StayAreasIs Old Town Scottsdale a good place to stay in Phoenix?
Yes, especially for a holiday. Restaurants, galleries, nightlife and pool hotels are all walkable, but it's pricey and you'll need rideshares.
Stay here if
- Couples
- Groups and bachelorette parties
- Shoppers and art lovers
Look elsewhere if
- You want public transport
- You want quiet weekend nights
- You're on a tight budget in winter
Hotels in Old Town Scottsdale
All Old Town Scottsdale hotels on Booking ↗Typical rates for a double outside peak events, not live prices. Updated Oct 2026 · How we rate areas · Booking through our links costs you nothing extra and may earn us a commission. Learn more
Staying in Old Town Scottsdale
Old Town Scottsdale is the most popular place to stay in the Phoenix area, and the most walkable. Restaurants, galleries, bars and Scottsdale Fashion Square are all within a few blocks, and the hotels are built around pools. Sky Harbor Airport is about 20 minutes away by car.
The area mixes Western heritage with resort style. The old town keeps its saloons, boardwalks and hitching posts, the Arts District's galleries open late on Thursdays, and mid-century hotels like the Valley Ho sit beside new rooftop bars. In winter and spring, the streets fill with visitors escaping the cold, and spring training brings baseball fans in March.
The downside is the price, the party crowds and the lack of public transport. Rooms cost the most in peak season, the Entertainment District is loud at weekends with bachelor and bachelorette groups, and you'll need rideshares to reach Phoenix or the trailheads.
What makes Old Town special is how much fun it is. You can spend the morning on a desert hike, the afternoon by the pool and the evening walking between galleries, restaurants and rooftop bars. For a holiday rather than a business trip, it's the best base in the area.
Getting around
- Old Town Scottsdale2walk
- Arizona State University31transit
- Desert Botanical Garden32transit
- Tempe Town Lake34transit
- Papago Park52transit
- Phoenix Convention Center61transit
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)63
Old Town Scottsdale questions
Is Old Town Scottsdale a good area to stay in Phoenix?
Yes, especially for a holiday. Restaurants, galleries, nightlife and pool hotels are all walkable, but it's pricey and you'll need rideshares. It suits couples, groups and bachelorette parties and shoppers and art lovers.
How much does a hotel in Old Town Scottsdale cost?
A typical double is around $215 a night at a budget hotel, $290 mid-range and $540 for luxury, outside peak events.
How do I get from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to Old Town Scottsdale?
About 63 minutes door to door: taxi or rideshare from Sky Harbor.
How far is Old Town Scottsdale from the main sights?
Door to door from Old Town Scottsdale: Old Town Scottsdale 2 minutes on foot, Arizona State University 31 minutes, Desert Botanical Garden 32 minutes and Tempe Town Lake 34 minutes.