Phoenix, the state capital of Arizona, attracts tourists during the fall and winter for its moderate temperatures in the colder months. The Greater Phoenix area offers chances for outdoor activities, such as mountain climbing and hiking on Camelback Mountain, and a vibrant nightlife in Tempe's Mill Avenue, which draws students from nearby Arizona State University. Vacationers can find hotels within 15 to 30 minutes of these sites, and the 19th and early-20th architecture in Old Town Scottsdale.
Situated in downtown Phoenix, the historic, luxurious Hotel San Carlos has been servicing the downtown district since 1928, making it one of the oldest hotels in the Greater Phoenix area. The hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The hotel offers dining at three adjacent restaurants: Ghost, Cafe Bistro 202 and Seamus McCaffrey's Irish Pub, which serves Gaelic cuisine for lunch and dinner. The hotel also is within walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants on Central Avenue, including Italian dining at Cafe Roma and Focaccia Fiorentina. This hotel is ideal for business travelers, who may be attending a conference at the Phoenix Convention Center, which has over 900,000 square feet of meeting space. The convention center is within walking distance of the hotel. Other downtown attractions within 10 minutes of the hotel include historic Dodge Theater and the U.S. Airways Center, home of the Phoenix Suns basketball team.
Hotel San Carlos
202 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
866-253-4121
hotelsancarlos.com
The Grace Inn is in southern Phoenix, right off the Maricopa Freeway, and is only a five-minute drive from hiking and mountain climbing opportunities at Phoenix's South Mountain Park. This 18,500-acre recreation area also has an equestrian center, Ponderosa Stables, and offers visitors with chances for guided horseback riding tours. The hotel is also a 15-minute drive from the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and the 18-hole Papago Golf Course. The Mills Avenue District in Tempe is only a 15-minute drive from the hotel, and features night clubs, restaurants, the Tempe Center for the Arts and recreational opportunities at the Tempe Town Lake and Beach Park. The Grace Inn hotel features an outdoor swimming pool in a tropical courtyard setting and two on-site restaurants: Matthew's and BG's Lounge. Massage therapies and body treatments are available at the hotel's Sundance Spa and Salon.
Grace Inn Phoenix
10831 S. 51st St.
Phoenix, AZ 85044
800-843-6010
graceinn.com
The Bell Hotel, located in northern Phoenix, features an outdoor swimming pool in a courtyard with palm trees and tropical flowers. A complimentary continental breakfast is included in the room rates, which begin at $49 per night, as of fall 2010. Pets may stay for an additional fee. Families who stay at the hotel are only a 10-minute drive from the Castles 'N Coasters amusement park, which features roller coaster rides and dining options. The amusement park is right next to the Metrocenter Mall, which also provides restaurants, as well as shopping opportunities at Macy's, Dillards and Sears. Outdoor recreation is only a 20-minute drive from the hotel at Lookout Mountain. This urban peak offers hiking trails with scenic views of Phoenix and nearby natural landmarks, including Camelback Mountain. University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals football team, is in Glendale, Arizona, only a 25-minute drive from the hotel. The stadium can be accessed via the Black Canyon Freeway and the Aqua Fria Freeway.
Bell Hotel and Suites
17211 N. Black Canyon Highway
Phoenix, AZ 85023
877-747-8713
magnusonhotels.com
