I will be in Phoenix for a couple of days (visiting ASU for Fine Art Grad. School) and would like to know if there are certain areas (downtown, Tempe, Scottsdale or elsewhere) better than others for me: someone who loves the desert, wants to be able to walk to eateries and is on a $80 or less a night budget. Is downtown very commercial? Is right near the airport noisy at night?

Thanks for any info. I can't wait!

I doubt you will find much in your price range in Scottsdale. I would recommend Tempe if you can find something close to Mill Ave (I know the Tempe Mission Palms is there, but not sure how expensive it would be). Downtown would have some places within walking distance, but is usually pretty dead if there isnt' a game going on. Maybe you could try priceline or hotwire too? Are you coming during the week? prices will probably be cheaper then...

There are also a couple hotels right next to Arizona Mills Mall...which you could walk to. But you'd have to drive down to Mill or up to scottsdale.

I think there is a Residence Inn and an Amerisuites

Thanks for the recommendation to stay in Tempe. Yes, I did check online for prices all over Phoenix, but there were so many places available that I figured I'd ask about areas before I booked.

How is the Tempe Mission Palms that you mentioned? It is priced really well online, so much so that I had my doubts (weekday stay).

Thanks.

I've never stayed there, I live in Phoenix. But the location there is great. I know that a company I used to work out here for sent recruits there for a trip, so I think its a nice place. There are some good reviews here

<a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...l">TripAdvisor Reviews</a>

It will also give you a good feel for ASU as you will be right on Mill and pretty much at the college.

Staying in Tempe puts you closer to ASU but Scottsdale is more of the resort area. Pricing depends totally on what time of year you'll be visiting. You should be able to get some decent Scottsdale accomodations this time of year but as it gets closer to winter, rates will definitely climb!

No availability on the Mission Palms, though originally I thought alschmid was talking about "3 Palms" which is a considerably different kind of hotel (to put it nicely!).

I think Tempe 1st night, then Grand Canyon 2nd night (a tent by the rim is what I'm thinking - I'll be with my brother) and we'll figure it out the 3rd night in or around Phoenix.
If more questions arise before the trip (next week), I'll post. Thanks much for the info to all.

You can get the Hilton East Mesa on Priceline for $30 a night. It's in a convenient location and has free parking.

Calling all Phoenicians:

Okay, so I found the Innsuites Hotel in Tempe on Baseline Road and the Sierra Sites in Scottsdale on NOrth 69th Street to be in range. Any comments or comparisons about locations, rep?

So far, so helpful...

Try to see what price you can get at the Sunburst Resort in Scottsdale. It'll be more than $80, but we found it to be one of the more reasonably priced places in Scottsdale. (If you want to be close to eateries, I think Scottsdale would offer the most for that.)

I couldn't get mission palms a couple months ago so i stayed at the Marriott which is just around the block from Mill ave and the palms. Very good location at half the price.