Flying into Phoenix Nov.8 for one-week stay in Arizona. We'll be driving up to Grand Canyon for a couple of days and sightseeing on the way. Haven't decided yet whether to stay in Sedona (stayed there in June but didn't have time to get to the Grand Canyon). Expect to spend the rest of the time in Phoenix but doing day trips to Tucson, etc. I am totally unfamiliar with Phoenix and need advice on the best area to stay in as a home base for our day trips. I'm thinking Scottsdale and have found the Renaissance Scottsdale (can get a suite for $179 including $20 food voucher) and Mountain Shadows Marriott Resort (deluxe resort room $179 including breakfast). Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort also looks good at $129 for deluxe room or $149 for pool view. Can anyone help me make a decision? Is Scottsdale the area to stay? What about the hotels? We're not golfers but would like to stay at a relaxing resort-type place at a reasonable price.

Would you consider going to Monument Valley and Canyon de Chelly for those couple of days after seeing the Canyon? They are both SO spectacular, I'd hate to have you miss them when you are so close. Any of the hotels you have listed are fine, moderate priced. I believe Nov.1 is about the beginning of our season, so if you want a resort type place, you'll be fine, all in good locations for driving to places you might like to see. There are also other standard suite types, Hampton Inn, Marriott Suites, etc. located everywhere in the Phoenix/Scottsdale areas, but if you want the resort feel, the ones you've chosen are okay....for one week, you are not leaving yourself anytime to enjoy a resort, you're going to be on the road most of the time. It is still very hot here, but somewhat cooler at night. Today it was 100 at our house in North Phoenix. Northern AZ. is cooler during the day, no rain expected, as far as I know.

You can get the Hilton East Mesa for about $30 a night on Priceline. It's a good location and a nice Hilton.

personally i think the double tree pv is a lot nicer than mountain shadows which in my opinion has a outdated feel to it.
monument valley, though nice, is quite a trip. you are driving a lot and relaxing a little....

I have stayed at both the Renaissance and Mountain Shadows. The Renaissance is a nicer hotel for the room quality, however, I enjoy Mountain Shadows because it is a big, spread out property with lots of cacti and plantings. A poolside room( the main pool) at Mountain Shadows for your price would be a good deal. Ask them if your room will be poolside for that price. Some folks criticize Mountain Shadows because it is an older property, however, I think it's still very nice. Are there any deals at Camelback Inn that week?

Scottsdale is where you want to stay - it's prettier and there's lots to see and do.

Renaissance has a AAA rate of 151 a nite on the Marriot website for Nov 8...

Thanks for all the advice. Still haven't decided where to stay. I'd like to try Priceline but I don't feel I know the area well enough. I've used it for NYC and San Francisco (where I'm off to tomorrow) but in those cities I know where I want to stay. Hilton East Mesa sounds good but a friend of mine has relatives there and they say there's nothing of interest there. The Doubletree looks nice. I'll also check into AAA rates. Wasn't sure about the Marriotts as I read some negatives about I think it was Mountain Shadows. Anyway I'm off to San Fran right now and will check into Phoenix when I return. Thanks for the help.
PS to Desertduds: I don't think I'll get to Monument Valley or Canyon de Chelly even though they sound fantastic. It was all I could do to get my husband to agree to the Grand Canyon (he doesn't want to see a hole in the ground). I only got him to agree because he vetoed a trip to Yosemite next week (he didn't want to go all that way just to look at trees). Grand Canyon was my consolation prize!

Just an update to let everyone know what I did re hotel in Scottsdale. I didn't feel comfortable with Priceline but I decided to see what Hotwire had. When I checked they had a 4.5* resort for $91 a night. It turned out to be the Westin Kierland Resort. The cheapest room on their website is listed at $469/night. Looks like a great place to stay for the money.

Way to go, antlori. It pays to ask questions and shop around, huh? I hope your trip is wonderful. Be SURE to stop by the Arizona Biltmore. Worthy of at least a stroll through, and maybe even lunch.
Enjoy!

Westin Kierland is a nice place, pool is great, river and waterslides. I hope you have kids, because there are lots of tiny tots running around. The area is nice for eating and some shopping. The Barnes and Noble next door is advertised as the world's largest. The B&N also has free concerts at the fountain plaza. The drawback with the Westin is the layout and size. This place is a maze. When we stayed there all the guests would joke how lost they were. Everyone followed everyone trying to find their rooms. The beds are great, Westin heavenly. You will have a great time.

My brother and sister stayed there on a trip recently. They liked it. My sister said the spa was to die for!!! Have a good trip

Another vote for the Kierland - we stayed there in July & loved it.