Hotels in Phoenix

Phoenix: Desert Metropolis of the Sonoran Basin

Phoenix, the capital of Arizona, sits at 1,086 feet elevation in the Sonoran Desert, 116 miles south of Flagstaff and 370 miles east of Los Angeles. Founded in 1868 along the Salt River, it has grown into the fifth-largest city in the United States, with 1.6 million residents and over 300 days of sunshine annually. The South Mountain Park — at 16,000 acres one of the largest municipal parks in North America — anchors the southern edge of the city, while Camelback Mountain rises 2,704 feet in the northeast, dividing the upscale Arcadia and Paradise Valley neighborhoods.

Where to Stay in Phoenix

Hotels concentrate in three main corridors: Downtown Phoenix near Chase Field and the Phoenix Convention Center; Scottsdale Road in neighboring Scottsdale, lined with resorts targeting golf and spa travelers; and the Biltmore District, anchored by the Arizona Biltmore (opened 1929, designed under Frank Lloyd Wright's influence). Budget chains cluster along I-10 near the airport, roughly 3 miles south of downtown.

Practical Tips

• Climate: Summer highs regularly exceed 110°F (43°C) from June through August; October–April offers mild 70s°F weather.
• Getting around: The Valley Metro Light Rail runs 28 miles connecting downtown, Tempe, and Mesa — no car needed along that corridor.
• Airport: Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) sits 3 miles east of downtown, roughly 10–15 minutes by taxi or light rail.
• Pack accordingly: Sunscreen and hydration are non-negotiable even in spring.