Hotels for 18- to 20-year-olds in Tempe, Arizona

Tempe centers on Arizona State University, so the city feels active most of the year. Mill Avenue has busy sidewalks, casual restaurants, music spots, and late-night crowds. Tempe Town Lake draws people for walks, paddleboarding, and evening hangouts. ASU Homecoming and downtown street parties bring parades, concerts, and packed blocks that are easy for young travelers to join.

Many Tempe hotels require guests to be 21 to check in. Some allow 18+ with ID and a credit card, but rules vary by property. Around the Fourth of July Celebration and Fireworks, rooms fill fast, so confirm age policy before booking.

The list 9 hotels for 18- to 20-year-olds in Tempe

This page contains affiliate links; we may earn a commission, but hotels are listed based on age policies and quality, not commission.

• 1 Drury Plaza Hotel Phoenix Tempe Tempe $$$

  
  Guest Rating 9.4

  Our opinion: Featuring free hot breakfast, an evening snack-and-drinks kickback, and free parking, this is a smart pick for a Phoenix/Tempe trip where you want to keep daily costs down without sacrificing comfort. The setup is especially useful if you’ll be out exploring most of the day and want easy food options built into the stay. It’s not a boutique hangout-style hotel, but it delivers strong value, a pool and hot tub, and quick access to ASU and the airport. The main caution: some rooms can pick up highway noise, so light sleepers should request a quieter room away from the road.
  
  The vibe is modern, simple, and easygoing rather than flashy. Rooms come with practical extras that make short stays easier, including a mini fridge, microwave, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and flat-screen TV. There’s also a fitness center, 24-hour front desk, and an outdoor pool area that works well for downtime between plans. One of the standout features here is the nightly food-and-drink offering, which guests often said helped save both time and money.
  
  The hotel sits in a convenient part of Tempe with easy highway access, around a 10-minute drive from Arizona State University and about 15 minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. That makes it a solid base for campus visits, flights, quick city breaks, or exploring more of the Phoenix area without spending ages in transit. Guests also liked how easy it was to get to shopping, restaurants, parks, and entertainment nearby. It’s more of a drive-to-everything location than a walkable urban stay, but it works well if convenience is the priority.
  
  Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with frequent praise for the friendly staff, clean and spacious rooms, comfortable beds, and especially the generous breakfast and evening kickback. A lot of guests felt the included meals added real value, and several mentioned the pool, hot tub, and smooth check-in experience as extra positives. The most common complaints were road noise in some rooms, inconsistent housekeeping, and occasional issues with food quality or repetition at dinner. A few guests also mentioned minor maintenance or room-cleanliness problems, but overall the hotel leaves a very strong impression for comfort, service, and value. Read more

  Address 1780 West Ranch Road Show on map

  • The minimum age for check-in at this hotel is 18
  • Swimming pool.
  • Gym / fitness center.
  • Pets are welcome.
  • Free parking available.
  Available rooms

• 2 Omni Tempe Hotel at ASU Tempe $$$

  
  Guest Rating 9.2

  Our opinion: With a rooftop bar, outdoor pool, and a spot next to ASU, this hotel stands out as one of Tempe’s better options for a stylish, convenient stay. You’ll be within walking distance of campus, restaurants, and nightlife, with a more polished feel than a standard chain; just keep in mind that valet parking and other extra fees can make it a pricier choice.
  
  The overall vibe is modern, sleek, and a little upscale without feeling overly formal. Rooms are spacious, clean, and comfortable, with air conditioning, seating areas, flat-screen TVs, safes, and well-designed bathrooms. The hotel also has a gym, sun terrace, restaurant, bar, and a lobby that sounds more like a social lounge, with plenty of seating and places to hang out. The rooftop setup is a standout here, especially for city and mountain views, and several guests said the whole place had a resort-like feel.
  
  The location is a big advantage. You’re in Tempe near Arizona State University and close to Mill Avenue, so there are lots of casual restaurants, coffee spots, and bars within walking distance. Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is only about 8 km away, which makes arrivals and departures pretty straightforward. It’s also convenient for getting into downtown Phoenix while still staying in a more relaxed, student-friendly area.
  
  Reviews are consistently strong on cleanliness, attractive design, roomy accommodations, and genuinely helpful staff. Guests often mention friendly front desk service, quick problem-solving, nice views, and solid food and drinks, especially at the rooftop bar. The most common complaints are about parking being inconvenient or expensive, added taxes and incidental holds, and a few service inconsistencies like missed housekeeping, elevator waits, or rooftop access needing reservations. A handful of guests also mentioned street noise, weak air conditioning in some rooms, and no included breakfast. Read more

  Address 7 East University Drive Show on map

  • The minimum age for check-in at this hotel is 18
  • Rooftop pool.
  • Gym / fitness center.
  • Pets are welcome.
  Available rooms

• 3 University Inn ASU/Tempe Tempe $$$

  
  Guest Rating 8.6

  Our opinion: Close to ASU and within easy reach of Mill Avenue and the airport, this is a practical Tempe base when location and price matter most. Free Wi-Fi, clean rooms, mini-fridges, and coffee makers cover the basics for a short city break or event weekend. Because the property sits on a busy street, light sleepers may want earplugs or a room farther from the noisiest areas.
  
