27 Best Hotels in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Tempe, Arizona

Hip and unabashedly quirky, this urban hotel has kicked up Phoenix's cool factor a few notches and offers a compelling reason to stay in Downtown. Luxe modern furnishings and amazing city views, coupled with a fantastic location within CityScape, make Palomar a great spot to rest your head—or party the night away.

One of the country's top resorts hides amid hill-size, 12-million-year-old granite boulders and the picturesque Sonoran Desert. Casitas snuggled against the rocks have exposed log-beam ceilings and curved, pueblo-style half walls. Each has a patio with a view, a wood-burning fireplace, and a spacious bathroom with deep soaking tub. The two golf courses are destinations on their own, and the on-site spa is one of the finest in the state.

A true desert oasis an hour north of Phoenix, this historic 1,100-acre ranch set in the heart of the Sonoran Desert offers private cabins and exclusive access to mineral hot springs. The staff offers directions for accessing the property via helicopter, which, in an area that has no dearth of luxury resorts, sets a new standard. The nightly rate covers all meals, service fees, and some activities including guided tours, although alcohol and spa services are excluded. Of note: the final 7 miles to the property are unpaved, and the resort recommends driving high-clearance vehicles.

A resort in every sense of the word, Four Seasons Scottsdale is tucked in the shadows of Pinnacle Peak, near the popular hiking trail, and features large, casita-style rooms with separate sitting and sleeping areas as well as fireplaces and balconies or patios. Some suites come with telescopes and star charts. It's adjacent to two Troon North premier courses, where guests receive preferential tee times and free shuttle service. Talavera, the hotel's main restaurant, is elegant and accommodating.

The highlight of this family-oriented, all-suite hotel is the 9-acre River Ranch Water Park; it has swimming pools with waterfalls, a 130-foot waterslide, and a 1,000-foot "river" that winds past a miniature golf course, tennis courts, and artificial buttes. Accommodations in the stucco buildings vary from standard two-room suites to a grand three-bedroom house; all have balconies. It is also adjacent to the very busy AZ 51, though it manages to filter out most freeway noise. Kids can enjoy the "Coyote Camp" youth programs while adults take in area golf and the Tocasierra Spa.

While staying here, it's easy to imagine that you're relaxing at an oceanside resort instead of in the desert; shaded by towering palms and with manicured gardens and paths, the property has water everywhere—a large pool area has a beach, three-story waterslide, waterfalls, and a lagoon. The two-story lobby opens to outdoor conversation areas where fires burn in stone fireplaces on cool nights. Large rooms have balconies or patios. Three golf courses at nearby Gainey Ranch Golf Club will suit any duffer's fancy. Spa Avania soothes the soul, while kids get their kicks at Camp Hyatt.

In a town where luxurious, expensive resorts are the rule, the Phoenician still stands apart, primarily in the realm of service. Gone is the gold-leaf, crystal-bedazzled lobby that screamed opulence. In its place is a reimagined resort that sets as high a standard for comfort as it does luxury, and routinely surpasses expectations. The resort is remarkably comfortable and accommodating—especially for children. If the world-class spa, golf, or tennis aren't on the itinerary, there's always a pool a few steps away. Afterward, take in a sophisticated afternoon tea or dinner at J&G Steakhouse.

This 20,000-acre property combines the guest-ranch experience with first-class amenities. Meals are served in the lodge's bright, festive dining room. Rooms are spacious and done in low-key Southwestern style. Some contain two queen-size beds and can be creatively configured through a system of adjoining doors to annex separate living rooms or sleeping quarters for children. Activities ranging from skeet shooting to archery to horseback riding are available.

Once the home of Cunard Steamship executive Delos T. Cooke, this Mediterranean-style resort has a stately row of the namesake palms at its entrance, courtyards with fountains, and individually designed rooms that feel more like casitas than basic hotel rooms. The lush landscaping makes the resort feel cozy, intimate, and private. Only the busy pool will persuade you otherwise. The restaurant, T. Cook's, is renowned, and the open-air Alvadora Spa packs a lot of pampering into a relatively small space.

This luxurious boutique hotel is the only resort on the north slope of Camelback Mountain; secluded mountain casitas have chic modern furnishings, which contrast with the breathtaking views of Camelback Mountain, the Praying Monk (from some vantages), and the setting western sun. Bathrooms are finished in modern details with elegant sinks and roomy tubs. An infinity-edge pool, Zen meditation garden, and Asian-inspired Sanctuary Spa make this a haven for relaxation. The hotel's restaurant, elements, is a local hot spot for sunset cocktails and award-winning cuisine.

Original artwork by Arizona artists is displayed throughout the public spaces of the Westin Kierland, and the spacious rooms have balconies or patios with views of the mountains or the resort's water park and tubing river. Kierland Commons, within walking distance, is a planned village of upscale specialty boutiques and restaurants. A leisure center specifically accommodates nonbusiness travelers. Kids can enjoy programs organized by age group.

This beautiful all-suites resort next to South Mountain Park is home to Oasis, one of the largest water parks in the country, and one of the Valley's more challenging golf courses. Modern but warm, it's a good match in a place called the Valley of the Sun. Ideal for families, this massive property feels like a true getaway, even though it sits just off I--10. Enjoy a four-story sports center, spa, multiple restaurants, tennis, horseback riding, and mountain biking.

