Tucson - American Southwest - page 355

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outside, the inn has the look of a Mediterranean villa, while many interesting and playful
touches enliven the classic interior. The huge Catalina Room in the basement is one of
my favorites. Not only does it conjure up the inside of an adobe, but it also has a whirl-
pool tub in a former cedar closet. Two upstairs rooms have balconies, while two units in
a separate cottage across the garden offer more contemporary styling than the rooms in
the main house.
309 E. First St., Tucson, AZ 85705. & 800/792-4885 or 520/792-4541. www.catalinaparkinn.com. 6 units.
$139-$189 double. Rates include full breakfast. AE, DISC, MC, V. No children 9 or under. Amenities:
Concierge. In room: A/C, TV/DVD, hair dryer, Wi-Fi.

Doubletree Hotel Tucson at Reid Park This in-town high-rise hotel, with its
pleasant orange-tree-shaded pool area, is midway between the airport and downtown
Tucson, and is something of an in-town budget resort (the Randolph Park municipal golf
course is right across the street). Guest rooms boast bright colors and bold contemporary
designs, and there's a big exercise room by the pool. Although the hotel does a lot of
convention business and sometimes feels crowded, the gardens, with their citrus trees
(feel free to pick the fruit) and lawns, are always tranquil. Guest rooms are divided
between a nine-story tower that offers views of the valley (even-numbered rooms face the
pool, odd-numbered rooms face the mountains) and a two-story building with patio
rooms overlooking the garden and pool area.
445 S. Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85711. & 800/222-TREE [8733] or 520/881-4200. Fax [phone].
www.dtreidpark.com. 295 units. Jan-May $139-$329 double, $349-$439 suite; June-Aug $89-$139
double, $179-$299 suite; Sept-Dec $149-$259 double, $259-$359 suite. Children 17 and under stay free
in parent's room. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Pets accepted ($50 fee). Amenities: 2 restaurants; 2 lounges; con-
cierge; exercise room; Jacuzzi; outdoor pool; room service; 3 tennis courts. In room: A/C, TV, hair dryer,
Wi-Fi.

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Inexpensive
Hotel Congress Finds Located in the heart of downtown Tucson, the Hotel Con-
gress, built in 1919 to serve railroad passengers, once hosted John Dillinger. Today, it
operates as a budget hotel and youth hostel and attracts young globe-trotters. Although
the place is utterly basic, the lobby has loads of Southwestern elegance. Guest rooms
remain true to their historical character, with antique telephones and old radios, so don't
expect anything fancy (like TVs). Most bathrooms have tubs or showers, but a few have
both. The classic little Cup Cafe is just off the lobby (think Edward Hopper meets Gen
X), as is the tiny Tap Room bar. At night, the hotel's Club Congress (p. 396) is a popular
(and loud) dance club (pick up earplugs at the front desk).
311 E. Congress St., Tucson, AZ 85701. & 800/722-8848 or 520/622-8848. Fax [phone]. www.hotel
congress.com. 40 units. $79-$119 double (lower rates in summer). AE, DISC, MC, V. Pets accepted ($10 per
night). Amenities: Restaurant; bar; nightclub. In room: Wi-Fi.
EAST TUCSON
Expensive
Embassy Suites Tucson-Williams Center Kids With its red-tile roof, cactus
gardens, and colonial Mexican furniture in the lobby, this all-suite hotel feels as if it could
be in Mexico, which makes it one of my favorite east Tucson lodgings. You'll surely feel
like you're on vacation when you're here, even if you are in the middle of a business
district. Guest rooms are two-room suites, which makes this place great for families, and
the courtyard pool area, although not very large, provides plenty of opportunities for
soaking up the sun on warm days.