1. Aloft Tempe
City: Tempe, AZ
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (480) 621-3300, (877) GO-ALOFT
Address: 951 E. Playa Del Norte Dr.
Description: Set at Tempe Town Lake, the fresh, modern hotel blends in with nearby Mill Avenue and the college-town atmosphere. Access to nearby Arizona State University and Sky Harbor Airport is seamless. The hotel’s rooms include 9-foot ceilings and extra-large windows for views of Town Lake and nearby buttes at Papago Park. Rooms include walk-in showers, free Wi-Fi with plug-and-play hookups for your tech gadgets, and 42-inch LCD TVs. The big-city urban feel of the hotel also extends to the gym, lounge, snack bar, and outdoor pool. High-tech kiosks allow you to check in and print your airport boarding passes on the go. The hotel is pet-friendly and also offers a day camp for kids under 12.
2. Best Western Inn Of Tempe
City: Tempe, AZ
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (480) 784-2233, (800) 528-1234
Address: 670 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Description: Opened in 1997, this 4-floor hotel is popular with business and leisure travelers who want easy access to the Valley’s freeways. It’s busy whenever major events at Arizona State University bring people to town, especially since it’s only 3 miles to Sky Harbor Airport. The 103 rooms are accessed from interior corridors, and guests have the option of queen- or king-size beds. Wi-Fi and daily newspaper are free. The indoor lap pool has resistance waves for those who like a workout, and the hotel also features an exercise room with 4 spas. A Denny’s restaurant shares the property. Small pets are allowed, and there is a free continental breakfast.
3. Best Western—Tempe
City: Tempe, AZ
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (480) 820-7500, (800) 822-4334
Address: 5300 S. Priest Dr.
Description: Located in the Guadalupe neighborhood near Arizona Mills shopping center, the 4-story motel has 160 rooms and exceptional access to downtown Tempe and the rest of the Valley. The hotel, which wins awards for its design, offers king- or queen-size beds. The heated outdoor pool area includes a spa. Another plus is the proximity of Arizona Mills shopping mall. Two rooms are set up for the physically challenged. Pets are allowed, and the hotel provides a dog-walking area. Complimentary breakfast is offered; you’re invited to make your own waffles. Wi-Fi is also free.
4. Country Inn & Suites
City: Tempe, AZ
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (480) 858-9898, (800) 596-2375
Address: 808 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Description: The address is only partly deceiving. Though the hotel is on Scottsdale Road, it’s actually in north Tempe. But it’s as equally close to downtown Scottsdale as it is to Tempe and Arizona State University. The site features lots of wood in the furniture, stairwells, and bed headboards. Rooms range from standard offerings to extended-stay hospitality suites. Wi-Fi and continental breakfast are free. The heated outdoor pool and fitness center enhance the stay.
5. Fiesta Resort Conference Center
City: Tempe, AZ
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (480) 967-1441
Address: 2100 S. Priest Dr.
Description: This 12-acre resort-style hotel is close to the freeways and Arizona State University in addition to Sky Harbor Airport. Visiting ASU families can take advantage of the hotel’s free local shuttle around the massive campus and surrounding Tempe hotspots. Amenities include a swimming pool and Jacuzzi, an exercise room, and a full-service health club within walking distance of the hotel. The site’s restaurant, Milagro’s, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Happy hour in the Kachina Lounge includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres Monday to Friday, one of the fine points the 35-year-old former Fiesta Inn is known for. The 270 refurbished Southwestern-style guest rooms include executive king bedrooms. High-speed Internet and daily newspaper are free.
6. Four Points Sheraton
City: Tempe, AZ
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (480) 968-3451, (800) 368-7764
Address: 1330 Rural Rd.
Description: The 187-room hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Arizona State University’s campus and within walking distance of restaurants, bars, and shopping. ASU’s Karsten Golf Course is also just blocks away. Rooms are consistently clean and inviting. High-speed Internet, bottled water, and daily newspapers are free. The heated, outdoor resort-style pool is a nice addition to a site that’s located in the midst of so much youthful activity. A 24-hour business center and gym also enhance the stay.
7. Hyatt Place Airport
City: Tempe, AZ
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (480) 804-9544
Address: 1422 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Description: Stylish rooms at the modern facility include sizable work areas, “Hyatt Grand” beds, and oversize sleeper sofas. Wi-Fi is free, and rooms are also equipped with 42-inch HD TVs that provide links to your laptop and other tech devices. Bathrooms have granite countertops, and the common areas also have that clean, new feel. The hotel will shuttle you for free in a 5-mile radius, which includes Sky Harbor Airport and the many exciting hangout spots around trendy Mill Avenue and near Arizona State University.
City: Tempe, AZ
Category: Accommodations
Address: 60 E. 5th St.
