Best Places to Stay in Tucson, Arizona

One advantage I have over people born and bred in Tucson is that I got to see it first as a travel destination. I first came to Tucson as an adult, having been raised on the east coast. So to me, Tucson has been and always will be an exotic place (even though I get to live here now).

Snowbirds Love Tucson

Every year, snowbirds (aka people who like warmer weather) come to Tucson from Colorado and similar places to escape the snow and sink in the warm, sweet sunlight during Tucson's best months - October to April. Those months boast some of the very best weather the U.S. has to offer, with midday temperatures ranging from high 80s (in October and April) to low 60s (in January or February). At night, it's cool, but it's still mild compared to points north.

Tucson: the Wild, Wild, West

Residents forget all of the very, very cool things about Tucson. Tucson has so much history! When you think of old Westerns, like 3:10 to Yuma, the first place that comes to mind (besides Yuma), is Tucson.

But like many travel destinations, there are better places to stay than others. Here, I've outlined some of the best places to stay in the area's most popular tourist spots.

If you're looking for culture, keep scrolling down the page to places to stay in El Presidio, or downtown.

But if you're looking for luxury, Tucson definitely has its share of stays.

Lovely Spaces

These top my list for amazing resort-hotels and best places to stay if you're in town for a week and want the best rooms, food, scenery, and things to do.

• Loews Ventana Canyon Resort
• The Westin La Paloma
• Arizona Inn
• JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass
• Hilton Tucson El Conquistador

Don't let the map fool you - these hotels are a good bit of distance apart. So choose wisely depending on where in town you need to be most of the time.

El Presidio is the sweet spot of downtown Tucson, full of great history and beautiful architecture. It's home to the Tucson Art Museum, El Presidio Park, and the site of many of the areas largest and most well-attended festivals.

Perhaps the best place you can possibly stay in El Presidio is the El Presidio Bed & Breakfast Inn. Built in 1886, this landmark is on the National Register of Historic Places, and if you stay there, you will be in walking distance to some of the best sites to see in El Presidio.

El Presidio Bed & Breakfast Inn

297 North Main AvenueTucson, AZ 85701- (520) 623-6151 - bbonline.com‎

Other Places to Stay Nearby

Royal Elizabeth Bed & Breakfast Inn

204 South Scott AvenueTucson, AZ 85701 - (877) 670-9022 - royalelizabeth.com‎

Although El Presidio is technically downtown, the area most commonly referred to downtown is surrounds Congress Avenue.

Hotel Congress is another historic place to stay in Tucson (although, people say that it is haunted), and it's also one of the city's most hopping entertainment establishments. Whether you are in town on business or pleasure, you will enjoy being able to walk to the very places places to eat in Tucson, as well as see the sites.

Not far from the Tucson airport (20 minute drive), Hotel Congress is the ultimate destination for frequent business travelers, and it's currently ranked on Yelp at 4 out of 5 stars.

Arizona Inn is a prestigious, lovely downtown Tucson hotel. No rumors of haunting here. Gorgeous, lush landscape and a central location make it one of Tucson's most popular hotels.

Like many Tucson locations, Arizona Inn is historic. It's also a popular place for weddings, and features a spectacular restaurant (you can view all the pretty pictures on the Arizona Inn website linked in the Resources section).

If you like to get away from the crowds and enjoy a very serene, beautiful, natural surrounding, the best choice for you is the well-known, luxurious JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa.

This hotel is known locally for its incredible scenic views of Tucson, as well as for its spas (including a salt-water swimming pool), delicious restaurants and top-notch hotel stay.

An excellent place to stay for conferences, weddings, and other getaways, this one should make your list.