Am traveling for two nights in Tuscon at end of March (coming from Phoenix). Have my 80 year old mother and three teenage daughters. Any suggestions of where to stay? Currently booked at Hacienda Del Sol but am worried it isn't going to be casual enough for us.

Surely the Hotel Congress, right at the centre of town, would be the one to choose. Your Mum will remember the FBI's capture of Dillinger, and how he was stalked in a theatre watching a Clark Gable movie... well, the Congress is where he was staying shortly before that incident, and it was a fire at that hotel, and Dillinger's strange actions when he thought his money was going to be burnt in the fire, that first alerted the FBI to where he was. You teenage daughters will appreciate the history lesson, too... and, on the practical side, the Congress is as centrally-located as any place in Tucson. Whatever you do, beware of Day's Inn... we had a guaranteed discount rate in writing from an internet booking agency, but on check-out time they refused to honour it, and made us pay their "usual" rate! It was the sour note of our Tucson experience.

First, let's spell it right..it's tucson...
By all means, DO NOT stay downtown at Hotel Congress. It is not centrally located, and it's a very edgy crowd that stays there..not the thing for your 80 yr old mother. The Hacienda del Sol is lovely,and the most formal place in tucson is casual everywhere else...go, and have a good time!

Sarah,
I live here in Tucson, work in Phoenix. I agree with Linda above, Hacienda del Sol should be a fine choice. Smaller, nice, casual, convenient, and within a couple of miles to boutique type shopping and great restaurants. They also have a restaurant at the resort, The Grill, which is pretty good too. You should be fine. If you need more, just respond to this post. I'll 'bookmark' it and check back.

Tucson is how it is spelled.
Do not got anyplace near the Congress Hotel ,it's downtown in an old,ugly and not very safe area. That said, if you don't want to stay at Hacienda del Sol,how about The Windmill Inn at Campbell Ave & River Rd. All rooms are 2 room suites with kitchenettes. We use it for business clients and they all love it. It's in St. Phillip's Plaza and there are several nice places to eat there as well as boutiques.

I usually recommend the Sheraton Suites and Hotel on Grant...the rooms are very clean, spacious and nicely decorated and the pool/patio area is also very nice...included in the price is a buffet breakfast served in a very nice room overlooking the pool and patio...it is located in an area surrounded by shops and restaurants.