Where to Stay in Scottsdale in 2024 | Best Areas & Hotels

There are a lot of answers to the question of where to stay in Scottsdale, and this guide will give you no less than five of them. This small city in Arizona, in close proximity to Phoenix, has been a tourist destination for years.

One thing is for sure: wherever you stay, you’ll enjoy the light weather, the fancy hotels, and the tasty restaurant menus.

The 5 Best Places to Stay in Scottsdale

Your choice of stay should mostly depend on whether you want to stay in the city proper or on its outskirts. The further away you are from downtown, the more relaxed and quiet it becomes.

Our personal recommendations for the best places to stay in Scottsdale include:

1. Old Town: Located in downtown Scottsdale, it’s the perfect place for first-time visitors who want to visit galleries and museums.
2. Fashion Square: The second part of downtown, famous for the biggest shopping mall in Arizona, full of high-end boutiques and restaurants.
3. McCormick Ranch: Located to the north of downtown, it’s great for golfing, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
4. North Scottsdale: Further up north, close to the Scottsdale Airport, you’ll find even more golf courses, museums, ranches, and galleries.
5. Scottsdale Road: Probably the most relaxed district in Scottsdale, located in close proximity to the marvelous Papago Park and the Phoenix Zoo.

The Best Areas & Hotels in Scottsdale

The number of hotels in Scottsdale and its area is simply amazing. In this guide, you’ll see a limited choice of the best and most suitable budget, mid-range, and luxurious hotels, but there are much, much more. Feel free to search and discover for yourself.

One thing that you should know upfront is that Scottsdale is not cheap. Also, there’s not a huge difference between the particular areas or districts in terms of accommodation prices.

But, as is usually the case, the general Downtown area — the Old Town and the Fashion Square —- are the most expensive districts. If you prefer more budget accommodation, you should stay in the other three neighborhoods.

McCormick Ranch is the most family-friendly area, and North Scottsdale probably has the cheapest accommodation. Scottsdale Road’s accommodation pallet, on the other hand, mostly consists of three-star midrange hotels and is somewhat in between.

1. Old Town

If you’ve just arrived in Scottsdale for the first time, staying in the Old Town is probably the best and most logical choice for you.

Around 150 years old, this part of the city is actually its historical, cultural, and artistic kernel, full of historical buildings, galleries, and museums. On top of that, it’s lovely, lively, dynamic, and full of street decorations — a place where you can shop or eat until you can’t move.

All in all, a great place if you want to get the best first impression of Scottsdale and feel motivated and encouraged to explore every nook and corner of the city in the future.

Let’s start with the galleries since there are a ton of them. They’re mainly located on Main Street and Marshall Way, where they basically stretch — each next to the other — to eternity.

Here are some of the best ones:

• Paul Scott Gallery
• On The Edge Gallery
• Altamira Fine Art
• The Legacy Gallery

If you’re more interested in history and want to find out as much as you can about Scottsdale, we recommend that you join a historical tour. The whole tour rarely extends for more than 90 minutes.

If you’re more of a loner and prefer to build your opinions on your own, without curation, we recommend that you visit some key sites.

The Scottsdale’s Museum of the West is a good place to start; then take a look at the oldest religious building in the city, the Old Adobe Mission; finish with the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art. Those three should do the trick.

The Old Town is full of hotels and restaurants. There’s not a lot of budget accommodation, though — only two two-star hotels in the whole area — and if you prefer cheaper options, you should look at another area.

The same holds with the restaurants: if you want to eat well and don’t mind that the menu is a bit pricey, the Old Town has a lot to offer.

Old Town Budget Hotels

• Extended Stay America Suites is a two-star hotel, particularly suitable for a longer stay. The hotel has free parking and is pet-friendly, while the rooms are furnished, have free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a fully equipped kitchen — microwave, refrigerator, and a stovetop included.
• Comfort Suites Old Town is another very nice two-star hotel that is especially suitable for couples. It has an indoor pool and a fitness center on the premises, and the rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi. The hotel also offers free parking, as well as breakfast every morning.

Old Town Mid-Range Hotels

• Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale Old Town is a great three-star hotel with an even greater location, right in the heart of Scottsdale’s Old Town. The hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, a bar, and a restaurant. The rooms are spacious and equipped with microwaves and refrigerators.
• Hyatt Place Scottsdale/Old Town is another three-star hotel with a great location. There’s an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and a bar on the premises of the hotel. Each room has free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, sitting space, and flat-screen cable TV.

