Hi! My husband and son are going to Tempe at the end of March to take in a few Spring training games. Can you please make some suggestions for lodging? Looking for simple, clean, safe, perhaps in walking distance of a place to go for dinner? Thanks.

I don't live there anymore, so I'm not completely up on the hotels, but the one that comes to mind first is the Tempe Mission Palms. It is right off of Mill Avenue, which has a lot of shops and restaurants, and it is adjacent to ASU. This assumes they will have a car to get to the games (Angels or As are the ones around Tempe, I think??). If they are going to Tempe Diablo Stadium, I think there is a Wyndham adjacent to the park, but I don't know what, if anything, is within walking distance.

Thanks, ms go. I checked the Mission Palm. Cheapest rate is 169.00, which is too steep for this trip. I suspect the location is just what they'd be looking for, so do you have any other "scaled down" recommendations in the same area? Thanks.

Well, I did a quick search on Expedia. That was the only hotel I found right in downtown Tempe around Mill. There are a few that are over on Apache around Rural -- a Holiday Inn and a Comfort Inn. I don't know much about them. They are on the opposite side of campus, about a mile away from the Mill Ave. shops and restaurants. It's probably not quite as nice an area, but I think it is decent and safe, and there should be some places to eat (I spent a couple of years in a dorm over in that area, but that was a few years ago...).

There's a Hampton Inn that looks like it is right by Diablo stadium, if that's where they will be going.

Another suggestion might be something around Arizona Mills Mall, which is a few miles further south. There will be plenty of restaurants, and it is an easy drive to the stadium, but probably not as fun as the Mill Ave. area.

Hopefully someone who lives in the area will have some other suggestions.

Baseball Spring training is a popular time to be going to the Phoenix area, so hotels are all charging premium rates. Check nearby Mesa, there are several all-suites hotels there with decent rates.

Thanks. One last question -- How far apart are Tempe and Mesa?

Good news (I think!) I found the Twin Palms Hotel at 225 Apache Blvd. They claim to be only 3 blocks from the central downtown area. Got a $59.00 Spring Training special for one room with two queen beds. Anyone have any comments on this property and/or location? Thanks.

The Twin Palms' best feature is its location. It is walking distance from DT Tempe and the many restaurants & bars there. The hotel has seen better days, but for $59 I suppose they will do OK as long as they expect nothing more than Motel 6 type rooms. $59 in July can get you a great room in Phoenix, but in March it does not go far. The other hotel in DT Tempe you might try pricing is the Marriott Courtyard, but I'm sure it will be more than $59. Good luck.

Tempe and Mesa are adjacent suburbs, but Mesa in particular is pretty large in area. Some areas of Mesa can be a bit of a drive over to Diablo Stadium, depending on traffic. During Spring Training, Mesa is likely to be filled up with Cubs =D> fans!

I don't know anything about the rooms at Twin Palms, but it is practically on campus. If it isn't spring break, there will be lots of activity at all hours, and it is a nice walk through campus over to Mill.

Thanks to you all for your replies. Since I'm not going, sounds like the Twin Palms will work just fine!! It's really beginning to sound like a good deal -- in addition to the bargain rate (rack rate is $149), they offer free airport shuttle service, as well as free shuttle service to and from Diablo.

Two more related questions, please --

1. What is the least expensive way to transport them to and from Ho Ho Cam Park? and

2. Do you have any fun restaurant recommendations in downtown Tempe appropriate for a 12 year old?

Thanks again!

Getting to and from HoHoKam might be a bit of a challenge. Try this link, which shows bus routes to all the ballparks.

http://www.valleymetro.org/Transit/s...ng/2004stb.pdf

We went a few years ago and drove, which is not a picnic due to limited parking and narrow residential streets.

As far as restaurants, there are a lot along Mill north of University and on some of the surrounding streets. Last year on spring break, Pizzeria Uno was popular with my 10-year-old (as if we can't get that at home!). The Chuckbox on University is an institution for burgers.

Thanks so much, ms go. While its difficult to read the map (on my computer)on the site you provided, at least we know that bus is an option, so we're set! You're awesome!

Thanks! I hope they have a great time and that the hotel selection works out. As a big Cubs fan, I wish I was going to spring training, especially this year, but our spring breaks have been a bit too late the last couple of years. Instead, I'll be spending two weeks in Hawaii, so I can't complain...

I'm sure the hotel can help them decipher the bus routes. I've never taken the bus in the Phx area, but from that brochure it looks like they've got their act together with respect to getting people to the various parks.

I am a big Cubs fan. I hope your husband and son have a wonderful time! We are a long way from Arizone but did go to spring training games in Florida one year. We had a great time. I just wish I would have seen the cubs.

hi vickymc. Thanks for your good wishes. My husband and son are huge baseball freaks and its great that they can spend the time together doing this. The're going to see the Angels/Giants and the Cubs/A's. Now, where should I go while they're away!!?!!?

We saw the Yankees/Royals and Phillies/Pirates. My son and I are big Cub fans. My husband goes along for the ride! It is good that they can spend time together doin this. My son and I have been to several games but have spent a lot of time together watching the Cubs on cable. He is getting married this summer and I'm going to miss my baseball partner! He has been away at college but if there was a game on we would have to call each other during the game. Tell your husband and son to enjoy the game and the time they have together. They sure grow up fast.

vicky, you're sweet. I hope you end up with grandchildren (in due time, of course) who adore baseball and you can again share baseball with them and your son! Best wishes to you.

Give us a report when they get back. I would love to hear about their trip. I hope they are able to get some autographs. My son was able to get some autographs from some of the lesser known players. He got an autograph from one of the Royals players and he turned out to be the AL rookie of the year. I can't think of his name right now but he was really nice to all of the kids that were getting autographs.

If you haven't gotten tickets yet (especially for the Cubs) get them NOW as at least one Cub game is already sold out.

I would get a cab to HOHOKAM Park rather than try to rely on the bus. MY son took almost an hour to get home from summer school using the bus - for a 3 mile trip!

For the best chicken anywhere, try El Pollo Supremo - little hole in the wall restaurant just west of Mill on University

Thanks bigtyke. I've passed your info on to my husband.