where we stayed (and ate) // hotel congress: tucson, az

before booking, here's what you should know about staying at the hotel congress in tucson, arizona.

: the rates are great.
: the biggest bed offered is a double.
: the rooms are tiny.
: the bathrooms are laughable small. envision having your legs under the sink while you pee.
: there's a rotary phone in your room. and a dial radio.
: no clock. no tv. a physical key.
: hotel congress is pet friendly.
: you are staying in a hotel built in 1919 and it has the thin windows and walls to prove it.
: the hotel is situated right by an active train track. chooo! chooo!
: hotel congress is one of tucson's hottest bars, restaurants and music venues meaning...

that's right... hotel congress is a noisy hotel. they tell you this when you're booking. they remind you when you check in. and just in case the earplugs on your pillow aren't enough, they hit you over the head with a full page note on your bedside table that screams: do not call us to complain about noise.

but! if you're one of the people who's going to be joining the fun at the congress bar, eating late night at the restaurant and dancing at the shows until the wee hours of the morning, it's probably the perfect spot for you. we absolutely loved it.

our room is the second window from the left. 

restaurant & bar patio that hosted late night live music both nights we were there.

you're welcome to check your key in and out from the front desk - ha! 

the classic tucson desert paint job that's currently uber hip.

the cozy hotel congress

view from our room's window. damn loitering hipsters.

so much historic charm.

in tucson, the hotel congress is the place to be for all ages and walks of life. 

more photos of the hotel congress here.

if you decide to go, here are some great spots within walking distance:

: hub restaurant & creamery (website) -- good for lunch, dinner or just drinks & apps at the bar (what we did)

: 47 scott (website) -- we had a fantastic dinner with erinn & john and hear they put on a delicious brunch

: cup cafe at the hotel congress (website) -- tasty any time of day, reservations for hotel guest's only

: sparkroot coffee & wine bar (website) -- two-story, open-aired hip little cornerside shop

: playground tucson (website) -- restaurant, bar and rooftop nightclub until the wee hours of the am

: thunder canyon brewery (website) -- the typical brewery vibe and menu

: maynard's market & kitchen (website) - an old railroad station turned market and french restaurant

where we stayed // the parker palm springs

new series: we travel quite a bit and i'm often asked about the hotels we stay at. that paired with the fact that we rely on online reviews and blogs to help guide our accommodation decisions, i decided to start a "where we stayed" section on the blog featuring hotels from our travels. when you're planning your next trip to a city we've visited, i hope you find this helpful.

the setting for jenny and matt's wedding weekend... the parker palm springs. 

 

i could have taken a thousand photos on this property. can you tell i was a little obsessed? it was more than a hotel. it was a retro oasis full of surprises and secret gardens and it was all about the design and details. a jonathan adler designer property, it's a mix of timeless architecture, iconic desert palm trees and modern design.

 

i didn't snap any pictures of our room, but it was huge! they all were. and the designer toiletries? hermès soap, moulton brown shower gel, penhaligon quercus shampoo, l'occitane, jar of blistex - amazing! twenty-four hour room service cheeseburgers and fries? yes, please. a to-die for spa with indoor pools? they've got it. full-size bocce ball and chess? of course. and if you're in the mood for 10 ounces of sevruga caviar, it's all yours at norma's for a mere $1,000.

 

lobby entrance

the gene autry "adult" pool.

main lobby area.

tucked away in the grounds.

 

a funky lounge area with working indoor fire pit.

amazing little lawn.

the sillicon valley pool.

 

iconic drugs sign.

ting noticed that the knights are giving you the finger.

hello, parker.

 



mister parker's restaurant. dark and fabulous.

 

we will be back.