  The vibe is more refurbished roadside motel than polished chain hotel, with a simple boutique feel that guests often found better than expected. Rooms are air-conditioned and generally described as clean, modernized, and comfortable, with cable TV, desks, and some nice touches like rain-style showers. A few rooms are fairly compact, while others feel surprisingly roomy, and the decor gets mentioned as colorful, quirky, and freshly updated. Don’t expect lots of extras, though - this is a basics-first stay, and things like lighting, blackout coverage, outlet quality, and storage can be hit or miss.
  
  Location is the big win here. Arizona State University is literally across the street, Sun Devil Stadium is about a mile away, and Mill Avenue’s restaurants, coffee spots, shops, and nightlife are within walking distance. Guests also liked being near Gammage, drugstores, grocery options, and quick everyday stops like CVS, which makes the area especially convenient without needing a car all the time. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is only about 6 miles away, so arrivals and departures are relatively easy, though there’s no airport shuttle.
  
  Reviews are strongest on cleanliness, value, and the friendliness of the staff, with several guests saying the service was especially kind and helpful. The location gets constant praise, especially for campus visits, shows, and easy walks to food and nightlife. The most common complaint is noise from traffic, nearby streets, and the parking area, plus some rooms can be bright in the morning because the blinds don’t fully block light. A few guests also mentioned tight parking, occasional maintenance issues like weak water flow or noisy toilets, and some small motel-style limitations, but many still felt it delivered solid value for the area. Read more

  Address 902 South Mill Avenue Show on map

  • The minimum age for check-in at this hotel is 18
  • Free parking available.
  Available rooms

• 4 Hyatt Place Tempe Phoenix Airport Tempe $$$

  
  Guest Rating 8.6

  Our opinion: Close to Sky Harbor Airport and within easy reach of ASU, this hotel is a convenient base for a short stay in Tempe or Phoenix. A year-round heated outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, breakfast, and a complimentary shuttle to the airport and Light Rail station add solid value, especially for late arrivals or early departures. The main caution is noise: some guests found it quiet, while others noticed plane or traffic sound.
  
  The overall vibe is modern, simple, and comfortable rather than flashy. Rooms are one of the stronger points here, with lots of reviews mentioning that they feel big, clean, and well laid out, with a sofa/seating area, large TV, mini fridge, and coffee maker. There’s also an on-site Bakery Café for easy meals when you don’t feel like going out, plus a gym for quick workouts. The heated pool is a nice bonus since it gives the place a bit more life than a standard transit hotel.
  
  The location is best for getting around by car or shuttle rather than walking everywhere. Sky Harbor Airport is only about a five-minute drive away, Arizona State University is also close, and you’re in a handy spot for reaching downtown Tempe, Tempe Town Lake, Scottsdale, and the Phoenix Zoo. That makes it useful if your plans mix campus visits, city exploring, and quick airport access. Just keep in mind the area itself feels more functional than lively, so it’s better as a launchpad than as a neighborhood hangout base.
  
  Guest feedback is mostly positive, with the biggest praise going to the spacious rooms, strong cleanliness, convenient shuttle service, and breakfast, which many said was better than expected for this category. A lot of travelers also liked how easy check-in was and found the staff friendly and helpful. On the downside, reviews mention some inconsistent maintenance and service issues, including occasional odors in hallways or bathrooms, worn details in some rooms, slow or understaffed front desk moments, and mixed opinions on the food quality. Noise is the other recurring complaint, though experiences clearly vary by room and timing. Read more

  Address 1413 West Rio Salado Parkway Show on map

  • The minimum age for check-in at this hotel is 18
  • Heated pool.
  • Gym / fitness center.
  • Pets are welcome.
  • Free parking available.
  Available rooms

• 5 Graduate by Hilton Tempe Tempe $$$

  
  Guest Rating 8.0

  Our opinion: Right by Arizona State University, this hotel is a practical choice for a Tempe stay focused on campus and downtown. The outdoor pool, hot tub, gym, and in-room mini fridge add helpful convenience for a short visit, though parking costs extra and breakfast usually is not included. Overall, it suits travelers who prioritize location over polished rooms or strong value for the price.
  
