Where To Stay In Scottsdale, Arizona (The Best Hotels & The Best Areas)
Planning A Trip To Scottsdale, Arizona And Wondering Where To Stay And What Hotels To Stay At In This Desert City?
I spent a combined total of 12+ years living in the Scottsdale area (in a few different parts of the city), and while you can’t really go wrong with any Scottsdale neighborhood, these are some of the best and most convenient areas to stay for visitors and the best hotels in each of them.
🌟 Quick Guide On Where To Stay In Scottsdale, Arizona
🎩 Best Luxury Stay In Scottsdale: The Phoenician
🤑 Best Budget-Friendly Hotel: Hyatt Place
🤫 Quieter/Calmer Area: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
🤠 Closest To Cave Creek: JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
⛳️ Closest To Scottsdale Events: Hilton Garden Inn
🏜️ Scottsdale: Where To Stay Travel Guide
Basically all of Scottsdale is safe, so no matter where you stay, you really can’t go wrong in this city (this doesn’t include Phoenix or other surrounding cities), but these are some of the best areas for visitors here:
Old Town Scottsdale
Old Town Scottsdale is by far one of the most popular areas for visitors to stay in Scottsdale, because it’s got a cute and quaint main street, it’s closer to the Phoenix and Tempe areas, and there are lots of hiking spots (particularly Camelback Mountain), golf courses, malls, and restaurants nearby.
Best Hotels In Old Town Scottsdale:
- W Scottsdale
- 4⭐ hotel
- luxury hotel right in Old Town
- The Phoenician (pictured above)
- 5⭐ luxury hotel
- high end resort at the base of Camelback Mountain with spectacular rooms, staff, and views
- Hyatt House
- 3⭐ hotel
- mid-range hotel with small kitchens in the room
- Canopy By Hilton
- 4⭐ hotel
- higher end hotel with great reviews, beautiful rooms, and a friendly staff
Kierland
The Kierland area is located straight up Scottsdale Road from Old Town Scottsdale, about 20 to 25 minutes to the north. I remember when this area wasn’t much back in the day, but now it’s a very nice, walkable area with lots of shops and restaurants around.
Best Hotels In Kierland:
- The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa (pictured above)
- 4⭐ hotel
- top rated higher end hotel within walking distance of everything in Kierland
- Residence Inn
- 3⭐ hotel
- mid range hotel just a block from the main Kierland Commons area, plus rooms have kitchens
North Scottsdale
North Scottsdale is my personal favorite part of this city because it’s where I’ve spent the most time living and I feel the most comfortable.
It’s also great because it’s where a number of Scottsdale’s biggest events are held (the Phoenix Open (pictured above), the Arabian Horse Show, and the Barrett-Jackson for example), and it’s close to good hiking and good restaurants (one of my favorite organic restaurants is located here).
Best Hotels In North Scottsdale:
- Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
- 5⭐ hotel
- luxury hotel located just north of the Kierland area (my favorite thing about this resort as a kid was the lazy river pool :))
- Hilton Garden Inn
- 3⭐ hotel
- mid range hotel in a perfect location for the Waste Management Phoenix Open
- Hyatt Place
- 3⭐ hotel
- mid range hotel closer to the Scottsdale Road and 101 area, but still within walking distance of shops and restaurants
Desert Ridge
Desert Ridge is located just a little further northwest of the North Scottsdale area and it’s a great place for visitors because there are lots of stores and restaurants within walking distance, plus it’s closer to the western town of Cave Creek and closer for those continuing to drive up to Sedona or the Grand Canyon.
Best Hotels In Desert Ridge:
- JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
- 4⭐ hotel
- high end hotel, resort, and golf course
- Cambria Hotel
- 3⭐ hotel
- mid range hotel within walking distance of the Desert Ridge mall area
- Marriott’s Canyon Villas
- 4⭐ hotel
- high end hotel in the Desert Ridge area with great outdoor amenities, even free bikes
A Few Other Honorable Mentions
While the four neighborhoods listed above are some of the best for those visiting the area because of their convenience (being able to walk to shops and restaurants, and nearby attractions), these are a few other neighborhoods that are also really nice and worth checking out when searching for a place to stay:
➡️ McCormick Ranch / Gainey Ranch
The McCormick and Gainey Ranch areas are located right next to each other, in between Old Town Scottsdale and the Kierland/North Scottsdale areas. I always loved this area because the big Eucalyptus trees that make it feel more like California.
- Sonesta Suites – 3⭐ hotel
- Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort – 4⭐ hotel
- The Scottsdale Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton (pictured above) – 4⭐ hotel
➡️ Paradise Valley / Biltmore
Paradise Valley is the furthest west of the suggestions and although it technically has a Phoenix address, it sits right alongside Scottsdale.
- Embassy Suites by Hilton – 3⭐ hotel
- AC Hotel Phoenix Biltmore – 3⭐ hotel
- The Global Ambassador – 5⭐ hotel
☀️ When To Visit Scottsdale, Arizona
During certain times of the year, Scottsdale gets outrageously busy, causing some pretty outrageous hotel prices.
Summer time in Arizona is definitely going to be the least crowded time to visit, while spring and winter are the most crowded. Fall can be a good time to get cheaper prices and potentially slightly cooler weather.
Typical Hotel Rates:
- on average, as much as $400 a night in summer and up to $4,000 in winter at fancier hotels (like The Princess and The Phoenician)
- mid range hotels cost on average $100 a night in summer and $250 in winter
- you might also be able to find Airbnb’s or VRBO’s around $75 a night in the summer and somewhere in the range of $150-350 (plus fees) in the winter
*during winter/spring event season, plan and reserve as early as possible; places fill up fast and I’ve heard of rentals going all the way up to $6,000 a week
🔁 Sum Up: Scottsdale Where To Stay Travel Guide
Pretty much all of Scottsdale, Arizona is nice and safe, so where to stay depends on personal preference and what plans you have during your visit. One of the most popular places to stay is the Old Town Scottsdale neighborhood which is very convenient for a number of activities here, but I personally prefer the North Scottsdale or Kierland areas which are closer to some of the city’s most popular events, plus good hikes and the western town of Cave Creek.
