• 1. Where to Stay
• 2. Where to Eat
• 3. What to Do
• 4. Insider’s Tip
• 5. An Oddball Day

The Saguaro features splashes of colors inside rooms and throughout the property.   (Photo: Courtesy of The Saguaro)

Party to poolside DJs at The Saguaro (from $149), a former Holiday Inn that reopened last month after a facelift and rebranding by the owners of the nearby Ace hotel. Tangerine- and lime-accented walls and sleek furniture give this 245-room property a vibrant, youthful look. It’s also home to two restaurants—one a tapas bar, the other featuring Mexican small plates and 100 tequilas—with menus created by Iron Chef Jose Garces.

Unpack within walking distance of the Design District’s mid-century furniture shops at the Spanish-style Los Arboles Hotel (from $148). Its vine-covered walls contain 21 rooms that overlook a courtyard pool with mountain views, but request one of the four that have an en-suite sauna and private patio. Locals love the on-site restaurant for its authentic Mexican dishes and strong margaritas.

Hang with architecture buffs at The Horizon Hotel (from $139), one of the few original Modernist hotels remaining in the area. Built by Hollywood mogul Jack Wrather and his wife, actress Bonita Granville, in the fifties, its 24 angular rooms feature mountain views, outdoor showers, and round patios. If you’re feeling lavish, stay in Wrather and Granville’s former residence, which rents as a one-, two-, or three-bedroom unit with a sunken bar and private pool.

Published on Mar 16, 2012 as a web exclusive.