As the closest full-service resort to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the recently renovated Marriott Phoenix Resort Tempe at The Buttes is a well-kept secret. Ideally located for both business and leisure travelers, this resort is not your traditional Phoenix property that sprawls for acres. Instead, its hilltop location provides stunning city views and an oasis in the Sonoran Desert. From its well-known dining room to its family-favorite pool, these are our top five reasons to stay at this resort.
The grounds
This hotel is technically upside down with the lobby on the highest level. This is also where you will find access to many of the conference areas, restaurants and reception desk. Stairways and elevators take guests down a few floors to reach the guest rooms and long roster of recreational amenities.
Tucked away from the city action, this hilltop resort features well-kept grounds that are sort of built into the rocky butte. Meandering pathways wind through the property past flowering cacti, native plants and flowers (you won’t see any palm trees here, an intentional move since they are not indigenous to the region). Waterfalls, fountains and small patios with lounge seating are tucked into various corners of the gardens. The outdoor patio areas around the meeting venues have also been expanded, which is a great place for breakout functions.
It truly gives you a sense of place of how this property almost blends in with the surrounding area. And at this vantage point, you can see downtown Phoenix, the Superstition Mountains in Mesa (and Camelback, too) and even the airport. The runways here are busier than ever, following the arrival of several new, long-haul nonstop flights. These include Air France to Paris and both Starlux and China Airlines flying to Taipei, the city’s first Asian flight links.
The pools
Tucked into the gardens themselves is the main swimming pool that is quite larger and crisscrossed by a bridge. On either side, splashing waterfalls spill down the rock face into the pools. Kids love the glass window submerged in the pool where they can wave at passersby.
The Thirsty Cactus bar keeps guests hydrated with the drink of their choice. There’s also a tasty pool menu of burgers, salads and other dishes. The staff can deliver refreshments to your poolside lounge chair should you wish. Near constant sunshine from morning to night covers the pool although there are plenty of umbrellas and trees for shade.
Follow the many pathways around the pool, and you will discover more seating nooks for privacy. There are also several bubbling whirlpools at an elevation from which to take in the surrounding scenery.
Like most resorts in Phoenix, the property participates in Resort Pass where locals or outside guests can pay a modest fee and enjoy access to the recreational amenities here. The greater Phoenix area prides itself on the wide range of outdoor activities that you can do year-round. Expect things like hiking, biking, horseback riding, stargazing and floating down inner tubes along the river. These are all great alternatives when you have maxed out on your pool time.
The rooms
The multi-million-dollar renovation here redesigned the guest rooms in more contemporary style while still featuring local touches. Native American and Sonoran Desert accent fabrics are on the pillows can cabinets. Spacious work desks remind guests that this is a business hotel with regular conferences checking in one after the other. But, the amenity roster cements that it pulls double duty as a family-friendly resort.
Bathrooms have an open-plan design with bright vanities and glass shower stalls complete with This Works scented toiletries in large pump bottles. Barn-style doors slide closed to save space and make bathrooms feel larger.
Some rooms have views of the pools, but others look out towards the gardens. While they can seem dim, they certainly remind you of the enchanting desert landscape that is unique to this part of the country. Several suites are also in the mix, including small studios. And many rooms feature sofa beds making them ideal for families. Many repeat guests love the ground floor patio rooms to enjoy the desert air.
The dining
Top of the Rock is the resort’s prime, dinnertime restaurant that is one of the city’s most popular for special occasions and date nights. It has a blend of French and international dishes with popular options including the chicken and doughnuts, savory duck and a selection of choice steaks. Diners can choose between indoor or outdoor seating to take advantage of the exceptional views.
As Phoenix continues to grow its culinary scene, it is impressive that this hotel restaurant continues to stay on top of the pack. The Michelin guide is coming to Phoenix soon, and the city is projected to receive several accolades.
In the Phoenix area, you will find everything from gourmet French cuisine, standard and avant garde Mexican, an entire neighborhood of pan-Asian options and even a bar designed like an airplane experience. During my visit, I went to Chef Matt Carter’s The Mission where he takes Mexican cuisine and blends it with French finesse. I loved the made-to-order guacamole trolley, too.
Back at the resort, On the Rocks is the lobby bar with a newly expanded terrace that takes in views of the skyline, mountains and pools. Coming soon are potential additions like more furnishings and a fire pit. The main restaurant here also serves a hearty breakfast buffet, and its signature dining room waterfall actually starts its journey upstairs from the front desk.
Personal kudos to the tasty coffee from Rooted Grounds Coffee Co., which is also the perfect spot for grab-and-go meals like burritos and salads.
The amenities
A redesigned fitness center offers natural light and some of the latest cardio and free weight machines. A fridge stocks chilled bottles of water while fresh fruit and stacks of towels are on offer. This air-conditioned space comes in handy on those hot desert Arizona summer days.
While the spa here is not as sprawling as other resorts in the area, it serves its purpose well. Massage and beauty treatments are the perfect way for business guests to fill the few hours of down time they have between meetings. Relaxation areas also feature a men’s and women’s sauna. There is also a beauty salon for manicures and pedicures, and the masseur and masseuse team here is top-notch.
Other perks on the property include proximity to the Los Angeles Angels spring training field. Phoenix is a mecca for baseball fans during late winter and early spring, and this resort is perfectly positioned. There are also tennis courts on property.
Best of all, Marriott Bonvoy members can earn or redeem their points here, and that includes when they travel for business or a corporate meeting. Top-tier elite status members are eligible for bonus points, room upgrades and complimentary breakfast. If using a Marriott Bonvoy co-branded credit card, you’ll also earn bonus points for using the card here.
