DId you know that Phoenix, Arizona is geographically bigger than Los Angeles? Because Phoenix is spread out and quite large, this might make it daunting to figure out where to stay when you visit. This article will break it down for you and help you select the hotel that’s best for you and your trip!
Pro Tip: Looking for activities around Phoenix, Arizona? Check out our list of tours in the area for some great ideas and jaw-dropping scenery!
The Best Hotels in Phoenix At A Glance
- Best 5-Star: JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
- Best 4-Star: Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
- Best for Families: The Westin Tempe
- Best Affordable: FOUND RE Phoenix Hotel
Where To Stay In Phoenix, Arizona
Traveling to warm and sunny Phoenix, Arizona? We’ll help you plan your trip! Please note that Phoenix itself is pretty spread out, as we said. Despite this, the hotels are generally in the same couple of areas. Therefore, in this list we included hotels in nearby Tempe and Scottsdale as well. Both of these cities are around a 20-minute drive from Phoenix. Read below for our picks on where to stay on your Arizona trip.
Best areas:
- Biltmore District
- Downtown Phoenix
- Tempe
- Scottsdale
Biltmore District
Map thanks to Google
If you’re into upscale shopping and classy restaurants, you’ll want to stay in Biltmore! For starters, this area is definitely one of the trendiest in Phoenix. This neighborhood is home to some of the nicest hotels in Phoenix, such as the Arizona Biltmore. What’s more, Biltmore is located close to many fun attractions, such as Biltmore Fashion Park and the beautiful Camelback Mountain, which is good for hiking.
Other nearby activities include Wrigley Mansion, the timeless mansion built in 1931 by William Wrigley Jr. as an anniversary present for his wife, and the iconic magic show, Carnival of Illusion. What’s more, the Biltmore area is around 10 minutes from the airport by car, making it a convenient place to stay. Read on for our favorite places to stay and eat in the Biltmore district.
Best Restaurants Near the Biltmore District:
- Postino Central – Italian cuisine | outdoor patio | great happy hour
- The Collins Small Batch Kitchen – contemporary American food | friendly staff | inviting ambiance
- FLINT by Baltaire– Mediterranean | craft co*cktails | elegant
Top Attractions Near the Biltmore District:
- Tierra Luna Spa (inside the Arizona Biltmore Waldorf Astoria Resort)
- Hike up Camelback Mountain for stunning sunset views
- Carnival of Illusion (also inside the Arizona Biltmore Waldorf Astoria Resort)
- Browse high-end shops at Biltmore Fashion Park
- Visit Wrigley Mansion
Best Hotels Near the Biltmore District:
Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
$$$ | 4 Star | Amazing Amenities | Historic | Desert Oasis
The Arizona Biltmore Hotel opened in 1929 and has had some famous guests, such as Frank Sinatra. You still never know who you might see while staying here! Set in a lush desert oasis, this hotel will literally make you feel like royalty because of its stunning architecture and top-notch amenities. We’re talking a luxury spa, two golf courses and 8 different pools – one of which has a water slide. There’s also a magic show, the Carnival of Illusion, with showings inside the resort.
AC Hotel by Marriott Phoenix Biltmore
$$ | 3 Star | Free Parking | Modern + Spacious Rooms
The AC Hotel by Marriott boasts a modern interior design, both in the rooms and in the rest of the hotel. The rooms are spacious as well, with comfortable beds. In addition, the hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, which guests say is very nice and kept clean. If you are in Phoenix with a car, this hotel has free parking, which is great! No car? No problem. The AC Hotel by Marriott is conveniently located to attractions such as the iconic Wrigley Museum. When you’re staying at this hotel, it isn’t hard to get around the area with rideshare services, or even on foot.
Hampton Inn Phoenix-Biltmore
$$ | 3 Star | Modern + Clean | Fantastic Location + Price
The Hampton Inn Phoenix-Biltmore boasts modern, clean rooms, comfortable beds, and a great location! It’s close enough to stores and restaurants that you can walk. The rooms are large as well, which is great if you’re traveling with kids. In addition, all of the rooms include a microwave, a refrigerator and a coffee maker. These are great features to have if you’re with children as well, of course. There’s also a pool and hot tub on-site, and the reception area and fitness center are both open 24/7! Guests love this hotel for the location as well as the affordability and the friendly, helpful staff.
Pro Tip: Once you decide where to stay in Phoenix, make sure to book one of our scenic tours from Phoenix! We provide transportation to and from your hotel as well as take care of any necessary reservations and planning for the day!
