aceflyer2

If you are not there in the winter and can get it, the Kierland Villas are fantastic. Also, recently stayed at the Phoenician and it is in a different league. Can't say enough good things about this property. The rooms are old, but very well maintained. the 600 SF must include the balcony; they don't look that large.

remymartin

Thanks a lot - sounds like just what I need!

fwiw, the Phoenician was around 1,5k / nt - I don't know if that's the norm but that seems a bit "rich" for a layover

aceflyer2

Did an overnight stay there a while back. IMO, it's worth it ! This is an extraordinary property.

remymartin

Sheraton Downtown 149 vs Westin Downtown 259. Still worth it?

remymartin

I also found a really decent rate for the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass. It looks very scenic, but in a dead area. Considering I'm a first-timer anywhere in Arizona and there abouts, would I be better off downtown or somewhere scenic (but close to the airport, since this is a ~16h layover)?

MSPeconomist

The Sheraton is also close to the light rail line.

Do you mean downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale, or Tempe? They're very different but all have downtown areas with things to do.

Canyon Suites are elegant with large rooms, but the style might not appeal to everyone. I liked the smaller upscale hotel within a hotel while having the big pool, choice of restaurants, shops, etc. in the big main building. Don't miss the cactus garden, ideally the free tour of it. However, you should either have a car or plan not to leave the resort's campus. It's also close to the airport.

Scottsdale is huge in area; look at a local map if you don't believe me. The W and Phoenician are close to the airport, but other Scottsdale hotels aren't, such as the Hyatt at Gainey Ranch.

remymartin

Thanks MSPEconomist,

I guess I should rephrase my original question - where should a European stay in the Phoenix/Scottsdale/Tempe area for a 16 hour layover in between transit - no previous experience in AZ etc.

Looking at the prices for the night I will be there:

• Westin Downtown - $259
• Sheraton Downtown - $149
• The Canyon Suites - $1,409
• The Phoenician - $479 (Residences $1,649)
• aloft/4P Tempe - $129-139
• Sheraton Wild Horse Pass - $189
• Westin Kierland Resort - $409
• W Scottsdale - $314

I'd like to spend well under $300 and I have no intention of renting a car. Thoughts?

mbaker0936

I have only been in the Sheraton Lobby its only a block or two from the Westin so you will have the same experience I feel of downtown. (I have a stay booked at the Sheraton in April as the pricing is the same as you are saying)

With such a short layover (I assume 16 hours includes sleep time) I would do downtown with the light rail. Plan a trip and do Scottsdale over a long weekend sometime the Phoenician is worth it for a relaxing getaway and right by some great hiking.

02143

Wild Horse Pass is a lovely resort with some nice walking paths and restaurants. You are absolutely correct that it is isolated from the city by a few miles, but it's not too far from the airport (if not close.) It is scenic. If you don't want to rent a car, cost out a cab or shared van service... You would be fine staying on property for the whole time probably.

I don't think there's any real advantage to staying downtown, even though the Westin and Sheraton are both pleasant, with the Westin almost luxurious. Phoenix is one of those cities where the downtown is pretty empty and there is little to see after 5 PM. You won't get a "flavor" of life there, at least not in any good way. If you wanted to experience a lively downtown in Phoenix, staying in Scottsdale or Tempe would be better than the downtown of the actual city.

LISAA

+1. I really like the spa here.

MSPeconomist

Downtown Scottsdale and downtown Tempe are both lively, although Tempe is much younger as a university community and might be deserted during semester breaks. Scottsdale seems sophisticated and upscale, definitely adult (rather than family oriented). The W isn't really in the center of Scottsdale, although it's walkable. One unique attraction (for a European) is a museum of western art (which I don't like). There are other galleries and interesting boutiques. With a car, you could go to Talisen (spelling?) West, the Frank Lloyd Wright residence, studio, and school. I think there's a museum near the Sheraton/Westin in Phoenix but I've never been there; the area seems empty on evenings and weekends.

No car and under $300 limits the choices. Do you want to stay at the hotel and relax or go out for dinner/drinks and then again play tourist the next day? At what times do your flights arrive and depart?

BTW, I'm a bit surprised by the prices you found for the Phoenician. The hotel itself should have rooms of different categories, including some villas/suites down near the golf course. The Residences are really residential-style upscale serviced town homes; I'm surprised that they can be rented for one night. Rooms (not suites) at Canyon Suites shouldn't cost three times as much as rooms in the main building of the Phoenican, so there might be something strange with the inventory for your date.

remymartin

Thanks for your input!

I'll be there during Easter arriving in the evening and leaving before noon the next day. Especially it being a holiday and time being extremely limited, I'd rather see some locals than visit museums. I'm currently holding a booking at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix and the Wild Horse Pass (at a nice BRG rate). Looks like the latter is situated relatively near Tempe, so I could perhaps pop in for a quick visit in the evening.

Okto

If your primary criteria is to see some locals, I would vote for staying in either Tempe or Scottsdale. The choice in Tempe to be within walking distance of Mill Avenue / Arizona State University campus is the Aloft. Nothing to get excited about, nothing unique to AZ, but good location. Spring break at ASU is in mid-March, so downtown Tempe should be lively over Easter weekend in April since most students will be on campus.

In Scottsdale, the Phoenician is not within walking distance of anything. It is however, a beautiful, unique and memorable property with great service, and one of my favorite Starwood properties. That leaves us with the W Scottsdale. Nothing "Arizona" about it, but it's a decent hotel within walking distance to downtown Scottsdale.

The Sheraton Wild Horse Pass is a good 20-30 minutes away from downtown Tempe and the airport. It is also on the outer edge of town with not much around it, other than some outlet mall, a casino, and the freeway.
It's a nice resort on Indian land with a Southwestern feel to it, but nothing happening around it otherwise.

Downtown Phoenix will probably be close to dead over a holiday weekend, although, admittedly, I haven't been there over the weekend in quite a while.

porciuscato

My wife and I are thinking of going to Scottsdale for a romantic weekend getaway in early December. We are active (hiking, jogging, cycling, surfing, etc.)

I'm thinking of either the Westin or the Phoenician in Scottsdale. Any votes on these? Also, what do they do for Plats with the silly resort fees?

MSPeconomist

To me, the Phoenician is just a big modern hotel with apparently cookie cutter rooms, although it has a variety of facilities on the premises. Unless you insist on modern style, a room at the Canyon Suites would seem much more romantic.

Have you ruled out the Scottsdale W? Some would consider it romantic and it has nightlife in and around the place, unlike a resort compound where you pretty much stay within the property until checkout.

BTW I hope you're not planning to surf in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area unless you can somehow surf on the dirt in the dessert terrain. For other active sports, be aware of snakes and other wildlife hazards.