  The property has a quirky, retro personality rather than a sleek chain-hotel feel. Rooms come with a 42-inch TV, small refrigerator, private bathroom, and in some cases a balcony or nice views, while the shared spaces lean into a fun mid-century, college-town style that many guests remembered. The pool area is a standout for downtime, and having a hot tub and fitness center is a plus. That said, several reviews mention that some rooms feel small, bathrooms can be tight, and parts of the building seem a little dated.
  
  The location is easily one of its strongest features. It sits directly by Arizona State University, making it especially convenient for campus visits, events, and games, while downtown Tempe and Mill Avenue are close enough for restaurants, bars, and nightlife without putting you right in the middle of the busiest noise. Tempe Center for the Arts is a short drive away, and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is also close, so arrivals and departures are pretty straightforward. For exploring this part of the city, it’s a strong base.
  
  Reviews are mixed but lean positive on staff and convenience. A lot of guests praised the friendly service, clean rooms, comfortable beds, and the fun decor, with the pool and some balcony rooms getting extra love. The most common complaints were noise from streets or air-conditioning units, older plumbing and maintenance issues, small bathrooms, limited room amenities, and weak in-room coffee. A few guests also mentioned inconsistent dining service, housekeeping gaps, and occasional billing or front-desk issues, so it’s worth double-checking charges and managing expectations on service details. Read more

  Address 225 East Apache Boulevard Show on map

  • The minimum age for check-in at this hotel is 18
  • Swimming pool.
  • Tennis court.
  • Gym / fitness center.
  • Pets are welcome.
  Available rooms

• 6 Motel 6 Tempe, AZ Elliot Road Tempe $$$

  
  Guest Rating 7.1

  Our opinion: Free parking, free Wi‑Fi, and one of the lower price points in Tempe make this a practical base if you're getting around by car. It suits a short, budget-focused stay when you mainly need a private room with AC and can accept a motel-style setup. Reviews are mixed, though, with recurring mentions of noise, maintenance problems, and safety concerns around the property.
  
  The hotel keeps things simple, with straightforward rooms that include air conditioning, a private bathroom, a seating area, and flat-screen cable TV. Some guests mention renovated or upgraded units, and a few found the rooms spacious and cleaner than expected. The large pool area is one of the more appealing features and gets positive mentions, giving the property a bit more hangout potential than a bare-bones roadside stay. That said, amenities are limited overall, and you shouldn’t expect extras like breakfast or a boutique-style atmosphere.
  
  In Tempe, the property is better suited to travelers who want a practical stop near everyday conveniences rather than a trendy neighborhood stay. Guests liked having restaurants, stores, and even a Circle K within walking distance, which makes quick food runs easy. It’s also within reasonable driving distance of Sea Life Arizona, Phoenix Zoo, Desert Botanical Garden, downtown Phoenix, and the airport, so it works best if you have a car and want to keep costs down while exploring the area.
  
  Guest feedback is very split. On the positive side, multiple reviewers praised the friendly front desk team, fast check-in, convenient parking, renovated rooms, and the pool, while some said the rooms were clean and the property felt improved under newer management. The negatives are hard to ignore, though: repeated complaints mention smoke smells, thin walls, loud guests, unreliable Wi-Fi, broken room features, deposit frustrations, inconsistent cleanliness, and concerns about the surrounding environment. In short, some people find it good value for the price, but others had serious enough issues that this is best approached as a budget gamble rather than a dependable pick. Read more

  Address 1660 West Elliot Road Show on map

  • The minimum age for check-in at this hotel is 18
  • Swimming pool.
  • Pets are welcome.
  • Free parking available.
  Available rooms

• 7 Studio 6-Tempe, AZ Tempe $$$

  
  Guest Rating 6.6

  Our opinion: Low rates, free parking, and in-room kitchenettes give this Tempe hotel some practical appeal for a short stop focused on saving money. It’s best suited to travelers who mainly need a fridge and microwave and don’t mind being a reasonable drive from ASU and the airport. Book with caution, though, since cleanliness and reliability appear to be inconsistent.
  
  The setup is simple and motel-style, with exterior room entrances and straightforward rooms that include a seating area, cable TV with HBO, a microwave, and a refrigerator. Some units also give you more of an extended-stay feel with a stovetop or fuller kitchen layout, which is useful for cheap meals and longer stays. There are laundry facilities on site, free local calls, and the hotel is pet-friendly, so it covers the basics for a budget road-trip kind of stay rather than a social or design-led hotel experience.
  
  This part of Tempe is more about convenience than atmosphere. The property sits about 5 miles from Arizona State University’s Tempe campus and around 9 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, with freeway access mentioned positively by several guests. Diablo Stadium is nearby for games, and Phoenix Zoo is within an easy drive, so it’s a workable base if you’ll mostly be out exploring by car. Free parking is a real plus here, especially in a city where having your own transport helps a lot.
  
