
The Westin Tempe
Best for travelers who want a compact downtown base steps from ASU, Mill Avenue, and a dramatic rooftop pool with skyline views.
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The Westin Tempe is an 18-story downtown Tempe high-rise with a rooftop infinity pool and easy walking access to Arizona State University and the Mill Avenue District; read this if you want a compact, city-center stay near campus, nightlife and event venues. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a large five-star Scottsdale resort with multiple pools, golf access, a full spa, and extensive event space; read this if you want a full-service resort with many on-site amenities and activities.
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Best for travelers who want a compact downtown base steps from ASU, Mill Avenue, and a dramatic rooftop pool with skyline views.

Best for travelers who want a full-service five-star resort experience — multiple pools, golf access, a full spa, and extensive event facilities.
When The Westin Tempe wins: Choose The Westin Tempe if you want to be in downtown Tempe within walking distance of Arizona State University, Mill Avenue nightlife and stadiums, or if you prefer a city-center hotel with a rooftop pool and straightforward access to light rail.
When Fairmont Scottsdale Princess wins: Choose Fairmont Scottsdale Princess if you want resort-scale amenities — six outdoor pools, multiple poolside bars, an on-site golf experience and a full-service spa — or if you need large conference or wedding facilities on resort grounds.
Bottom line: The Westin Tempe is a compact, event-friendly downtown hotel geared to city and campus access; Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is a sprawling five-star resort built around pools, golf and a spa. Pick based on whether you value a downtown location and rooftop scene (Westin) or resort-scale amenities and outdoor recreation (Fairmont).
| Category | The Westin Tempe | Fairmont Scottsdale Princess |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Compact urban high-rise, downtown Tempe energy | Large 5-star resort with resort-style grounds and programming |
| Location | 11 E Seventh Street — steps from ASU and Mill Avenue District (downtown Tempe) | 7575 E Princess Drive — in north Scottsdale near Scottsdale Quarter and Kierland Commons |
| Size | 290 guestrooms in an 18-story tower | 750 rooms across a large resort campus |
| Ages | Family-friendly / All ages welcome | |
| Pools | One signature rooftop infinity pool (18th floor) with hot tub and cabanas | Six outdoor pools and two hot tubs, plus poolside bars and cabanas (resort listing) |
| Restaurants & bars | Terra Tempe Kitchen & Spirits, Skysill Rooftop Lounge, Cup of Joe Market Café | Five restaurants, 4 bars/lounges, 3 poolside bars, coffee shop/cafe |
| Spa & wellness | 24/7 Westin WORKOUT Fitness Studio; no dedicated on-site full-service spa | On-site spa with massages, body treatments and facials; fitness and wellness programming |
| Known for | Rooftop pool and proximity to ASU, Mill Avenue and event venues | Resort amenities, golf access, large meeting and wedding facilities |
| Event space | Over 21,000 sq. ft. of flexible indoor/outdoor event space (13 rooms) including Opal Ballroom and rooftop venues | Conference space about 4,274 m² (46,005 sq ft) with large ballrooms and extensive meeting facilities |
| Parking & transport | Valet parking only (fee) and close access to light rail and local bus; no airport shuttle | Self-parking and valet available (surcharge); near main Scottsdale shopping and airport routes |
The Westin Tempe sits in downtown Tempe within a short walk of Arizona State University and the Mill Avenue District.
Best if you want walkable access to ASU, downtown dining and nightlife.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is located in north Scottsdale near Scottsdale Quarter and Kierland Commons.
Best if you want a destination resort in Scottsdale with easy access to golf and nearby shops.
The Westin Tempe offers 290 guestrooms and several suite types in a downtown high-rise footprint.
Choose The Westin Tempe for city-view rooms and suites sized for couples, families and small groups.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess provides a broad range of rooms and suites across the resort, including Privado studios and one-bedroom suites.
Choose Fairmont Scottsdale Princess for a greater variety of larger suites and resort-view rooms.
The Westin Tempe keeps dining focused and walkable with three on-site venues.
Best if you want concentrated, locally flavored dining in a downtown hotel.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess offers multiple restaurants, bars and poolside dining across a large property.
Best if you prefer many on-site dining choices without leaving the property.
The Westin Tempe’s signature feature is Skysill, the 18th-floor rooftop infinity pool and lounge.
Best if you want dramatic skyline views from a single, elevated pool with a lively rooftop bar.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is oriented around multiple pools and poolside service across the resort campus.
Best if you want lots of pool options and poolside amenities across a resort layout.
The Westin Tempe emphasizes its 24/7 Westin WORKOUT Fitness Studio and rooftop nightlife at Skysill.
Best if you want a hotel with strong fitness facilities and an elevated rooftop evening scene in downtown.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess features an on-site spa and broader resort programming for wellness and leisure.
Best if you want a full spa and resort program with scheduled activities and services.

The Westin Tempe — steps from Arizona State University, Mill Avenue, and local transit.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess — multiple pools, poolside bars, cabanas and family programming.

Fairmont Scottsdale Princess — full-service spa offering massages, body treatments and facials.

The Westin Tempe — 18th-floor Skysill Rooftop Lounge and infinity pool with skyline and mountain views.
Both properties welcome guests of all ages. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has more family-oriented resort amenities (multiple pools, family programming), while The Westin Tempe is a family-friendly downtown hotel close to attractions and campus activities.
No — The Westin Tempe does not have a dedicated full-service on-site spa; guest rooms offer spa-inspired bathrooms instead. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess does have an on-site spa.
Both properties offer large event spaces: The Westin Tempe has over 21,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and wedding space in a downtown setting; Fairmont Scottsdale Princess provides significantly larger conference facilities on a resort campus (conference space listed at about 4,274 m² / 46,005 sq ft). Choose based on whether you need a downtown venue (Westin) or resort grounds and extensive breakout space (Fairmont).
Skysill is open to all ages for daytime dining and pool access but transitions to a 21+ lounge environment in the evening; a valid government-issued photo ID is required for evening access.
Explore how The Westin Tempe stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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