Phoenix's highest-rated hotels split into three regions: Downtown Phoenix, home to The Westin Phoenix Downtown and Kimpton Hotel Palomar; Scottsdale and the Camelback Corridor, home to Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and The Phoenician; and North Phoenix and the Kierland area, home to The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa and Great Wolf Lodge Arizona. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess holds a 4.6 rating across roughly 6,800 reviews, one of the region's highest-reviewed resort hotels.
Explore Phoenix's Top-Rated Hotels
Phoenix sits in the Sonoran Desert, ringed by mountain preserves and known for its year-round sunshine and dramatic desert landscapes. The greater Phoenix area sprawls across several distinct cities, from downtown's high-rises to Scottsdale's golf courses and Camelback Mountain's resort corridor.
That spread of terrain shapes the hotel scene, with downtown favoring modern convention hotels and the northeast suburbs built around desert resorts. Within that spread, downtown's hotels lean modern and convention-focused, Scottsdale favors golf and spa resorts, and the Kierland area offers family-oriented properties. This guide profiles the 10 highest-rated hotels across those three regions.
How We Choose These Hotels
We evaluated every hotel against four things: guest rating and review volume, the hotel's category and market positioning, what the location actually offers for a specific type of trip, and whether the amenities held up under current guest feedback. Ratings and review counts reflect Google's aggregated guest score and were checked in September 2026.
We cross-checked each property's neighborhood and setting against its official site, and weighed service consistency alongside guest sentiment rather than rating alone. Nightly rates shown are directional based on current listed rates, so confirm the current number on the hotel's own site before booking.
Phoenix's Top 10 Hotels At A Glance
| Hotel | Region | Category | Rating (reviews) | Standout feature | Estimated rate |
|---|
| Fairmont Scottsdale Princess | Scottsdale | 5-star upscale resort | 4.6 (6.8K) | Restaurants and a spa, one of the region's most-reviewed hotels | From $402 |
| The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa | North Phoenix/Kierland | 4-star refined resort | 4.6 (3.8K) | Golf and a spa at a significant discount off standard rates | From $246 |
| Great Wolf Lodge Arizona | North Phoenix | 4-star water park resort | 4.2 (6.5K) | Informal resort built around an indoor water park | From $164 |
| The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale | Scottsdale | 5-star golf and spa resort | Ranked among Travel US News' top Phoenix-area hotels | Sprawling desert resort with a golf course and full-service spa | Price on request |
| Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North | Scottsdale | 5-star luxury desert resort | Ranked among Travel US News' top Phoenix-area hotels | Desert luxury resort set against Pinnacle Peak's rock formations | Price on request |
| Arizona Biltmore | Camelback Corridor | Historic luxury resort | Named among Luxury Link's top Phoenix hotels | Frank Lloyd Wright-influenced historic resort dating to 1929 | Price on request |
| The Boulders Resort & Spa | Carefree/North Scottsdale | Desert luxury resort | Named among Luxury Link's top Phoenix-area hotels | Resort built directly among the region's namesake granite boulders | Price on request |
| The Westin Phoenix Downtown | Downtown | Modern downtown hotel | Ranked among Expedia's top downtown Phoenix hotels | Modern hotel close to the Phoenix Convention Center | Price on request |
| Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix Cityscape | Downtown | Boutique design hotel | Ranked among Expedia's top downtown Phoenix hotels | Boutique hotel anchoring downtown's Cityscape development | Price on request |
| JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa | Desert Ridge | 5-star family resort | Named among Condé Nast Traveler's top Phoenix-area hotels | Large-scale desert resort with an extensive water feature | Price on request |
Downtown Phoenix
The Westin Phoenix Downtown
- Address: Downtown, Phoenix, AZ
- Category: Modern downtown hotel
- Rating: ranked among Expedia's top downtown Phoenix hotels
- Standout feature: this modern hotel sits close to the Phoenix Convention Center, a reliable downtown business base
- Best for: conference attendees wanting a reliable downtown Phoenix stay
Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix Cityscape
- Address: Downtown, Phoenix, AZ
- Category: Boutique design hotel
- Rating: ranked among Expedia's top downtown Phoenix hotels
- Standout feature: this boutique hotel anchors the downtown Cityscape development, close to Chase Field and the arena
- Best for: couples wanting a boutique downtown stay near Phoenix's sports venues
Scottsdale And The Camelback Corridor
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
- Address: Scottsdale, AZ
- Category: 5-star upscale resort
- Rating: 4.6 out of 5 across roughly 6,800 reviews on Google
- Standout feature: this upscale resort holds one of the region's highest review counts, with restaurants and a full-service spa
- Best for: families wanting Scottsdale's most-reviewed large-scale resort
The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort, Scottsdale
