9 Best Hotels in Tucson, Arizona

In the historic, residential Sam Hughes neighborhood, this well-maintained inn just east of the university is within easy walking distance of shops and restaurants. The comfortable rooms in this 1933 adobe home vary in size and amenities. Some have beehive fireplaces and stained-glass windows, two have kitchenettes, and one is an upstairs suite with its own balcony. Breakfast dishes like Southwestern soufflés or blueberry pancakes, always served with fruit and muffins or scones, are enjoyed in a dining room overlooking the bougainvillea-draped pool area.

Although this quiet, friendly B&B is directly off the highway frontage road, it feels worlds away. The inn resembles a late-19th-century ranch house, but its soaring ceiling and contemporary Southwestern art make the interior distinctly modern. Western-theme rooms have a view of the gardens and the Santa Rita Mountains. A full, hot breakfast and afternoon wine are included.

A sprawling, 1970s-era hotel and conference center, the Doubletree sits directly across the street from Randolph Park, Tucson's best municipal golf course and tennis facilities, and Reid Park, which houses the city zoo, a lake with paddleboats, and numerous play areas. A pleasant jogging/walking trail encircles both parks. The hotel property is well tended though generic-looking.

A hidden gem in the Downtown district, the Clifton exudes cool, retro energy and delivers with spacious, attractive rooms that won't bust your budget.

A stone's throw away from campus, the Graduate is the newest and hippest hotel in the University area. The youthful, college-y vibe is felt from the lobby's coffee bar and lounge area, with multiple workstations, to the top (14th) floor, where you can soak in spectacular mountain-city-sunset views from both the rooftop pool and Moonstone, the hotel's swanky bar with a wraparound patio. 

Set in a chic shopping plaza filled with boutiques, galleries, good restaurants, and a weekend farmers' market, this all-suites hotel provides a range of amenities, including a complimentary hot breakfast daily, bicycles, and a complimentary happy hour every Wednesday. Each 500-square-foot suite has a small living room, wet bar, and two TVs. Choose a room with a view of the pool and fountain rather than the parking lot.

A charming hacienda-style hotel built in the 1930s offers modern comfort in an old-world setting. Many rooms have fireplaces and private patios, and the lovely gardens (croquet, anyone?) are a midtown oasis. A restaurant, bar, and meeting rooms are also on-site.

With the University of Arizona less than a block from the front door, this clean, albeit generic, Marriott hotel is a convenient base when visiting the campus. Recently renovated rooms are nicely furnished, and the staff are friendly. The open, atrium-filled lobby's small restaurant and bar provide a welcome stop after a long day of business or touring.

Originally the 1912 homestead of William and Mary Watson, this laid-back lodging with gorgeous city views and desert gardens has Southwestern character and all the amenities you expect at a major resort. The Watsons' original living room, with beautiful, dried ocotillo branches draped along the ceiling and antique furnishings, is now a comfortable library-lounge. The couple probably never envisioned anything like the Sonoran Spa, with hot desert-stone massages and three-mud body masks. Spacious rooms have wrought-iron beds and Mission-style furniture.