Red Lion Inn & Suites Tucson 2019
My fun trip to Tucson last month for Dusk Music Festival had me visiting this great city in the desert for 4 nights. My buddy and I wanted something within a 30 minute walk/stroll radius of Armory Park where the music festival was held. We saw something that was just under 30 minute radius that was cheap and wheelchair accessible. Red Lion Inn & Suites seemed to fit the criteria, so it was booked.
Location
Red Lion Inn & Suites was located on the one side of downtown Tucson. It seemed almost in a quiet industrial area, just across a busy and noisy freeway. We never really thought it was overly noisy while sleeping as other guests who have rooms facing the freeway have expressed concerns about noise. Also, during night time, it almost seemed like the location wasn’t in the best area of town, but we never had any issues or problems with it. Even though, no one was really around or nearby when we would come home at 2 AM, we felt pretty safe.
Cushing St / Frontage Rd Sunlink Streetcar station located 1 small block from Red Lion
I liked how there was a 24 hour Carl’s Jr and Green Burrito combo restaurant just a couple steps from our room. We never ate there but was good to have that option if we wanted anything. There were a couple Circle K stores close by too. What we both really liked was that the Cushing St / Frontage Rd Sun Link street car station was located only one small block away from Red Lion Inn & Suites. Since the fare was free for the weekend for the music festival and was so accessible and easy to use, we rode it the entire time of our stay.
24 hr Carl’s Jr/ Green Burrito restaurant in the same parking lot of Red Lion
Room
The room itself was great and quite spacious for the two of us. There was a mini fridge, air conditioner, enough lights and a big window looking out at the patio and pool and courtyard area. The bed seemed pretty comfortable and I really liked how there were so many pillows for each bed. That made it easier for me to be rolled and propped up on my side. Our room also came with a fridge and a microwave.
2 comfortable beds
The bathroom was supposed to have a roll in shower but there was at least 2 or 3 inches of a lip to get into the shower area. Lucky my buddy was really strong and and had to push me really hard to get in the shower. We were told by staff that all accessible rooms with a roll in shower have this annoying lip to get in. Also, the shower head was fixed in the wall which made it more difficult to shower.
this roll in shower actually has a 2 or 3 inch lip
Amenities
Free breakfast was offered from 7 AM to 9 AM and was told that there would be scrambled eggs, sausage, toast, waffles, juices and yogurt. We were hoping that the free breakfast lasted a bit longer as we could never get to the lobby by 9 AM. We never really went inside the fitness center and casually just passed by it. Seemed to be a small room with just a few workout machines. The wifi seemed to work well all over the property so that was great.
Pool Area
The fenced pool was located in the courtyard. I was really surprised to see a pool lift for those with disabilities. We never really had any time to hang out in the pool area as we were quite busy exploring Tucson.
gated pool with pool lift
With the roll in shower having a lip to get over it, I don’t know if I would be coming back unless I bring a strong friend to help me into the shower. The location was not too bad and we really like having the Sun Link street car only a block away. If you want a budget place to stay, Red Lion Inn & suites could be your place the next time you visit Tucson.
center courtyard
