Do you want to experience the rugged and recognizable scenery of the Arizona countryside but also do some shopping, go on a pub crawl, and go to a major sports game? In that case, there’s no better option than Phoenix.
If you want to find out more details about where to stay in Phoenix, check out our guide and learn something new about the capital of Arizona.
The 5 Best Places to Stay in Phoenix
Phoenix is a large city, but its metropolitan area is even larger. Because of that, it offers all the possible varieties that a megalopolis of its size and quality has to offer: culture, nature, sports, fine dining, plenty of accommodation options — you name it.
Whatever you choose based on your preferences, it’s hard to go wrong, especially given the great transport links. Our favorite areas include:
| 🏆 Best for First-Time Visitors | Downtown Phoenix |
| 🎉 Best Area for Nightlife | Encanto Village |
| 🌄 Best for Hiking and the Outdoors | Camelback Mountain |
| 💸 Most Budget-Friendly Area | Tempe |
| 🥂 Best Luxury Area | Scottsdale |
Where to Stay in Phoenix: Best Areas & Hotels
When you check any info about Phoenix and tourism, you’ll find that people are mostly attracted to the capital of Arizona because of the warm weather, many golf courses, and numerous high-class resorts.
To speak plainly, you won’t have any problems with your accommodation while staying in greater Phoenix. You should know that each of the five areas in the city offers the full package: different cheap, mid-range, and upscale options.
But, there are some differences between them, which are not negligible. Downtown Phoenix, Encanto Village, and Camelback Mountain are great all-around and well-balanced.
Scottsdale is significantly more expensive since it’s famous for its luxurious resorts and hotels. Tempe, because of the university and the numerous students, is the cheapest and most budget-friendly.
1. Downtown Phoenix
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As is the case with many other USA capitals, Phoenix’s Downtown is the best place for first-time visitors to this city. There’s something for everybody here, no matter if you prefer strolling, old and beautiful architecture, sports, parks, or museums. Simply put, downtown Phoenix has it all.
When simply strolling around downtown, there are some buildings and parts of town you just can’t miss:
- The Orpheum Theater is a 1920s elegant building that’s still a fully functioning performance center.
- The Heritage Square is full of late 19th-century buildings (like Rosson House, and the Bungalow) and presents the atmosphere of old Phoenix.
- Roosevelt Row is a vibrant young neighborhood full of street art, and a great representation of the hip side of the city.
- Japanese Friendship Garden is the perfect option if you want to leave the hustle and the bustle of the city but not stray too far.
Lovers of sport — either basketball or baseball — should visit Footprint Center for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and Chase Field for MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks. That leaves museums and nightlife (more on the latter in a bit).
If you’re in Phoenix on a family trip, and you want your kids to learn something and have fun, take them to the Children’s Museum of Phoenix. If, on the other hand, you’re a science enthusiast, visit Arizona Science Center, one of the best institutions of its kind in America.
In terms of accommodations, downtown Phoenix is simply great, with hotels and motels of all kinds and sizes. The same holds for the restaurants, as the offer is both various and rich.
Downtown Phoenix Budget Hotels
- Egyptian Motor Hotel BW Signature Collection is a relatively cheap, pet-friendly three-star hotel located very close to the center of Phoenix. Decorated in an interesting and unique way, it may be a great place for creative people, namely music and art lovers.
- EZ 8 Motel Airporter is a very cheap two-star motel with only two real strengths: its close proximity to the utmost center of the city and its unbelievably low prices. It also offers free Wi-Fi, free parking, and a 24-hour desk.
Downtown Phoenix Mid-Range Hotels
- Hampton Inn & Suites Phoenix Downtown is a great but not very expensive three-star hotel around 300 meters from Copper Square. Aside from the great location, it boasts a restaurant, bar, and fitness center on the premises.
- Courtyard by Marriott Phoenix Downtown is another beautiful but not very expensive three-star hotel with an indoor pool and a great location in the center of Phoenix. It also has a restaurant, bar, and shared lounge, along with great breakfast in the morning and facilities for disabled guests.
Downtown Phoenix Luxury Hotels
- Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel is one of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels in Phoenix. A five-star pet-friendly accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, a bar, and a restaurant on the premises, the hotel is mostly well known for its urban and modern style and its fancy rooftop pool.
- Hyatt Regency Phoenix is an expensive four-star accommodation, part of the famous Hyatt Chain of hotels. Aside from the swimming pool, the bar and the fitness center on the premises, it boasts one of the best restaurants in all of Phoenix.
