Looking for somewhere nice for the family, easy for the wife and kids to get back and forth from race to hotel throughout the day… A pool and good places to eat would be a bonus
I’ve never stayed in these hotels, but I’m a local and worked across the street from transition and the finish line for 8 years. There’s a fairly new hotel called AC by Marriot that is right next to transition and in between the bike course and the run course. If I were in your position, I’d look into that. Also Mission Palms, on Mill, is very walkable, but I think expensive? There are a bunch throughout downtown Tempe, so a lot depends on how far they are comfortable walking.
Interestingly, my wife just disagreed with me and suggested Hyatt Place off Priest. It’s 1 mile from transition, and probably only 1/4 of a mile from one end of the run course. But I told her that every time we travelled to a race, I greatly preferred places where we were easily walking distance from transition and the village and everything. Especially with kids!
Edit to add: there are something like a billion places to eat and drink that are walkable from transition/village. Mill Ave. is the main street of Tempe, and there are 50K college students there, so lots of restaurants and bars. Driving <20 minutes puts a lot more options in Phoenix and Scottsdale on the table too. Feel free to ask any other questions, and good luck! It’s a fun place, and tons of support with a lot of triathletes around.
We stayed (3 families) in the Westin about a half mile from transition (Mill road) and it was great! Super easily walkable for family during the day and even to walk your bike back after the race (and of course for check-in/bike drop and morning of). Booked it about 2 weeks before the race when we realized the hotel we had booked was much farther from transition.
Agreed that it was also a perfect location for restaurants (though we mostly did takeout because of the pandemic). Mellow Mushroom made some great pizza and was across the street from the hotel!
They also have a great rooftop pool and hot tub (supposedly the highest prominence from ground level of a pool in Colorado?)
If I was ever going to do the race again, I’d definitely check prices/availability there first.
My wife and I just returned from IM Arizona. We stayed at the Mission Palms. The rooms are a little expensive but the property is amazing. For a family with kids the pool is awesome with a hot tub on each end! The walk to transition is very short and access to all the Mill St. Restaurants is very easy. If you are a Starbuck fan its a two minute walk for your morning fix.
Residence Inn Marriot in Tempe walkable to transition. The rooms have kitchens which is a must for me when traveling for races. Right downtown so plenty of restaurant options too. A little expensive, but I think everything within walking distance goes up a little in price that weekend. Also, much like the race, I think everything nearby sells out quick.
Check out https://www.sonder.com , they are on Airbnb as well but cheaper I believe if you book direct. They are above the Whole Foods super close to transition. Had a great experience with them and super convenient as there was a full kitchen in an apartment like setting.
Stayed at Hyatt place at E 6th in downtown Tempe ( not the priest one!)
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/arizona/hyatt-place-tempe-phoenix-university/phxzt?src=corp_lclb_gmb_seo_phxzt
It’s at the end of packard drive by the asu basketball and football facilities. It’s a decent walk to the village but a close walk to packard dr and rio salado for the bike course. My wife liked it since she could bring the baby back and forth easily.
Not sure about price since i got it on chase ultimate rewards. Lots of IM athletes were there. Parking was in an ASU parking lot directly next door for $15/day