Top 20 Cool and Unusual Hotels in Phoenix 2023

Phoenix, Arizona is a vibrant metropolis nestled in vast surreally beautiful desert landscapes where there’s an increasing amount of trendy places to explore and discover.

Head to Arcadia one of the hippest neighborhoods in the city for innovative contemporary eateries, coffee shops, independent stores, or the art district Roosevelt Row for art galleries, trendy restaurants, hip bars, boutique shops, and colorful street art.

Looking for somewhere a little different to stay? Here are our favorite cool and unusual hotels to stay in Phoenix, Arizona (in no particular order)…

1. The Hermosa Inn, Biltmore Area – a unique and beautifully decorated upscale boutique hotel which dates from the 1930s

Just below the Phoenix Mountains Preserve is the historic luxury boutique hideaway Hermosa Inn. It was originally constructed in the 1930s by artist Lon Megargee as a desert retreat for inspiration and tranquillity.

Since then, it has been rebuilt and expanded many times and now includes 43 hacienda-style guestrooms and casitas spread through lush, landscaped desert gardens. The main building houses a restaurant, bars, and lounges.

There’s a separate spa and fitness center and a magnificent pool with an adjoining hot tub in the manicured gardens.

The casitas are individually decorated in a warm, Southwestern style with fireplaces, secluded patios, vaulted ceilings, and more than a hint of Mexican color. A truly relaxing, delicious place to stay.

• To book, check prices or availability for The Hermosa Inn, Biltmore Area

2. Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort – a hip, and very Instagrammable resort with waterslides, a swim-up bar and the wow-factor! 

Located on the banks of the Arizona Canal, opposite the famous Biltmore Golf Course is this grande dame of a resort hotel. Originally constructed in 1929 the Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort has played host to numerous celebrities and politicians over the past 100 years. An opulent and elegant architectural gem, it oozes chic sophistication from every pore.

There are guest rooms, suites, villas, even entire cottages all beautifully designed and furnished in Southwestern style with art deco streaming through.

Arizona Biltmore is all about the complete resort experience with seven swimming pools, bars, restaurants, a spa and fitness center, a ballroom, and two exquisite golf courses. This is an authentically great hotel in every way.

• To book, check prices or availability for Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

3. FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel – a cool, hip and art-filled hotel perfect for partying Millennials and Gen Zs  

On the corner of Margaret T. Hance Park is the quirkily named FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel, an art boutique hotel with inspiration and comfort in the heart of Downtown – and an enormous portrait of Burt Reynolds naked in a blond wig.

This modern building, just a few minutes walk from Phoenix Art Museum and Phoenix Convention Center, is hip and bursting with art.

Industrial-chic rooms feature iron beams and concrete floors, some have patios or balconies. A lively restaurant with an open kitchen serves local produce, beers, and wines.

Other amenities include an outdoor pool, a poolside bar, a gym and even its own art gallery. It’s all very arty and very comfortable.

• To book, check prices or availability for FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel

4. Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, Scottsdale – a sleek, chic and sexy design resort set on 53 acres of land

An extraordinarily beautifully designed modern resort and spa nestled within the inspiring landscapes of Camelback Mountain. The Sanctuary Camelback Mountain sits in 53 acres of peaceful, exotic desert landscape with buildings like art installations rising from the rocks.

There are rooms, suites, casitas, and villas all immaculately styled and furnished to create an enveloping ambiance of luxury, calm, and relaxation.

There is plenty to do outside the resort or you can stay put and make the most of swimming pools, tennis courts, biking, hiking, walking, and the gorgeous spa with a fitness center and movement studio.

To end the day, try some ultra-stylish dining on a deck over the desert beneath the crisp night stars.

• To book, check prices or availability for Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, Scottsdale

5. Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix – a chic, fun and trendy urban retreat housed in set an impressive Phoenix high rise 

In the heart of Downtown Phoenix is the very good-looking Kimpton Hotel Palomar directly above the Cityscape Shopping Centre complex. A little bleak on the outside this hotel makes up for it on the inside with a riot of tasteful color schemes and quirky furnishings.

The rooms are sleek, big, and comfortably sophisticated with fabulous views across the city. There are random pieces of good art and quirky objets d’art cleverly curated to add warmth and humor.

For the ultimate relaxation, there’s the frankly lovely third-floor rooftop pool with cabanas and a bar resting like a small oasis in this vast desert-city landscape.

