202 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85004, 602-253-4121
Rates: Standard rooms with one queen bed run about $155 a night, although you can find deals for less than half that depending on the season. Overnight valet parking is $10 per night.
Stay here if you: need a vintage Phoenix boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown. Bonus for the paranormal crowd: The San Carlos is rumored to harbor several ghosts, about which staffers are happy to tell you.
It’s close to: Phoenix Art Museum, the Heard Museum, Chase Field baseball park and the US Airways Center basketball arena.
The rooms are: comfortable and nicely appointed, although the bathrooms are a bit on the small side.
They put all of the money into: refurbishing the hotel’s public spaces, including a lovely lobby with stone and copper appointments. The lobby adjoins the hotel’s Copper Door Restaurant & Bar, a fine place for a nightcap after a night on the town. A covered rooftop pool and sunning area can be enjoyed almost year-round.
The bottom line: Built in 1928 on the site of Phoenix’s first schoolhouse, this historic hotel offers loads of charm and a terrific location. Guests have included Marilyn Monroe, Mae West, Clark Gable, Carole Lombard and Gene Autry. It is 6 miles from Sky Harbor International Airport and close to the Camelback Road/ Scottsdale shopping districts. The light-rail line stops in front of the hotel. (Don’t worry, it runs with a quiet hum.)
William Porter
