Phoenix hotels

For one of the best hotels in Phoenix that won’t break the bank, I recommend booking a stay at the very trendy Rise Uptown. It’s conveniently located in the Uptown area, which is about 15 minutes from the center of downtown Phoenix. Not only is this modern Phoenix hotel impeccably appointed – fun photo ops abound – but I love that it routinely offers fun events and activities for both hotel guests and locals to enjoy.
You can also catch some sunshine at the hotel’s rooftop bar complete with pool and loungers. Other fun details include the hotel’s Modern-Southwest decor, large rooms and suites with private balconies, in-room record players, and an on-site popsicle stand. Being centrally located, it’s near some cool attractions like the Japanese Friendship Garden, the Phoenix Art Museum, and even a few hiking trails at Papago Park and Piestewa Peak.

One thing that I love about this hotel is that it’s located right in the center of downtown Phoenix – it’s part of the Cityscape complex – which puts you in the middle of the action. Key attractions like the Phoenix Symphony Hall, sports arenas, Footprint Center, Orpheum Theater, and the Phoenix Convention Center, as well as loads of cool restaurants and other attractions, are literal steps away from the hotel’s front door. (For food and drink, I’m particularly obsessed with Wren & Wolf, Coabana, and Bitter & Twisted).
There are even a couple of on-site restaurants, including the Eden rooftop bar, as well as Blue Hound, which knows how to whip up a mean Old Fashioned and has a tasty lunch and dinner menu (definitely try the lobster mac and cheese). I especially like that the rooms of this high-rise hotel offer gorgeous city views, and I’m a fan of the large seating areas, funky wall art and chic updated bathrooms.

From the very second I stepped onto its intimate campus, the Royal Palms took my breath away. The historic hotel was originally a 3500 hundred square foot homestead, erected in the late 1920s and was converted into a 15-guest casita in 1947. Since then, its cozy atmosphere and Spanish Revival architecture have been transformed and expanded into a 120-room inn that still feels as intimate and welcoming as ever.
The spacious rooms are luxurious and traditional versus overly snazzy or modern, and there’s something magical about all the hidden gems tucked throughout the winding campus. Take a load off in the Hacienda-style courtyard, which features the majestic backdrop of Camelback Mountain, or swing by the oval-shaped pool complete with cabanas and food service.
The desert landscaping also makes this one of the best hotels in Phoenix thanks to giant mature agave, vibrant bougainvillea, swaying palm trees, and towering saguaros.