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League of Their Own
When it comes to choosing a home away from home while in town for Cactus League Spring Training, Phoenix delivers with a roster of stellar accommodations. Luxe resorts stacked with amenities? Check. One-of-a-kind boutique hotels? Check. Retro-modern motels all about the vibe? Check and check. Here are nine of the most unique lodging options in Phoenix for Cactus League fans.
Step back in time to the elegance of 1920s glamour at the legendary Arizona Biltmore. Built in 1929 in the architectural style of Frank Lloyd Wright, the Biltmore is an Arizona icon, in part because of its rich history, but also because of its past-meets-present amenities, from an esteemed golf course and accoladed restaurants to seven swimming pools.
It’s all about cool mid-century vibes at Egyptian Motor Hotel, a restored motor lodge in downtown Phoenix. The 1950s-era motel now presents as a hip homebase for guests who desire vintage charm paired with updated offerings, such as the vibrant on-site restaurant Chilte, a Mexican eatery that’s topped “best of” lists from the likes of Bon Appetit and Esquire magazines.
Artistic expression takes center stage at FOUND:RE Hotel Phoenix in downtown Phoenix. The boutique hotel showcases an uber-modern industrial design punctuated by eclectic and contemporary works of art—on the walls, in the restaurant, atop tables… everywhere you look! The property also hosts a rotating calendar of art exhibits, foodie events and concert pop-ups.
Phoenix’s see-and-be-scene crowd makes their way to The Global Ambassador Hotel—and for good reason. The hotel earned a rare One Key designation from the Michelin Guide for outstanding excellence, and each of the luxury hotel’s four restaurants is a destination in and of itself, especially the rooftop Mediterranean-inspired Théa with vistas of Camelback Mountain. There’s also the Ambassador’s chic pool and state-of-the-art wellness center, plus a coveted location in Phoenix’s Arcadia neighborhood.
Perhaps the most delightful hidden gem in the city, Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix Downtown calls home a 1932 Art Deco high-rise in downtown Phoenix. The architectural details are on full display and contrast nicely with modern offerings such as the view-studded rooftop restaurant, Floor 13, and Motomoto, an izakaya hot spot off the lobby.
The resort-style Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak tucks into the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, allowing for easy access to dozens of Sonoran Desert trails. When not embarking on a sunrise hike, guests cool off in the property’s four acres of swimming pools, secluded waterways and waterfalls and a lazy river perfect for leisurely tubing.
Guests want for nothing at the five-star JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa thanks to its deep bench of amenities: two 18-hole golf courses, 17 pickleball courts, three heated pools, an award-winning spa, guestrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows rife with mountain views, and six restaurants, including celebrity-chef helmed Tia Carmen.
Situated in the heart of downtown, Kimpton Hotel Palomar embodies all the best aspects of a boutique urban oasis. The property’s sleek design extends to the stylishly appointed guestrooms, the on-site restaurant Blue Hound Kitchen boasts craft cocktails and delicious eats, and the rooftop bar features some of the most impressive views in the city.
Sitting at the nexus of Phoenix’s most desirable neighborhoods—Uptown with its buzzy restaurants, Central City’s museums, and the Melrose District’s vintage shops—Rise Uptown might just possess the best location in town. The urban retreat is also beloved for its retro design details, Mad Men-esque rooftop martini lounge with city views, and Lylo Swim Club, the hip bar and restaurant at the hotel’s sparkling midcentury-style pool.
