28th Apr 2010

A Phoenix Cheap Hotel As A Base For Day Trips

If you’re on a business trip Phoenix or perhaps to see relatives for the holidays, make a point to take a day or two out for at least one side trip from Phoenix to a few of the world-class tourist destinations you can find within a half-day from the city. Just driving to a place like Sedona or the Grand Canyon is an enjoyable trip through a unique desert landscape, and if you haven’t spent hours driving across huge expanses like this, you’d be amazed at their breathtaking beauty.

I recommend setting up in a Phoenix cheap hotel right on Interstate 10 for easy entry and exit from the city. There are plenty available, both chain hotels and motels that you’re familiar with as well as independent, small, inexpensive hotels that are often better value for money. While you’ll find names like Sheraton, Hilton and the Radisson, you’ll also find real budget options such as the Days Inn on Camelback Road and the Americas Best Value Inn, located on W. Van Buren St. There’s the Phoenix West Red Roof on West Willetta Street,  or even the Econolodge at the Phoenix Sky Harbor international Airport. Although the budget hotel options I have mentioned come in at under $50 per night, you’re likely to be surprised at just how cheap hotels in Phoenix are relative to other major metropolitan areas.

As far as side trips from Phoenix go, none can be more compelling than a trip up to the Grand Canyon. This world-renowned site needs no introduction from me, just suffice it to say that it’s one of those larger-than-life tourist destinations that absolutely lives up to its billing. In Phoenix you are so close to it that to not see it if you have even one day available to drive up, would be a shame. It will be a long day of driving but if you leave early you can certainly do it in one day. Also it’s not like you’re driving through an uninteresting landscape as your head up: this is real desert and if you’ve never seen it except on television or in movies you’re in for a real treat. There is no substitute for seeing the desert panorama in person, especially at sunset or sunrise, as the rocks take on deep oranges and purple colors. Expected to spend at least a couple of hours at Grand Canyon, and there are several places where you can pull off the road for glimpses of breathtaking vistas beyond words.

For a completely different experience head from Phoenix up to Sedona Arizona, with its first-class spas and restaurants, excellent trails for hiking and mountain biking, and distinctly new-age, alternative feel. Sedona has a reputation for combining the rustic with the high-end, as well as locals with their own original take on life. Come for a day and don’t be surprised if you extend for a couple more. Sedona generally is not cheap but certainly a worthwhile day trip, just a couple of hours from Phoenix.

Did you know that Tombstone, Arizona is a real place? It is, and it’s another popular destination for tourists that one can do from Phoenix as a long day trip. Come see The Town Too Tough To Die, home of the OK Corral and a place where some of the legends of the Wild West occurred.

More than other some cities perhaps, the attractions of Phoenix, Arizona are not limited only to what you’ll find within the city limits. There are nice parks, shopping, and other activities that you expect to find in the sixth largest city in the United States. A large part of the attraction of Phoenix as a tourist destination however, involves driving to interesting spots elsewhere in Arizona. Luckily the desert landscape is an attraction unto itself. You’ll be glad you came; a bunch of Phoenix cheap hotels await you, and chances are your holiday will be a lot less expensive than you expect.

Posted by Posted by admin under Filed under Phoenix Cheap Hotel Overview, day trips from phoenix Comments 1 Comment »

24th Apr 2010

Phoenix Activities And Attractions

We have all heard the term “snowbirds”, the elderly nomads who jump in their motorhomes and make the drive each year to the southern areas of the United States, especially the Southwest. Phoenix, Arizona is probably snowbird capital, USA, and with good reason. For several months each year the weather is extremely pleasant, dry and inviting. It makes a great respite from the harsh northern winters, but even if your age doesn’t yet qualify you for snowbird status, you’d do well to take a trip out in any non-summer months to visit Phoenix Arizona.

There are outdoor activities galore, with first-class mountain biking and hiking, and the golf courses in Phoenix are world-renowned. Fly into Sky Harbor International Airport and check yourself into a Phoenix cheap hotel, and you have the entire Southwest just waiting for you.

If you can make the time, I would strongly suggest not limiting yourself to the city: get up to the Grand Canyon. It’s only about five hours north of Phoenix on good roads and one could potentially make the trip up from Phoenix in one long day. Remember that the Grand Canyon is one of the world’s natural wonders, on par with the Great Barrier Reef or Mount Everest, and it’s a site that everyone should experience at least one time in their lives.

If you can extend your Grand Canyon trip a little, stop off in Sedona, Arizona for some serious pampering at one of the many spas located in this cozy town. You’ve probably seen photos of the gorgeous orange rocks here at sunset-another wonderful place for a hike-and the town has a fascinating countercultural edge to it. There’s even a burgeoning wine industry in Sedona; just ask around for a few suggestions, and some of the wineries offer tours.

In Phoenix itself, Papago park is a natural destination if you feel like a desert hike or doing some mountain biking. There’s even fishing in Papago Park in the lagoons here, as well as the Desert Botanical Garden if you are a cactus fan.

Looking for even more? For some local history head over to the Deer Valley Rock Art Center, which has over 1500 amazing etchings in rock done by Native Americans, dating from as much as 5000 years ago.

