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The Clarendon Hotel: Traveler Reviews

Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating:
  • A summary score based on quality, quantity and age of traveler ratings.
4 of 5 stars 144 Reviews
5.0 of 5 stars
65
4.0 of 5 stars
38
3.0 of 5 stars
11
2.0 of 5 stars
9
1.0 of 5 stars
21
TripAdvisor Popularity Index:
  • Measures overall traveler satisfaction based on ratings, reviews and other sources.
#20 of 174 hotels in Phoenix
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  • Hotel class: 3 of 5
  • Rooms: 106
  • Address: 401 West Clarendon Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85013
Property Type: Hotel
  • Lodging offering guest rooms, a 24-hour front desk and a variety of services and amenities.
Description: Clarendon Hotel + Suites, Phoenix's newest upscale boutique hotel, provides 4-star service and amenities at very competitive rates. This description is based on information provided by the hotel.
Business Center Fitness Center Pets Allowed Restaurant Swimming Pool
Check Rates: $289 Avg. Price
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TripAdvisor Traveler Reviews

Reviews of The Clarendon Hotel

( 27-31 of 144 )
“Simply cool and very good alternative to expensive chain hotels”

The Clarendon Hotel

4 of 5 stars
Therisha
May 5, 2008
1/3 found this review helpful

I stayed at the Clarendon for 6 nights. I had first considered the Hyatt downtown downtown (that's not a mistake, that's what it's called). Why the Hyatt? Because the conference I had to attend took place there. I'm glad I stayed at the Clarendon!
It all depends on what you want I guess. If you want to know in advance what to expect, go for Hyatt, Hilton, etc. If you want to foster local American economy and help a guy who started from scratch - Go Clarendon! This is not 4 star standard I must (unfortunately) agree. But if you are not ready to hop in your grave yet (i.e. you don't feel old), can dig a certain level of noise from the aircon and c) dig that sometimes things break (like the elevator and the On Demand Movies when I was there) this is a cool place to stay. Were these breakdowns bad? I don't think so. Using the stairs is healthier anyway and you can buy movies on DVD. What disturbed me a bit at first was that the Wi-Fi didn't work in my room - or was it my laptop? Well, it worked with my laptop in the bar and outside and I really enjoyed sitting there typing mails and sipping on a beer or a cocktail (both were excellent).

What really distinguishes the Clarendon is its staff. That's if you like cool people and don't expect stiffness and butler like behavior. Stacy, who took care of my breakfast, is a class of her own. Her life loving attidude makes it easy to start your day.
On three evenings I enjoyed their South-Western kitchen (no it is not Japanese anymore, but the cook can probably do anything for you). I liked the food, and I'm from Europe,i.e. I don't eat fat stuff like burgers. I also liked the comfortable bed and the cleanliness of my room. The pool is as good (and better) as the other reviews suggest. Having seen the pool of the Clarendon and then that of the hotel I named above I'm glad (again) that I went Clarendon. I don't do work out too much, but the facilities seemed alright to me.

Some people were concerned about safety (the Clarendon is downtown). Well, the area where the Clarendon lies seems safe to me. You can always be unlucky, especially in the US. Get rid of them guns and your social wellfare sorted out right and don't blame it on the hotel you are staying at if someone breaks in your car.

The Clarendon is an ideal alternative to downtown downtown big chain hotel prices and deserves that you treat it fairly: If you pay below 160 bucks you should not expect the level of exclusiveness of the Ritz. What you can expect at the Clarendon is that people care and try (within their limits and resources) to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

I would come again (and hope that they modernise the aircon)

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — Its staff
    • Disliked — The noisy aircon
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Therisha's Summary
Date of Stay: April 2008
Traveled with: Solo traveler
Visit was for: Business
Age group: 35-49
Member since: May 05, 2008
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 4 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 2 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
    • 3 of 5 stars Business service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Great pool scene, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
People with disabilities, Older travelers, Families with young children
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Business meeting / Event, Shopping
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $289 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
“Better than last time, but sorry still don't think this hotel is worth the full”

The Clarendon Hotel

Apr 6, 2008
1/1 found this review helpful

We were in Phoenix again in March and needed somewhere to stay. We got a great deal on Expedia for the Clarendon and decided that as the pool was ready we'd give it another go. Pool is undoubtedly fantastic, although bits of the glass from the chippings around the pool had worked loose and were really painful on your feet- a small thing which could easily be resolved. The rooftop bar was great and the staff very friendly, but there are some small details which have just been overlooked- eg the toilets near the restaurant are old, the shower and baths in the bathrooms are old, breakfast is ok, but we weren't told we had to pay extra for the orange juice we ordered etc. All in all, the place is definitley improving , but still needs some work. Would we stay again? Definitley if the price was right, but no way would I pay anywhere near the full price

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
bruisyard's Summary
Date of Stay: March 2008
Member since: July 02, 2006
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Management Response
Ben Bethel, General Manager
(Management representative)
Apr 24, 2008

Thank you so much for your review... you'll be very happy to know that we're on top of things and have already re-sealed the pool deck so that the glass doesn't break free.

