Wondering where to stay in Phoenix? From Downtown’s bars and museums to Scottsdale’s resorts and Tempe’s lively student scene, these are the best areas to stay in and around Phoenix, with the hotels I’d pick in each.
If you’re planning a trip to Phoenix, you’re probably wondering where to stay. The city is huge and spread out, and the Valley of the Sun takes in a string of separate towns, from Scottsdale and Paradise Valley to Tempe, Mesa and Chandler, each with a very different feel.
When I visited in February, I stayed in central Phoenix near Hance Park, between Downtown and Midtown, which is a good base if you want to be close to the city’s museums and restaurants rather than in a resort bubble.
Do you want to walk to bars and museums, or lounge by a resort pool with mountain views? Here’s how to choose.
Tip: read my guide to the best things to do in Phoenix to help you decide where you want to be based.
At a glance
| Best for | Hotel |
|---|---|
| Best overall in Phoenix | FOUND:RE Phoenix |
| Best for a romantic getaway | The Hermosa Inn |
| Best resort | Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows |
| Best without a car | Cambria Hotel Downtown Phoenix |
Where to stay in Phoenix: the best areas
Downtown Phoenix: best area to stay without a car
Downtown is the best base if you don’t want to drive everywhere. It’s the city’s business and entertainment district, with sports arenas, theatres, live music venues, rooftop bars and a growing restaurant scene, and the light rail runs right through it, with lines out to Tempe, Mesa and the airport (via the PHX Sky Train). Roosevelt Row, just north, is the city’s arts district, full of galleries, murals and cafés.
Downtown highlights
The Heard Museum
The Heard Museum is a short ride north of Downtown on the light rail, and if you only have time for one museum in Phoenix, make it this one. It’s dedicated to the art and culture of Native American peoples, and the part that struck me most was its exhibition on the American Indian boarding school system, Away From Home, an unflinching look at a shameful chapter of US history.
Arizona Science Center
Fancy some science? The Arizona Science Center has hundreds of hands-on exhibits, a planetarium and a giant-screen theatre, and it’s a great choice with children or on a scorching afternoon.
Chase Field
Sports fans should head to Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team, with its retractable roof. Catch a game during the season (April to September), or take a guided ballpark tour.
Cocktail bars
Downtown has the city’s best nightlife. Start at Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour, set in the old Arizona Prohibition headquarters, for world-class cocktails, then explore the bars and breweries around Roosevelt Row.
Valentine and Platform 18
Valentine, in the Melrose District a short drive north of Downtown, was hands-down my favourite restaurant in Phoenix. The menu celebrates Arizona produce: think smoked Two Wash Ranch chicken, a bison tartare tostada and lamb hearts, washed down with a Dirty Cactus Martini. Closer to the centre, Chico Malo does a lively weekend brunch with a DJ and great birria.
For a nightcap with a difference, head to Platform 18 at Century Grand in Arcadia, a cocktail bar set in a recreated vintage train carriage. It’s kitsch, but very cool.
Hot air balloon ride
Want to make your trip extra special? Rainbow Ryders runs sunrise hot air balloon flights over the Sonoran Desert north of the city, finishing with a champagne toast.
Recommended hotels
- FOUND:RE Phoenix: an art-filled boutique hotel with an industrial edge, a heated pool and the MATCH restaurant and bar.
- Cambria Hotel Downtown Phoenix Convention Center: bright, colourful rooms on the edge of Roosevelt Row, with a rooftop pool and bar.
- Hyatt Regency Phoenix: a big, central hotel next to the convention centre with a pool, several restaurants and wide city views.
Scottsdale: best area near Phoenix for resorts and nightlife
Scottsdale is where most visitors to the Phoenix area stay, and it’s easy to see why. It’s known as a year-round luxury destination, with high-end shopping, opulent resorts, art galleries and championship golf courses, but there’s a wilder side too: the desert trails of the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, which covers more than 30,000 acres and has over 180 miles of trails, are just north of town. It’s pricier than Phoenix, so it’s the place to splurge.
Scottsdale highlights
Hiking in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve
You can’t visit Scottsdale without hiking in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Choose the Gateway Loop for desert views and saguaros, the walk to Inspiration Point for something short, or the Granite Mountain Loop for giant boulders, depending on your ability. Entry is free.
Old Town Scottsdale
Old Town is the heart of Scottsdale, with western-style buildings, galleries and shops selling everything from Mexican blankets to Native American art and jewellery, plus plenty of restaurants and bars for the evening.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Scottsdale has plenty of upmarket galleries, and the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) is the place to see design, art and architecture by local and international artists.
Desert Botanical Garden
A short drive away in Papago Park, the Desert Botanical Garden showcases the plants of the world’s deserts, with trails through cacti, wildflowers and butterfly gardens. It’s one of the best places in the area for photos.
For more ideas, see my 3-day Scottsdale itinerary and guide to outdoor activities in Scottsdale.
Recommended hotels
- Hotel Valley Ho: a restored 1950s mid-century icon on the edge of Old Town, with a big pool scene and a spa.
- Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows: stylish bungalows set around pools, gardens and a spa, with Camelback Mountain views.
Paradise Valley: best area for a luxury stay
Paradise Valley is a small, wealthy town between Phoenix and Scottsdale, home to high-end homes, exclusive resorts and luxury golf courses. It’s quiet and residential, with Camelback Mountain on its doorstep and Old Town Scottsdale about 15 minutes’ drive away, so it’s a perfect base for spa days and desert hikes away from the city noise.
Paradise Valley highlights
Hiking
Camelback Mountain rises on the edge of Paradise Valley, and its two summit trails are among the most popular hikes in the area (both are steep, so go early). For something gentler, the Mohave Trail in the neighbouring Phoenix Mountains Preserve is a short, scenic loop of under 2 miles.