Old Town Luxury Hotels

• Hotel Valley Ho is a very luxurious four-star hotel located just five minutes from the Old Town of Scottsdale. There’s an outdoor swimming pool, a spa and wellness center, and a fitness center on the premises. The hotel mainly serves American cuisine for lunch and dinner and offers cocktails that you can sip by the pool.
• Canopy By Hilton Scottsdale Old Town is another four-star hotel located in the heart of Scottsdale’s Old Town. Each room has free Wi-Fi ,air-conditioning, and all the necessary and luxurious amenities. There’s also a swimming pool, a fitness center, a bar, and a restaurant on the premises.

2. Fashion Square

If you are a huge fan of shopping, especially for luxurious items and expensive things, Fashion Square is the perfect place for you.

The luxury doesn’t pertain to shopping only: some of the best accommodations in the city are located here, as well as a lot of high-end (and even Michelin-starred) restaurants too.

You just have to keep in mind that this is the most expensive district in all of Scottsdale in terms of shopping, accommodation, and food.

Fashion Square (as the name suggests) is one of America’s top shopping destinations, full of names such as Prada, Versace, Gucci, and other retailers like Nordstrom, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, and Dillard’s.

It’s hard to pin a precise number, but we can confidently claim that there are more than 240 exclusive shops in Fashion Square. That makes it the largest shopping center in the whole state of Arizona.

Luxury shops usually go in pairs with high-end restaurants, and Scottsdale’s Fashion Square is not an exception to this rule. Some of the most expensive, luxurious, elite restaurants in the city are located near the shops.

The Maple & Ash is one such example of a two-star Michelin restaurant with a world-renowned chef. There are other things to visit and see in this area that are not shops or restaurants.

For example, you can have a stroll along the Soleri Bridge, which is simultaneously a pedestrian bridge and a solar calendar. The Fiesta Bowl Museum is also a great choice for college football fans: here, they’ll find a lot of memorabilia and exhibits from the Fiesta Bowl events.

Finally, enjoy the unique experience provided by the kaleidoscopic lights of the Wonderspaces Arizona Art Organization. You surely won’t regret it.

Fashion Square Budget Hotels

• Motel 6 Old town Scottsdale Fashion Square is literally the only two-star accommodation in the whole of Fashion Square. Located just outside the area, it offers free Wi-Fi, free air conditioning, and rooms with cable TV. There’s even a small but decent outdoor pool.

Fashion Square Mid-Range Hotels

• Scottsdale Camelback Resort is a great three-star hotel located just outside of Fashion Square. It’s a family-friendly resort that offers tennis courts and tennis lessons, a movie theater, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, and a wellness and spa center. There’s also a restaurant on the premises and a kitchen in every room.
• Luxury Villa min walk to Scottsdale W Hotel & City Center is a three-star accommodation. The vacation home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a sitting room, and a fully equipped kitchen, as well as free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and free parking.

Fashion Square Luxury Hotels

• Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows is a very luxurious five-star hotel with a great mountain view located just outside of Scottsdale’s Fashion Square. It offers an outdoor pool with a hot tub, a fitness center, a spa and wellness center, and a restaurant on the premises. The rooms are spacious and furnished with a lot of luxurious amenities.
• The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale is another very luxurious five-star hotel, a perfect example of Scottsdale’s great hotels and famous hospitality. It offers no less than nine swimming pools, a golf course, eight restaurants, a wellness and spa center, and a bar. The food is especially great since every restaurant offers something different.

3. McCormick Ranch

As you go further to the north of Scottsdale’s Old Town and Fashion Square for about eight kilometers, you’ll reach the area called McCormick Ranch. Here you’ll discover the other side of Scottsdale, further away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

You’ll find yourself surrounded by beautiful and relaxing nature, magnificent mountain views, large golf courses, and soothing parks. That’s why we think that this district is the most family-friendly in the whole area.

McCormick ranch is mostly famous for the golf courses surrounded by mountain views. And, as any golfer would confirm, the view is the key selling point on a quality golf course.

Here’s a list of the best golf clubs in the area, listed in no particular order:

• McCormick Ranch Golf Club
• Camelback Golf Club
• Paradise Valley Country Club
• Phoenician Golf Club (located between Fashion Square and McCormick Ranch)
• Scottsdale Silverado Golf Club
• Talking Stick Golf Club
• Gainey Ranch Golf Club

Most of the other available activities in this area are also connected with the outdoors. You can visit the Scottsdale Ranch Park & Tennis Center, Stonegate Equestrian Park, Chaparral Park, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, or Mountain View Park.

