Planning the ultimate Southwest road trip? You need to visit Tucson – read this guide to the best hotels in Tucson for an incredible vacation.
Don’t sleep on Tucson – it might just be my favourite city in Arizona.
Boasting a hella chilled atmosphere, the vibrant city is a dynamic destination. It’s got everything an outdoor enthusiast, party animal, foodie and nature lover could want.
But, want to know what else Tucson has? Answer = loads of amazing hotels, of course. So get packing. Your reservation is just a click away.
Best Hotels in Tucson: At a Glance
| Best Hotels in Tucson – Top Picks | Hotel |
| Best Overall Hotel in Tucson | Hacienda Del Sol |
| Best Luxury Hotel in Tucson | El Conquistador |
| Best Hotel in Tucson for Boutique Stays | Graduate Tucson |
| Best Budget-Friendly Hotel in Tucson | The Tuxon Hotel |
Best Hotels in Tucson
Hacienda Del Sol
£££
Set at the summit of a hilltop north of Tucson, Hacienda Del Sol is a luxurious and historic guest ranch resort that emanates old-west charm.
Its sweeping views of the Santa Catalina Mountains and the Tucson Valley are enough to draw you in, especially if you’re yearning for a peaceful reprieve from the buzzing city streets.
As far as luxury hotels in Tucson go, this former girl’s finishing school became a hotspot for stars of the silver screen during the 1950s. Luckily you don’t need to be a Hollywood legend to experience the undeniable allure of its old-world Spanish colonial architecture and modern cutting-edge elements.
Its 59 rooms include a mix of traditional guest room options, including private casitas and suites. As for styling, prepare to feast your eyes on soothing desert colours in shades of burnt umber and gold visible throughout.
El Conquistador
£££
Immersing yourself in the picturesque surroundings of the saguaro-studded Sonoran Desert is an easy feat when staying at the El Conquistador Tucson. As part of the Hilton chain of hotels, you can expect opulence.
Head into the sunset on horseback from the on-site stable or delight your senses at the oasis-like pool complex at dusk —where flames dance from firepits next to a staggering five outdoor pools.
Throughout its 428 remodelled rooms, you’ll find styling and colour palettes in blue and gold tones that fully embrace the natural Arizona sunshine. While rooms come with a variety of offerings, every single one provides stunning views of the mountains, city or desert.
But, if you’d like a more upscale experience, check into any of the Casita or Acacia suites.
Graduate Tucson
££
While other hotels in Tucson utilise natural surroundings and a warm yet muted aura to attract travellers, the Graduate Tucson does things differently.
If the name were any clue, you’d have already guessed that this stunning entry sits within the heart of the University of Arizona Campus.
However, you don’t have to be an urbanite or student to appreciate this property’s buzzing and youthful atmosphere. This is where I stayed on a recent trip to Tucson and I loved it.
Its unique charm creates a welcoming vibe that beckons you to stay as long as possible, even just to lounge by the rooftop pool or sip cocktails while gazing out over the city. Taking full advantage of its location, if you want to explore the city, there’s no better option,
However, this quirky hotel offers a relaxing respite after a day out. Its ultra-stylish rooms mix eclectic and retro decor with ultimate comfort. Think large beds with triple sheeting and luxurious complimentary Malin + Goetz toiletries.
The Armory Park Inn
£££
As enticing as a new and fresh property might be, often it’s the possibility of spending a night or two within an actual piece of history that makes a trip worthwhile. The Armory Park Inn is exactly that.
This Sonoran-style house, with its origins as a stagecoach stop in 1875, is a whimsical blast from the past.
Beautifully restored into an uber-luxurious boutique bed and breakfast, it’s the attention to detail here that captures most hearts. Yes, the design and styling are sublime, but the level of service catapults the Armory Park Inn to another level.
These include the complimentary locally sourced breakfast and the “Armoury Hour” highlighted by locally produced wines.
As for your room, each showcases gorgeous decor that is unique to the room or suite you choose. Each features an individually designed and hand-crafted bed to custom hand-tufted cashmere bedding, as well as rainfall showers and Turkish-T bath linens.
JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort
££
Few Tucson, Arizona, hotels come close to delivering an authentic Southwest retreat in the same fashion as the JW Marriott Tucson. With its location and the sprawling grounds it stands upon, this is the epitome of secluded luxury, peering directly onto the stunning Arizona landscapes.
How you spend your days here is up to you, whether it’s getting pampered at the full-service spa, taking up some golf at any of the three Arnold-Palmer-designed courses or unwinding in the waters of the multilevel outdoor pool.
Room design brandishes a rustic-chic style boasting mid-century decor, inviting plush beds paired with the finest in luxury linen and complimentary Aromatherapy Associates toiletries.
As for activities, the trailheads of Tucson Mountain Park await just off-site, while the fine-dining restaurant, Signature Grill, is on-site.
The Tuxon Hotel
£
Regarded as one of the best Tucson boutique hotels (and one of the coolest), The Tuxon Hotel sits within a revamped motel.
While having its own signature flair, much of the bespoke motel elements from its past are still visible. And its convenient location, only a mile from downtown Tucson, means exploring the city is a breeze.
One of (if not the) most enviable design features at the Tuxon is the custom boomerang-shaped pool sitting at the heart of the property. Chances are that you’ll spend most days getting a tan around the pool or mingling with other guests while enjoying craft cocktails.
Rooms here are stylish and trendy while not being overbearing, with colour schemes, materials and artwork handpicked to pay homage to the region’s past. Of course, the bespoke vibe of the hotel extends to touches such as Marshall Bluetooth speakers and Malin + Goetz bath products in each room.
The Westin La Paloma
£££
It’s not a frequent experience to never want to leave a hotel (or, at least, it shouldn’t be), but with a standout like The Westin La Paloma, this might just be the case.
Nestled in the heart of the Sonoran Desert and overlooking the mesmerising Santa Catalina Mountains, this four-diamond property is here to meet every need you have.
Days spent at The Westin include the chance to tee off at the Jack Nicklaus signature golf course or treat yourself to a luxurious spa treatment at the La Paloma Spa & Salon. To cool off, you have a choice of five spectacular outdoor swimming pools and, to settle your empty stomach, three marvellous restaurants.
Serving up mouthwatering Latin American-inspired dishes at Contigo Latin Kitchen, delectable farm-to-table southwestern options at AZuL, or casual American cuisine at Sabino’s Pool Bar & Grill, this is an all-inclusive experience-focused destination, second to none.
Cactus Cove
££
Easily one of the most unique entries and one of the nicest hotels in Tucson, Cactus Cove Bed and Breakfast is a breakaway from the range of big chain options in the city.
It’s undoubtedly a superb choice if you’re looking for an ultra-relaxing retreat; this property is roughly 30-minutes drive from Downtown Tucson.
Mornings here are a dreamy affair with gourmet breakfasts served in the dining room or outside on the picturesque veranda.
Suites at Cactus Cove come in three distinct styles. All of these are unique but feature tasteful elements nodding to classic Spanish colonial and southwest influences. Private furnished courtyards that include outdoor showers and en-suite bathrooms with spa baths and two-person jetted tubs are just some of the standout elements.
Hotel McCoy
££
Calling all art lovers looking for one of the trendiest places to stay in Tucson, the Hotel McCoy is a reimagined 1960s property that’s all about celebrating the arts. With over 50 murals designed and created by local and emerging artists, the grounds of the McCoy are award-worthy.
Located close to many of the city’s famed artsy attractions, if you’re not out exploring Tucson, the hotel features an outdoor saltwater pool, a game area and an alfresco movie theatre.
As if that’s not enough, when staying here, you get fantastic freebies like a delicious daily breakfast and – the best bit – access to complimentary wine and beer tastings.
Rooms exude a retro feel with super comfy beds that have green tea memory foam mattresses with striking and colourful Tucson artwork. Added elements, such as all-natural hair and body products as well as vintage fridges, are excellent and quirky.
Hotel Congress
£
Dating back to 1919, you’re entirely correct for thinking The Hotel Congress has quite a few surprises up its sleeve. Having once rented a room to infamous bank robber extraordinaire John Dillinger, today it’s famed for many other reasons.
