The Hotel Palomar Phoenix is a hip, modern hotel set in a Phoenix high rise. Beyond the sleek, silver exterior this property has marble fireplaces, parquet flooring, and eccentric art such as metal dog sculptures, gnomes, and framed abstract paintings. The furniture is contemporary and appealing, from the living room feel of the lobby to the airy Blue Hound restaurant. The atmosphere is trendy and a touch noisy, especially at the rooftop pool and Lustre Bar, which can get crowded. 

If you are staying in downtown Phoenix, this location is hard to beat. The hotel is next to CityScape, a large entertainment, dining, and shopping area, and down the street from the Washington/Central Light Rail Station. Nightlife outside the hotel isn’t all that popular since most venues close earlier here than in other cities, but some notable places include the Rhythm Room, which has live music and is a 10-minute drive up N 7th St, and Majerle's, a sports bar down the road owned by NBA All-Star Dan Majerle. The Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is 10 minutes away by car (the nearby light rail also connects to the airport).

The Hotel Palomar Phoenix has 242 rooms ranging from 410 to 1,700 square feet. The rooms and suites have warm, earth tones and quirky artistic accents (such as acrylics of a vibrant blue face or a long-horned steer on canvas by John Randall Nelson ). The interiors of wardrobes have surprising lime-green backgrounds with stencils of the oddballs of Arizona Laws, such as “any misdemeanor committed while wearing a red mask is considered a felony.” Oddities aside, rooms offer modern amenities including iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, a bar of local and organic items operated on the honor system, and On-Demand fitness classes. Bathrooms are clean and beautifully designed with wide sinks and counter space. They’re equipped with a hairdryer, toiletries, and ETRO skin and hair products. Rooms have either standing showers with European glass panels or shower/tub combos, but guests in the suites have the luxury of bathtubs and standing glass showers. Additionally, rooms on the higher floors -- typically suites -- enjoy views of the surrounding mountains.

On the third floor rooftop there is an outdoor pool surrounded by umbrellas and metal-frame sun loungers. Next to the pool area, there is a bar called the Lustre Rooftop Garden that is part of the Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails. The Blue Hound serves contemporary American cuisine for breakfast (not included), brunch, lunch, and dinner and also offers in-room dining. Additionally, a free evening wine reception is held in the lobby daily. There is a small business center with computer and printer access, along with meeting spaces. A full service salon and spa with an extensive menu of services including massage, skin care, body treatments, waxing, manicures, hair care, and makeup is an excellent feature. With separate styling, nail care, and treatment areas, the facility has a sleek, spotless look with wood floors and floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Expect to pay extra for parking and Wi-Fi unless you're a loyalty member. There isn't a fitness center on-site but guests are given free passes to a nearby Gold's Gym Elite.