Phoenix is the capital and most populous city of Arizona, spread across a wide desert valley where mountain peaks rise between low-rise neighbourhoods and arterial roads. Distances are large and the heat is real, so the area you choose as a base shapes how much of your trip you spend in a car.
For a visitor, the useful mental map is a set of distinct pockets rather than one continuous centre: downtown and midtown Phoenix, the Camelback and Biltmore corridor, the airport corridor to the east, and the northern and western edges of the valley. This guide covers which of those areas to base yourself in, what each is like, and which suits different kinds of traveller.
Best areas to stay in Phoenix
1. Downtown Phoenix
Downtown is the most central base, with the light rail running through it and the Convention Center, Cityscape shopping and entertainment centre and the Heard Museum area within reach. It suits first-time visitors who want to be in the middle of things and travellers who prefer to walk or use transit rather than drive everywhere.
You find a mix of boutique, historic and full-service places here, including hotels near a Phoenix light rail station and others across the street from the Convention Center. Note that some downtown properties sit along Van Buren Street to the east of the core, which is a short ride rather than a stroll from the main blocks.
2. Midtown Phoenix
Midtown runs north of downtown along Central Avenue, taking in the Midtown Museum District and the area around the Heard Museum. It suits visitors who want a quieter base than downtown while staying close to the centre, and those relying on the Central Avenue corridor.
Accommodation here leans to mid-range and independent boutique properties, including places in the Museum District. The trade-off is that you are on an arterial avenue, so you will generally drive or take transit to reach individual sights rather than walk between them.
3. Camelback and Biltmore area
The Camelback corridor along Camelback Road, including the Biltmore area, sits between Piestewa Peak and Camelback Mountain, with the upscale Biltmore Fashion Park shopping area at its centre. It suits travellers who want resort-style surroundings, mountain views and dining, and it is a common choice for a splurge stay.
This is where you find high-end resorts and luxury hotels, some set along the smaller mountains between the two larger peaks and others at the base of Camelback Mountain between the Biltmore area and downtown Scottsdale. Expect to drive for almost everything; the area is spread out and not walkable in the way downtown is.
4. Airport corridor and east Phoenix
The area around Sky Harbor International Airport, along the 44th Street corridor, is practical rather than scenic. It suits travellers with early flights, short stopovers or a one-night stay, and anyone who values an easy airport transfer over being near the sights.
You find mid-range and extended-stay properties here, several offering complimentary airport shuttles and breakfast. It is roughly ten minutes from the airport to midtown, so it can work as a base if you have a car, but it is not within walking distance of the main visitor areas.
5. North Phoenix
North Phoenix stretches along the I-17 and Black Canyon Highway corridors, including the Happy Valley and Pinnacle Peak Road area and the stretch near the Phoenix Mayo Clinic. It suits travellers visiting for medical appointments, families who want suite-style accommodation, and drivers heading further north.
Accommodation is largely mid-range and extended-stay, with suites that include fully equipped kitchens and on-site pools. The practical point is distance: this area is well north of downtown, so it only makes sense as a base if your plans are in the north of the valley or you are comfortable driving in.
6. West valley and Avondale
The western edge of the valley, around Avondale and Tolleson, is a suburban base well away from the central sights. It suits travellers with business or family reasons to be in the west, and those who want lower-key surroundings with easy parking.
You find mid-range chain hotels and suite properties with pools, fitness centres and business facilities. Treat this as a car-dependent base; it is not connected to the downtown sights in any convenient walking sense.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: hostels with private rooms, simple motor-inn style properties and basic chain hotels, often on the edges of the valley or along the main approach roads.
- Mid-range: chain hotels and all-suite properties, frequently with a pool, free breakfast, internet access and sometimes an airport shuttle; common downtown, in midtown, near the airport and in the north and west valley.
- Splurge: resorts and luxury or boutique hotels, including historic landmarks, properties with rooftop pools and mountain views, and resorts with golf, spas and water parks, concentrated in the Camelback and Biltmore area and downtown.
Best area for a first visit
Downtown Phoenix is the best base for a first visit. It puts you in the middle of the city near a light rail station, with the Convention Center, Cityscape and the museum district within easy reach, and it offers the widest spread of accommodation styles from historic and boutique to full-service. From there you can reach the Camelback and Biltmore area or the airport corridor without committing to a suburban base for your whole stay.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car if I stay downtown?
Not necessarily. Downtown has a light rail station and several hotels sit within walking distance of it, which lets you move along the central corridor without driving. For sights outside that corridor, a car is more practical.
Which area is best if I have an early flight?
The airport corridor along 44th Street, where several hotels offer complimentary shuttles to and from Sky Harbor International Airport. It is a short transfer rather than a scenic base.
Where do resort-style stays cluster?
The Camelback and Biltmore area, between Piestewa Peak and Camelback Mountain, and at the base of Camelback Mountain toward Scottsdale. Downtown also has full-service and boutique options.
Is the west valley convenient for the central sights?
No. Avondale and Tolleson are suburban bases on the western edge of the valley and are car-dependent, so choose them only if your plans are in that part of the city.
Compare live prices for the area you have chosen with the booking tools on this page before you commit.