Overview
by Eileen Ogintz
On the western end of the Armory Park neighborhood, the small, Downtown Clifton Hotel offers a unique option walking distance to many historic sites including the first synagogue built in the Arizona Territory and the picturesque Barrio Viejo. Rooms with white-washed brick walls feature one queen-sized bed on a wooden platform handmade in Tucson and original wood beam ceilings; there are polished concrete floors and bright saddle blanket bedspreads. A rotating selection of local art hangs on the walls. The mini-refrigerator is stocked with tasty locally-made snacks. The TVs have built-in Roku that streams Netflix, Hulu Plus, Pandora and more. Wi-Fi is complimentary. The hotel prides itself on its funky, Western vibe.
It opened in 2015 in a building that has seen many incarnations, starting with a motel in 1947. Guests are often given coupons for breakfast at the nearby 5 Points Market.
Our Editor Loves
- Funky, Western vibe
- Local art in rooms
- TVs with Roku
Family Interests
- Museum/Cultural
Family Amenities
- Cribs
- Free Wi-Fi
- Refrigerator
Reviews
by theanonymouscurator
The Downtown Clifton is a newly renovated hotel close to downtown Tuscon. It just opened 3 weeks ago, so the kitchen was not yet open. The room was large and clean, and the bed was comfortable. There is a bar and sitting area in the central courtyard that can get noisy, but I slept well nonetheless. Compared to downtown and the Hotel Congress, it is pin-drop quiet. There is off-street parking at the hotel.
by richard j
The most important thing to know if you are considering the Downtown Clifton Hotel in Tucson is that this is a lovingly restored late 1940s motor court. It's an outstanding example of historic preservation. The bed is new and comfortable, and TV is modern, and the rooms are clean, but you need to be of a mindset where you will embrace the pink-tiled bathroom and the otherwise simple style of the era. The interior is not the same as a business-person's Marriott suite. If you're cool with that, then you will love this hip, indie lodging conveniently located just south of downtown Tucson. OK, so the next thing you need to know is that you will be given a voucher that you can use at the 5 Points Market for breakfast, and oh my God that place is fabulous. What a seriously memorable breakfast! Finally, the staff at the Downtown Clifton are totally friendly and chill and accommodating. I had a few unusual favors to ask, and they were very helpful. Friendly staff can be found at chain hotels too, but I enjoyed knowing that the people I was dealing with were (at times) the same people who were putting in the effort and resources to not only bring this little spot back to life, but also are leading its modest expansion. So, overall, very nice experience. Comfortable bed, great location, nice setting, close to everything.