2. Encanto Village
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Located just 10 minutes to the north of Phoenix’s downtown is the neighborhood called Encanto. A densely populated area, it’s one of the many urban villages that make up the capital of Arizona.
It boasts a great location — it’s practically the center of Phoenix — with many landmarks, attractions, and museums. Encanto Village is usually considered to have the most exciting and vibrant nightlife in the city.
It’s also a major LGBTQI+ hub and has a couple of golf courses as well. The number and the quality of nightclubs and bars is simply amazing. Not that it’s bad downtown, but Encanto Village is significantly better and more versatile.
Here’s a list of nightclubs you just have to visit:
But before the night sets in Encanto Village, there are plenty of things to do, too. The first thing you should know is that Park Central Mall is also in Encanto, the first shopping mall in Arizona.
It’s a great place to spend your time shopping. If you prefer the outdoors, take a stroll in Encanto Park, a public park opened in 1934. It’s full of attractions and beautiful nature.
You’ll also find the amusement park called Enchanted Island, which is a great place to go by yourself, but it’s especially suitable for kids and youngsters. If you just love golf, both Encanto 18 and Phoenix Country Club are great courses to play a couple of rounds.
Not all of Phoenix’s museums are located in downtown Phoenix. Whatever you do, make sure you make time and check out the super-interesting Heard Museum, which is all about Native American culture.
But also don’t forget the Phoenix Art Museum, the largest art museum in the Southwestern United States. In terms of accommodation options and restaurants, Encanto Village is nearly as good as downtown.
It offers a wide variety of hotels and motels of all types and price ranges, like the city center, but in a relatively smaller number. The same holds for the restaurants as well.
Encanto Village Budget Hotels
- Extended Stay America Suites – Phoenix – Midtown is the only two-star hotel in this area, and it’s a pretty nice one when you take into account how cheap it is. It’s completely pet-friendly and has an outdoor swimming pool, as well as rooms equipped with kitchens.
- La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Phoenix Thomas Road is a very cheap but quite decent three-star hotel, which is also pet-friendly. Like many hotels near Phoenix, it has an outdoor swimming pool, and it serves great breakfast.
Encanto Village Mid-Range Hotels
- Hampton Inn Phoenix Midtown Downtown Area is a pet-friendly three-star hotel that also has facilities for disabled guests. Again, the hotel has an outdoor swimming pool, rooms equipped with all the amenities, and a fitness center.
- Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Downtown North is another perfect three-star hotel with everything under the sun. Coming in really cheap, it offers a fabulous, well-known breakfast, swimming pool, restaurant, bar, and facilities for disabled guests.
Encanto Village Luxury Hotels
- The Clarendon Hotel and Spa is a beautiful but quite expensive four-star hotel, and it offers one of the most beautiful views of the city you’ll ever find. The hotel offers practically everything: a swimming pool, spa and wellness, a restaurant, a bar, and more.
- Sonder at Central Corridor is another four-star accommodation that comes at a really decent price compared to the number of stars it has. It offers a swimming pool, barbeque facilities on the premises, a fitness center, and a great location.
3. Camelback Mountain (Paradise Valley)
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Camelback Mountain is one of those places that we usually connect to the rough and sublime beauty of the Arizona scenery. It’s the perfect place for nature lovers and all visitors who prefer nature over the noise and din of large crowds.
Interestingly enough, it’s not very far from the city center of Phoenix: the distance amounts to only ten miles.
As you’re probably going to choose Camelback Mountain as your base because of its natural beauty, the activities that we’d recommend are mostly connected to the great outdoors.
In line with that, the first thing you should do is go to the Echo Canyon Trailhead and climb the famous Camelback Mountain. It’s a perfect choice for both professional and amateur hikers: along the way, you’ll find parking, restrooms, and other tourist-friendly amenities and services.
Nature and animal lovers are going to have a blast in this area because it’s packed with some of the most interesting and popular institutions in Phoenix.
- The Phoenix Zoo is one of the best of its kind not only in the Southwest but in the whole of America as well.
- OdySea Aquarium is also great, especially for lovers of underwater flora and fauna.
- Desert Botanical Garden is self-explanatory and houses peculiar species native to this part of America.
You should also know that all three places are family-friendly and offer many interesting and educational activities. In short, you can both have fun and learn something useful.