• To book, check prices or availability for Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix

6. RISE Uptown – a hip, retro-inspired hotel with trendy vintage-inspired rooms and a coo vibe

A funky, not big not small, hotel with 79 guest rooms, a poolside bar, rooftop cocktail lounge, pop stand, and hometown coffee shop. RISE Uptown’s two hotel buildings have been artfully restored to their mid-century glory.

Featuring sleek floor-to-ceiling windows and a signature soaring zigzag roofline, these former offices now house a delightful, fun hotel with essences of Arizona style.

The rooms are bright, clean, and well-equipped, some have balconies and fire pits; all have a 20th-century retro twang. The rooftop pool and bar are really great; cheerful, relaxed, and welcoming.

This whole place is a perfect retreat from the city streets whilst being perfectly placed for the mix of Uptown cultural, performance, and sporting venues.

• To book, check prices or availability for RISE Uptown Phoenix

7. Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel – a cool, retro-chic and unique design hotel that comes with a cocktail lounge and a rooftop pool

From the street, this huge metal box that is Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel gives no glimpse of the variety within. Much of this hotel is in a warm, super-funky, vibrant style with rough wood, art, and exciting-colored furnishings, whereas other parts are the corporate beige and grey squares you’d expect to find in a big hotel.

The guest rooms are no exception; some are a bit funky, and others are a bit more reserved. This mixed effect might horrify some interior designers, but it actually works very well by softening the staid corporate designs and tempering the hip and trendy.

Renaissance is everything you’d expect – there’s a fitness center, heated rooftop pool, and restaurants – with these quirks thrown in to make you smile.

• To book, check prices or availability for Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel

8. Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Biltmore – an upscale and sophisticated hotel located in a prestigious area that offers fine dining and chic shops

For southwestern hospitality on a grand scale, it’s difficult to beat the Embassy Suites Phoenix  Biltmore. The style is well matched to the upscale Biltmore neighborhood known for its shops and restaurants, and it’s convenient to downtown Phoenix, the airport, sports stadiums, universities, the casino and more.

The attention to detail makes this a spectacular stay in the desert, from the atrium full of tropical plants and winding waterways with koi fish to the perfectly cooked-to-order breakfasts.

The rooms are spacious with classic decor in natural shades with accents of deep blue and bright colors. Comfortable beds and amenities like a microwave, refrigerator, wet bar and coffeemaker help you feel at home, and suites include a complimentary evening reception beer, wine, and light snacks.

Guests can enjoy the outdoor lifestyle at the year-round outdoor pool and wind up the day at the Atrium Bar and Grill with its classic menu of bar food and drinks.

• To book, check prices or availability for Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Biltmore

9. Egyptian Motor Hotel BW Signature Collection – a hip, colorful and cool hotel featuring a creative retro interior ideal for Millennials and Gen Zs

Fans of retro-cool in all its manifestations will love this restored historic 1950s motor inn with an outdoor entertainment venue and hip rooms with vintage-inspired decor and furnishings. There’s even an acoustic guitar in selected rooms to help you get in the swing of things, plus a private patio or balcony overlooking the live music.

The downtown location in the Grand Avenue Arts District makes it convenient to reach popular destinations like the Westgate Entertainment District and the Phoenix Science Museum.

Besides the music, the Chilte restaurant is a major draw, with its locally sourced, artisanal street food made famous by pop-up food trucks around Phoenix.

• To book, check prices or availability for Egyptian Motor Hotel BW Signature Collection

10. The Camby, Autograph Collection – a chic, sophisticated and very Instagrammable hotel set in the upscale Biltmore neighborhood

The Camby is a grand venue perfect for weddings and conferences conveniently close to central Phoenix Papago Park. A very dignified hotel in the fashionable Camelback East district of Phoenix.

This grand old lady could do with a little updating here and there, but she still manages to promenade with style through the hot desert landscape.

A massive white block of a building with truly wonderful views across the city and valleys to the mountains beyond, The Camby comfortably dominates its position in the landscape.

Inside there’s plenty of white marble and glossed architraves. The rooms and suites are unintentionally retro and there’s a small outdoor pool with a nice bar to relax and escape from the heat.