There are three bathrooms near the restaurant, and the ADA / Unisex restroom has been re-tiled, re-painted, and the lighting and fixtures have all been upgraded. The men's room is being worked on now and will be done by Wednesday - it should be the talk of the town when finished. As soon as the men's room is finished, the women's room will start and should take about two weeks to complete - again with upgraded tile, fixtures, lighting, etc. All bathrooms are getting Dyson AirBlades - state of the art hand-dryers that are extremely effective and sanitary.

Thank you for the kind comments about our staff... we're always improving to make this the best experience possible without spending the money of an expensive resort. If you're staying in Central Phoenix, I don't think you'll find a better pool, restaurant/bar, or guest room experience...

Sincerely,
Ben Bethel
General Manager
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Check Rates
Average price*: $289 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
“Mixed Bag - Some Things Great / Some Things Not So Much”

The Clarendon Hotel

3 of 5 stars
pasadena, california
Apr 6, 2008
2/2 found this review helpful

That they took a nondescript, boxy '50s motel and turned it into a desirable place deserves credit at the get-go. It's kind of like W meets Hard Rock -- in the desert. (The hallways are painted purple!) But it's quirky, and the service levels are spotty. I'm guessing that the owners are young. Apparently a number of the rooms have both the air conditioning and, only coincidentally, the hot water reversed. That means you turn your thermostat to "hot" to get cool air; and you turn the shower control to "cold" to get hot water. They've had cable problems (for quite some time, apparently) so there's no movie channels, and there's no pay-per-view. Mostly, take note that there's a gay-hipster-young "scene" at the pool most every night, whether it's happy hour or a private party. It's interesting - for about 15 minutes. The staff seem to be oblivious to the noise in the parking lot, the noise from the restaurant, and the noise at the pool. I'm here on a special rate, so it's hard to complain, but if I'd paid $160+ for this room, I'd be annoyed. This is not a good hotel for families. It is a GREAT hotel for young scenesters who want to stay up late and drink and carry-on. I'd stay here again, I'd just make sure I asked for a quiet corner of the hotel. This place is obviously very desireable to a certain demographic, and I continue to be thankful they've fixed up what was probably only an eyesore -- they get big points for urban renewal!

This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
sandalfon's Summary
Date of Stay: April 2008
Traveled with: Solo traveler
Visit was for: Business
Age group: 35-49
Member since: April 07, 2007
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
most likely
I recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Great pool scene, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
An amazing honeymoon, People with disabilities, Older travelers, Families with young children
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $289 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
“Marketing genius!”

The Clarendon Hotel

2 of 5 stars
Washington, DC
Mar 28, 2008
3/7 found this review helpful

We booked this hotel based on trip advisor reviews and the hotel website. The owner is a marketing genius! We would admit that the pool and hot tub were very nice, but that is the only thing that makes these outdated motel style rooms bearable. The hotel has tried to put in cool artwork, flat screens and modern furniture, but it really does not make up for the outdated exterior, cinderblock walls, open air rooms which must be very hot in the summer and the need for some serious new carpets. We had a suite and our bathroom was literally too small to turn around in, the cooling system was very loud. We visited the roof top bar which was advertised as the new hip place in Phoenix, there was literally no one there at 10:00 on a Friday night. The hotel is not near anything of interest, and it is about a 20 minute drive to the airport. I have to say that the staff was very nice and helpful, but the most impressive thing about this hotel is how the owner has found a way to market such an outdated property! We live in a city and are used to city life, but my son thought the best way to describe this "boutique" hotel was "sketchy."

