Embassy Suites by Hilton Tucson Paloma Village

The Embassy Suites Tucson Paloma Village is a bright, contemporary, all-suite hotel that attracts both business travelers and families. The hotel blends into the mountain landscape, the stucco walls painted a sand color, with tile rooftops that blend unobtrusively into the unobstructed mountain views (just look beyond at the large parking lot surrounding the buildings). Once inside, the Embassy Suites brand is instantly recognizable, with busy chain hotel-style wall-to-wall carpeting, lots of faux ivy, and the expected dark-wood reception desk. There are nice touches, however, including a lobby fireplace, and several stone walls that channel the surrounding landscape. There are no surprises here, but the hotel goes the extra mile with things like room service, ordered in from the nearby Shlomo and Vito’s NY Delicatessen and Pizza Kitchen (admittedly not very Southwestern), then plated and delivered on a pretty room service cart. The patio fire pit is a gathering place where guests can enjoy the desert sunset, and at holiday time, the hotel decorates the interiors with cozy Christmas decor. The outdoor pool area is clean and pleasant, with mountain views, and plenty of space for kids to run around. A daily manager’s reception at happy hour offers free drinks and a generous hors d’oeuvres spread. All in all, the thoughtful extras go a long way toward helping this chain hotel exceed expectations.

The Embassy Suites Tucson Paloma Village is located in the Santa Catalina foothills, on Tucson’s busy Skyline Drive, but set far enough back from the road that the hotel itself is quiet. Trendy shopping, restaurants, and art galleries can all be found within walking distance, and upscale shopping mall La Encantada is across the street. The area is safe and well-lit at night. Tohono Chul Park, Finger Rock Trail, and Quail Canyon Golf Course are all within six miles of the hotel, and the University of Arizona is eight miles away. The Tucson airport is a 20-minute drive, and the hotel has free parking.

All rooms at the Embassy Suites Tucson Paloma Village are two-room suites, with separate living and bedrooms, and small, furnished private balconies. The rooms are not huge, but are laid out well, and the chain-standard bathrooms with shower-tub combinations are spacious. Rooms are clean, comfortable, and familiar-feeling, emblematic of the chain, but lack local color; all are outfitted in shades of grey and brown, with wooden furniture and brown carpeting. Upper-floor suites (especially north-facing) have the best mountain views; some have less desirable parking lot or street views. Ground-floor terraces feel cramped and less than private. All rooms have include mini-fridges, microwaves, coffeemakers, and two flat-screen TVs with movies to buy. Guests in Premium Suites receive free vending-machine soda, juice, and snacks. In-room Wi-Fi is available for a fee.

The Embassy Suites Tucson Paloma Village has a large, heated courtyard pool and separate hot tub, with a sunny, lounger-filled deck for lounging. There is also a large fitness center with modern cardio and weight equipment. A small business center has two computer terminals, a fax machine, and printer. Breakfast is served in a large, bright dining room with a terrace, and includes a substantial buffet, as well as a cook-to-order egg station. There is a pleasant lobby bar with flat-screen TVs for sports fans. Room service comes from nearby Shlomo and Vito’s NY Delicatessen & Pizza Kitchen, but is served on hotel china. There are a number of meeting and event spaces, and a manager's happy hour is held daily with free drinks and snacks. Off the lobby, there's a small shop with snacks and necessary items like toothbrushes.