Or you can enjoy something completely different and more challenging, like skydiving at iFLY Phoenix, Arizona.

Finally, also completely in touch with the general outdoor atmosphere, you can either rent a bike and drive around the area because it has a lot of bike tracks, or you can go hiking. There are seven man-made lakes in McCormick Ranch that offer unforgettable scenic views as well.

The accommodation situation is quite refreshing too. There are many hotels of every type and size in this area. Additionally, almost every two-star hotel in Scottsdale has a pool and a fitness center. 

McCormick Ranch Budget Hotels

• Tru By Hilton Scottsdale Salt River is a two-star hotel located on the east side of the McCormick Ranch area. It offers free parking, free Wi-Fi throughout the premises, barbeque facilities, a fitness center, and a shared lounge. Every morning there is an American or a Continental breakfast, depending on your preferences.
• Comfort Suites Scottsdale Talking Stick Entertainment District is another decent two-star hotel located in the south-east parts of McCormick Ranch. A particularly suitable choice for couples, it offers an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center. Like most of the hotels in Scottsdale, it doesn’t let go of its guests without a complimentary breakfast.

McCormick Ranch Mid-Range Hotels

• Great Wolf Lodge Arizona is a great boutique hotel, especially nice for couples who want to get out on a vacation with the family. It offers an indoor swimming pool, a water park, a fitness center, and a bar.
• WorldMark Scottsdale is a three-star resort with a beautiful mountain view and free parking. Every room has a TV with Blueray, a coffee machine, and a private bathroom (some of them have sitting areas too). Also, there’s an outdoor pool and a fitness center on the premises.  

McCormick Ranch Luxury Hotels

• The Scottsdale Plaza Resort & Villas is a huge four-star hotel,located right under Camelback Mountain. It spreads over roughly 40 acres of land and presents a magnificent mountain view. It also has five swimming pools, a fitness center, a spa and wellness center, a bar, and a restaurant on the premises.
• Luxury Condos by Meridian CondoResorts- Scottsdale is another not-so-big and luxurious four-star hotel that nonetheless has to offer a lot to the potential guest. It has a swimming pool, a water park and fitness center, rooms with a seating area, and a fully equipped kitchen. 

4. North Scottsdale

North Scottsdale is located around 15 kilometers from the Old Town and the Fashion Square. Aside from the distance from the crowds and the beautiful nature that surrounds it, North Scottsdale offers one big perk — it’s very close to the Scottsdale Airport.

If you prefer to travel by plane on a regular basis but still want to stick to the city, North Scottsdale is the right area for you. But that’s not all! Don’t let its distance and proximity to the airport fool you.

North Scottsdale is one of the most versatile areas near this small Arizona city and offers a lot of things for its potential visitors. Here you’ll find golf courses, museums, galleries, and amusement parks.

Again, some of the city’s best golf courses are located here. We recommend the TPC Scottsdale – The Stadium Course with its sublime view of the McDowell Mountains, the equally stunning Grayhawk Golf Club, and the challenging McDowell Mountain Golf Club.

Let’s talk about some museums since we haven’t mentioned anything of that kind since the first district. North Scottsdale offers two which are quite unique and exceptional.

First, the sweet Candytopia Museum with its Alice in Wonderland vibe. Second is the more rugged American Penske Racing Museum with its archives and collections of cars, races, and trophies. Finally, let’s talk about the Wild Wild West stuff in this area.

We recommend you tour Taliesin West and explore the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. While you are there, visit MacDonald’s Ranch and have an old-school authentic cowboy experience. The accommodation situation is similar.

North Scottsdale is very versatile in terms of hotels, and here you’ll find some of each. For those who want luxury, there are great four or five-star hotels; and people who travel on a budget will find great two-star hotels with pools.

North Scottsdale Budget Hotels 

• Extended Stay America Suites – North is probably the cheapest accommodation in the area. It’s a two-star hotel, specially designed to accommodate longer stays. There’s a private bathroom and a kitchen in every room, as well as a tasty breakfast every morning.

North Scottsdale Mid-Range Hotels

• Hilton Garden Inn Scottsdale North/Perimeter Center is a more than decent three-star hotel with an on-site outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, and a bar.The hotel also has a fitness center and offers room service and a tasty breakfast. Some of the rooms have a spa, bath, and a sitting area.  
• Sleep Inn at North Scottsdale Road is another three-star hotel with an outdoor pool and all the regular amenities. The rooms have free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning, private bathrooms, cable TVs, and coffee makers. Every morning, there’s a tasty breakfast to prepare you for the day.