• To book, check prices or availability for The Camby, Autograph Collection

11. The Clarendon Hotel and Spa – a funky, upbeat and fun boutique hotel based in the heart of Phoenix which gives easy access to local attractions such as the Heard Museum

There are cool hotels and then there’s the Clarendon Hotel and Spa, a cannabis-friendly 21+ boutique hotel with EV charging stations and murals and artwork by local artists highlighting the surrounding communities. It’s close to the Biltmore Fashion Park with theater and shopping, and the Midtown location puts you close to everything.

Bright eclectic decor reflects the spirit of Phoenix, combining the solid comfort of leather sofas with bright modern furniture and artwork and some seriously well-crafted woodwork.

Rooms combine minimalist chic with bright art highlights and come equipped with comfortable beds and free snacks and drinks. Guests can pick up breakfast burritos at the front desk and enjoy the Latin fusion menu at the Fuego Bistro.

Enjoy the luxury of desert life at Lazy Bee HydroSpa or the heated Oasis pool with cabanas where you can spend the day. The SkyDeck is the place to watch the sun go down and dance the night away.

• To book, check prices or availability for The Clarendon Hotel and Spa

12. Sonder at Hance Park – a relaxed and intimate boutique aparthotel located in Phoenix downtown

If you like to travel with all the comforts at hand, the furnished studio and one-bedroom apartments from Sonder at Hance Park in Midtown Phoenix will be your home away from home. Beautifully designed and furnished with southwestern flair in pastel shades of sky and sand, they come with all necessities like Chromecast TV, in-suite laundry, kitchenette, BBQ grills, and your own balcony or patio to enjoy the desert sunset.

Head down to the pool in the palm tree-lined courtyard, or check out the hip art galleries, boutiques and eateries on nearby Roosevelt Row. Also nearby are Copper Square, Phoenix Convention Center, the Phoenix Art Museum, Heard Museum and Arizona State University.

Or take the light rail to the downtown Phoenix business district, or the dining, nightlife, and entertainment scene.

• To book, check prices or availability for Sonder at Hance Park 

13. Tru By Hilton Phoenix Glendale Westgate – a relaxed hotel with a trendy contemporary design located between the Westgate Entertainment District and State Farm Stadium

With a cheerful open decor in the colors of the Arizona desert and sky and located near the Westgate Entertainment District, State Farm Stadium and Phoenix Convention Center, Tru by Hilton Phoenix Glendale is a fun and comfortable place to stay whether you’re here for work or play.

Breeze through the digital check-in to your room with southwestern-inspired design, linger over the board games in the lobby or take a refreshing swim in the outdoor swimming pool under an endless blue sky.

You may not even want to leave your room with its large HDTV, queen-sized Serta mattress and tons of natural light, but the Tanger Outlet stores are just a short walk away.

In the mornings there’s free breakfast and free coffee, hot chocolate and tea all day in the lobby.

• To book, check prices or availability for Tru By Hilton Phoenix Glendale Westgate

14. Cambria Hotel Downtown Phoenix – a hip and quirky-chic hotel with a cool rooftop bar and vibrant murals wet in the Roosevelt Row Arts District

An inspiring arts hotel centrally located in the Downtown district with big, cool, comfortable rooms and a wading pool on the roof. The Cambria is tastefully designed and furnished to capture the bright desert skies in a subtle coolness that ends up feeling casually comfortable.

They have cleverly used color, shape, and fun local art to produce a relaxed ambiance.

Guest rooms are enhanced with pastel murals complementing broad city views.

After sunset, cocktails, and nibbles around the rooftop pool, there’s a full restaurant and bar, and a small fitness center, and it’s located just minutes from Roosevelt Row Arts District and amenities of Downtown Phoenix for a simply great night out.

• To book, check prices or availability for Cambria Hotel Downtown Phoenix

15. Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak, Lower North – an impressive all-suite hotel set in stunning 27-acres of nature in the Phoenix Mountain Preserve

Formerly known as Point Hilton Squaw Peak Resort, because it sits close to the scenic foothills of Piestewa Peak Park, this is a lovely, big waterpark resort with a huge outdoor pool, lazy river, waterslide, and even a baby pool.

There is also mini-golf, tennis courts, and a spa and salon for when you don’t want to get wet. Guest rooms and suites are simple, slightly nicer than functional, holiday resort style, and many come with balconies.

The real joy at Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak is to leave the room and enjoy the warm climate, waterpark, good dining, and other amenities on site. This is a perfect place to get outside, relax and have fun with friends or family or take a unique break in Phoenix. 

