Rising out of the ashes of the arid landscape that is the Arizona desert is Phoenix, a city so majestic it seems akin to a mythical beast. The “cultural heart of Arizona” is in the top-five most populated cities in America, and it’s the only U.S. capital to have a population of more than 1 million. What attracts so many people to The Valley of the Sun? Besides Phoenix’s renowned food, year-round sunny weather, fantastic art scene, and prevalence of parks, does it really have anything to offer? You better believe it. But before we get into the specifics about what makes Phoenix so awesome, we should get down to brass tacks: where are you going to stay in Phoenix?
Stay Alfred is pleased to offer travel apartments in three downtown Phoenix locations, and we’ll discuss each property’s unique benefits to help you find the best fit for your group. By the way, all Stay Alfred travel apartments offer more than a hotel ever could – like great building amenities, a personal washer and dryer, and a kitchen – with none of the surprises that come with a typical vacation rental.
Phoenix is a safe and beautiful city. A tourist’s paradise. But with the population growing by ~5% every year, it’s clear there’s one danger that comes along with staying in Phoenix: you might never leave.
Say hello to downtown Phoenix
Hands down, downtown Phoenix is the most happening neighborhood in the city. The diversity of its entertainment options is what makes this neighborhood the ideal place to stay in Phoenix, and there are a few aspects of Downtown Phoenix that are so cool that everyone who visits the Valley of the Sun should seek them out at some point during their stay. For example, the glorious Encanto Park is a must-see. You could easily enjoy a whole day at this 222-acre park, which hosts a fishing lagoon, hiking trails, a swimming pool, two golf courses, and a sports complex. Oh, and that’s all in addition to Encanto’s independently operated land of fun, Enchanted Island Amusement Park.
Now that we’ve covered the biggest outdoor essential of Downtown Phoenix, let’s talk about a cultural hub of Phoenix: Heard Museum – the perfect place to expose yourself and your group to true Phoenix art, history, and culture. This nonprofit museum is well known in Arizona for its dedication to the advancement of American Indian art.
Sold on a downtown stay? Time to find the perfect digs.
Stay Alfred at Union @ Roosevelt
Stay Alfred at Union @ Roosevelt is the perfect residence for people looking to experience as much of Phoenix as possible in a relatively short time. Situated in the center of downtown, these travel apartments gives guests easy access to top-rated shops and restaurants as well as to the historic Roosevelt Arts District. Enjoy relaxing with Stay Alfred at Union @ Roosevelt’s lushly landscaped terraces and courtyards, grilling areas, private balconies, and gorgeous city views. When you’re ready for some alone time, retire to the comfort of your travel apartment. Having a personal washer, dryer, and kitchen means that privacy is guaranteed. Feel free to spread out, too! With an apartment this size, the only thing that your rooms will be filling up with is natural light.
As nice as Stay Alfred at Union @ Roosevelt is, it’s the location of the apartment that makes it perfect for tourists with full to-do lists. For example, not more than a half-mile from your apartment is the stunning 32-acre Margaret T. Hance Park. Named after the first female mayor of Phoenix, Margaret T. Hance Park is home to several of downtown’s best attractions. We’re talking the Japanese Friendship Garden, the Irish Cultural Center, and the Phoenix Center for the Arts. It’s only a few blocks from Stay Alfred at Union @ Roosevelt to the park, and you can enjoy any number of activities once you’re there! The Japanese Friendship Garden only takes a short time to appreciate, so we recommend everyone see it. Once you’ve soaked up enough sun, you might enjoy catching a show at Comerica Theatre. The theatre hosts a series of entertainment types, from stand-up comedians to musicians. But with seating for 5,000, the theatre primarily hosts famous performers, so you may want to buy your tickets ahead of time.
If you find yourself feeling thirsty and social, we recommend checking out the Cobra Arcade Bar. This friendly bar keeps Phoenix locals entertained with a rotation of food trucks, arcade games, and DJs. Grab your friends, fill up on tokens for the arcade games, and see who has the craziest gaming skills after a couple of drinks! The best part is that the Cobra Arcade Bar is within easy walking distance of Stay Alfred at Union @ Roosevelt, so you won’t have to bother with Uber or taxis.
Stay Alfred on South Central Ave
Welcome to the “home away from home” that’s perfect for the whole family – Stay Alfred on South Central Ave. These travel apartments have everything. State-of-the-art fitness center? Got it. Third-floor swimming pool and accompanying cabanas? Got ‘em. Business center and meeting space? Check and check. And you’ll love your travel apartment’s spacious living room, floor-to-ceiling windows and oversized soaking tub.
Take your time appreciating everything Stay Alfred on South Central Ave has to offer, but don’t forget to check out your awesome surroundings! You’re in a sports lover’s dream spot. Less than half a mile from your travel apartment is Chase Field, home to Phoenix’s Major League Baseball team the Arizona Diamondbacks. Get your mitts on a hot dog and let the roar of the crowd sweep you away! If the sound of several thousand people cheering sounds more overwhelming than exciting, then you might be more interested in Last Exit Live, an indie music club known for its chill shows and old-school vibes. Looking for fun for the kids? You’re also within a mile of the Children's Museum of Phoenix, which hosts 300+ toys over the course of several play areas. (Note: The toys are designed for kids from ages 1–10, so your teenagers might be even moodier than usual if you try to take them to this particular museum.)