North Scottsdale Luxury Hotels

• Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a super luxurious and very big five-star hotel that has a lot to offer. It has a huge year-round pool and no less than four award-winning restaurants on the premises. It also has a fitness center, a spa and wellness center, and a bar. The hotel is particularly suitable for couples.
• Scottsdale Marriott at McDowell Mountains is another of those hotels which function as a world of their own. This four-star giant from the Marriott chain of hotels offers free private parking, a fitness center, a spa and wellness center, a bar, and a restaurant on the premises. The restaurant offers Mediterranean food, and the bar has a pool table.

5. Scottsdale Road

Located to the south of Scottsdale’s Old Town, just before you reach Tempe, lies the last neighborhood on our guide —- Scottsdale Road. It’s probably the calmest district in Scottsdale, and we recommend it to those who look for tranquility before anything.

Taking that into account, Scottsdale Road is not boring: there’s a bunch of interesting things to do on the southern side of this small Arizona city.

First of all, Scottsdale Road is just a couple of kilometers from the Downtown (both Old Town and Fashion Square) of Scottsdale. That means that you can enjoy all the perks of the city center without experiencing the noise and the crowds that usually accompany the urban areas.

Visit the central attractions of the Old Town or go shopping at Fashion Square. Then go back to the peace and quiet of your accommodation. Golf is unavoidable in the area around Scottsdale, and the situation is no different in this district.

There’s a bunch of them south of Scottsdale, and we recommend the following courts:

• Continental Golf Club
• Arizona Country Club 
• Coronado Golf Course and Lighted Driving Range
• Rolling Hills Golf Course 

Probably the biggest attraction in this area is Papago Park. It offers one of the most beautiful places for recreation, hiking, strolling, picnicking, and relaxing. Here you’ll also find the Hole in the Rock, which is the best viewpoint in the area and a perfect place for taking pictures.

At Papago Park, you’ll find two more things that are worth your time: the Desert Botanical Garden offers more than 140 acres of space, around 50,000 plants, a library, and a shop.

Right next to it is the famous Phoenix Zoo. It boasts a lot of activities, like animal petting, a narrated tram ride, shops, etc. Scottsdale Road — like the general Scottsdale area —- has plenty of accommodation options.

Most of all, it has three-star hotels and holiday homes, which generally are considered mid-range options. But, some of them are less expensive and can be of use to budget travelers.

Scottsdale Road Budget Hotels

• Element Scottsdale at SkySong is a not-so-expensive but nice three-star hotel with an outdoor pool. It has air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi and private bathrooms. The hotel is also pet-friendly and has a restaurant that mostly serves classic American cuisine.
• Chuparosa by AvantStay Phoenix Home Backyard Pool is an accommodation offering private parking, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning throughout the premises, and a swimming pool. Four bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a fully equipped kitchen are at your disposal.

Scottsdale Road Mid-Range Hotels

• 3 Palms Hotel is a nice three-star hotel located just two and a half kilometers from Scottsdale’s Old Town. There’s an outdoor pool and a fitness center on the premises. And all of the rooms are furnished with 50-inch TVs, microwaves, refrigerators, and private bathrooms.
• Desert Paradise is a three-star private home with a private parking, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. There’s also an outdoor pool on the premises. There are four bedrooms in the house, two bathrooms with baths and showers, and a fully equipped kitchen with an oven and a refrigerator.  

Scottsdale Road Luxury Hotels

• AC Hotel by Marriott Phoenix Tempe/Downtown is a luxurious four-star hotel, actually located in Tempe. Again, it boasts an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center on the premises. It also has a bar with lovely breakfast served every morning. All of the rooms are furnished with desks and flat-screen TVs.

So, Where Should You Stay in Scottsdale?

Writing a guide about Scottsdale and giving suggestions about activities and accommodations to potential visitors was not an easy task. Scottsdale is so rich, interesting, and one of a kind that the only way to really find out about it is to go there and feel the atmosphere.

Nonetheless, let’s do a quick recap and once again summarize our findings:

🏆Best for First-Time Visitors	Old Town
🎁 Best Area for Shopping	Fashion Square
🌲 Best for Outdoor Activities	McCormick Ranch
✅ Best Area to See Everything	North Scottsdale
🌳 Best to Experience Nature	Scottsdale Road

So, with so much to see and do, and amazing places to eat, sleep, and visit, what are you waiting for — book your trip to Scottsdale today!