9. The Buttes
City: Tempe, AZ
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (602) 225-9000, (888) 867-7492
Address: 2000 Westcourt Way
Description: The Marriott resort, tucked into 25 acres in the curvy red rock buttes in Tempe, is a popular getaway for large business groups. With 345 rooms and 9 suites, there’s enough deluxe lodging to host gatherings that fill the site’s 40,000 square feet of meeting space. Hillside hot tubs offer sweeping Valley views. The Narande Spa and 5 dining spots are efficient on-site amenities. The resort also offers tennis and volleyball, in addition to easy access to nearby Sky Harbor Airport. The venue routinely hosts local civic gatherings and award ceremonies, including some for nearby Arizona State University. The Top of the Rock restaurant at, well, the top of the buttes, offers a unique panoramic view from its southeast Valley position. New chef Akos Szabo joined in 2011 to rejuvenate the menu.
10. Apache Palms Rv Park
City: Tempe, AZ
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (480) 966-7399
Address: 1836 E. Apache Blvd.
Description: This small, modest park with 80 spaces is modern and friendly and will put you close to the action in downtown Tempe. Amenities include a swimming pool, spa, showers, and a laundry room. Nightly rates are $36 to $40 for 2 people, plus an extra $3 per additional person; $216 to $240 weekly, plus $15 per additional person. Rates go down in the summer. Pets are welcome. Free Wi-Fi and cable TV are available.
11. Aloft Tempe
City: Tempe, AZ
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (480) 621-3300, (877) GO-ALOFT
Address: 951 E. Playa Del Norte Dr.
Description: Set at Tempe Town Lake, the fresh, modern hotel blends in with nearby Mill Avenue and the college-town atmosphere. Access to nearby Arizona State University and Sky Harbor Airport is seamless. The hotel’s rooms include 9-foot ceilings and extra-large windows for views of Town Lake and nearby buttes at Papago Park. Rooms include walk-in showers, free Wi-Fi with plug-and-play hookups for your tech gadgets, and 42-inch LCD TVs. The big-city urban feel of the hotel also extends to the gym, lounge, snack bar, and outdoor pool. High-tech kiosks allow you to check in and print your airport boarding passes on the go. The hotel is pet-friendly and also offers a day camp for kids under 12.
12. Best Western Inn Of Tempe
City: Tempe, AZ
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (480) 784-2233, (800) 528-1234
Address: 670 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Description: Opened in 1997, this 4-floor hotel is popular with business and leisure travelers who want easy access to the Valley’s freeways. It’s busy whenever major events at Arizona State University bring people to town, especially since it’s only 3 miles to Sky Harbor Airport. The 103 rooms are accessed from interior corridors, and guests have the option of queen- or king-size beds. Wi-Fi and daily newspaper are free. The indoor lap pool has resistance waves for those who like a workout, and the hotel also features an exercise room with 4 spas. A Denny’s restaurant shares the property. Small pets are allowed, and there is a free continental breakfast.
13. Best Western—Tempe
City: Tempe, AZ
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (480) 820-7500, (800) 822-4334
Address: 5300 S. Priest Dr.
Description: Located in the Guadalupe neighborhood near Arizona Mills shopping center, the 4-story motel has 160 rooms and exceptional access to downtown Tempe and the rest of the Valley. The hotel, which wins awards for its design, offers king- or queen-size beds. The heated outdoor pool area includes a spa. Another plus is the proximity of Arizona Mills shopping mall. Two rooms are set up for the physically challenged. Pets are allowed, and the hotel provides a dog-walking area. Complimentary breakfast is offered; you’re invited to make your own waffles. Wi-Fi is also free.
14. Country Inn & Suites
City: Tempe, AZ
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (480) 858-9898, (800) 596-2375
Address: 808 N. Scottsdale Rd.
Description: The address is only partly deceiving. Though the hotel is on Scottsdale Road, it’s actually in north Tempe. But it’s as equally close to downtown Scottsdale as it is to Tempe and Arizona State University. The site features lots of wood in the furniture, stairwells, and bed headboards. Rooms range from standard offerings to extended-stay hospitality suites. Wi-Fi and continental breakfast are free. The heated outdoor pool and fitness center enhance the stay.
15. Fiesta Resort Conference Center
City: Tempe, AZ
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (480) 967-1441
Address: 2100 S. Priest Dr.
Description: This 12-acre resort-style hotel is close to the freeways and Arizona State University in addition to Sky Harbor Airport. Visiting ASU families can take advantage of the hotel’s free local shuttle around the massive campus and surrounding Tempe hotspots. Amenities include a swimming pool and Jacuzzi, an exercise room, and a full-service health club within walking distance of the hotel. The site’s restaurant, Milagro’s, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Happy hour in the Kachina Lounge includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres Monday to Friday, one of the fine points the 35-year-old former Fiesta Inn is known for. The 270 refurbished Southwestern-style guest rooms include executive king bedrooms. High-speed Internet and daily newspaper are free.