Downtown Phoenix
Downtown Phoenix is the heart of the city, and full of many different activities. There’s truly something for everyone to do here. Everything from upscale shopping to educational museums can be found in this district, as well as many bars and restaurants. Art enthusiasts will love Roosevelt Row, which is the arts district in Downtown Phoenix. If you’re there on the first Friday of the month, make sure to check out their art walk!
Best Restaurants Near Downtown Phoenix:
- CIBO – Italian | Cute Atmosphere | Date night
- The Farish House – Mediterranean and French Fusion | Patio and bar | Elegant vibe
- Restaurant Progress – Small plates | Stylish American cuisine | co*cktails
- The Compass – Rotating Restaurant | New American cuisine | Panoramic View of Phoenix
Top Attractions Near Downtown Phoenix:
- Roosevelt Row
- Chase Field – home of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team
- Phoenix Art Museum
- Arizona Science Center
Best Hotels Near Downtown Phoenix:
Hyatt Regency Phoenix
$$ | 4 Star | Rotating Restaurant On-site | Good for Business Trips
The Hyatt Regency Phoenixis located less than a minute from the Phoenix Convention Center. Because of this, it’s a great place to stay if you’re in Arizona on business. What’s more, the Hyatt Regency Phoenix features flat-screen TVs in all the rooms. Also, there’s also a pool and hot tub on-site, which are both perfect for relaxing after a long day. In addition, this 4 star hotel features The Compass, a rotating restaurant! If you haven’t eaten at a rotating restaurant before, we definitely recommend it!
Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel
$$ | 4 Star | Speakeasy On-Site | Clean and Comfortable
The Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel features an outdoor rooftop pool, which we love, especially for hot Arizona days! In addition, there’s an on-site speakeasy open on weekends that guests love. How cool is that? As far as the rooms, they are clean with comfortable beds. Each room features a work desk as well in case you need to be productive while you’re in Phoenix.
FOUND Re Phoenix Hotel
$$ | 3 Star | Art Museum On-Site | Big Rooms and Great Location
Located right next to the beautiful Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix, this quirky hotel boasts spacious rooms and comfortable beds. The interior decor is hip and fun. What’s more, they have a bar and restaurant with great co*cktail options. There’s also an art gallery on-site as well, which is an awesome amenity we don’t see very often. In addition, this hotel boasts an outdoor pool that’s open year-round. Like we said, Phoenix is sunny year-round, so that works out well.
Tempe
Map thanks to Google
Located around 20 minutes from Phoenix proper, Tempe is a vibrant city known for its plethora of activities. If you like outdoor excursions, Tempe is a great place to stay while you’re visiting Arizona! This is because of its proximity to Butte Mountain and Tempe Town Lake.
Keep in mind that Tempe is a college town. This is because there is an Arizona State University Campus there. This makes Tempe a great place to visit for groups of friends or younger couples. The most popular area of Tempe is Mill Avenue, a lively hotspot for dining and shopping. Below you’ll find our recommendations for Tempe!
Best Restaurants Near Tempe:
- RigaTony’s Authentic Italian Restaurant – Italian cuisine | family friendly | old school decor
- Perfect Pear Bistro – contemporary American food | Cute Ambiance | Reasonably Priced
- Casa Reynoso – Mexican Cuisine | Reasonably Priced | Casual Dining
- Culinary Dropout – British-style Gastropub | Vibrant Atmosphere | Quirky Decor
Top Attractions Near Tempe:
- Hike Tempe Butte
- Catch a sunset at Tempe Town Lake
- Visit the highly rated Tempe History Museum
- Shop and eat on the lively Mill Avenue
Best Hotels in Tempe:
Tempe Mission Palms – Destination by Hyatt
$$ | 4 Star | Stunning Design | Free On-Site Parking | Saltwater Pool With Cabanas
This beautifully designed hotel boasts an on-site saltwater pool with cabanas you can relax in.What’s more, Tempe Mission Palms is also conveniently located next to a light rail station. Therefore, you can move around the city easily without a car. However, if you do have access to a car, there’s free parking on-site! The hotel is also around a seven-minute drive away from attractions such as the Rolling Hills Golf Course and the Phoenix Zoo.
Canopy by Hilton
$$ | 4 Star | Rooftop Pool | Free Bikes | Central Location
Centrally located near Mill Avenue, this modern hotel features a rooftop pool with a stunning view! In addition, the hotel provides free bikes that guests can use to explore the surrounding areas. We love that! Guests reported that this hotel is walking distance from many restaurants, and that the rooms feature comfy beds and spacious showers. Can’t go wrong there!