Stay Alfred at Linear
Stay Alfred at Linear is still downtown, but it’s far enough from the heart of it to offer a quieter backdrop than the previous two locations. This is the perfect apartment for couples, artists, and those of us who don’t like advertising the fact that we’re tourists. In addition to a fitness center and swimming pool, Stay Alfred at Linear offers stunning views of downtown Phoenix from the rooftop courtyard. Your spacious travel apartment blends contemporary functionality with a classic color palette – and, of course, features you’ll get hooked on, like private bedrooms, a full kitchen, in-unit laundry and a living room that’s perfect for getting everyone together.
Artists and musicians alike will find it easy to kill time wandering outside of Stay Alfred at Linear. Phoenix’s number-one vinyl shop, Revolver Records, specializes in new and used vinyl, and they also sell CDs and turntables. Take your stay in Phoenix to a slightly weirder level with a visit to Trunk Space, Phoenix’s performance venue that refuses to be pigeonholed. There’s no guarantee what you’ll see when you go to a show at Trunk Space, but you can bet it will be an out-of-the-box performance no matter what.How do you top a bizarre performance-art piece? With a puppet show, that’s how. The Great Arizona Puppet Theatre offers funny and sweet daily puppet shows that are appropriate and amusing for all ages.
Now, there are plenty of amazing restaurants and bars in Downtown Phoenix, so we encourage you to go out and explore. But if you’re staying at Stay Alfred at Linear, we’ve gotta suggest checking out The Breadfruit. This romantically lit restaurant and bar is cozy as all get out and serves deliciously fresh seafood dishes. Once dinner is cleared, you have the option of enjoying a classic cocktail or trying a daring new rum-based drink.
Stay Alfred on 16th Street
Every upscale travel apartment at Stay Alfred on 16th Street features wood-grain flooring, a full kitchen with modern, dark-wood cabinetry, a spacious living room and two private bedrooms – plus consistent cleanliness and professional 24/7 customer service that typical Phoenix vacation rentals can’t match. Building amenities include a pool and hot tub, outdoor barbecues, a fitness center and a game room with a pool table.
Venture out of the building, and you’ll find plenty of attractions worth exploring in the property’s swank Camelback Corridor neighborhood.
Carnival of Illusion is an extraordinary old-world styled magic show that gets every detail – from the tickets to the music to (of course) the magic – just right. Part illusion, part comedy, this Phoenix standby deserves every bit of the rave reviews it garners. Visiting in the months between May and October? While Austin’s Congress Avenue bridge may be home to a more famous colony, Phoenix Bat Cave, located at 3698-3694 E Colter Street, offers just as much of a show as thousands of bats take to the evening sky to hunt. Stand still, and you just may experience one acrobatically darting just inches away from you.
In the mood for a dinner out that’s a perfect complement to the luxurious Camelback Corridor neighborhood? Check out The Capital Grille – an excellent steak and seafood establishment that’s just a short drive from Stay Alfred on 16th Street.
The Best of Phoenix Attractions
What else qualifies Phoenix to cut to the top of your travel list? Let’s talk about the Phoenix Zoo – a non-profit charity that has been inspiring and motivating people to care about the natural world for more than half a century. With 125 acres of sprawling grounds, this zoo doesn’t slack in terms of exhibitions. Younger kids can check out barns and smaller/less threatening animals on the zoo’s children’s trail. The whole family can go see anything from orangutans to elephants to tigers to giraffes to zebras along the zoo’s tropics trail and Africa trail. But whatever you do, make sure you check out the zoo’s Arizona trail, which showcases Arizona wildlife you won’t find anywhere else. Those who might not want to walk the entire 125 acres of the Phoenix Zoo might consider taking a 90-minute Discovery Tour or checking out the 4D Theater. This specialized theater is fully immersive, using wind, water, and smells to give you an experience that’s as authentic as possible.
If your favorite part of the Phoenix Zoo is the ecology, then you’re gonna want to check out the zoo’s next-door neighbor, the Desert Botanical Garden. This impressive garden’s massive size puts even the Phoenix Zoo to shame. It’s 140 acres, so you’ll want to pace yourself when tackling the series of garden trails that weave their way throughout the park. Nearly every plant in Arizona, including a huge variety of flowers and cacti, decorate the Desert Botanical Garden – but that’s not all the park offers. Sign up for the garden’s Electric Desert exhibit and experience the desert uniting with light and sound in a mesmerizing show. As a final treat, check out the garden’s Spring Butterfly exhibit, which features hundreds of native butterflies just waiting to meet you.
See you in Phoenix!
Well, there you have it! All the information you need to decide where to stay in Phoenix. The only challenge you have left is deciding what to pack, but don’t worry – we’ve given you a head start with this convenient packing list (tip: double the recommended amount of sunscreen).
