Destination Guide | Phoenix, AZ

City Guide

Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix is a large, sprawling metro that rewards planners who take the time to understand it. The city has the business infrastructure you'd expect from one of the fastest-growing markets: strong hotel options, a mature restaurant scene, and meeting-ready venues. It also has something most major metros can't offer: reliable weather for nine months of the year that makes outdoor activities, transfers, and logistics easy to plan around.

The variable here is geography. At more than 500 square miles, Phoenix doesn't have a typical central location. Scottsdale is the most offsite-ready area, downtown Phoenix is great for groups tied to conventions or corporate offices, and Tempe sits in the middle, connected to Sky Harbor by light rail. Pick one neighborhood and build around it so that your team doesn’t spend more time in transit than in sessions.

Seasonal forecast

Spring

Best window

Warm, sunny, and low humidity

One of the best times to visit. MLB Spring Training drives crowds and prices up.

Summer

Temperatures regularly exceed 110°F

Rates drop significantly, but all activities will need to be indoors.

Fall

Comfortable temperatures

Strong availability and reasonable rates. A reliable window for offsites.

Winter

Peak season with ideal conditions

Book early, especially in Scottsdale. Popular properties fill fast.

Transportation options

PHX (Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport)

One of the most centrally located major airports in the country. 15 minutes from Downtown and Tempe, 20 to 25 minutes from Scottsdale. Well-served across domestic routes, with solid international connections.

Rental car or shuttle service

The recommended option for Phoenix. The city is built for cars, and the distances between neighborhoods make driving the practical default.

Light Rail (Valley Metro)

Connects Sky Harbor to downtown and Tempe. A useful option when staying along the light rail corridor, but limited across other areas.

Walkability

Each neighborhood has its own walkable core, Old Town Scottsdale and downtown Tempe. Moving between neighborhoods requires transportation.

The mistake most groups make is treating Phoenix like a city with a center. It doesn't have one. Pick Scottsdale, plan everything around Scottsdale, and it's a great offsite. Start mixing in hotels or restaurants from other parts of the metro and you've added a shuttle coordination problem to every agenda item. Get that right and the rest is easy.

TROOP city expert

Accommodations

TROOP PICK

JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

4.6

Luxury resort

JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa

One of Scottsdale's most iconic properties, Camelback Inn combines historic resort character with five-star amenities and on-property meeting infrastructure. The grounds, spa, and dining options give executive groups space without leaving the property.

4.6

Boutique hotel

Hotel Valley Ho

A restored 1956 original with genuine midcentury design and a lively pool scene, Hotel Valley Ho puts attendees within walking distance of Old Town dining and nightlife. A strong anchor for groups who want flexibility outside of meeting hours.

4.4

Hotel

Sheraton Grand Phoenix

Connected to the Phoenix Convention Center via skybridge and steps from the light rail, the Sheraton Grand Phoenix is the most practical anchor for groups with attendees flying in from multiple directions.

Meeting spaces

TROOP PICK

4.3

Boutique hotel

The Scott Resort & Spa

A boutique property with flexible indoor-outdoor spaces and a quieter atmosphere than the larger resort hotels. Well-suited for smaller executive meetings that don't need full conference scale, with strong service to match.

4.4

Hotel

Tempe Mission Palms

Located in the heart of Tempe, walking distance from Mill Avenue and 10 minutes from Sky Harbor. Over 25,000 square feet of meeting space and a light rail stop nearby make it one of the more logistically straightforward options.

4.9

Co-working space

Industrious

With locations in Scottsdale, Downtown Phoenix, and Tempe, Industrious is the most practical option for distributed teams or groups that need professional workspace without committing to a full hotel buyout.

Restaurants

Culinary Dropout

$$ - $$$

A gastropub-style restaurant with an expansive menu, strong cocktails, and indoor-outdoor space that handles groups well. A reliable pick for a first-night dinner or team celebration.

Tacos Chiwas

$–$$

A James Beard Award semifinalist recognized for its Sonoran-style tacos, Tacos Chiwas is one of those spots locals recommend without hesitation. The setting is casual and the menu is focused. The right call for a working lunch before an afternoon of sessions.

Olive & Ivy

$$$ - $$$$

Set along the Scottsdale Waterfront, Olive & Ivy is a reliable anchor for client dinners and leadership meals. Mediterranean-inspired menu, a strong wine program, and a private dining option that handles groups without making them feel crowded.

Activities

Golfing

Phoenix has one of the highest concentrations of golf courses in the country. Golf works as a half-day add-on that doesn't require the full group, making it a natural option for attendees with flexible schedules.

Desert Botanical Garden

Located in Papago Park, the Desert Botanical Garden offers 140 acres of curated desert plant life and rotating exhibitions. Works for groups of all fitness levels and gives attendees a different lens on the landscape.

MLB Spring Training

The Cactus League runs February through March across 10 stadiums in the Phoenix metro, with teams like the Giants, Cubs, and Rockies. Tickets are easy to get, stadiums are small and relaxed, and the format works naturally for a group outing.