Tucson - a good budget hotel, please?

On a fly-drive tour of Arizona and New Mexico we plan to spend a couple of nights in Tucson in order to visit Saguaro National Park, the Desert Museum and San Xavier.

We don%26#39;t really need a town centre hotel, in fact one at the south west corner with good road links might be better (looking at our road atlas).

Do you know a good budget/medium range hotel in this area, preferably with either it%26#39;s own restaurant or facilities nearby.

Thanks.

Tucson - a good budget hotel, please?

The motels in the southwest part of the city are not particularly good. The La Quinta at 22nd and I-10 is probably the best of them, and is fairly cheap, but not in a good area.

What is your idea of a rate for a budget hotel? Because it does vary wildly among many people.

Also, when are you coming? Tucson hotel rates fluctuate quite a bit throughout the year depending on the precise week.

Tucson - a good budget hotel, please?

Thank you, that%26#39;s very useful. We%26#39;re coming mid-May. We%26#39;re looking for a good base to visit the western part of the park, Desert Museum, San Xavier. It would make for an easy life if we could find a hotel on the main roads to these places.

There is a new Hotel Just west of I-10 and Grant. I think it may be a Quality Inn or Roadway. If your driving from Phoenix just look over (Carefully) and you can%26#39;t miss it. 3 or 4 stories tall. Looks nice, I%26#39;d stay there.

Thank you, Discman, I wonder if anyone can help me identify it? I would still like a motel on the western edges of Tucson if possible.

The Holiday Inn Express is at I-10/Grant, and that may be it. That or the Super 8, but the HI Express is a lot nicer. That corner isn%26#39;t great for things to do and restaurants to eat at.

What is your price range though? In mid-May, you can sometimes get a room at a resort for around $100.

Yes, $100 or slighty less would be good given the current rate of exchange of the UK Pound with your dollar!!

We would ideally like easy drives to the Western Park, museum and San Xavier.

You really shouldn%26#39;t worry about the drives so much as what%26#39;s around your hotel. The traffic is not that bad, especially in mid-May, as the students at the university are leaving and the winter residents are long gone. I%26#39;d encourage you to pick a hotel not close to the Desert Museum and the mission (southwest side, which, as I said, is sparse and less desirable) but, rather, in a nice area close to good restaurants and other things to do. You%26#39;ll have a better time.

Look into the Westward Look, Embassy Suites at La Paloma (on Skyline Drive), Windmill Inn and Suites and the Doubletree on Alvernon. They should be in your rate range for May. Also, if you%26#39;re open to B%26amp;Bs, that opens up more choices.

hth

Thanks, Colinaz, your remarks about the driving are very useful. We are altering our views on where to stay.

Sadly all the hotels you name are coming out at $150 or more, possibly they might come down a little nearer the time (?) or perhaps you all still collect discount vouchers in the USA (as I remember from previous visits)!

Unlike in the UK, your B%26amp;Bs often tend to be a bit pricey because they are more luxurious than our B%26amp;Bs but we would certainly consider one if the price is right.

I am getting similar cost results for your dates. Hotels load their rates well in advance so the rates coming up for May are not likely to change unless the economy goes further in the dumps. Check out the Randolph Park Hotel and Suites near Broadway and Alvernon. Definitely only a 2-star but clean and comfortable with a nice pool area. Many restaurants within a mile or two. Got rates of $79 for mid May.

You might also try the La Quinta on East Broadway. Their AAA rate for mid-May is $62.10. Close to a lot of very good restaurants.