Between great Southwestern cuisine, cheap hotels in Phoenix and the great weather outside of the swelteringly hot summer season, Phoenix is quite underrated as a travelers’ destination. It is normally dry here, with some precipitation in the winter months but if you plan your holiday around outdoor activities you will be definitely not be disappointed.

Posted by Posted by admin under Filed under Activities And Sights Around Phoenix, phoenix cheap hotels Comments 1 Comment »

07th Apr 2010

Cheap Hotels In Phoenix: Reduce Your Southwest Vacation Costs

Phoenix is among America’s most loved cities. With a unique, breathtaking desert landscape that is an attraction in itself, it plays host to visitors from around the world, especially in the winter months. It is also reputed to contain high quality cheap lodgings where old Western-style hospitality is still very much intact. To reduce your Southwest vacation costs, you shouldn’t have any problems locating a cheap hotel in Phoenix. Most well established budget accommodations are located alongside Red Mountain Freeway near Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Visitors can also find great hotel deals near Black Canyon Freeway. Whatever your budget and whenever you visit, you should be able to find something in your price range without too much trouble.

Budget Capital of America

Interestingly and unlike many other large America cities, cheap hotels in Phoenix are quiet well known to provide excellent value for money. This is evident by many rave reviews of budget hotel chains including Days Inn, Econo Lodge, Red Roof Inn, America’s Best Value Inn, Sleep Inn and Comfort Inn, among others. Most of these properties are low lying structures with extensive outdoor facilities extended over large areas. As property in Phoenix was always relatively inexpensive, most of these cheap hotels provide very spacious accommodation, and naturally usually a complimentary breakfast as well.

More of Phoenix Cheap Hotels

If you are planning to stay at a Phoenix cheap hotel, make sure that you do not compromise on anything less than a well located, comfortable hotel, because they are easy to find, at almost every exit off the Interstate 10 freeway. Since the I-10 is the main east-west route between California and Florida, large volumes of long-distance traffic pass through Phoenix, and therefore the supply of inexpensive hotels in Phoenix is quite high.

Due to intense competition between small and value brands, visitors can always locate a good deal. Besides brand names, it is also useful to check many unbranded or boutique establishments. For just a little more, Drury Inn, Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix North Happy Valley also provide great weekend deals and exquisite business amenities.

Services

Just make sure to ask front desk for free airport shuttles, late check in/out and discounted rates on nearby golf and other attractions. Proximity with Scottsdale is yet another reason for local properties to offer deep discounts leading to busy season. Remember, to check your calendar for any large convention or industry exhibition. The city is well known for such events and in Phoenix, cheap hotel fill up quite fast.

Posted by Posted by admin under Filed under Cheap Hotels In Phoenix Comments 1 Comment »

22nd Feb 2010

A Phoenix Cheap Hotel To Fit Your Budget

Traveling to Phoenix, Arizona, in the great American Southwest, for business or for fun, does not have to be a budget-breaking experience. You shouldn’t have any problem finding a Phoenix cheap hotel in reasonably close proximity to shopping districts, the Phoenix business district and near some of the most popular restaurants in Phoenix. Rooms or suites containing all modern amenities are available at reasonable prices whether visiting alone or with family. These modest accommodations are not 4 or 5 star motels, but previous guests have rated them between 4 and 5 stars for the cleanliness and service provided. Here are just a few to get you started in your search, depending on which direction you’re coming from:

Located on the Black Canyon Highway just 20 miles from downtown Phoenix is the Motel 6 Phoenix. The Black Canyon is the Interstate that runs directly through downtown Phoenix and continues to the Flagstaff tourist areas to the north. Clean spacious rooms start at $48 a night. This hotel offers 3 separate outdoor pools, a hot tub and laundry facilities in addition to complimentary HBO and WiFi.

The Budget Lodge Phoenix is located right in the heart of downtown. Rooms start at $52 a night and are fully equipped with microwaves, refrigerators, hairdryers, premium TV channels and complimentary WiFi.

Situated in the Deer Valley Business area, the Bell Hotel and Suites is just 7 minutes from downtown Phoenix. Comparable in price and amenities is the Country Inn Suites, located 20 miles from downtown Phoenix. Rooms start at $79 at each facility and include microwaves, refrigerators, hairdryers, ironing boards, coffee makers, air conditioning, heat, complimentary premium TV channels, WiFi and an ATM machine. Laundry facilities, a fitness center, and a hot tub are also indoors onsite. Hotels contain restaurants but various eateries are within walking distance. Pets and smokers are welcome and special accommodations can be made. Elevators allow ease of traveling between floors.

Both facility’s grounds include an outdoor pool, a children’s pool, a spa tub and lounging chairs. Shaded dining areas and barbecue grills are located on the patio around the pool. A book lending library has reading material for children and adults. Safety deposit boxes are available and daily newspapers are at the desk along with 24 hour coffee and cookies. Continental breakfasts that include eggs, waffles and sausage are served daily and complimentary soup and crackers is served in the evenings. Multilingual staff are courteous and available 24 hours a day to answer questions or help with traveling needs.

In addition, the Country Inn Suites offers a complimentary shuttle service to any destination within 5 miles of their facility which includes the Mayo Clinic.

Posted by Posted by admin under Filed under Phoenix Cheap Hotel Overview Comments 2 Comments »