TL;DR

Upscale comfort: with Marriott Tribute portfolio reliability
Southwestern chic: mixed with modern glamour
Playful design: like cow-print suede and chandeliers
Great location: close to Tucson’s cultural highlights
Check prices here

The Leo Kent might not be the most intimate boutique hotel in Tucson, but the standard of care and upscale style still put it on our list.

As one of Marriott’s Tribute portfolio, you can be sure about the basic standard of luxury. Beyond that, however, we’re all looking for something a little special.

Here, you’ll find it in the midpoint of typical hotel glamour and southwestern chic.

The charming combination is full Buzz Lightyear and Jesse the Cowgirl honeymoon. Cow-print suede under Titanic-worthy glass chandeliers is the perfect answer to: what if ranch, but Kardashian?

Paired with a great location and excellent service, it’s a solid option for anyone who likes a little personality with their luxury.

What are the rooms like?

Number of rooms: 145
Stylish design: with sandy furnishings and turquoise accents
Spacious rooms: starting at 300+ sq ft
Deluxe upgrades: include higher floors, sofa beds, and suites
Amenities: include TVs, streaming, mini-fridges, and coffee/tea
See each room in detail here

There are plenty of room types, so grab what you need. They all have pretty impeccable decor, with southwestern-patterned carpeting and sandy-colored furnishings fitted out with muted turquoise accents.

The simplest of Guest Rooms is over 300 square feet, a comfortable size with room for a fashionable chair or two. Queen Doubles are a good choice for bigger parties.

Pay a bit extra for Elevated and Deluxe options like corner rooms, higher floors, extra space, sofa beds, and more. Suites include sofa beds and lovely views of the city.

There are accessible options for almost all room types, one benefit of a larger boutique.

Whatever you book, you’ll enjoy TVs with cable and streaming options, mini-fridges, seating areas, and coffee and tea capabilities.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Onsite dining: at St. Cruz restaurant with regional flavors
Leo Kent Bar: is a classy place with local beers, wines, and cocktails
24-hour gym: with cardio machines and weights

The onsite restaurant, St. Cruz, is a loving culinary tribute to the area. Breakfast is a casual (though tasty) affair, but the dinners are rich with intimacy and flavor.

On the beverage side of things, the Leo Kent bar is a lovely, and classy place to sample local beers, wines, and cocktails.

There’s a 24-hour fitness center as well, equipped with a good selection of cardio equipment and weights.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Central location: within walking distance of top attractions
Cultural highlights: like museums, music hall, and arena nearby
Nightlife and dining: at Armory Park and 6th Ave
Day trips: to Saguaro National Park, San Xavier Mission, Bisbee

It’s hard to find a better location, the hotel walking distance from most of the city’s main cultural attractions.

The Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, the Tucson Arena, The Contemporary Art Museum, and the Children’s Museum are just some of the must-sees in walking distance.

Nightlife, shopping and food is plentiful in the area. Near Armory Park and 6th Ave you can wander the various breweries, distilleries, and hip bars until you find the one for you.

Even the Amtrak station is close, as well as the Tucson light rail, free public transport that won’t take you everywhere, but can get you east to west with ease.

Take it over to Sentinel Peak Park for a near-city stroll, but we’d recommend spending at least a little time on the outskirts.

Saguaro National Park and the Sonoran Desert Museum are an easy half-hour drive to the west, while the San Xavier Mission is just a short jaunt south. On the way back, stop at Gate’s Pass for the sunset.

Anyone looking for a day trip will be well-served by the hour-or-so drive out to Kartchner Caverns.

Continue onto Bisbee if you want to see a super charming mountain town.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“Great location. Very nice, clean hotel. Valet service available but so is onsite parking in the garage underground. Excellent bar with good craft cocktails. Nespresso machine in room was good to have….”

“Was a pampering, relaxing and fun stay! Location was within walking distance to everything downtown Tucson! The hotel lobby and room was beautifully appointed. The shower was a dream!…”

Some things guests didn’t like:

”I wish the front desk was less busy. I called once to get my car and they just never answered. I called another time for the same reason and they didn’t tell the valet. I also disliked that the valet then became openly frustrated with front desk. Things like that shatter the illusion. I would also have liked for the bar/restaurant area to be well lit….”

”No pool….”

> Read all the reviews right here