Magnuson Hotel Papago Inn

The renovated rooms were clean, and the shower pressure was incredible. I also liked the pool and fire pit area. There's an onsite restaurant, Hai Noon, though we didn't try it. We walked from Home in the Rock without any trouble. Old Scottsdale is a short drive away, and Tempe and Phoenix aren't too far.

We'd stayed at the Papago Inn years ago, before the remodel, and it was fine but a little dated. We were wary because of some earlier reviews, but the location is great and the price is economical. The courtyard and pool are beautiful and peaceful, and our updated room was spotless. The young woman at check-in was friendly and helpful. Parking costs $10 a night, though we saw that at another motel down the road too. We didn't find the area sketchy as someone had said, and our favorite brewery is just around the corner. We'd definitely return.

We used to love this hotel, but we're not coming back after this stay. Over four nights, towels were replaced only once and the room was never cleaned. I had to keep going to the front desk for coffee and fresh towels. The one time staff did enter, some of my personal things were thrown away. There's also a hidden $10 nightly parking charge for an unsecured lot behind the hotel. The place recently changed its name and more than doubled its prices, while the service has clearly dropped. It still has some old charm, but that doesn't make the current rates worthwhile. I called the restaurant inside to order takeout and was told they don't offer food to go, which surprised me since it looked mostly empty. There are nicer hotels nearby with much better service and value.

We spent five nights here and really enjoyed it. The rooms are thoughtfully designed, full of amenities, and very clean. There's streaming TV, so you can use your subscriptions from home. The whole place has a just-kitschy-enough vintage feel, including an airstream out front, and reminded us of Palm Springs. It's a lovely renovated mid-century modern, two-story, three-star motel, with a sparkling clean pool and nice staff. The restaurant, which has a James Beard chef and won a best award for 2025, wasn't open during our trip. Parking was good. There's nothing walkable, but the Scottsdale Rd bus north is two blocks away, or it's a quick $8 Uber to Old Town. A truly enjoyable budget choice, highly recommend.