Red Roof Inn Tucson Downtown - University

1300 N Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 85705, Tucson, United States

2-star hotel

Guest rating: 3.8 / 5

Overview

Red Roof Inn Tucson Downtown - University is a 2-star, no-frills budget hotel in a commercial area of Tucson. It’s positioned about a mile from both the Tucson Museum of Art and the University of Arizona, offering a practical base for downtown and campus visits. The property has a public rating of 3.8/5 from 1,018 reviews.

Rooms

Rooms are straightforward and geared toward short stays, with flat-screen TVs plus in-room minifridges, microwaves, and coffeemakers. Some rooms have views of the pool. Guest feedback mentions basic in-room essentials such as soap/shampoo, along with access to ice and coffee.

Amenities & Recreation

On-site features include a streamlined dining room and a seasonal outdoor pool with sunloungers and a hot tub. Parking and Wi‑Fi are available. (Additional amenities are not documented.)

Location & Nearby Attractions

The hotel sits close to multiple museums and university-area attractions, including the University of Arizona Museum of Art (about 1.5 km) and Center for Creative Photography (about 1.6 km). Other nearby points of interest include the Presidio San Agustín del Tucsón Museum (about 1.6 km), Arizona State Museum (about 1.6 km), Children’s Museum Tucson (about 2.2 km), and Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium (about 2.3 km). For bigger day trips, guests can reach Reid Park Zoo (about 5.8 km), Tucson Botanical Gardens (about 6.0 km), and the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (about 18.4 km).

Best for

This hotel best suits budget-minded travelers who want quick access to the University of Arizona area and downtown museums while having practical in-room conveniences like a microwave and minifridge. It can also work for road-trippers who value on-site parking and proximity to I‑10 (about 2 miles). Travelers prioritizing a resort-style experience or extensive on-site services may find it too basic.

Travel tips

If you’re visiting campus or downtown museums, several key stops are within roughly 1.5–2.3 km, including the University of Arizona Museum of Art, Center for Creative Photography, and Arizona State Museum. For driving itineraries, I‑10 is about 2 miles away, making it easier to reach farther attractions like the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (about 18.4 km) and San Xavier del Bac Mission (about 15.0 km). The outdoor pool is seasonal, so confirm availability if swimming is important to your stay.

What guests say

Reviews frequently mention the hotel as a basic, budget-oriented option with essential items available, including in-room staples and access to coffee and ice. Staff interactions are mixed: some guests describe staff as very nice, while others report front-desk errors and billing problems (including double-charging concerns). Cleanliness feedback is also inconsistent, with some noting clean rooms and others reporting dirty conditions such as stained bedding and unclean linens. A few guests describe an uncomfortable or unsafe-feeling environment around the property, which affected their overall stay.

Check availability · Booking links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure