• Desert sunsets in Tucson feature a dramatic landscape with catci forestscactus sunset image by Sandra Henderson from Fotolia.com
  
  The southern Arizona city of Tuscon is surrounded by saguaro cacti forests and dramatic mountain peaks, blending the stark beauty of the desert with an urban city environment. Visitors to the area many enjoy the flavorful regional cuisine as well as a wide range of outdoor activities, including horseback riding, biking, hiking, bird watching and rock climbing. Many of the Southwestern style hotels in Tucson feature an interior decor with the colors of the desert, hacienda style accommodations or artwork inspired by the American Indian culture.
  
  

Holiday Inn Express Hotel Tucson Airport

• The pet-friendly hotel offers complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle service, a business center, an outdoor heated pool, a whirlpool and an exercise room as well as 98 guest rooms and 19 suites. All of the accommodations feature mountain views and a desert tone decor with a Southwestern motif displayed in the curtains, artwork and wall paper. Complimentary amenities include high-speed wireless Internet access, daily hot breakfast and a Happy Hour held every Wednesday evening. Although the budget property does not have a full service restaurant, the hotel is just a few minutes from downtown Tucson and several family-friendly restaurants are located nearby. Pets are welcome for a refundable deposit.
  
  Holiday Inn Express Tucson Airport
  2548 E. Medina Rd.
  Tucson, AZ 85706
  520-889-6600
  hiexpress.com
  
  

Comfort Suites at Sabino Canyon

• Located on the east side of Tucson, just four miles from Sabino Canyon and Mount Lemon, the smoke-free, pet-friendly hotel features landscaped courtyards with scenic fountains and Southwestern paintings by popular local artists are displayed in the lobby. The hotel welcomes business travelers, families and extended-stay guests. The hacienda-style property features 90 guest rooms decorated in tones inspired by colorful desert sunsets. Each room is equipped with complimentary wireless Internet access, coffee makers, microwaves, refrigerators and cable television with premium channels. Guests are invited to start their day with a daily complimentary hot breakfast as well as stop by the afternoon receptions. Held Monday through Friday, the Manager's Reception offers the opportunity to mingle with other guests while enjoying a glass of premium beer or wine. Additional amenities include an outdoor heated pool, a Jacuzzi and guest laundry facilities. Pets are welcome for a nonrefundable fee.
  
  Comfort Suites at Sabino Canyon
  7007 E. Tanque Verde
  Tucson, AZ 85715
  520-298-2300
  comfortsuites.com
  
  

Desert Diamond Casino and Hotel

• The upscale casino hotel is honors Native American cultures with exhibitions of regional artwork and features an interior decor of bold desert colors. A dramatic two-story circular lobby overlooks a crescent shaped pool, a fire pit and the distant mountains. Each of the contemporary guest rooms is decorated in a desert palette of beige, sand, ivory and black and provide a flat-panel cable television, a large work desk, complimentary wireless Internet access, in-room safe and a refrigerator. The 170,000-square-foot casino complex features slots, blackjack, poker, keno and bingo. The property also offers a heated outdoor pool, whirlpool, patio seating with a fire pit and a modern gym. Guests may choose from a variety of dining experiences, including specialty drinks at the Coffee Bar, fine dining at The Steakhouse Restaurant, the casual atmosphere of The Buffet, the convenient 24-hour Food Court or sophisticated cocktails and snacks at The Hotel Bar.
  
  Desert Diamond Casino and Hotel
  7350 S. Nogales Highway
  Tucson, AZ 85756
  520-294-7777
  desertdiamondhotel.com