Going to be in Phoenix in May

I am going to be in Phoenix in May for a few days of training for work. The class is at the Airport Marriot, so I was hoping someone from the area could help me out and tell me some good places to go out at, and maybe a good place to stay.
Thanks

Somewhat of a repost of my answer elsewhere:
Seems as though there is more than one Airport Marriott, but this would be considered the East Valley. PHX area is over 250 sq miles. It's not a very cab-friendly town, so be careful if you drive. You might check out the Tempe Mission Palms. It's in the heart of Tempe.

Four Peaks Brewery is in Tempe. Kiltlifter is their flagship beer. For my money Kiltlifter has been dumbed down over the years. They currently have a Gose on tap.

http://papagobrewing.com/ in North Tempe/South Scottsdale which is in the BA top 100 beer bars in the country and RateaBeers 25.

http://sonorabrewhouse.com/sonora/ which is on Camelback and 3rd. Try whatever they have on cask.

In PHX downtown... The Roosevelt is a good bar but mostly left coast beers with which you've already had. Also the Lost Leaf.

There's Delux Burger in the Biltmore area. Good late night food and excellent beer selection in the LA mode.

Then we have our chains such as the Yard house, Gordon Biersh, Rock Bottom, BJs, etc. which have several locations.

As for beer stores, Tops Liquor or Sun Devil Liquor, Bevmo.

Sounds like some good places to check out. Any recommendations on places to stay close to the downtown area? I have been looking at the hotel San Carlos, but haven't booked anything yet.

Is there a specific reason you'd stay in downtown PHX as opposed to Tempe.
Phoenix can be a ghost town at night.

The San Carlos is historic, charming and rustic. Take that anyway you want.
As you can see opinions are all over the map:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g31310-d112162-Reviews-Hotel_San_Carlos-Phoenix_Arizona.html
Personally speaking, I considered staying there for a New Years thing, but it never worked out.

It is next to Seamus McCaffery's Irish pub which is good.

I guess there is no real reason to stay downtown. I just know it is close to the airport, and I have never been there, but I'll have a rental car and can stay anywhere. It is going to be a Monday-Wednesday thing though, so I'm not sure if that makes a difference.

I think this is your ticket:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g31310-d75662-Reviews-Holiday_Inn_Express_Phoenix_Airport_University_Drive-Phoenix_Arizona.html

Reasonably priced, yet highly recommended for comfort and cleanliness. It's in an industrial park and might be a little noisy b/c of the planes, but it also puts you within driving 15 minutes of everything. Straight shot to Tempe and freeway access to everything else.

[ame="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=3401+E.+UNIVERSITY+DR.,+PHOENIX,+AZ+85034+UNITED+STATES&sll=33.423204,-112.059088&sspn=0.054444,0.060768&ie=UTF8&ll=33.42743,-112.006302&spn=0.217764,0.243073&z=12"]http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=3401+E.+UNIVERSITY+DR.,+PHOENIX,+AZ+85034+UNITED+STATES&sll=33.423204,-112.059088&sspn=0.054444,0.060768&ie=UTF8&ll=33.42743,-112.006302&spn=0.217764,0.243073&z=12[/ame]

I only recommended the Tempe Mission Palms because you can walk to some things. TMP is spendy this time of year though.

Thanks for the quick answers, it's nice to have some advice from someone that knows the area. Know anything about this place? http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...iews-The_Clarendon_Hotel-Phoenix_Arizona.html It seems nice and it is the #1 for young singles on that website, whatever that means, but it is what I am.

I was going to suggest that one, but I wasn't sure of the rates.
Puts you close enough to Sonora, Roosevelt and Lost Leaf. It's definately hipster.

You know that Tempe is ASU campus.

If money is no object, here's where Hollywood types slum.
It's actually reasonable when you consider that.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g31350-d579764-Reviews-Hotel_Valley_Ho-Scottsdale_Arizona.html