Immediately after landing in the late evening at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, we rented a Jeep Compass from Thrifty Car rentals (two reviews to hopefully come at end of Arizona review series) we drove ten minutes and checked into the Best Western Plus Papago Inn & Resort, Scottsdale, Arizona.

Location, Location, Location!

With information found through the internet and Frommer's/Fodder's Guides, it was my wife who booked it. Everything she read of positive nature was true. Scottsdale happened to be the perfect location for the start of our ten day travels of awesome  Northern Arizona. It was relatively close to the Apache Trail, noted by National Geographic as one of the 500 Best Drives of A Lifetime. (We loved it!) It was also but a mile from the well noted Desert Botanic Gardens (also excellent!)and just five minutes from historic Old Town Scottsdale that served as a destination for some fine evening dining we enjoyed. It was also perfectly described as being on a main road making for quick travel yet having a secluded feel.

Our Experience at the Best Western Papago Inn

After a quick and efficient check-in we parked our car and brought our luggage to our room. All rooms face an ondoor courtyard that is well landscaped with mature plants and trees along with annuals spotted here and there for additional colour. The pool area was of good size and presented a very comfortable area to absorb our first rays of warm spring sun.

Our first evening we sat in a rocker swing enjoying the evening warmth of Phoenix. The next morning was breakfast we brought in under the gazebo also in the courtyard.  A small aviary housed a dozen or so parakeets that we could hear chirping throughout the day. I liked that.

There were plenty of lounges and tables and chairs for our use in April.

Our Room

The room was of good size clean and with, easy on the eyes, decor. The king bed was comforable with an extra cushioned top. I liked it.

We had all the amenities one would expect in such a hotel with fridge, iron and board, clock radio, coffee pot etc. No safe in the room but it seems that every hotel in the area is safe free. I never had a problem so I hope that Arizon is also thief free too.

The TV happened to be an older box type that was not in any of the other Arizona hotels we visited. A large easy chair allowed comfort for my watching that TV. I appreciated the free WiFi internet service that fed my Kindle.

A large closet accommodated my wife's hanging apparel  (two white terry robes were inside for our use too) and I used the pletiful drawer space to satisfaction. I don't like l;iving out of luggage.

Rooms were quiet and drapes blocked out the morning sun. The A/C was also easily regulated and quiet though overhead fan was really all we needed.

Bath/Shower

The Bath set up had the toilet and shower/bath separated by a door from the open sink. A real plus was the powerful shower water pressure. I like that. The temperature was easily regulated too. A sturdy bar gave a feeling of solid stability getting in and out of the shower/tub.

We had plenty of good-enough quality towels and all were replaced every day along with the countertop shower gels, shampoos and other such amenities.

A Bit More In Closing

Though we ventured out the complex offers a restaurant for breakfast that we noticed and a bar with a tender looking for business enticing takers with hot wings.

A coin operated laundry was available. That's something we appreciate mid-trip or near the end to freshen up clothes used earlier. 

A gym was also available. Instead I exercised my fingers on one of the PCs available for use to check my emails. 

For the price of $57 per evening in April we thought the Best Western Papago a fine value and would return. It was clean, comfortable, quiet and close to all the destinations and main roads we happened to seek on  this trip. I really liked the feel of the courtyard that, though not top resort quaility, made me feel quite comfortable.

Recommended for sure! 


Arizona Full of truly AWESOME sights!!

Recommended: Yes