The Westin Tempe
$$ | 4 Star | Rooftop Pool | Great for Families | Clean and Comfy Rooms
The Westin Tempe features a rooftop pool and a modern aesthetic. What’s more, guests love the clean, comfortable rooms. In addition, some of the rooms boast a great view of the city. This hotel is a good pick for families, and is conveniently located near Mill Avenue and its many restaurants and stores.
Scottsdale
Located around a 20 minute drive from Phoenix proper, Scottsdale has an upscale vibe and is filled with great places to stay. The most popular area of Scottsdale is Old Town, also known as Downtown Scottsdale. This walkable district is a hotspot for nightlife, shopping and restaurants. What’s more, also a great place to check out museums and art. Arizona is also considered a top wellness destination, and Scottsdale is no exception. Therefore, make sure to treat yourself to a spa when you visit.
Old Town Scottsdale is considered to be historic, since it’s where settlement and development began in Scottsdale back in the late 1800s. Winfield Scott, a U.S. Army general, purchased over 600 acres of land to develop. While he was building up the area, he also planted two olive trees for unknown reasons. The acres he purchased are now known as modern day Old Town, and the olive trees are still standing today. How cool is that!
Check out our picks for the best places to stay in Scottsdale as well as ideas for what to do on your trip!
Best Restaurants in Scottsdale:
- Los Olivos Mexican Patio – Family Owned | Named after the historic olive trees | Casual Vibe
- Roaring Fork – American cuisine | Old West vibe | Great Happy Hour
- Isabella’s Kitchen – Italian Cuisine | Sunset Views | Family Friendly
- Cafe Monarch – Fine Dining | Prix-fixe New American cuisine | Great for celebrations
Top Attractions in Scottsdale:
- Scottsdale Fashion Square -the largest indoor mall in Arizona, featuring more than 200 brand name stores
- Scottsdale Arts District Art Walk – Free to the public every Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. along Main Street!
- Scottsdale Historical Museum – Housed in the Little Red Schoolhouse, which was built in 1909), this museum displays photos and artifacts telling Scottsdale’s history
- The OdySea Aquarium – great for kids
- Check out one of Scottsdale’s iconic spas – we like Inspire Day Spa
Best Hotels in Scottdale:
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
$$$ | 5 Star | Villas | Amazing Amenities
This scenic resort is located about a mile away from the beautiful Camelback Mountain. Therefore, there are excellent mountain views from the hotel. Instead of standard hotel rooms rooms, this five star hotel provides villas for ultimate comfort. What’s more, the resort boasts a luxurious on-site spa, as well as 5 restaurants. They provide awesome amenities, like free bikes to explore the gorgeous mountainous area. There is also a terrace just so you can make sure to really take in all the views!
Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows – A Concept by Hyatt
$$$ | 4 Star | Bungalows and More | Secluded Getaway
This beautiful property features three pools and is perfect for a secluded, peaceful getaway. This 4 star hotel provides both standard rooms as well as bungalows, which are spacious and comfortable. Additionally, the staff also goes above and beyond to assist the guests, making this a wonderful place to stay. We recommend Andaz for a celebration, such as a honeymoon.
Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia
$$$ | 4 Star | Rooftop Pool | Stunning Hotel l Spa On-Site
With several pools and amazing views, this visually stunningresort is a great spot for a couples’ getaway. In addition, they feature a spa called Joya. The rooms have a charming, rustic vibe and walk-in showers. In addition, every room features a balcony so you can better appreciate the gorgeous surroundings. There’s a private bathroom and a desk in each room as well. This resort is located around a mile from Camelback Mountain and 5.6 mi from Old Town Scottsdale. so it’s conveniently located.
Bespoke Inn Scottsdale
$$ | 4 Star | Free Parking | Boutique Hotel | Secluded Getaway
This quaint inn offers free parking and features a beautiful courtyard. It’s perfect for couples, and is conveniently located within walking distance of Old Town Scottsdale. Despite this, it’s still a bit tucked away from the action, so you can enjoy a peaceful stay. The rooms are clean, and they all come with an electric tea pot. To beat the Arizona heat, you can hang out in the inn’s lovely pool on-site. What’s more, there’s free parking, which. is extra convenient.
Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale
$$ | 4 Star | Stunning Views | Modern Vibe | Great Amenities
With stunning views of Camelback Mountain, this hotel features two pools! In addition, there is a restaurant and a golf course on-site if you have golfers in your group. Most of the rooms feature a balcony, and the staff here are very attentive. There’s a bar on-site as well, with live music on the weekends. We love staying here.
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