I was hosted by Cambria Hotel Downtown Phoenix Convention Center. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Phoenix is less of a big city and more of an urban sprawl pocketed with buttes, cacti, and other mesmerizing desert sights. It’s beautiful, but I hadn’t spent much time in Phoenix before this particular trip. Most of the time, I’d fly in, rent a car or catch a ride-share, and be on my way (Tempe, Sedona, Scottsdale, and the Grand Canyon are all favorites of mine, and they’re each just a short drive away!).
But this time, I had the opportunity to stay put in Phoenix at the Cambria Hotel Downtown Phoenix Convention Center, and finally experience Phoenix for more than just its gigantic airport. I was in town for a blog partnership, working with Cambria Hotels ( check out my review of Cambria Hotels’ business travel perks here!), and really enjoyed what the hotel brand did with this specific property. It’s fun, colorful, punchy, southwestern, and artsy, just like a hotel located in a Phoenix Arts District should be.
Here’s what you need to know about the Cambria Hotel Downtown Phoenix Convention Center.
Location
Phoenix is massive and yet, it doesn’t feel like it, because there are smaller urban “pockets” throughout, nestled within the larger Sonoran desert landscape.
From what I’ve been told, Phoenix has changed rapidly over the past several years, and this is especially true in the downtown area. One such neighborhood that’s worth a top spot on any Phoenix visitor’s list is Roosevelt Row (RoRo), a walkable arts district with boutiques, restaurants, galleries, bars, and street art throughout. It’s not far from the Phoenix Convention Center either, making it a perfect stopping ground for both business travel and just-for-fun.
RoRo is where Cambria Hotel Downtown Phoenix Convention Center has opened its doors, and the hotel is located just a short couple minutes’ walk from the action.
The Cambria Hotel Downtown Phoenix Convention Center Property
Inspired by the Sonoran Desert, the Cambria Hotel Downtown Phoenix Convention Center pays homage to the southwest throughout the property. Rich green and dark yellow hues set the tone everywhere you look, and other little thematic touches like decorative cacti, neon signs, and upside-down cowboy hat-shaped pendant lighting are spread throughout the corners of the cozy lobby.
Thanks to the hotel’s location within RoRo, it also features local street art and murals both inside and outside the property which I found to be a really special touch.
One of the coolest things about this hotel is the rooftop, which I’ve been told is one of the best in town. 360-degree views of Phoenix, Papago Park, Tempe, and beyond can be seen from the top floor, and there’s a bar and small pool surrounded by tons of seating space spread across the large terrace.
In addition to the rooftop, this hotel also has an onsite restaurant called Poppy that serves southwestern-influenced food and cocktails along with local beer selections from around the area. While this restaurant wasn’t open while I was in town, I’ve been told that brunch is where it’s at!
The Rooms
There are 127 rooms at the Cambria Hotel Phoenix Downtown Convention Center, and the ones that face Roosevelt Row and the downtown skyline offer my favorite view.
The rooms themselves provide what you’d expect from a Cambria Hotel – comfortable beds, a dedicated workspace, good-sized bathrooms, and Bluetooth mirrors (while these mirrors aren’t found in all properties, the Phoenix hotel does have them!). You can opt for either a king room or two queens, all featuring a similar layout.
Cambria Hotels provides full-sized shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in their bathrooms, which I appreciate as well (more sustainable, less wasted product).
RELATED: How to Spend a Long Weekend in Tempe, Arizona: 3-Day Guide
Tips to Know Before You Go
1. TRANSPORTATION: Downtown Phoenix is pretty walkable, especially in the immediate area surrounding this hotel (Roosevelt Row). You can also easily take an Uber or Lyft anywhere you need to go. In addition to this, you can also take the Valley Metro Rail (“the light rail”) to get around downtown Phoenix, the airport, and the surrounding cities of Tempe and Mesa.
2. WHERE TO EAT: Besides the hotel’s restaurant, Poppy, there are tons of great restaurants in the area. For breakfast and coffee, Jobot Coffee & Bar down the street is tasty and quick. Later in the day, you cannot miss Taco Chelo, Pizzeria Bianco, or The Farish House. For drinks, check out Greenwood Brewing (a woman-owned brewery next to Taco Chelo), Sazerac, Bliss ReBAR, and Wilderness Brewing. So many good options in the area, I could go on and on!
3. WHAT TO DO IN THE AREA:
- Hang out at the hotel’s rooftop at sunset!
- Explore Roosevelt Row
- Take a pedicab tour of downtown Phoenix‘s architecture and street art
- Visit the Desert Botanical Garden and Papago Park
- Plan a day trip to Tempe, Sedona, or Scottsdale
Ready to pack your bags? Book your stay at the Cambria Hotel Downtown Phoenix Convention Center here.
Book Activities In or Near This Hotel Here:
Read This Next:
- Where Traveling for Work Meets Actually Enjoying Yourself: How Cambria Hotels Cater to Business Travelers
- How to Spend a Long Weekend in Tempe, Arizona: 3-Day Guide
- 36 Hours in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona
Pin For Later:
