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Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2004 8:32 pm Post subject: Phoenix Hotel Advice

Well the countdown has begun for my visit... 5 weeks to go :)

I'm looking for downtown accommodation and have come up with the following ones that seem reasonably close to AWA
- Hyatt Regency (122 N 2nd St)
- Hotel San Carlos (202 N Central Ave)
- Wyndham Phoenix (50 E Adams St)
- Ramada Inn (401 N 1st St)

Hyatt is a bit pricey compared to the other 3, which adds up over 8 nights.
I'm leaning towards the Ramada or San Carlos. (All else being equal, the San Carlos is a little closer, and looks kinda cool)
Both < $70 per night, with parking, cable tv and a swimming pool (my only 3 criteria ;) )

Just wondering if you Phoenix natives had any comments or advice for me
:?:

BBallFan729 · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 461 Location: Manchester, CT

Quote: with parking, cable tv and a swimming pool (my only 3 criteria )

Dang...you're easy to please :) .

So, what games are you going to DD?

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2004 8:47 pm Post subject:

Hey, normally I stay in backpackers places - this is upscale for me! :)
(I don't intend to be spending much of my time in the hotel room)

I'm planning on getting into town on Saturday 9/5 in time for the Seattle game, and staying to see L.A. and Detroit. Then I'm off to L.A. to see the Merc play at Staples on Tue 9/14, so 4 games in total for me.

BBallFan729 · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 461 Location: Manchester, CT

Quote: I'm planning on getting into town on Saturday 9/5 in time for the Seattle game, and staying to see L.A. and Detroit. Then I'm off to L.A. to see the Merc play at Staples on Tue 9/14, so 4 games in total for me.

What a wonderful variety of basketball you'll see with those teams. It should definitely be a great time for you. I hope you enjoy your time :) Maybe I'll see you at the Seattle game.

I will now exit the thread before I completely hijack it.

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2004 9:10 pm Post subject:

BBallFan729 wrote: Maybe I'll see you at the Seattle game.

Yep, look out for the "Say G'Day to Dunkin' Dan" thread on the board closer to game day ;)

BBallFan729 · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 461 Location: Manchester, CT

Quote: Yep, look out for the "Say G'Day to Dunkin' Dan" thread on the board closer to game day

I'll be sure to look for it.

hellcat · Posted: Sat Jul 31, 2004 11:17 pm Post subject:

So I've only got 5 weeks to put together my shopping list! :shock:

I better get to it, as well as also buying some sweet treats for our surrogate Aussies.

Hoopslady · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 127 Location: Illinois

I am going to be in Phoenix for the LA and Detroit games also. I am staying at the Ramada, the price was right, free parking. It is only 1/2 mile from AWA. I had asked some of my Phoenix friends and nobody gave me any feedback on what the San Carlos is like :( I agree it looks very interesting from what I saw on the internet.
You are renting a car? Does that mean you will be going to the liquor store drive-thru :?: I was thinking of renting a car just to do that :lol: It's on my list of cultural things I want to do this trip :lol:
I am starting to get excited, a trip to the BIG CITY :D

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2004 2:37 am Post subject:

Yeah, I'm gonna rent a car, even though the idea of driving on the wrong side of the road kinda freaks me out.
But the drive-thru liquor store? That's like a standard way to buy alcohol down here - nearly all suburban pubs here in Perth have a drive-thru section. I'm surprised it's such a novelty there... I mean alcohol & driving - it's such an obvious combination :P

Anyway Hoopslady, I'll happily take you for a spin through the drive-thru if you don't end up getting your own car :)

Sun Devil Mercury Fan · Joined: 13 Jul 2002 Posts: 154 Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Hey Kids. Hope I get to meet you all when you're here in HOT Phoenix.

Anyway, I'd recommend the following hotels.

(Hoopslady, I'm not sure on the ramada...next time I'm downtown I'll drive by and let you know)

Hyatt Downtown (probably the best hotel downtown)

Wyndham Phx Downtown
50 EAST ADAMS STREET
Phoenix, AZ 85004

SpringHill Suites Phoenix Downtown
802 EAST VAN BUREN STREET
Phoenix, AZ 85006

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS
620 NORTH 6TH STREET
Phoenix, AZ 85004
(if this is the hotel I'm thinking of, it's close and pretty new)

The San Carlos is historic and for a while was pretty run down. I'm not sure on it's condition now. I does have a cool Irish restaurant located downstairs...Guess I should get downtown for more than Mercury games, shouldn't I?

If you don't need to stay in downtown proper, I can make other recommendations. Just let me know.

GO MERC!

SDMF

Hoopslady · Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 127 Location: Illinois

Where I come from there are no drive thru liquor stores. That is why I want to drive thru. Does that mean one has to make a shopping list out before you leave for the store :lol:
I used the AAA listing for hotels. The San Carlos was listed but with no info or something like they were just mentioning it but they didn't give it any rating. I din't see anything about a Holiday DT. The Marriott Springhill has no rooms when I am down there.
If SDMF can let me know about that new place I would be interested. I wanted to stay DT just because it would be easy to get to the games and then hoping everyone goes out to a bar in the vacinity after, I would like to be within crawling distance :wink:
I am afraid to drive in Phoenix, I come from a 2 horse town and the big city scares me :shock:
I heard it cools down to the 90's at the begin of Sept, isn't that true :?:

Dunkin' Dan · Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2004 8:29 pm Post subject:

I got my info from this site:
http://ratesandavailability.com/findcity.cfm/_PHOENIX_AZ

Once you narrow your search down, you can click on each place and it gives you plenty of info on location, rating, facilities, etc.

