Recently Renovated Eco-Friendly Hotel Close to Area Attractions

The walls of the Best Western Plus Royal Sun Inn & Suites are cluttered with awards. TripAdvisor recognized the hotel with a Certificate of Excellence in 2011 and 2012, and five environmental organizations have lauded the hotel’s eco-friendly practices, which include newly installed water-saving toilets, a recycling program, and safe cleaning chemicals. Though much of the hotel’s green work goes on behind the scenes, its excellent location is obvious—it’s minutes away from the airport, the University of Arizona, and the downtown arts district.

Egg whites and turkey sausage, fresh biscuits and gravy, and golden pancakes are some of the menu choices served each morning during Best Western’s complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast. Each evening, bartenders pour two-for-one drinks and draft beers, including local favorite Barrio Brewing Co., during happy hour at Royal Sun Lounge. Stop by Royal Sun Restaurant for one of its nightly specials, such as swordfish skewers, cheese enchiladas, or a rib-eye steak. Join in for karaoke at Royal Sun Lounge on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

The hotel’s renovations over the past two years have included refurnishing every suite with new bathroom tile, granite counters, and Posturepedic pillow tops. Oversize junior suites now hold overstuffed armchairs and ottomans, and two-person jetted tubs and a separate living area outfit jacuzzi suites. Outside, you can enjoy the heated pool and hot tub or practice keeping secrets underneath the picnic tables.

Tucson, Arizona: Southwestern History and Culture amid the Cacti

Tucson—or The Old Pueblo—is a bastion of southwestern history and rich culture surrounded by mountains and desert. It has existed as an outpost for years, and it has absorbed elements from European, Native American, Mexican, and Asian cultures. Today, this unique blend is evident especially in the downtown restaurant scene, where you can dine on authentic chilies rellenos, delicately prepared sushi, or upscale bistro fare with fine wines from nearby vintners.

Soak up the area's gorgeous natural landscape at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a combined botanical garden and zoo located about 13 miles west of the hotel. There, mountain lions, gila monsters, and more than 1,200 varieties of plants spread across 21 acres of desert scenery.

Mission San Xavier del Bac, the "White Dove of the Desert," is one of the oldest intact European structures in Arizona. The sprawling white adobe church, located about 10 miles south of downtown, was built in the 1700s. It's a striking example of the area's Spanish colonial architecture, with frescoes and fine sculpture lining its interiors.

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