A Review of The Tuxon, Arizona | Hotels Above Par

"An ode to the great American road trip with Mid-Century flair and modern desert style, this redone 1969 motor lodge of 112 rooms wraps low-slung buildings and design-forward, 200-square-foot rooms around a banana-shaped, ice-cold pool with wide-open mountain views; distinctly desert landscaping frames the scene, while yellow umbrellas and rope-y blue chairs add pops of color. Contemporary, artsy references to the American, Mexican, Native American, and Western cultures that define Tucson appear via pieces by whiz kids such as Tucson-born Ishi Glinksy and Tucson-based Jessica Gonzalez and materials like brass, chunky stone, saddle leather, and potted cacti. Set right off I-10 minutes from downtown, it stays utterly design-centric and effortlessly unpretentious, elevating heyday funk with a sense of humor and playful rituals: the ranch bell rings for daily Shady Hour, a jaunty “Shady Toast,” and complimentary mini-slush shots. Rooms feel luxuriously kitted out—beds as comfortable as you’d expect in a posh presidential suite, geometric tile that conjures southwestern woven blankets, rain showers with plenty of force, and Marshall speakers to bring the party to your room. Perks like early-morning elevated coffee, complimentary cruiser bikes, and a 24/7 fitness room with Peloton bikes make it easy to explore by day and wind down after the poolside pulse at night." - Becca Hensley