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — Pool
    • Disliked — outdated rooms
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Platypus's Summary
Date of Stay: March 2008
Traveled with: Family with teenagers
Visit was for: Quality time with family
Age group: 35-49
Member since: May 16, 2005
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 2 of 5 stars Value
    • 2 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 2 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 4 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 2 of 5 stars Service
    • 2 of 5 stars Business service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
probably not
I recommend this hotel for:
Pet owners
I do not recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, People with disabilities, Older travelers, Great pool scene, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Management Response
Ben Bethel, General Manager
(Management representative)
Apr 28, 2008
Thank you very much for your review.... we're admittedly not the hotel for everyone as we try to be different than the typical beige-and-tan chain hotels in the world. If you like to travel and experience different hotels and restaurants so that you go back home with a unique experience to share, we're the place for you. If you're the type who likes to travel to another city to eat at the same "chain" restaurants and stay at the same "chain" hotels as you have at home, we're definitely not the place for you.

I'm not sure what about the rooms is "motel style" - we offer beds several levels of quality above the heavenly bed, have 42"-50" tvs in the rooms, dual cordless handsets, extra-large electronic safes, dual cordless phones, robes, room service, etc., etc. Also, a motel would have guest rooms whose doors face a parking lot... half of our rooms have interior corridor access, and the other half open directly to the pool area.

The hotel was built in the mid-70s, not the 50s, and as this is Phoenix, many buildings are going to be made of block construction - you won't find a single brick or all-glass hotel here that I can think of. The great thing about the block construction is that the rooms are very quiet... in four years of operation I have rarely heard of any issues with noise between rooms.

We are working on the curb appeal of the property - the new entrance is slated to be completed by May 6th, and will look very nice.

We're one of the closest hotels to the Heard Museum, Phoenix Art Museum, Steele Indian School Park (one of the nation's largest urban parks), Japanese Friendship Gardens, and Irish Cultural Center. We're a 5 minute drive or taxi ride to the Phoenix Convention Center, Arizona Science Center, Herberger Theater, Dodge Theatre, Symphony Hall/Opera House, Orpheum Theatre, Chase Field, US Airways Center, Phoenix Theatre, Phoenix Little Theatre, Playhouse in the Park, AMC Arizona Center 24 Movie Theatres, Arizona Center, and the new Children's Museum. We're also within walking distance of two Metro stations, which will open December 27th.

The rooftop bar is usually busy in the afternoon, until an hour or two after sunset... and was recently featured as #2 in the "coolest things about Phoenix" on the newspaper's website.

The carpets were installed in the standard rooms and suites in 2005 and the rest of the hotel in 2007 - I'll be sure to have the housekeeping supervisor check all suites to ensure that the carpets are cleaned. They're all carpeted with carpet tiles, which are anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-allergy. They've been great so far - if something happens we just remove and replace the carpet tile. They're also very "green" - we're the first hotel in Arizona to be "carbon footprint neutral" when it comes to flooring!

In the future - and this goes for all guests - if you have issues with your room or with the property, let us know - we won't be offended. We will do everything in our power to make sure that you enjoy your experience while at The Clarendon, or we'll help relocate you to another nearby "chain" property if that's what makes you more comfortable. It is our ultimate goal to ensure that you are comfortable and that you enjoy your stay in Phoenix, wherever you stay!

Sincerely,
Ben Bethel
The Clarendon Hotel
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Check Rates
Average price*: $289 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com
“Fabulous hotel!”

The Clarendon Hotel

5 of 5 stars
tucson, az
Mar 17, 2008
3/4 found this review helpful

This was my first time staying at the Claredon and I was very impressed! I am a Phoenix local, and stayed with a group of girls (we are all 24-26 in age) for an event. The room was spacious and clean and had great decor. The pool area was awesome-it looked very hip with big sun beds and a giant hot tub-really could fit 20 people easily! We had the same server at the pool and the restaurant and she was beyond excellent! All the staff were very friendly and we had a great time. I will definitely stay here again.

  • This TripAdvisor Member:
    • Liked — Pool area, retro/trendy decor
    • Disliked — No late check out
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
kcaringer's Summary
Date of Stay: March 2008
Traveled with: Friends
Visit was for: Quality time with friends
Age group: 25-34
Member since: March 17, 2008
  • My ratings for this hotel are:
    • 5 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 5 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Check in / front desk
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
Would I recommend this hotel to my best friend?
absolutely!
I recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, Great pool scene, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I do not recommend this hotel for:
Young singles, An amazing honeymoon, A romantic getaway, Girlfriend getaway, People with disabilities, Older travelers, Great pool scene, Families with young children, Families with teenagers, Tourists
I selected this hotel as a top choice for:
Other
Was this review helpful? Yes No
Check Rates
Average price*: $289 (year-round)
Call now to book: 1-800-45-HOTEL from hotels.com

Reviews of The Clarendon Hotel

( 27-31 of 144 )
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The Clarendon Hotel Also Known As

Address: 401 West Clarendon Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85013