Tucson is a magical place surrounded by several parks full of Saguaro Cactus, Sonoran desert landscape, and pine forests while having a vibrant art community and great restaurant scene.

They also have a great selection of hotels catering to all your needs!

Here are our best hotels and resorts to stay in when visiting Tucson, Arizona:

Surrounded by gorgeous hills full of Saguaro Cactus and only moments away from downtown Tucson and Saguaro National Park, the JW Marriott Starr Pass is an excellent choice if you want a blend of luxury, delicious food options, pool time, and plenty of outdoor options.

For starters, the moment you walk into the lobby, you’ll be greeted with a massive multi-story windowed lobby that faces the spacious outdoor sitting area and gigantic pool area. You’ll want to be at the outdoor sitting area for sunrise during the Navajo morning ritual and at sunset for the evening tequila toast. Both are free to hotel guests and are great ways to start and end the day!

Tucson is known for its searing summer days, but you’re in luck with the larger-than-life swimming pool, lazy river, and hot tub. I loved going around in the lazy river while sitting in the provided floats.

The rooms are generously large - mine came with a separate room, a balcony overlooking the pool area, and a comfortable king-size bed.

The on-site restaurants are really great as well, with a focus on the local cuisine. We had all our meals at the Signature Grill. For dinner, we loved the Roasted Cauliflower, Grilled Salmon, and Churro Beignets. For Breakfast, we loved the Pozole, Tamale, and Sonoran Omelet.

Saving the best for last, there are several great hikes located about a 5-minute walk from the hotel that have a large amount of Saguaro cactus and lovely views.

For an immersive getaway inside the Saguaro National Park, it doesn’t get any better than Casa Tierra. You’ll be completely surrounded by the desert here but have all your needs taken care of.

All the rooms here have private patio entrances that look out into the Sonoran Desert. There is a lovely courtyard in the middle that is lovingly furnished with Southwestern decor, a gurgling fountain, and freshly baked cookies & tea.

A delicious breakfast, made by the gregarious owner Steinen, is served in the sunroom every morning, which has its own amazing view of the desert.

There’s also a hot tub that is perfect for late-night soaks while gawking at the night sky when all the stars come out minus the city light pollution.

There’s also an interesting Falconry package that involves you training a falcon to hunt with you in the desert! Ask Steinen, the owner, about it if you’re interested in booking it.

Placed at the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains, this 34-acre resort combines historic architecture, beautiful mountain views dotted by cactus, and lush courtyards for an unforgettable experience.

You’ll appreciate the rooms that face the mountain since they also have outdoor patios and outdoor showers. All rooms have custom-made furniture from Mexico as well as Mexican tiling and hand-painted sinks.

There are horses available for rides through the property with sunrise and sunsets being the most spectacular.

There are also two pools, a jacuzzi, and an excellent restaurant that has amazing views of the mountain.

One of the newer, trendy hotels in Tucson and winner of USA Today’s 10 best new hotels of 2020 - the Graduate is a beautiful blend of locally inspired and modern design.

The rooms are fresh and bright with saguaro floor lamps, pops of red and blue, and in some rooms, the beds have little teepees as headboards!

At the happening rooftop bar, you’ll find fire pits with views of Mount Lemmon as well as a beautiful pool.

Canyon Ranch is an all-inclusive resort focused on health, wellness, and spa services. So if you’re looking for a vacation that includes a heaping dose of rejuvenation and healing, look no further than Canyon Ranch.

There is a wide variety of fitness, yoga, health programs, and wellness one on ones on offer as a guest here.

On top of it all, there are amazing views of the mountain from all the rooms as well great access to the outdoors.

The real gem here though is the 80,000 square foot spa equipped with everything you’ll need to relax including a footwear analysis center.

Those looking for an authentic Old Pueblo experience set against the backdrop of the Santa Catalina Mountains should check out Lodge on the Desert.

The charming hacienda-style hotel offers comfortable rooms with fireplaces, a beautiful pool area, and delicious Southwestern-inspired cuisine at the Cielos Restaurant.