As one of the best downtown Tucson hotels, the Congress is the ideal jump-off point for any excursions into the city.
And while the area surrounding the hotel brims with historic flair and culture, so do the well-appointed 39 rooms within. You’ll find iron bed frames, classic radios and even 1930s-style rotary phones awaiting you.
For those yearning for some potential excitement while staying in a Tucson hotel, book room 242 at the Congress, where the spectral “Lady in White” apparently wanders around.
Alternatively, room 214 hosts a ghostly man in a seersucker suit aimlessly staring out of the window.
Spooky stuff, but definitely worth a stay.
Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
£££
When you’re on a visit to Tucson, the urge to sometimes just kick back and relax can get overwhelming. In times like these, the welcoming Loews Ventana Canyon Resort beckons you to call it home for a few days.
At Loews, it’s easy to spend days immersing yourself in either of its two heated pools, unwinding in the hot tub, or teeing off at one of its two on-site golf courses. Or try your hand at a tennis match on its immaculate courts.
If that works up an appetite, head over to any of the four on-site restaurants where Mexican and Southwest cuisine reign supreme.
As for your room, expect to find uber-comfy beds, private balconies or patios and tranquil deep-soak tubs.
Then there’s the almost infinite list of luxe-extras that include Julien Farel Anti-aging hair care products, Keurig coffee makers and Ultimate Doeskin robes by Chadsworth & Haig.
Lodge On the Desert
££
North Alvernon Road, Tucson
A genuine flashback to the past, the Lodge On the Desert is a stunning Old Pueblo experience. You’re sure to find more than one reason to love this gem, designed to combine the prospect of a romantic getaway destination with the flair of a casual overnight pitstop.
Sitting on 5 acres of ground in Midtown Tucson, this property perfectly uses the Santa Catalina Mountains as an iconic backdrop for your stay. While retaining its boutique charm throughout its 100 rooms, classic hacienda styling permeates the entire compound, with lush gardens and an authentic historic charm.
As for on-site highlights, the elegant Cielos restaurant serves up tantalising contemporary cuisine that’s the perfect fusion of old and new. Southwest-influenced dishes dominate the menu while you can quench your thirst for the award-winning margaritas crafted here.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain
£££
Ranking as one of the best hotels around Tucson, The Ritz-Carlton is another example of the luxurious hotel landscape of the region.
Sitting within the breathtaking Tortolita Mountains, it’s about 25 miles from Downtown Tucson. However, with the staggering amount of amenities offered, you’ll never want to leave.
Take your time to explore its vast grounds, where you’ll quickly stumble upon the awe-inspiring Golf Club at Dove Mountain. Wander even further and the roughly 26 miles of scenic hiking trails of the Titular Mountain lie waiting for eager explorers.
Elegant rooms await, featuring aesthetically-pleasing Southwest styling. Added touches such as luxe marble baths, floor-to-ceiling windows and pristine private decks do a fantastic job of elevating your stay here to new heights.
AC Hotel
££
Regardless of whether you’re in Tucson for work or play, The AC Hotel caters to every possible need.
It sits right in the heart of the lively Downtown Entertainment District and holds the title of the only new hotel built in the area during the last 40 years. This alludes to the clear modern, and cutting-edge vibe the hotel proudly showcases.
The AC offers a wondrous location – a perfect spot for all your outdoor activities in the surrounding regions or your gallery-hopping streak within the district itself. At the hotel, you can unwind in the cooling waters of the rooftop pool or grab a cocktail or two from the atmospheric AC Lounge.
At the AC Hotel, it’s all about comfort and convenience, with rooms that exude a calm and tranquil aura in tones of white and brown. Beds are extremely comfortable and, if you need to get some work done (the grind never stops, does it?), the property offers complimentary high-speed WiFi throughout.
Best Hotels in Tucson: Frequently Asked Questions
Practical Tips to Consider Before Booking Your Tucson Hotels
- Book your accommodation to match your planned itinerary to include all the best things to do in Tucson. If in doubt, stay downtown.
- If you’re spending more than a few days in the city, head out on a day trip from Tucson to explore the surrounding regions.
