix

The main airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). It services all major airlines and cities across the United States, and it’s a large international airport.

It also has some ridiculously good restaurants, so make sure to allow extra time. Some of my favorites are Cowboy Ciao, Barrio Cafe, Zinc Brasserie, Wildflower Bread Company, and Matt’s Big Breakfast.

If you happen to be flying from a city that has Allegiant Air or one of the smaller regional carriers, check flying into Phoenix-Mesa Gateway for lower prices. 

Phoenix is on the I-10 highway that runs across the country. It’s around two hours from I-40 (that goes through Flagstaff to the north of Phoenix).

How to Get Around Phoenix

Many people choose to get a rental car when visiting Phoenix if they aren’t already road-tripping. You really need one unless you plan to stay in one small neighborhood like Old Town Scottsdale or downtown Phoenix.

Uber and Lyft are readily available. If you want to take public transportation, you can try the Valley Metro Rail. It goes from downtown Phoenix to Mesa and to Tempe. It can be quite convenient to use, especially if you’re staying in downtown Phoenix and going out at night.

The Metro doesn’t go everywhere, but it does go to some of the top Phoenix spots. These include the Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona Science Center, and the Footprint Center. 

When to Visit Phoenix

If you live in a northern state and want to escape the winter and snow, heading to Phoenix during the winter will be perfect. The weather is the best from November to April when temperatures are temperate. 

During this time, daytime temps usually run from the upper 60s, 70s, and low 80s (18 to 29°C). Nights can get chilly, but many places have heat lamps. The locals aren’t used to cold temperatures!

If you’re from another warm and dry place, you might enjoy the summers in Phoenix. You can certainly find great hotel deals during that time of year.

The weather tends to be dry though it is more humid during the monsoon season from mid-June to mid-August. For many, the weather can be pretty unbearable in the summer, with temperatures over 100°F (38°C and higher). 

Where to stay in Phoenix on a budget?

Tempe tends to have cheaper prices for hotel rooms than the downtown Phoenix and Old Town Scottsdale areas. It all depends on what season you visit Phoenix, though, and what might be going on around the city.

Tempe area hotels tend to get overbooked and are much more expensive around graduation months because of Arizona State University’s location there. 

Where to stay in Phoenix for the weekend?

If you’re only in Phoenix for a few days, consider staying downtown. It’s right at the heart of the city and has some of the city’s main attractions. It’s also right off the main highway, I-10, so getting everywhere from there is easy. 

Staying downtown will allow you to easily access all the best spots to dine and drink as well. If you’re more interested in nightlife, though, you might want to check out the hotels in the Tempe area. The nearby university means endless bars and nightclubs. 

Where to stay in Phoenix near the airport?

If you’re only in Phoenix for a night or two, you might choose to stay near the airport to catch that early flight. Phoenix Airport has endless lodging options around it. 

Some of the most popular places to stay are Courtyard by Marriott Phoenix Airport and Hilton Phoenix Airport. Both have free Wi-Fi to keep you in touch with friends and offer free breakfast to keep you fueled for a full day in Phoenix. 

Is Phoenix Safe?

Just like with any big city, you’ll find crime in Phoenix. Most parts of Phoenix are very safe, even when traveling solo, with typical safety precautions. 

The part of town just outside of the downtown area can be a hotspot for crime. Make sure not to walk around at night by yourself and to keep your personal belongings close. Generally, though, travelers feel safe in Phoenix, especially during the daytime and at tourist attractions. 

Your Search for Where to Stay in Phoenix is Over!

Finding where to stay in Phoenix can be a bit tricky if you’ve never visited the city before. Phoenix is extremely big and spread out, making the possibilities for hotels and lodging endless. 

The city is home to countless resorts and lots of hotels, providing a tremendous range of options for where to stay in Phoenix. Phoenix is also a fantastic place to visit for conferences or luxury vacations, with its gorgeous weather for more than eight months of the year.

Hopefully, this complete guide gave you a little tour of the city and helped you find all the best places to stay. No matter where you choose to stay, you’re sure to have an incredible time in Phoenix!

Have you recently visited Phoenix? Where did you stay?

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