Never been to Tucson, but will be there for two nights in March for business at Rialto Theater at 318 E. Congress St. I understand that this may not be a great area in which to spend the night. Can anyone recommend hotels or B&Bs within short driving distance of that area? Thanks!

Anyone?

I would recommend The Windmill Inn.

Sorry, I'm not familiar with B&B's in the city, but I can seccond the Windmill Inn and Suites, which is on the north side of town. (Not a problem if you'll have a car.) The rooms are plain but immaculate, the location is great.

The Windmill Inn isn't very close to the Rialto. Closer is the Marriott at the University - which is a nice area. Also closer is the Arizona Inn - very nice. If you were going to travel as far as the Windmill, I'd suggest Westward Look Resort instead. It's unique - the Windmill is a chain. If you want convenience, walking distance to the Rialto is the Radisson. It's downtown on the same street as the Rialto.
As far as good, convenient restaurants to downtown - you've got Cafe Poca Cosa and Barrio. Other great places in town - close to the Marriott is a local brew pub called Gentle Ben's. Also close there is a dive of a pizza place called Zachary's - great pizza! Up on N. Campbell near Arizona Inn and on your way to Windmill is Beyond Bread - great sandwich place. Westward Look has an elegant Gold Room and also a laid back place called Lookout Lounge. Go to South Tucson for some great Mexican food - especially Mi Nidito.
We love the Rialto - great concerts there. It's being revitalized.

Thanks all. Kameha, you're a gem. This is just what I needed to know!

I think you will be disappointed at the Marriott, very old hotel. Downtown has some construction going on due to new projects being developed for the area. South Tucson has some great Mexican food, but be a little wary at night. If you don't mind the drive there are some beautiful hotels, resorts in Tucson. You would need a car anyways because our town is so spread out. I've lived here for over 30 years, and love it. Enjoy your stay.

I agree with azgirl regarding the Marriott. This is the one Marriott property(in 6 years of being on the road for business) that I would not return to - the pool is postage stamp sized, the rooms are dated and noisy from the bars outside.
The Arizona Inn is great but not cheap. I've stayed at the Courtyard and it's fine.I've also stayed at Westward Look and it's just OK - a bit dated as well.

I am kind of confused - the Marriott at the University is a "very old hotel"? It was built several years ago. I have never stayed there, but I have been inside the lobby and eaten there and it seems fine, plus it's convenient. I beg to differ with EmilyC on Westward Look, because I have stayed there. Rooms are large and most have been remodeled in the last couple of years. It's a lovely, low-key resort.

Marriott took over the hotel a few years back, tried hard to update it, but it just didn't help. The corner of Campbell and Speedway is a very busy intersection, lots of noise and traffic.

Azgirl - we are thinking of different properties. I would never recommend the hotel at the corner of Speedway and Campbell - I'm not even sure it is a Marriott. The Marriott of which I speak is NEW and is near University Ave. and Euclid. It is right behind Gentle Ben's Brew Pub and all the cool, funky shops of the University Street area.
I live in Tucson and work for the University. That area and that Marriott are fine!

I found a B&B that looks perfect in the 200 block of S. 5th Ave. I'm told it's only three blocks from the Rialto. Can anyone tell me a bit about that area? Thanks!

The new Marriot on 2nd street is a gem!
Marriot does not own the property on Campbell and Speedway anymore. Now I'm confused that Kameha says the Az Inn is closer to downtown than the 2nd street Marriot??? Did they move the Az Inn??
LOL!
R5

Kameha: your right ,my mistake. The Marriott your talking about is nice. Sorry about the confusion.

Oh this is so confusing! Poor Mary!
Razzledazzle - I didn't mean that the Arizona Inn was closer to downtown than the new Marriott. I meant the Arizona Inn was closer to downtown than the Windmill, which a previous poster had suggested. Mary - the 200 block of S. 5th - hmm....could be OK. One of the problems with Tucson is block to block things can change! One block can be great and the next horrible. Give an address and I'd be happy to drive by for you and check it out.
BTW - drove by the hotel on Speedway and Campbell this morning - it's now Sheraton Four Points.

Kameha, you're a dear. The B&B is at 219 S. 5th Ave.

Mary, I will try to drive by tomorrow and then I'll let you know. Does that work?

Kameha, I'm not going until March. Anything that's convenient for you is going to work just fine for me. You're doing much more than I ever would have expected and I hope you won't inconvenience yourself.

Probably a stupid question, but...
is it warm enough to swim in April?

Any comparisons of the Loews and Westin in Tucson appreciated.

In my home pool, no, I wouldn't swim in April - but we don't heat it. The nights will still be on the cool side in April. The resort pools will be great because they heat them. Loews and Westin are both upscale. I personally like Loews Ventana better because it blends in very nicely with the desert. There are also some nice hiking trails that start near the resort. Westin looks like a fancy hotel that happens to be stuck in the desert. The rooms are great at Loews - the bathtub is wonderful! Large enough for two Bonus at Westin is that is where Janos and J Bar are located - great restaurants. But the Ventana Room is quite fancy and good, as well.