Phoenix: Best Hotels

Phoenix and Scottsdale together offer one of the richest hotel markets in the USA — particularly at the resort end, where the combination of year-round sunshine, golf, and spa culture has driven development of properties with no real equal in the continental USA outside Hawaii. The challenge is choosing between the resort experience (mostly in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley, where you stay on-site for much of your trip) and a city-center hotel (downtown Phoenix or Old Town Scottsdale) that gives better access to restaurants and culture but no resort amenities.

Peak season is October through April — especially November through March, when the combination of mild weather, spring training, and the Waste Management Phoenix Open pushes rates to their highest. Summer (June–August) brings dramatic rate reductions of 40–60% at most properties, but temperatures regularly exceed 110°F.

All prices below are approximate rack rates as of 2026.

Luxury Resorts (Scottsdale and Paradise Valley)

The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort — 6000 E. Camelback Rd, Scottsdale. A 647-room flagship at the base of Camelback Mountain, set on 250 desert acres. 27 holes of golf, 11 pools (including a cactus garden pool complex), a 22,000 sq ft spa, and six restaurants. Rooms from approximately $400–700/night in peak season; suites from approximately $900/night. Day spa and golf accessible to non-guests with advance booking. The most comprehensive resort experience in Arizona.

Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North — 10600 E. Crescent Moon Drive, North Scottsdale. A 210-room resort on 40 desert acres adjacent to the Troon North golf courses, with elevated desert landscape views. Rooms from approximately $550–800/night. A smaller and more intimate resort than the Phoenician; better suited to those wanting seclusion over amenity density.

Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Resort — 2400 E. Missouri Ave, Phoenix. A 1929 National Historic Landmark with a design influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright, set on 39 acres in the upmarket Biltmore neighborhood. Two golf courses, multiple pools, and a dedicated spa. Rooms from approximately $350–600/night. The most historically significant hotel in the city.

Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa — 5700 E. McDonald Drive, Paradise Valley. A 105-room boutique resort perched on the north slope of Camelback Mountain, with mountain-facing views and a strong spa (Sanctuary Spa). Rooms from approximately $400–650/night; casitas from approximately $550/night. The restaurant jade bar has a terrace with arguably the best view of any hotel dining room in the metro.

Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa — 5000 E. Via Estancia Miraval, Tucson (60 miles south — included here as a region reference). An all-inclusive wellness resort. All-inclusive rates from approximately $700–1,100/person per night including all activities and most meals. Worth mentioning for visitors whose primary goal is a spa and wellness experience.

Luxury Hotels (City-Centered)

The Scott, A Destination by Hyatt Hotel — 4925 N. Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale. A 204-room boutique luxury hotel in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, with a rooftop pool, Sel restaurant, and strong design throughout. Rooms from approximately $280–450/night. The best centrally located option for walkable Old Town dining and nightlife.

Hotel Valley Ho — 6850 E. Main St, Old Town Scottsdale. A restored 1956 mid-century modern hotel with 241 rooms, the Café Zuzu restaurant, and a pool scene that made it a 1950s celebrity haunt and still draws a stylish crowd. Rooms from approximately $220–380/night. One of the most charming properties in Scottsdale’s main strip.

Mid-Range Hotels

Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Bungalows — 6114 N. Scottsdale Rd. A Hyatt boutique resort concept with 185 rooms and bungalows, with a strong pool complex and a design that references Arizona’s craft arts heritage. Rooms from approximately $250–420/night. A good step below full-luxury pricing with most of the atmosphere.

Saguaro Scottsdale — 4000 N. Drinkwater Blvd, Old Town Scottsdale. A colorful boutique hotel near the heart of Old Town, with a rooftop bar and a pool that fills on weekends. Rooms from approximately $150–280/night. The design — bold desert color palette, mid-century references — gives it more personality than the standard Scottsdale chain hotel.

Kimpton Palomar Phoenix — 2 E. Jefferson St, downtown Phoenix. A boutique Kimpton property in the heart of downtown, with a rooftop pool and bar, and proximity to Chase Field and Footprint Center. Rooms from approximately $150–240/night. Evening wine hour and pet-friendly policy are standard Kimpton features.

Hotel San Carlos — 202 N. Central Ave, downtown Phoenix. A 1928 historic hotel with 128 rooms, a rooftop pool, and original Mediterranean revival architecture. Rooms from approximately $110–180/night. The best value and most characterful option in central Phoenix. The rooftop pool area is small but functional; the location puts you within walking distance of Roosevelt Row galleries and the Heard Museum.

Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel — 100 N. 1st St. A large conventional business hotel near the convention center, with 532 rooms and a ground-floor restaurant. Rooms from approximately $140–220/night. Reliable, well-maintained, and in the right location for convention visitors.

Budget Hotels

MOXY Phoenix Tempe — 1333 S. Rural Rd, Tempe. A Marriott budget-lifestyle property near Arizona State University, with a bar and communal areas designed for social interaction. Rooms from approximately $100–160/night. Best suited to younger travelers; the Tempe location requires transport to downtown Phoenix attractions.

AC Hotel Phoenix Downtown — 100 W. Monroe St. A Marriott lifestyle property with a strong design sensibility, good coffee program, and compact but well-designed rooms. Rooms from approximately $130–200/night. One of the better corporate-brand budget options in downtown Phoenix.

Comfort Suites Airport — 4120 E. Washington St. A standard chain option close to Sky Harbor. Rooms from approximately $90–140/night. Free airport shuttle. No frills but reliable.

Neighborhood Guide: Where to Stay

Old Town Scottsdale — Best for visitors focused on restaurants, galleries, nightlife, and proximity to hiking. Most of the interesting independent hotels are here.

Central/North Scottsdale resorts — Best for resort experiences: golf, spa, multiple on-site dining options. You’ll spend most of your time on the property.

Paradise Valley — The quietest and most upscale residential area, with a small number of boutique resorts. Best for a secluded, private experience.

Downtown Phoenix — Best for business travel, sports events (Chase Field, Footprint Center), and access to Roosevelt Row arts district. Less convenient for resort activities and most hiking.

Tempe — Best for ASU visitors and anyone arriving via Phoenix Sky Harbor who doesn’t need to travel far into the city.

Booking Notes

Most Scottsdale resorts charge resort fees of approximately $35–60/day on top of the room rate — factor this in when comparing prices. Parking at resort properties typically adds another $25–45/day. Spring training weeks (late February and early March) are among the highest-demand periods — book at least three months ahead for peak competition dates. Summer rates offer genuinely good value if you can cope with the heat.