  Reviews are very mixed, but the biggest pattern is clear: guests liked the price, location, roomy layouts, and kitchenettes, and some mentioned friendly front-desk staff. On the downside, many others reported serious issues with cleanliness, bad odors, worn beds, broken or outdated fixtures, missing supplies, and maintenance problems. Roaches, smoke smells, deposit frustrations, and inconsistent service came up repeatedly too. In short, some people found it acceptable for the cost, but a lot of guests felt it needed major improvements. Read more

  Address 4909 S Wendler Dr Show on map

  • The minimum age for check-in at this hotel is 18
  • Swimming pool.
  • Pets are welcome.
  • Free parking available.
  Available rooms

• 8 La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Tempe $$$

  
  Guest Rating 5.7

  Our opinion: Near Phoenix Sky Harbor, this budget airport hotel covers the essentials with a free shuttle, pool, Wi‑Fi, and breakfast included. It’s most useful for a quick overnight around a late arrival or early flight, but the low guest rating and repeated maintenance complaints mean it’s a pick to consider cautiously rather than an easy default.
  
  The property is a simple, older mid-range airport stay with a motel-style layout rather than a polished, modern hotel feel. Rooms come with flat-screen TVs, a seating area, private bathrooms, and free Wi‑Fi, and the hotel also has an outdoor pool, fitness room, business center, and laundry facilities. Decor sounds basic, with wood furnishings and white linens, and several reviews suggest the building is showing its age. In short, the amenities are practical, but the overall vibe is more functional than fun.
  
  The location is one of its strongest points. It’s close to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, with shuttle service running from early morning through evening, and it also gives you easy freeway access for getting around the city. Phoenix Zoo is about a 10-minute drive away, and Desert Botanical Garden is also nearby, so it’s convenient if you want to squeeze in a quick outing before or after a flight. Just don’t expect a lively walkable neighborhood packed with food spots or shops right outside.
  
  Reviews are mixed at best, with guests most often praising the airport access, shuttle service, some friendly staff, comfortable beds in certain rooms, and the value of having breakfast included. The common downsides are much more serious: many guests describe the place as dated, worn down, and inconsistent on cleanliness, with reports of stained linens, mold, bugs, broken fixtures, noisy AC, weak soundproofing, and unhelpful responses to maintenance issues. Breakfast gets a mixed reaction too - fine for some, disappointing for others. Overall, people who were happiest tended to treat it as a cheap, short airport stop, while those expecting a well-kept 3-star stay were often frustrated. Read more

  Address 911 South 48th Street Show on map

  • The minimum age for check-in at this hotel is 18
  • Swimming pool.
  • Gym / fitness center.
  • Pets are welcome.
  Available rooms

• 9 Motel 6-Tempe, AZ - Broadway - ASU Tempe $$$

  
  Guest Rating 5.3

  Our opinion: About a mile from Arizona State University and within easy reach of the airport, this budget motel looks convenient for a quick stop in Tempe. Free parking and a heated outdoor pool add some practical appeal, but low review scores and frequent complaints about cleanliness, maintenance, and safety make it a last-resort option for only the briefest stay.
  
  The setup is simple motel-style, with air-conditioned rooms, cable TV, a work desk, and an en suite bathroom. A few guests mentioned updated door locks, some said rooms felt fairly clean, and the pool was one of the more consistently liked features. But overall, this is a very basic place with limited extras: no breakfast, and many reviews mention missing conveniences like a mini fridge, microwave, coffee maker, ice machine, laundry, or elevator. The vibe comes across as stripped-down rather than social or stylish, so it’s better for sleeping somewhere cheap than hanging out at the hotel.
  
  The biggest advantage is the location around Tempe. ASU is close enough for a quick rideshare, and Sky Harbor International Airport is about 6 miles away, which can be handy for late arrivals or early departures. Guests also liked having practical stops nearby, including a Circle K next door, places to eat, stores, a pharmacy, and access to the bus system. For plans focused on campus visits, quick errands, or getting around Tempe and Phoenix without staying in the center, the spot itself is more useful than the property.
  
  Reviews are heavily mixed, leaning strongly negative. The most common positives were the convenient location, some friendly staff members, free parking, and occasional comments that rooms were clean enough for a one-night stay. The main complaints were much more serious: no hot water, dirty rooms, bugs or roaches, broken or noisy AC, clogged sinks, uncomfortable beds, remote or inconsistent check-in, missing room amenities, noise late at night, and guests feeling unsafe around the property. In short, people who had a decent stay usually treated it as a bare-bones stopover, while many others had enough issues that they wouldn’t return. Read more

  Address 513 West Broadway Road Show on map

  • The minimum age for check-in at this hotel is 18
  • Pets are welcome.
  Available rooms