Sky Harbor Airport

Aloft Phoenix Airport

★★★★★

Aloft Phoenix Airport is the smart, inexpensive choice for an arrival night, an early flight or a short trip where the airport, Tempe and Papago Park are the priorities. The hotel stands at 4450 East Washington Street, a few minutes from the Sky Harbor terminals, and runs a free airport shuttle on request from early morning until midnight daily, which removes the need for a rental car on the first or last night. The building has been recently renovated, and rooms follow Aloft's loft-inspired style with high ceilings, platform beds, big windows, walk-in showers and plenty of outlets for devices. The social core is the lobby, where the W XYZ bar serves cocktails and local beers, and Re:fuel by Aloft is a 24-hour grab-and-go market for coffee, snacks and simple meals; there are also two on-site restaurants. An outdoor pool offers a welcome break in the warm months, and the fitness center is open around the clock. The hotel is pet-friendly, with two pets of up to 40 pounds allowed for a nightly fee, and self-parking costs a modest daily charge, with long-term parking available. The location has a bonus few airport hotels can match: the S'edav Va'aki Museum, the 1,500-year-old archaeological site formerly called Pueblo Grande, is a short walk east on Washington Street, so a layover can include a walk to an ancient platform mound and canals. Light rail stops nearby at 44th Street and Washington, connecting to downtown Phoenix, Tempe and the Sky Train, and Papago Park, the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden are about ten minutes north by car.

For many trips, the first night is best spent close to the airport rather than battling traffic after a late arrival, and this is where Aloft shines. Fly in, ride the shuttle, have a drink at W XYZ, and set out the next morning for a sunrise hike at Papago Park or Camelback, or a morning at the Desert Botanical Garden. On departure days, the shuttle and the 24-hour market make a dawn flight painless. Business travelers will appreciate the proximity to the airport business district and Tempe.

Tips: call the front desk on arrival to request the shuttle, ask for a room facing away from the street and flight paths if you are a light sleeper, and check whether a park-and-fly rate is offered if you are driving in. Join Marriott Bonvoy for free Wi-Fi. Rates are generally lower than downtown and Scottsdale, though they rise during major events such as the Phoenix Open in February and Spring Training in March.

Who should stay: budget travelers, families on a stopover, early-flight and late-arrival travelers, and pet owners. Who might not: travelers wanting a resort, a walkable dining scene or desert views from the room; for a longer stay, pair a first night here with a few nights in Scottsdale, Tempe or Paradise Valley.