Unicorn Zebra

We enjoyed both the hotel and the lounge, and each felt special. We were in Tucson for the gem shows and found the hotel very convenient to the convention center, restaurants, and shops. I was able to park on the street at night without any problems. The owners were easy to reach by message and replied quickly, kindly, and helpfully. The lounge was a highlight. The bartender was talented and clearly passionate about the drinks, with a unique menu as well as some of the best classic cocktails my wife and I have had. We left feeling like we’d had a memorable experience each evening. The rooms have high ceilings and stylish decor. My wife was so inspired by the choices in the room, hallway, and common areas that she wants to renovate our home, and she even liked the scent they use. We’ll be back in Tucson next year and will stay at the Unicorn Zebra.

The clean room and bedding and the convenient location were the positives for us. But a romantic getaway here may be awkward: the bathroom has no door and opens right onto the bed, and the acoustics mean every little toilet sound carries. That may not bother everyone, but it’s something to know. We were in the monopoly room, where the only themed touch was a framed monopoly poster. The rest felt like a standard modern hotel room, so the room themes seemed unnecessary. Communication was also inconsistent. There’s no front desk, so everything comes by email or text, and the messages gave different checkout times and conflicting parking information. The check-in details said the garage next door cost $20 a night, but it charges $15 for 8 hours. Discounts are offered through “participating businesses,” and this hotel isn’t one of them. We paid $50 to park overnight, so be warned.

We finally stopped by for a drink early on New Year's Eve after always walking past and wanting to try the bar. The cocktails were tasty and well made, the beer was ice cold, and the service felt professional. Nice, relaxed atmosphere. I’ll be back.

I only went to the bar since I live out here. It’s fine, a bit pricey, with a decent liquor selection. It was a dead night, so the bartender being quiet and mostly doing busywork and watching TikTok didn’t bother me. We eventually got chatting about bartending, which was nice. They may have too many bottles, though. How many non-Italians drink strega? The bartender didn’t recognize it. I’d also organize the bottles a bit, since they’re spread all over.