Phoenix Inns

Look at my reviews. Rarely do I ever say anything negative about a business; I'm very easy to please. This review is a rare exception. Key points: Desk clerk is behind bullet-proof glass communicating via a Charlie-Brown-quality speaker. Entire property surrounded by high fence with security gates. The overall vibe is one of maximum-security prison, or perhaps post-apocalyptic wasteland. I am grateful that management has taken the responsibility to do these things to assure the safety of its guests. However, I simply do not wish to stay someplace where such measures are necessary to assure my safety. I've stayed in a LOT of major cities and have never encountered a hotel like this. That said, our room was very clean and tidy; nothing fancy but perfectly acceptable in and of itself. And in fairness, nothing the least bit unpleasant occurred during our stay. But our discomfort was extreme nonetheless. Though we had originally reserved two nights, we checked out after the first. Driving about randomly in Scottsdale turned up a far more satisfactory hotel for the second night.

The “Inns” owned by the Whitbread chain are best described as motels and, in my experience, provide a consistent standard of bed and breakfast accommodation throughout, although there are minor variations between establishments, not all of which have lifts to the upper floors, so guests with mobility problems would do well to specify a ground-floor room when booking. Some of the accommodation can be in annexes rather than the main motel. Access to the rooms is provided by key card which is also needed to enter the hotel from reception. In some (most?) cases the card has to be inserted into a slot to operate the room’s lights. Most rooms provide a large, comfortable double bed, although some rooms offer two single ones. There is often, but not invariably, a ‘sofa’ bed as well. If there isn’t one an armchair is provided. The en-suite bathrooms provide a toilet, and a hand basin, and recently more establishments appear to be providing shaver sockets. All rooms have showers, but, as most appear to be over a bath, those with mobility problems would be advised to check accessibility beforehand. Bath and hand towels are provided. Mirrors are found in both the bathroom and the main bedroom. Free Wi-Fi and a modern, large screen TV are the norm and there is usually a table with a chair and a desk lamp, above which are four electric sockets. Tea making facilities are provided, as is a hair-dryer. There is adequate space available to hang clothes overnight with a full length space and a number of shelves. The rooms themselves are generally clean and quiet, even where they are close to traffic, although there can occasionally be some noise from other guests in some of the older establishments. The one consistent drawback appears to be that the rooms in general are overheated and it can be difficult, if not, at times, impossible to reduce the temperature, as there are restriction devices on the windows which prevent them being opened by more than a couple of inches, and the heating controls are frequently not adjustable. Staff are mostly cheerful, friendly, and efficient, although like in any walk of life you may find one who finds it hard to smile. The accommodation is generally reasonable value for the money. The attached chain restaurants serve pub grub from at least two standard menus. This is adequate but nothing more, and currently (May 2022) service can be slow due to post-covid staffing problems. Unfortunately they all seem to consider it not only mandatory but desirable to assault patrons’ ears at all times of the day with what I presume they regard as music.