Arizona's largest resort has an immense entryway with floor-to-ceiling windows that allow the sandstone lobby, the Sonoran Desert, and the resort's amazing water features to meld together perfectly. This sprawling and busy property includes 4 acres of water fun with water slides and a popular "lazy river," where you can float the day away on an inner tube. Young 'uns love the kids' program, while adults can rejuvenate at Revive Spa or tee off at the on-site golf courses. Each elegantly decorated room has a balcony or patio.

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright's colleague Albert Chase McArthur, the Biltmore has been Phoenix's premier resort since it opened in 1929. The lobby, with its stained-glass skylights, wrought-iron pilasters, and cozy sitting alcoves, fills with piano music each evening. Guest rooms are large, with chic urban furnishings that serve as a complement to the resort's distinctive architecture. The Biltmore sits on 39 impeccably manicured acres of cool fountains, open walkways, and colorful flowerbeds.

Home of the Tournament Players Club Stadium golf course and the Phoenix Open, this resort covers 450 breathtakingly landscaped acres of desert. Well & Being, one of the top spa spots in the country, has a dramatic rooftop pool, and kids love the fishing pond. Rooms are done in a chic blend of contemporary styles, as are the Fairmont Gold hotel-within-a-hotel boutique rooms. Service is what you'd expect at a resort of this caliber: excellent and unobtrusive. It is also home to the acclaimed Bourbon Steak restaurant.

Conveniently located just off the intersection of 24th Street and Camelback Road, this four-story hotel is great for business travelers, with spacious and accommodating rooms appointed with comfortable yet modern furnishings. Breakfast and Wi-Fi are free.

On 6 acres of lushly landscaped desert, the Hermosa is a blessedly peaceful alternative to some of the larger resorts nearby. This boutique hotel's ranch-style lodge was the home and studio of cowboy artist Lon Megargee in the 1930s; today the adobe structure houses Lon's at the Hermosa, justly popular for its New American cuisine. Villas as big as private homes and individually decorated casitas hold an enviable collection of Western art.

When it originally opened in 1956, this hotel was a hangout for celebrities, including Natalie Wood, Robert Wagner, and Tony Curtis, but it remains a hot spot today, especially the main pool. The hotel has been restored to its former '50s fabulousness, and the rooms don't disappoint with retro furnishings and styling.

Built on 125 acres in the mid-1930s and gorgeously renovated to keep its cowboy character, this hacienda-style resort remains top-notch and was the first JW Marriott ever established. Grounds are gloriously adorned with stunning cacti and desert flowers. Rooms are spacious and elegant with luxury amenities and private patios.

This luxury resort brings a touch of the Mediterranean to Paradise Valley with its exquisite dark furnishings and light stone work, impeccable Joya Spa, pool pavilion, and Spanish-inspired wedding chapel. Spacious rooms feature luxurious bathrooms with sunken tubs, large balconies, feather beds, and handmade Moroccan light fixtures. The hotel's restaurant, Prado, has a superb mix of Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine, while the Kasbah pool is another heavenly place to watch the Paradise Valley sunset.

One of the city's architectural marvels, this Downtown Marriott has an appealing mix of classic comfort and modern accommodations. Spacious rooms are designed for the business traveler, and are relatively quiet and well lit, with large desks and ergonomic desk chairs. They're also convenient for pro baseball and basketball fans as well as theater- and concertgoers.

Popular with the Spring Training and bachelor/bachelorette party crowd, the Scott---both trendy and eco-friendly---is a place built for fun. Dip your toes in the sand-bottom pool, toss back a drink or two, and relax. Rooms are done in pleasing contemporary-beach decor and have crisp linens, cozy bathrobes, and brand-name bath amenities.

The culture and heritage of the Pima and Maricopa tribes are reflected in every aspect of this tranquil property on the grounds of the Gila River Indian community, 11 miles south of Sky Harbor Airport. Guest rooms are detailed with Native American art and textiles, and Kai Restaurant, one of Arizona's best, combines Southwestern and Native American culinary traditions. Families enjoy the Koli Center for on-site equestrian activities and the kids-oriented activity pool. A 2½-mile replica of the Gila River meanders through the property; you can take a boat to the Whirlwind Golf Clubhouse or the nearby Wild Horse Pass Casino. Keep your eyes open for the wild horses for which the resort is named—or keep them comfortably closed at the Aji Spa.

The grande dame of Downtown Phoenix hotels has positioned itself as the go-to residence of convention goers, but its service and proximity to sports and arts venues make it desirable for leisure travelers as well. Rooms feature all the mod cons associated with a convention-caliber hotel, with the generous addition of unobstructed views of the Valley.

A handsome, casual lobby and an energetic young staff set the tone at this three-story courtyard hotel with comfortable, Southwestern-style rooms. Between the Arizona State University campus and Old Town Tempe, this is a convenient place to stay if you're attending ASU sports events.

A taste of youthful but sophisticated elegance, this hot-spot hotel in the heart of Scottsdale's shopping and social scene caters to the wants and needs of the fashionable but fickle traveler with "Whatever/Whenever" service that provides guests with anything they want ("as long as it's legal!"). Live like a celebrity in the top-notch bars and lounges, or lie low at the posh pool or Away Spa—all things that make this a metropolitan desert oasis. If you're looking to hang your hat somewhere modern, hip, and downright fabulous, look no further.

Built in 1918 as a retreat for executives of the Goodyear Company, the grand Wigwam maintains its historical character while delivering a modern-day luxury experience. The expansive property can be traversed by chauffeured golf carts, and features great golf, tennis, and a fantastic spa.