- Address: Scottsdale, AZ
- Category: 5-star golf and spa resort
- Rating: ranked among Travel US News' top Phoenix-area hotels
- Standout feature: this sprawling desert resort combines a golf course with an extensive full-service spa
- Best for: golfers wanting a formal luxury resort at the base of Camelback Mountain
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
- Address: Scottsdale, AZ
- Category: 5-star luxury desert resort
- Rating: ranked among Travel US News' top Phoenix-area hotels
- Standout feature: this desert luxury resort is set directly against the Pinnacle Peak rock formations
- Best for: couples wanting a secluded luxury desert setting away from Scottsdale's core
Arizona Biltmore
- Address: Camelback Corridor, Phoenix, AZ
- Category: Historic luxury resort
- Rating: named among Luxury Link's top Phoenix hotels
- Standout feature: this historic resort carries Frank Lloyd Wright design influence dating back to 1929
- Best for: history-focused travelers wanting Phoenix's most architecturally significant resort
The Boulders Resort & Spa
- Address: Carefree, AZ (North Scottsdale)
- Category: Desert luxury resort
- Rating: named among Luxury Link's top Phoenix-area hotels
- Standout feature: this resort is built directly among the region's namesake granite boulder formations
- Best for: couples wanting a distinctive desert landscape setting north of Scottsdale
North Phoenix And The Kierland Area
The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa
- Address: North Phoenix/Kierland, AZ
- Category: 4-star refined resort
- Rating: 4.6 out of 5 across roughly 3,800 reviews on Google
- Standout feature: this refined resort offers golf and a spa, available at a significant discount off standard rates
- Best for: golfers wanting resort-level amenities at relative value
Great Wolf Lodge Arizona
- Address: North Phoenix, AZ
- Category: 4-star water park resort
- Rating: 4.2 out of 5 across roughly 6,500 reviews on Google
- Standout feature: this informal resort is built entirely around an indoor water park, a rarity in the desert climate
- Best for: families wanting a dedicated water park resort in North Phoenix
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
- Address: Desert Ridge, Phoenix, AZ
- Category: 5-star family resort
- Rating: named among Condé Nast Traveler's top Phoenix-area hotels
- Standout feature: this large-scale desert resort features an extensive water feature spanning multiple pools
- Best for: families wanting a large-scale resort with extensive water features
Phoenix Hotel Taxes And Fees
Phoenix charges a combined hotel tax of roughly 12.57 percent within city limits, made up of Arizona state tax, Maricopa County tax, and the city's own transient lodging tax. Scottsdale-area resorts often add their own municipal rate on top, so travelers should confirm the exact combined charge for the specific city. Resort fees are extremely common at Scottsdale's golf and spa resorts, often adding $30 to $50 or more per night, so always confirm the exact combined nightly cost directly with each hotel before booking.
Choosing The Right Base For Your Trip
Families wanting a large-scale resort should choose Fairmont Scottsdale Princess or JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa. Golfers should pick The Phoenician or The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, and history-focused travelers should choose Arizona Biltmore. Conference attendees should pick The Westin Phoenix Downtown.
{{cta-strip}}
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the nicest hotel in Phoenix, Arizona?
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess holds the region's highest combination of rating and review volume at 4.6 across 6,800 reviews. The Phoenician is a strong alternative for travelers wanting a more formal golf and spa resort.
2. What are the top 10 best hotels in Phoenix?
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, and The Phoenician lead the region's top-rated cluster. Arizona Biltmore and JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge round out the list for history and family resorts.
3. Where is the best place to stay in Phoenix, AZ?
Scottsdale is widely considered the best base for resort-style travelers, home to hotels like Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and The Phoenician. Downtown Phoenix is a strong alternative for travelers wanting Kimpton Hotel Palomar's boutique convention-area setting.
4. What are some good 5-star hotels in Phoenix?
The Phoenician, Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, and JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa all carry 5-star category listings. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a strong alternative at 4.6 with the region's highest review count.
5. What are the best hotels in Phoenix for families?
Great Wolf Lodge Arizona and JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa are the region's top family picks, both offering extensive water features. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a strong alternative for families wanting a full-service resort.
6. What are the best golf resorts near Phoenix?
The Phoenician and The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa are the region's top-rated golf resort picks. Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North is a strong alternative for golfers wanting a more secluded desert setting.