The hotel options in the region around Camelback Mountain are perfect. There are plenty of hotels of every kind since the area is always packed with tourists.
Some of the best restaurants around Phoenix are located here, too, many of them offering not only tasty and interesting food options but fantastic views as well.
Camelback Mountain Budget Hotels
- Radisson Hotel Phoenix Airport is a very cheap three-star hotel less than a mile away from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. It also has an outdoor swimming pool to fight the hot weather, a bar on the premises, and an airport shuttle.
- Extended Stay America Suites – Phoenix – Airport – E Oak St is a very cheap two-star hotel, which is also located very close to the Phoenix airport. Again, it has an outdoor swimming pool, decently furnished rooms, and tea and coffee makers in each.
Camelback Mountain Mid-Range Hotels
- Hampton Inn Phoenix – Biltmore is a great but relatively cheap, pet-friendly four-star hotel, and it has an outdoor swimming pool. It’s located at around a 10-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and it has a fitness center on the premises.
- Staybridge Suites – Phoenix – Biltmore Area is a nice and decently priced three-star hotel with a swimming pool. Its premises are also completely pet-friendly, and there’s a fitness center, too. A tasty breakfast in the morning is yet one more convenience, adding to the draw of IHG’s great amenities and renown.
Camelback Mountain Luxury Hotels
- Royal Palms Resort and Spa, part of Hyatt is bar none perfect for a relaxed and luxurious vacation far from the madding crowds of the center of Phoenix. This five-star resort has practically everything, offering accommodation of the highest standard.
- Arizona Biltmore A Waldorf Astoria Resort is another super luxurious five-star hotel that practically looks like paradise. Offering 39 acres of beautiful gardens, no less than five swimming pools, and two golf courses, it’s definitely worth every dollar.
4. Tempe
Tempe, USA – March 30, 2019: A family of kayakers paddle across Tempe Town Lake in Arizona/Gregory E. Clifford/Shutterstock
Less than 11 miles from Phoenix, you’ll find the small town called Tempe. Located between Phoenix to the west and Scottsdale to the east, it’s primarily known as the site of the well-known Arizona State University.
Tempe is practically a university town filled with students throughout the year. Because of that, the accommodation options are significantly cheaper, making Tempe the most budget-friendly area in our guide.
There are plenty of things to do in Tempe, mostly connected to museums, outdoor activities, and especially shopping. The place is not as expensive as Phoenix or Encanto Village, but it’s also quite more urbane than Camelback Mountain.
It’s a really balanced neighborhood, which is both suitable for younger people (especially students) but also for families looking for a relaxed yet interesting trip.
There are some interesting museums and galleries in the city that are going to be quite popular with arts and history lovers. Tempe Center for the Arts is a multipurpose arena where you can both see performances and visual arts exhibitions.
Tempe History Museum, on the other hand, tells the stories of Tempe’s inhabitants from the time of the Native Americans till today.
Tempe Town Lake is the most popular spot for nature lovers and those who prefer to spend their time outdoors. It’s usually packed with events throughout the whole year, but it’s also perfect for leisurely strolling, kayaking, and cycling.
Also, don’t forget that Papago Park (with the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden) is very near. Finally, there are plenty of shopping options around Tempe.
However, most tourists choose from the two main options: first, Mill Avenue District is full of shops, restaurants, and cafes, and is quite similar to the 5th Avenue Scottsdale’s Old Town; second, Tempe Marketplace, which is one of the largest shopping centers in the area.
Tempe Budget Hotels
- University Inn ASU/Tempe is a very cheap but decent one-star hotel, located just one mile from the Sun Devil Stadium. It doesn’t offer much aside from the low price and great location, but there’s also free Wi-Fi, free parking, and facilities for disabled guests.
- Hotel Tempest, Trademark Collection by Wyndham is a great but also very cheap two-star hotel near Arizona State University. It offers an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center on the premises, as well as a decent bar and nice breakfast in the morning.
Tempe Mid-Range Hotels
- Hyatt Place Tempe Phoenix Airport is a very beautiful but decently priced three-star hotel. It boasts pet-friendly premises, an outdoor swimming pool, a bar, and a fitness center on the premises. It’s located just five minutes from Sky Harbor International Airport.
- Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix-Tempe University Research Park, Az is a great three-star hotel with a swimming pool located just a few miles from Arizona State University. There’s an American breakfast in the morning and a restaurant and a bar on the premises.
