Phoenix Hotel Tips by dshinkle Top 5 Page for this destination

Wyndham Buttes Resort: Beautiful resort on a mountaintop

I have read a lot of bad things about the Buttes (usually too much noise from the nearby freeway and that it is a bit older), but I have always loved it's location. It is perched on a hill (a butte) overlooking Tempe and Phoenix. They were running a special so I decided to stay there last weekend and find out for myself.

I had a great time. The room was spacious and clean, there was no noise from the freeway that runs about 200 yards away, and the staff was very friendly.

This resort is all about the pool and the restaurants. The pool curves through the side of the mountain, so that as you sit at the pool you are looking down on the city and all the mountains. The view is stunning. There is a great bar next to the pool and you can order food right there. The prices are also very reasonable. At other resorts a margarita can cost $12.00. Here they were selling them at 2 for $5 (on a Saturday night even). And the burger I ordered poolside was so good I ordered another one the next day.

The restaurants here shine. Top of the Rock is considered one of the most romantic in Phoenix. I had the Sunday buffet at the Market Cafe. $14.00 with an incredible view.

And the best part about the resort is the location. Mill Ave is 2 miles away and downtown Phoenix is 10 minutes.

If you are looking for a nice resort that isn't too expensive, consider the Buttes.

Unique Qualities: * Luxurious, homelike rooms with spectacular views
* Three restaurants and three bars - including outdoor seating
* Free-form pool, 4 mountainside spas, sand volleyball, lighted tennis courts, jogging and biking trails and a fully equipped fitness center

Address: 2000 Westcourt Way, Tempe, Arizona 85282

Comparison: about average

Phone: 602-225-9000

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Hotel

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess: A perfect family resort

The Princess is a 5 star resort that is the perfect base for any north Scottsdale / Phoenix vacation.

If you are traveling with kids, this is a great place to stay. They have adult and kiddy pools, twin waterslides, swim up bars, and the pool is always a perfect temperature. At night they have a dive-in movie, where you float on inner tubes and watch a kid-oriented movie in the pool (when I went it was Toy Story 2).

In the summer they have deep discounts.

Next door are two TPC golf courses, which are also deeply discounted in the summer (just get an early T-time).

The neighborhood around it is beautiful desert and one of the richest areas of North Scottsdale. Great restaurants like Barcelona are nearby as is shoppling such as Desert Ridge and Kierland Commons. You can go for a walk up pinnacle peak, or arrange with the hotel for an amazing balloon ride or jeep trip (I recommend both).

Unique Qualities: The resort is on 450 acres, so there is plenty of desert beauty. We had the cheapest room there and it was a full suite with a great view of a lake and it looked brand new.

Address: 7575 E PRINCESS DRIVE, SCOTTSDALE AZ 85255

Comparison: more expensive than average

Price: US$80-120

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.fairmont.com/FA/en/CDA/Home/Hotels/AboutHotel/CDHotelHomePage/0%2C2993%2Cproperty%25255Fseq%253D100129%2C00.html