
The Westin Tempe
Best for campus-adjacent stays, short walks to Mill Avenue and Tempe events.
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The Westin Tempe is an 18-story downtown Tempe hotel with a rooftop infinity pool and a location steps from Arizona State University—good for visitors who want walkable access to campus, Mill Avenue, and event venues. JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa is an expansive five-star North Phoenix resort with multiple pools, golf, and a full-service spa—best for travelers seeking a large resort experience with on-site activities and meeting space.
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Best for campus-adjacent stays, short walks to Mill Avenue and Tempe events.

Best for travelers who want a wide range of on-site amenities—pools, golf, and a full-service spa—at a 5-star resort.
When The Westin Tempe wins: Choose The Westin Tempe if you want to be in downtown Tempe for university events, restaurants and nightlife on Mill Avenue, or need a compact, vertical hotel with an 18th-floor rooftop pool and easy walking access to local venues.
When JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa wins: Choose the JW Marriott when you prefer a large resort with many pools (including a lazy river), a full-service spa, on-site golf and more restaurants and meeting rooms for leisure or large conferences.
Bottom line: Pick The Westin Tempe for location and a lively downtown, rooftop-pool atmosphere; pick JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge for resort-scale amenities, spa and golf. Both are Marriott-brand properties that suit different trip priorities.
| Category | The Westin Tempe | JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Urban, vertical downtown hotel geared to city and campus access | Large North Phoenix resort and spa focused on on-site recreation and events |
| Location | 11 E SEVENTH STREET, Tempe — steps from Arizona State University and Mill Avenue | 5350 E Marriott Dr, Phoenix (North Phoenix), near Desert Ridge Marketplace |
| Size (rooms) | 290 guestrooms | 950 air-conditioned rooms |
| Ages / family policy | All ages welcome (family-friendly); minimum check-in age listed as 21 for the registered adult | Family-friendly resort (children welcome); not adults-only |
| Pools / water features | One signature rooftop infinity pool (Skysill) on 18th floor with hot tub and cabana rentals | Multiple outdoor pools (5), lazy river and children's pool; pool cabanas available (surcharge) |
| Restaurants & bars | Terra Tempe Kitchen & Spirits, Skysill Rooftop Lounge, Cup of Joe Market Café | Six restaurants, 1 coffee shop/cafe, 1 bar/lounge and poolside bar; 24-hour room service |
| Spa & wellness | No full-service on-site spa; spa-inspired bathrooms and a 24/7 Westin WORKOUT Fitness Studio with Peloton bikes | Full-service spa with treatment rooms, fitness classes and extensive wellness offerings |
| Meetings & events | About 21,000+ sq ft across 13 meeting rooms, Opal Ballroom and rooftop event options | Very large meeting footprint: 241,101 sq ft (29 meeting rooms) and ballroom space |
| Golf | Not listed — no on-site golf noted | Golf course on site; Wildfire Golf Club and driving range available |
| Parking & access | Valet parking only (fee; rates may surge for events); no airport shuttle; close to light rail and walkable transit | Self parking and valet available (surcharges); resort-style property with on-site parking options |
The Westin Tempe sits in downtown Tempe within blocks of Arizona State University and the Mill Avenue District.
Pick The Westin Tempe for walkable downtown access and proximity to ASU and Mill Avenue.
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge is located in North Phoenix near Desert Ridge Marketplace.
Pick JW Marriott if you want resort seclusion with nearby shopping and golf rather than downtown walking access.
The Westin Tempe offers 290 guestrooms and a small set of suites, including Executive and Penthouse options.
Choose The Westin Tempe for compact, downtown-oriented rooms and a few larger suite choices near campus.
JW Marriott has a wide variety of room types across 950 rooms, from standard rooms to multiple suite categories.
Choose JW Marriott if you want many room options and larger suite inventory across a resort footprint.
The Westin Tempe focuses on Southwestern-inspired dining and a rooftop bar tied to the pool.
Pick The Westin Tempe for Southwestern menu options and a downtown rooftop scene.
JW Marriott offers multiple on-site restaurants and 24-hour room service for a wide range of dining choices.
Pick JW Marriott when you want more on-site dining variety and round-the-clock service options.
The Westin Tempe’s signature amenity is its 18th-floor Skysill rooftop infinity pool and lounge.
The Westin Tempe’s rooftop pool is the draw—great for views and a compact swim-and-lounge experience.
JW Marriott offers a broad pool program across the property, including a lazy river and multiple pools.
Choose JW Marriott for a resort-style pool day with options for families, cabanas and a lazy river.
The Westin Tempe prioritizes fitness and rooftop nightlife over an on-site full-service spa.
The Westin Tempe is best for fitness-focused guests and those who want a downtown rooftop nightlife option.
JW Marriott emphasizes full-service spa experiences and resort programming alongside fitness.
Pick JW Marriott for spa treatments and a fuller wellness program as part of a resort stay.

The Westin Tempe — steps from ASU and Mill Avenue for restaurants, bars and events.

JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge — multiple pools, lazy river, golf and a full-service spa.

JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge — extensive meeting space (29 rooms, 241,101 sq ft) for big conferences.

The Westin Tempe — 18th-floor Skysill Rooftop Lounge and infinity pool with panoramic valley views.
Both welcome children, but JW Marriott has more on-site family amenities (multiple pools, lazy river). The Westin Tempe is family-friendly too and may be better if you want walkable dining and campus activities.
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge has a full-service spa with reservations recommended. The Westin Tempe does not list a dedicated full-service spa; guestrooms have spa-inspired bathrooms.
The Westin Tempe is in downtown Tempe within walking distance of ASU, Mill Avenue and local venues, making it more convenient for those activities.
JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge lists golf on site and a driving range; The Westin Tempe does not list an on-site golf course.
Explore how The Westin Tempe stacks up against other hotels nearby:
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