I knew the Hyatt Regency was pretty close to AWA so I entered in my dates & room preference, and it gave me the room rate there. It also gave me a link to "check rates at neighboring hotels", which produced a handy list of all the places in the area, with the closest ones listed first.

(That's how I narrowed it down to the Wyndham, San Carlos & Ramada)
I agree with you that crawling distance should be a high priority!

The rates from this website certainly seem lower than going directly through the hotel's websites, so I'd suggest you check it out before you book anything. As an example, for the search I did on the San Carlos it worked out at around $62 per night compared to over $100 going directly through their own website.
(You're right, btw, the San Carlos has no AAA rating. It did get a mention in the Lonely Planet Guide as being a reasonable place though, which is why it made my shortlist.)

In case you're interested, the site listed the following hotels in order of distance:
- Hyatt Regency
- Wyndham Phoenix
- Hotel San Carlos
- Ramada Inn Phoenix Downtown
- Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Downtown
- Wingate Inn Phoenix
- Hampton Inn Phoenix
- Comfort Inn I-10 West/Central
- Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
- Springhill Suites by Marriott
- Best Western Central Phoenix

... then you start getting further than 1 mile

EDIT:
btw, if my map-reading is correct, the Wyndham is the building formerly known as the Crowne Plaza, which is where I stayed last time I was in Phoenix. Was a very nice place, and virtually equal to the Hyatt in stumbling distance from AWA.

EDIT #2:
Here's a map of downtown that shows some of the aforementioned hotels in relation to AWA

mb · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 9:07 am Post subject:

The internet is amazing...that map is better than I've found, and I live in the valley.

When renting a car, consider the "official" rent a car provider for the Mercury...you are certain to get a discount.

When not sharing "host Keegan" duties with Cam and Caune, there will be a room available at my domicile, if you have interest, Dunkin'Dan.

caune · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1564 Location: Phoenix

MB, If I don't get my house in order, Keegen will be with you for a good loong time, but I'll come over and cook, OK? LOL you would say no to that if you'd ever tasted my cooking.

DD, I'm pretty sure the Wyndam is where you stayed last time, just with a new name. The Hotel San Carlos is closer then the ramamda and has the honor of being one of the only old things in town :wink: old world charm hardly exists in the desert
I can stop by there on my way home and check it out? E-mail me

mb · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 4:44 pm Post subject:

Caune,

When has your house ever been in order?

BTW, the place where you live is a mess too!

Honestly folks, Caune is quite organized and I'm certain her home will sparkle after the remodelling is complete.

Dunkin Dan,

Right=correct...drive on the right!

hellcat · Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 7:40 pm Post subject:

Jebus Keegan - how long as you in the US for that the Brigade feel the need to rotate your accomodation around? :P

SportsFan48 · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1138

just posting to get this back on top of the forum where it is easier to find.

1carol · Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Posts: 1050 Location: Phoenix AZ

SportsFan48 wrote: just posting to get this back on top of the forum where it is easier to find.

Great Idea!

You are always so thoughtful :)

MercuryBoFan · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 258 Location: Glendale

www.hotels.com

MercuryBoFan · Joined: 29 Aug 2004 Posts: 258 Location: Glendale

Please .. there is nothing " Big " about Phoenix. Once the games let out, downtown PHX is practically a ghost town.

You will have no hard time getting in and out of PHX ... Trust :D

Anyways, I hope you enjoy your stay ! :wink:

AAEmotion · Joined: 19 Aug 2005 Posts: 39 Location: Australia

At the advice of fellow board members - I've revived this thread - I know there's a few of us Aussies hoping to treck it to Phoenix next season ... and after reading through the whole thread, and taking close notes - I just wanted to know if there were any changes to hotels/hostels, travel etc?

And I know I've already said this to those concerned a few times already, but thanks a whole bunch, and a little bit more for the help you've already offered.

A

emibaby · Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Posts: 231 Location: Thomasville, AL

First off, Hi y'all. I know I haven't posted in ...a while. :oops:

I stayed at the Hyatt almost a year ago. I got the room through priceline for $50 a night! Very nice hotel. Great accomodations. Within walking distance to AWA and Majerles. Across the street is the Wynham. I didn't stay there, but a couple of friends did. Blonde!Nikki from San Diego and ThatGAGirl. I think they had great rooms themselves. Didn't hear any complaints.

I hope y'all have fun. I'm looking to visit LA on the 15th of Sept. Even though basketball season is almost over. Maybe I can catch a playoff game or something? *shrug*

Love and hugs to everyone and I hope I helped a little!

AAEmotion · Joined: 19 Aug 2005 Posts: 39 Location: Australia

Thanks Em - If I can remember the more specific questions I had for your Ohioian self, I'll hit you up on your LJ :)