Tempe Luxury Hotels
- Canopy By Hilton Tempe Downtown is a great four-star accommodation, part of the famous Hilton chain of hotels. The service is bilingual — both Spanish and English — there’s an outdoor swimming pool and a business center on the premises. There’s a restaurant and a bar too.
- The Westin Tempe is a gorgeous and expensive four-star hotel with a swimming pool, restaurant, and a bar on the premises, boasting a fantastic mountain view from its windows and terraces. The hotel is also pet-friendly, and serves à la carte breakfast in the morning.
5. Scottsdale
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Just a few miles to the north of Tempe (and equally close to Phoenix), you’ll find the “The most Western town in the West” called Scottsdale.
It’s one of the most visited tourist places in Arizona, mainly because of its perfect weather (more than 300 sunny days a year!), charming Old Town, beautiful rugged countryside, plenty of shopping centers and eateries, and great shopping options.
But, it’s also one of the most upscale places in Arizona, significantly pricier — for example — than the student city of Tempe. It boasts many super-luxurious and beautiful hotels but not as many budget options.
For that, you should turn your eyes to neighboring Tempe. This medium-sized city (population of around 200,000 people) is a story for itself, and that’s why we did a separate article where we covered the five best areas where you can stay in Scottsdale.
Here you’ll get an abridged guide, but for the real thing, check our full guide on where to stay in Scottsdale.
There are basically three places where you should stay in Scottsdale if you choose it as a permanent residence: Old Town, Fashion Square, McCormick Ranch — depending on what you prefer.
The Old Town is around 150 years old and is full of galleries, museums, fine-dining restaurants, and beautiful hotels. If you want to fully explore the history of this area, make sure you take the 90-minute tour and learn about its history.
Fashion Square, on the other hand, is the second part of Scottsdale’s downtown and the choice of preference for those who like high-end shopping.
It has the largest shopping center in Arizona, luxurious Michelin-starred restaurants, and very luxurious hotels. Finally, McCormick Ranch is located around 8 miles from downtown Phoenix.
And it’s a perfect choice for those who prefer the outdoors and golfing but in a more luxurious setting than what Camelback Mountain has to offer. There are numerous golf courses here, most of them offering a fantastic view of the mountains.
Scottsdale Budget Hotels
- Extended Stay America Suites – Phoenix – Scottsdale – Old Town is a cheap but decent two-star hotel in Scottsdale Old Town. The premises of the hotel are completely pet-friendly, and aside from the great location, it has free Wi-Fi and free parking.
- Comfort Suites Scottsdale Talking Stick Entertainment District is a great and relatively cheap two-star hotel. It offers an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center on the premises, and a continental breakfast in the morning.
Scottsdale Mid-Range Hotels
- WorldMark Scottsdale is a decent three-star hotel near some of the numerous golf courses of McCormick Ranch, offering an excellent view of the surrounding mountains. There’s also an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center.
- Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale Old Town is a great three-star hotel in the heart of Scottsdale Old Town. It boasts pet-friendly premises, an outdoor swimming pool, a great location, a restaurant, a bar, and a fitness center.
Scottsdale Luxury Hotels
- The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale is an extra luxurious and expensive five-star hotel near Fashion Square and easily one of the best accommodation options in the city. It has nine swimming pools, covers an area of 250 acres, and offers award-winning restaurants on its premises.
- Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is another super luxurious five-star hotel that gives witness to the prowess of Scottsdale to attract and retain tourists. It boasts four award-winning restaurants on its premises, a gigantic swimming pool, a spa and wellness center, and a fitness center.
So, Where Should You Stay in Phoenix?
We made the last step in our long walk through Phoenix and some other places in the Valley of the Sun. Now, before we wrap up things, let’s do a short summary of the five best areas in and around Phoenix.
- Downtown Phoenix is an obvious choice for every first-time visitor to Phoenix.
- Encanto Village is the area that’s the most suitable for young people and those who want to discover the nightlife of Phoenix.
- Camelback Mountain, located around 10 miles from the center of Phoenix, offers the quintessential Arizona scenery.
- Tempe is the home of Arizona State University, one of the most famous student centers in America, and the most suitable area around Phoenix for budget travelers.
- Scottsdale is probably one of the most luxurious tourist places in Arizona, with some of the best hotels in the area, plenty of golf courses, upscale eateries, and a charming Old Town.
So, with so much to see and do, what are you waiting for — book your trip today and experience for yourself all that Phoenix has to offer!