Visitors to Phoenix have more options than ever for accommodations. The city’s latest offering, Moxy Phoenix Downtown, opened in late December 2023. Housed in the historic 100-year-old Lurhs building at the intersection of Central Avenue and Jefferson Street — with the entrance on Central — it’s the second Arizona location for the Marriott brand that started in Europe.
A New Kind of Hotel
The first Moxy hotel opened in Milan in 2014. The first U.S. location of the brand opened in Tempe, Arizona, in 2016, followed quickly by one in New Orleans.
Marriott refers to the brand as “lifestyle hotels” rather than “boutique hotels.” The company markets Moxy to a younger generation, although Jairah Ramirez, director of sales for the Moxy Phoenix Downtown, prefers to say that the hotel is targeted toward those who are “young at heart.” Its casual vibe and spacious communal work and play areas are designed to encourage socialization.
Like all Moxy hotels around the world, the Phoenix location celebrates its setting. “There are certain things that carry Moxie to Moxie, but the artwork, seating and lobby area in each hotel unique because we like to implement the city that we’re in,” Ramirez explains. “Everything here is very Phoenix.
“I keep saying this word, but ‘unique’ to Moxy is the fact that they like to put them in downtown markets. You won’t find them out in the middle of nowhere,” she adds. “And in a lot of downtown markets, especially in bigger cities, you have a lot of historic buildings. So why build new ones when there are already really cool buildings.”
Stay at Moxy Phoenix Downtown
Like all Moxy hotels, the experience begins when you check in. There’s no traditional front desk here. Guests check in at the bar, where they also receive a welcome cocktail.
The first floor features public areas, including a game corners, comfy lounge seating, and a “plug and meet” gathering space with large tables for work or socializing. Hotel guests and locals are welcome to use this area. Large 55-inch TVs can be used for presentations, and plenty of outlets and built-in USB chargers ensure that all your electrics will stay fully charged.
Across from the bar is a fun display of 1920s hats, while a colorful mural by Phoenix artist Jake Early decorates a large corner of the communal gathering area. Overall, the vibe is urban, hip, industrial.
One hundred and sixty-four rooms occupy floors two through nine. There are 139 single queens, eight double queens, and 17 single kings.
Taking a page from European design, the rooms are small and efficient. The single queen offers just a few extra feet of walking space around the bed. And a wall of pegs and under-bed cubbies provide storage. Need an extra chair? Simply grab a collapsible one from the peg wall, unfold it, and you have seating for a guest.
The accessible double queen rooms are designed with the beds turned sideways in a single row, facing head-to-head. This is to give guests who use wheelchairs easy access to the beds vs. having to maneuver around two side-by-side mattresses.
All rooms include a rotary phone that plays bedtime stories. And every floor has a Stash Closet, a metal locker-style cabinet that holds extra towels, soap, toothbrushes and other items so you don’t have to call housekeeping or the front desk if you forget something.
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Prime Downtown Location
Of course, guests won’t want to spend all their time in their room. Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, Moxy is just steps away from some of the city’s hottest restaurants and entertainment.
In the same Luhrs City Center building, but with separate entrances, are Monroe’s Hot Chicken and the award-winning Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlor. Or, head one block south for food and cocktails at another award-winning venue, Little Rituals.
Directly across Jefferson is CityScape shopping and dining complex. Here you’ll find trendy restaurants such as Chico Malo, Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails, and The Arrogant Butcher. CityScape also is home to a comedy club, Copper Blues music venue, multiple gyms, and bowling and billiards. In the winter months, it even hosts an ice rink.
And, of course, when you stay at the Moxy Phoenix Downtown, you’re only a 4-minute or 8-minute walk from the Footprint Center or Chase Field, respectively. As such, Moxy is marketing itself toward game- and concertgoers.
“We’re a part of the community. We want locals to be in here. And we want you to come here before the game or after — we’re within walking distance,” Ramirez says. “We want people to come here and have a drink or a mocktail, enjoy the music, and enjoy the company. But we are still a hotel. We want to make our guests feel comfortable, but we also want them to have a good time.”
If You Stay at Moxy Phoenix Downtown
The Moxy Phoenix Downtown is a great place to stay whether you’re vacationing for a week or just want a place to crash after the big game or concert. Room rates vary depending on the season and downtown events. But they typically start at around $179 per night and can go as high as $500. Check a site like Booking.com to see what kind of discounted rates you can find. Valet parking is available for $43 per day, or you can park at any of the nearby public garages. Pets are not allowed. Moxy Phoenix Downtown also is a part of the Marriott Bonvoy family, so members can enjoy discounted stays or earn points during their visits.