• To book, check prices or availability for Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak, Lower North

16. Royal Palms Resort and Spa, Scottsdale – a romantic hideaway in Phoenix with the rustic splendor of a Mediterranean villa

For the full, luxury hacienda experience this Hyatt resort next to Camelback Mountain exudes Spanish ambiance from every crevice.

Originally built in the 1920s as a winter retreat in the sweeping desert landscape it now hosts pools, a spa, and top-class dining in a staggeringly beautiful collection of villa-type buildings in manicured grounds.

Every part of the Royal Palms Resort and Spa, Scottsdale is reminiscent of an elegant Spanish Colonial-style estate, each of the 119 rooms at Royal Palms Resort and Spa offers unique historic touches. Spaces feature European furniture and boast stunning views of the mountains or lush courtyard gardens.

Six villas provide grand outdoor patios, stone floors, and crackling fireplaces. When you’re looking to explore beyond the walls, it’s just a short distance to the Old Town and Desert Botanical Garden.

• To book, check prices or availability for Royal Palms Resort and Spa, Scottsdale

17. AC Hotel by Marriott Phoenix Downtown, Tempe – a modern Phoenix hotel with a relaxed vibe

On the southern bank of the Salt River, a part that’s dammed to create the picturesque Tempe Lake, is a small modern development of white apartment and office blocks, one of which is AC Hotel by Marriott.

The simple, minimalist exterior is continued with a simple minimalist interior of white, wood and beige. All incredibly unfussy and surprisingly calming as an escape from the dusty Phoenix heat.

There’s the usual choice of guest rooms – some have serene lake views and private balconies – and good small plate food from the bar. For an invigorating swim and delightful views, head up to the little rooftop pool. You can also gaze at the skyline from the fitness center.

• To book, check prices or availability for AC Hotel by Marriott Phoenix Downtown, Tempe

18. Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, South Mountain – a chic upscale resort with a rugged mountain backdrop in South Phoenix 

On the very edge of the South Mountain Park and Preserve is the huge all-suite Arizona Grand Resort & Spa. There are 744 guest suites and villas, ranging from one to three bedrooms, each decked out in a homely, comfortable fashion with touches of light, bright Southwestern desert styling.

Two bars, two restaurants, and a café serve everything from savory steaks and seafood to authentic Mexican fare.

There’s a mature, staggeringly beautiful golf course that stretches around the base of the mountains and an extensive spa with a long list of treatments for when you can’t swing those clubs anymore.

When it comes to fitness there are 20,000 sq ft of full athletic resources available and, if all this is too overwhelming, there’s a frankly massive 7-acre waterpark with somewhere for everyone to play.

• To book, check prices or availability for Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, South Mountain

19. Hilton Garden Inn, Phoenix Downtown – an upscale elegant restaurant with art deco-inspired decor

There are four Hilton Garden Inns around Phoenix, this one is exceptional. A soaring 12-story structure, built in 1932, it originally housed the Valley National Bank for decades. It was converted to a hotel in 2015 and the designers have kept as much of the 1930s art deco look as possible outdoors and indoors.

There are beautiful art deco marble floors, a very grand lobby with magnificent high columns, wrought-iron details everywhere, and even the original bronze elevator doors.

Sadly, the guest rooms have not benefitted from the deco styling but, because there aren’t many tall buildings in Downtown Phoenix, the views from the higher rooms can be spectacular. If you do one thing, visit the rooftop deck at sunset.

• To book, check prices or availability for Hilton Garden Inn, Phoenix Downtown

20. Aloft Phoenix Airport – a cool and funky airport hotel

Conveniently close to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Aloft Phoenix-Airport Hotel knows exactly what it is and simply tries to make your stopover as enjoyable as possible for the short time you are there.

Decorated in a cheerful, modern style with the occasional splash of color, this hotel is an honest, comfortable place to rest before or after a flight.

There’s a small 24-hour market for snacks and necessities, and a little bar for craft drinks, a refreshing outdoor pool, and a 24-hour fitness center.

If you are staying longer, it is easy to access the top local attractions like Sun Devil Stadium, and Desert Botanical Gardens. Aloft also run a shuttle service to the airport for when you finally need to wave goodbye to this beautiful desert city.

• To book, check prices or availability for Aloft Phoenix Airport Hotel

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