Best Western Hotels in Phoenix: A Practical Stay Guide
Phoenix is a sprawling desert city, so where you stay shapes how your trip feels more than in most destinations. This guide covers the practical basics: how the city is laid out, when to visit, how to get in from the airport, and how to book directly for the best rate. Our catalogue includes a curated selection of Best Western hotels across the Phoenix area — check bestwestern.online for the current list and live availability before you decide.
About Phoenix
Phoenix sits in the Sonoran Desert and is one of the largest cities in the US by land area, which means neighborhoods can be a considerable drive apart. Downtown and Midtown hold the main convention, arts, and business districts. Scottsdale, just to the east, is known for resorts, golf, and nightlife. Tempe, home to Arizona State University, has a walkable downtown around Mill Avenue. The metro area also includes Mesa, Chandler, and Glendale, each with its own mix of business parks, sports venues, and family attractions.
Summers are extreme, with daytime highs regularly above 100°F (38°C) from June through September. Fall, winter, and spring are the most comfortable seasons and also the busiest for tourism, particularly around spring training baseball (February–March) and major golf and sporting events. If you plan to spend time outdoors — hiking Camelback Mountain, South Mountain Park, or the Papago Park trails — aim for early morning regardless of season.
Choosing where to stay
Pick your area based on what you're doing, not just price. If you're attending a convention or want easy access to museums, restaurants, and the light rail, Downtown or Midtown Phoenix keeps you central. If your trip revolves around golf, spa time, or evening dining, Scottsdale is the more resort-oriented choice, though it tends to be quieter and more spread out than downtown Phoenix. Tempe suits travelers attending events at ASU or Tempe Town Lake and offers a more compact, walkable core. Families visiting theme parks, spring training stadiums, or the zoo may find it easier to base near Mesa, Chandler, or Glendale depending on the specific venue.
Because distances between areas can mean 20 to 40 minutes by car in traffic, decide on your priority activities first, then choose a neighborhood that keeps most of them within a short drive.
Getting there and around
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is close to Downtown and Tempe, and both areas are reachable by taxi, rideshare, or the Valley Metro Rail light rail line, which connects the airport (via a free shuttle to a station) to downtown Phoenix and Tempe. Scottsdale, Mesa, and other outlying suburbs are not served directly by rail, so a rental car or rideshare is the practical option if you're staying there.
A rental car is worth considering even if you're based downtown, since many of the region's best hiking trails, golf courses, and day-trip destinations (such as Sedona or the Grand Canyon) are well outside walking or transit range.
How to book the best rate
Rates for any hotel change with demand, season, and how far in advance you book, so there's no fixed number to quote — always check current rates directly on bestwestern.online rather than relying on a price you saw elsewhere. Booking direct through the hotel's own site typically means no third-party markup and more straightforward handling of changes or cancellations.
If your travel dates are flexible, compare a few nearby dates before committing, since Phoenix pricing can shift noticeably around major events like spring training, golf tournaments, or large conventions. Booking a few weeks ahead generally gives more room availability and rate options than booking last minute during peak season.