Best Areas to Stay in Phoenix with Kids
Loving This Adventure contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links—at no extra cost to you. Loving This Adventure is also a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See my Disclosure Policy and for more information.
The Phoenix area is a vacation destination our family keeps coming back to.
We’ve visited multiple times over the years, and it continues to be an easy, sunshine-filled escape from Midwest winters. It’s one of the reasons Phoenix made my list of best winter destinations for families.
There is so much to do here, which is part of what makes it a great place to go with kids. But that can also make choosing where to stay feel a little overwhelming at first.
When most people say “Phoenix,” they’re usually talking about the entire metro area, including Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, and Tempe. We think of it the same way.
Most families don’t pick one city and only stay there the whole trip.
Unless you’re planning to stay at a specific resort and not leave much, you’ll likely be exploring all over the metro area.
It’s completely normal to stay in one area and drive 20 to 30 minutes to something in another. That’s just how Phoenix works.
There isn’t one obvious “this is the place” answer here.
Phoenix has so many great areas, and each one works best for a different reasons.
This guide will help you decide which area makes the most sense for your family.
Staying in Mesa with Kids
We have personally stayed in Mesa on multiple trips, and it has worked really well for our family.
For our family, Mesa just made sense.
We found a highly rated hotel with the space we needed, a great pool and views, and a price that worked.
Because we knew we’d be driving around the metro area regardless, it felt like a no-brainer.
On our most recent trip, we stayed at a Home2 Suites in Mesa and loved having a studio-style room with two queen beds and a pullout couch.
Having the extra space, a full-size refrigerator, and a microwave made it much easier to manage snacks and quick bites for our family of six.
The free breakfast each morning was another huge plus, and the hotel backed up to a golf course, which made the views from the outdoor area really pretty and peaceful.
The pool area was spacious and well-kept, which made afternoon breaks feel like a true vacation.
If you’re traveling with a larger family and need true suite-style space, you may also find my guide to best hotels for large families helpful as you compare options.
If you’re flying Allegiant like we often do, Mesa Gateway Airport can make Mesa feel like an obvious choice for lodging.
But again, the exact location of your hotel matters more than the city name.
Our hotel near Mesa Longbow was actually just as close to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport as it was to Mesa Gateway.
The same idea applies to spring training.
Mesa can work well, but it depends on where you stay.
From our hotel, it was about 15 minutes to Sloan Park, but some parts of Phoenix or Tempe are actually closer than certain areas of Mesa.
If Sloan Park is a priority, it’s worth mapping out your options and choosing based on drive time.
Staying in Scottsdale with Kids
Scottsdale is where many of the larger resort-style properties in the Phoenix area are located.
If you are looking for a true resort experience with large pool complexes, on-site dining, and amenities that allow you to spend most of your time at the hotel,
Scottsdale is likely where you’ll find it.
For our family of six, we have not often chosen the larger Scottsdale resorts simply because suite availability and pricing have not worked as well for us.
We always look, but we tend to find better value in other areas while still having an amazing trip.
That does not mean Scottsdale is not a great option. It simply comes down to what fits your family’s size, budget, and priorities.
Old Town Scottsdale is one of the more walkable areas in the metro area, which can be appealing if you like the idea of stepping out of your hotel and walking to restaurants, shops, and dessert spots in the evenings.
If you’re leaning toward a resort-style stay, you can browse current Scottsdale hotel options here.
Other Areas to Consider: Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, and Phoenix
The Phoenix metro area is large, and there are several other cities that may work well depending on your plans.
Chandler and Gilbert often feel more residential and can be great options if you’re considering a vacation rental.
We typically compare options on VRBO when we’re looking for a home rental in the area.
We’ve stayed in a vacation rental in Chandler before and loved the neighborhood feel while still being within driving distance of everything.
Tempe can be a convenient choice if you want something more central to multiple areas or closer to Arizona State University and Tempe Town Lake.
Phoenix proper offers a wide range of lodging options, from budget hotels to higher-end properties.
Depending on the neighborhood, you may be closer to attractions like Papago Park or the airport.
At the end of the day, it is less about choosing the “best city” and more about finding the right mix of location, space, and value for your family.
If you’re looking for ideas on what to do once you’re here, I share our favorite parks, attractions, and restaurants in my full guide to Phoenix, Mesa, and Scottsdale with Kids.
How to Choose the Best Area to Stay in the Phoenix Metro Area
When we plan a trip to the Phoenix area, we start by deciding what matters most for that specific trip.
- Are we prioritizing space?
- A resort-style pool?
- Walkability?
- Proximity to spring training?
- Airport convenience?
- Budget?
Once we have our top priorities determined, I search for hotels and vacation rentals that fit those priorities and narrow it down to a few strong options.
I usually start by comparing availability and reviews on Booking.com and VRBO to decide on the best options.
From there, I take a closer look at each location. I check what’s nearby, what the surrounding area feels like, and how far it is from the main attractions we plan to visit.
The Phoenix metro area is spread out, and something that looks central on a map does not always mean the shortest drive in real life.
If you have two or three must-do activities, plug them into Google Maps from each lodging option before booking. A little planning upfront can make the entire trip feel smoother.
If you’re still deciding, here’s a simple way to think about it:
• Resort-style experience → Scottsdale
• More space for your money → Mesa
• Neighborhood vacation rental → Chandler or Gilbert
• Central access to multiple areas → Tempe or Phoenix
When your lodging matches your priorities, everything else tends to fall into place.
Final Thoughts on Choosing the Best Area to Stay in Phoenix
The Phoenix metro area offers so many great options for families.
Whether you choose Mesa for value and space, Scottsdale for a resort-style stay, or another area that fits your plans, you truly can’t go wrong.
With a little planning and clarity about what matters most to your family, this can be a destination that feels easy, flexible, and fun.
If you’re considering extending your trip beyond the Phoenix area, I share ideas for places like Sedona, Tucson, and more in my guide to the best places to visit in Arizona with kids.
Once you’ve chosen where to stay, the next step is mapping out your days.
My complimentary Travel Itinerary Planner helps you organize your plans, keep track of reservations, and feel prepared before you even leave home. Get it below.
May you LOVE your adventure. KW
