Explore the Valley of the Sun from the best hotels in Phoenix
There’s no better place for a springtime escape than Phoenix, Arizona’s urban heart and the perfect outdoor adventure destination.
By Rebecca Rhoades | March 13, 2025
Rebecca Rhoades
Rebecca L. Rhoades is an award-winning travel journalist and photographer who has spent the last decade living in and writing about Phoenix, Arizona. Her work has appeared in Saveur, the Toronto Star, Gastro Obscura, AAA publications, Phoenix magazine, Green Living, and many more print and digital publications. She is the author of the upcoming “100 Things to Do in Phoenix Before You Die.”
Arizona’s capital has long been a favorite getaway for those seeking a respite from colder climates. With more than 300 days of sunshine and stunning natural landscapes, Phoenix and nearby Scottsdale are two of the Southwest’s most dynamic vacation destinations. And spring is the ideal time to visit. The season’s balmy temperatures and blue skies lend themselves perfectly to outdoor living. Whether you prefer hitting the links, dining al fresco, or exploring gallery-lined streets, you can do it all and more in the Valley of the Sun.
Swing into spring
A golf haven, Greater Phoenix is home to nearly 200 golf courses. Enthusiasts of the sport staying at Embassy Suites by Hilton Phoenix Scottsdale can tee off at the hotel’s on-site Stonecreek Golf Club. Off the green, guests can enjoy the hotel’s proximity to shops and restaurants that are popular with both visitors and locals alike. Complementing the local food scene is the hotel’s Southwest-inspired Tatum’s Lounge & Patio, which overlooks the golf course and offers a curated menu of savory American comfort food. Whether you dine indoors or alfresco on the patio, cozying up by the fire pit and taking in the sunset is the perfect way to end your day.
Outdoor paradise
One of Phoenix’s most striking features is its stunning desert landscape, which can be easily explored with first-rate hiking, biking, and sightseeing on more than 200 miles (322 kilometers) of trails. Located in the preserve’s northwest corner, the all-suite Hilton Phoenix Tapatio Cliffs Resort offers easy access to all these outdoor adventures. When not on a trail, make a splash at the resort’s sprawling Falls Water Village with its pools, cabanas, grottoes, waterslide, and waterfall. Or take in a round of golf at Lookout Mountain Golf Club, the resort’s par 72 championship golf course. Afterward, pamper yourself at the full-service Tocaloma Spa & Salon then end your day with dinner at the mountaintop Different Pointe of View, one of the most scenic dining spots in Phoenix.
Play-cation destination
The West’s Most Western Town has transformed in recent years from a sleepy historical zone into a trendy entertainment district filled with galleries, restaurants, museums, and shops. The best way to explore the area is on two wheels. Grab a complimentary bike from Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town and pedal around the bike-friendly Old Town or set out on a self-guided tour of the 2.3-mile (3.7-kilometer) Mountain Vista loop that features Instagram-worthy views of Camelback and McDowell mountains. Marvel at the stunning mountain scenery from the hotel’s rooftop pool or experience the splendors of a Sonoran Desert sunset at the on-site Outrider Rooftop Lounge. Perched atop the seventh floor, the cozy bar offers light bites and creative cocktails.
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