Tempe / Near Sky Harbor

Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes

★★★★★

The Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes is the Valley's most convenient resort and one of its most dramatic settings: the hotel is built into the side of a rocky butte in north Tempe, so the lobby, rooms and terraces step up through boulders and saguaros, with views across to Camelback Mountain, the Superstition Mountains and downtown Phoenix. Sky Harbor airport is only about three miles away, which makes it a favorite for travelers who want a resort atmosphere without a long drive, and for first and last nights of a trip. The pools are the centerpiece: two temperature-controlled mountainside pools set among the rocks, with whirlpools and a waterslide for kids, and the Thirsty Cactus pool bar and grill for lunch and drinks in the sun. Dining climbs with the hillside. Top of the Rock, the signature contemporary American restaurant at the crest, has some of the best sunset and city-light views in the metro area, while the Market Cafe and patio handles breakfast beside a waterfall and pond, Rooted Grounds serves coffee, and On the Rocks, an expanded lobby bar with a patio, is good for an evening drink. The Narande Spa offers massages, facials and body treatments, and tennis, pickleball and volleyball courts plus a fully renovated 24-hour fitness center keep active guests busy. Rooms have been renovated, and the resort earned guest-satisfaction awards in 2026. Practical notes: there is no airport shuttle, self-parking and valet carry daily charges, the minimum check-in age is 21, the property is smoke-free and pets are not allowed.

The resort's location suits a particular kind of trip. You are minutes from the airport, from Tempe Town Lake, Mill Avenue and ASU, from Papago Park, the Phoenix Zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden, and from the freeways to Scottsdale, Mesa and the Superstitions, so it makes a flexible base for travelers who will drive in several directions. It is also a big conference and wedding hotel, with nineteen event rooms and a large ballroom, so weekday occupancy can be heavy with groups while weekends lean toward families and couples.

Room tips: ask for a view room on an upper level facing the city or the mountains, because the hillside means views vary a lot, and request a location near the elevators if you are bringing children to the pools. Book Top of the Rock for sunset well in advance, especially on weekends. Rates rise in the peak season from January to April, and summer deals can be excellent for a pool-centered staycation-style stay, though the afternoons are very hot.

Who should stay: families who want slides and pools on a moderate budget, couples who want resort trappings and views close to the airport, business travelers, and anyone on a short trip who would rather swim than drive. Who might not: travelers wanting a walkable urban neighborhood, or the deep desert seclusion of North Scottsdale or Paradise Valley resorts.