Golf
Paradise Valley is famous for its golf. Mountain Shadows has a short course with Camelback views that’s ideal for a relaxed round, and many of the resorts have courses of their own nearby.
Spas
Do as the locals do and spend a day at a spa. Joya Spa at the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia is one of the best, with treatments inspired by Moroccan and Andalusian traditions and a rooftop pool.
Food and drink
For a relaxed evening, OHSO Brewery’s Paradise Valley branch (just over the boundary in north Phoenix) is a lively, dog-friendly spot for local beers, and the resorts have some of the area’s best restaurants.
Recommended hotels
- The Hermosa Inn: an intimate boutique hotel in the former home and studio of cowboy artist Lon Megargee, with adobe casitas and the LON’s restaurant. It’s my pick for a romantic stay.
- Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia: a Spanish-style resort at the foot of Camelback Mountain, home to the Joya Spa.
Tempe: best area for young travellers and digital nomads
Home to Arizona State University, Tempe has a young, lively feel and is usually cheaper than Scottsdale. It’s full of coffee shops, restaurants and parks, and there’s a busy calendar of arts, cultural and sporting events. It’s close to the airport and on the light rail to Downtown Phoenix too.
Tempe highlights
Restaurants and bars
Start your day at Infusion Coffee & Tea Crafters, then try the local beers at Four Peaks Brewing Company, the city’s best-known brewery. Culinary Dropout, a lively gastropub at The Yard with live music, is famous for its pretzel bites and fondue.
Papago Park
Papago Park, on the Phoenix-Tempe border, was one of my highlights in Phoenix. Its red sandstone buttes, including the famous Hole-in-the-Rock, are crossed by easy trails, and the Desert Botanical Garden and Phoenix Zoo are right next door.
Tempe Town Lake and Tempe Center for the Arts
Walk, cycle or paddleboard around Tempe Town Lake, then catch a show at the striking Tempe Center for the Arts on its shore, which hosts concerts, theatre and free events.
Recommended hotels
- Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown: a stylish hotel just off Mill Avenue with a rooftop pool.
- MOXY Phoenix Tempe/ASU Area: a playful, pet-friendly hotel with a pool, games room and bar.
Chandler: best area for a quieter stay
Chandler is a suburb south-east of Phoenix with a safe, suburban feel, plenty of parks and cafés, and one of the most diverse communities in Arizona. Don’t expect skyscrapers and buzzing bars; think tree-lined streets and a revitalised downtown instead.
Chandler highlights
Festivals
Time your trip for one of Chandler’s annual events, such as the Ostrich Festival, the Chandler International Film Festival or the Chandler Jazz Festival. Check the Chandler events calendar for dates.
Downtown Chandler
Downtown Chandler is packed with restaurants, breweries and boutiques around its historic square, and it’s a lovely place for an evening of wine or craft cocktails.
Museums
Learn about the area’s history at the Chandler Museum, or visit the Arizona Railway Museum to see vintage locomotives and carriages.
Recommended hotels
- Cambria Hotel Phoenix Chandler – Fashion Center: a contemporary hotel with a big pool, restaurant and gym next to Chandler Fashion Center.
- Element by Marriott Chandler Fashion Center: bright studios with kitchens, free breakfast and a dog-friendly policy.
- Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass: a resort on the Gila River Indian Community inspired by Pima and Maricopa culture, with the Aji Spa, several pools and the acclaimed KAI restaurant.
Mesa: best area for history buffs and art lovers
Mesa, in the East Valley, is surrounded by Sonoran Desert scenery and is the gateway to the Superstition Mountains and the Tonto National Forest. Foodies, history buffs and art lovers are well catered for too, with museums, an arts centre and a thriving restaurant scene.
Mesa highlights
The Apache Trail
For a taste of the Wild West, drive the historic Apache Trail (State Route 88) into the Superstition Mountains, past Goldfield Ghost Town and Canyon Lake to the old stagecoach stop of Tortilla Flat. Beyond Fish Creek, a stretch of the road is open only to high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles, so most visitors turn back at Tortilla Flat.
Native American history
Discover the Hohokam people, who farmed the valley for more than a thousand years, at the Arizona Museum of Natural History and the Mesa Grande Cultural Park, which protects one of their great platform mounds.
Mesa Arts Center
The award-winning Mesa Arts Center is Arizona’s largest arts centre, with theatres, galleries and studios, and it’s well worth a visit for art lovers.
Recommended hotels
- Delta Hotels by Marriott Phoenix Mesa: a comfortable, good-value hotel in downtown Mesa next to the convention centre, with a pool and restaurant.
- See all hotels in Mesa
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Phoenix? For a city break, stay Downtown, where you can walk to museums, bars and restaurants and use the light rail. For resorts and nightlife, stay in Scottsdale.
How do you get around Phoenix? A car is easiest, as the area is very spread out. Valley Metro Rail (the A and B lines), Valley Metro buses and rideshare apps cover the centre, and the PHX Sky Train links Sky Harbor Airport to the light rail.
Which area is safest? Paradise Valley and Scottsdale are generally considered the safest areas. As in any big city, take care at night Downtown and don’t leave valuables in your car.
Practical tips
- Hotel prices peak from January to April (spring training season and perfect weather) and drop sharply in the summer heat.
- Hotels in Tempe, Mesa and Chandler are often cheaper than Downtown Phoenix or Scottsdale.
- Check whether your hotel charges for parking and a resort fee; many do.
Map
Read next
- The best things to do in Phoenix
- 3 days in Scottsdale: a weekend itinerary
- 20 unmissable things to do in Arizona
- The ultimate Arizona road trip itinerary
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