Tucson DoubleTree Hotel Review: My Solo TravelCon Stay
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If you’ve ever dreamed of mixing personal growth with a touch of hotel luxury, attending a Travel Creator conference might be just the adventure you didn’t know you needed.
This was my first time at TravelCon and my first trip to Tucson, so I decided to go all in. That meant booking a room at the DoubleTree Hotel attached to the Tucson Convention Center. No rental car, no wandering the desert looking for parking, and yes, cookies were involved.
In this post, I’ll break down what it’s like to stay at the Tucson DoubleTree Hotel as a solo traveler, what TravelCon is really like if you’re over 50 and just getting into content creation, and why I’d absolutely do it all over again, though maybe with a bathtub next time.
If you're wondering whether it’s worth booking this hotel for your trip to Tucson or if you’re nervous about attending your first conference solo, keep reading. I’ve got the awkward moments, the surprising wins, and all the hotel details that actually matter when you’re traveling on your own.
DoubleTree by Hilton Tucson Downtown Convention Center
280 S. Church Ave
The Tucson DoubleTree Hotel is directly connected to the Convention Center, which made it an easy yes for my first TravelCon. I figured staying close would cut down on logistics, and honestly, it was the best decision I made.
Why I Chose to Stay Here
The convention offered a discounted room block, but it was still a bit of a splurge. I considered booking a cheaper hotel elsewhere in Tucson, but once I added up Uber rides, parking fees, and the hassle of commuting solo in an unfamiliar city, it felt like a no-brainer to stay on-site. (The downside to this approach was that I didn't actually get to see much of Tucson.)
And yes, I upgraded to the King Bed Deluxe room. Why? Because they offered a deal and I was feeling fancy. The room was spacious, spotless, and came with cozy bathrobes that made me briefly forget I was attending a professional event and not a spa retreat.
What I Loved About the Tucson DoubleTree Hotel
As a solo traveler, convenience and comfort matter a lot. It was indeed nice to be able to go back to my room when I had more than an hour between events & meetings, but there was plenty of space to sit and hang out or work if you were to stay at the Convention center the entire day. This is especially true if you get the All Access Creator Pass because you will have access to a room with plenty of tables and chairs, plus coffee/iced water/iced tea all day and breakfast and lunch on certain days.
The hotel itself was modern, clean, and felt very safe. The staff were friendly, and everything was easy to navigate, which is a big deal if you get overwhelmed when juggling name tags, session schedules, and figuring out where to grab dinner.
A Few Things to Know
If you're picky about your bathroom setup (like me), note that not all rooms have bathtubs. Next time, I’ll request one because this girl loves a good post-conference bubble bath. There’s also a pool and a small fitness center, though I can’t pretend I used either.
Room service is available through El Mezquite Grill and Taqueria, the hotel’s restaurant. I didn’t order in, but I did overhear other guests raving about their breakfast burritos.
Video Room Tour
Attending TravelCon Solo for the First Time
TravelCon is a yearly conference for travel content creators, and this was my first time attending. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if it would feel like a clique of influencers or a welcoming space for someone getting serious about blogging in her 50s. Thankfully, it was the latter.
From the moment I arrived, I felt included. The Tucson Convention Center was buzzing with creators of all kinds: bloggers, vloggers, podcasters, and people just starting out. No one cared if you had 5 followers or 50,000. Everyone was excited to talk about their niche, share tips, and support each other. I even sat down with the Geek Squad (yes, the real one) who gave me free one-on-one advice about my blog’s tech setup. It was like getting a personal audit without the pressure.
Highlights and Hiccups
One of the best surprises was the topic tables in the lobby. At scheduled times, tables were labeled with themes like “Solo Travel” and “Over 50 Travelers.” I plopped myself down, unsure what to expect, and ended up meeting women who completely understood why I travel alone, and why it still makes me a little nervous sometimes.
It was so fun to get to talk to other bloggers since none of my friends at home know what I'm rattling on about constantly! We swapped stories, shared resources, and even exchanged business cards. (Yes, people still use those! Though the under-40 crowd mostly snapped pics of name badges.)
Check out the blogs of some of the wonderful women I met:
- WonderBing Travels – Solo female road trips
- Unstoppable Stacey – Solo female world travel
- Wanderers Compass – Independent travel
I wondered if business cards were still “a thing” since I hadn't been to a conference since the 90s, when I worked for Apple. It turned out that most of the attendees over 40 or so did have business cards to exchange, while most of the younger crowd would just take a photo of your name badge to connect with you.
YouTube Celebrities
I also got to meet travel YouTubers I’ve followed for years. They were warm, funny, and down-to-earth. No gatekeeping, just good advice and encouragement to keep showing up and sharing your voice. Meeting them in person made the whole experience feel real, and doable.
Is TravelCon Worth It?
If you’ve been dabbling in travel content or dreaming about finally launching that blog or YouTube channel, TravelCon is 100 percent worth considering. You’ll leave with a notebook full of ideas, new connections, and a sense of “I can actually do this.”
And if you’re like me, traveling solo and wondering if you’ll feel out of place – the answer is no. You’ll feel seen, supported, and maybe even inspired enough to start planning your next trip before you get home.
El Charro Café in Tucson
311 N. Court Ave.
As part of TravelCon, I joined one of their group dinners, which turned out to be the perfect way to meet new people without the stress of picking a place or walking in solo. Our reservation was at El Charro Café, a legendary Tucson restaurant just a half-mile from the Convention Center.
The walk there was surprisingly lovely. Picture fountains, cactus gardens, and golden light hitting the courthouse buildings, very “desert chic” if that’s a thing. It felt completely safe, even in a small group of (mostly) women heading out on foot.
Why El Charro Café is Worth a Visit
El Charro isn’t just any Mexican restaurant. It’s the oldest family-run Mexican restaurant in the U.S., operating since 1922. It has been named one of America’s Most Legendary Restaurants by Gourmet Magazine and countless other publications. And when I say people were lining up to get in, I mean it. We overheard the hostess telling walk-ins the wait was over 90 minutes. Thankfully, TravelCon had us covered with a reservation.
The restaurant itself is spread across several connected historic homes, each with its own character. It’s warm, welcoming, and full of colorful Mexican décor that makes you want to start snapping photos before you even see the menu.
The Food and the Company
I had the Carne Seca Elegante Style, which came highly recommended and absolutely lived up to the hype. Every dish I saw looked amazing, and I didn’t hear a single complaint from anyone in our group. The vibe was lively but not overwhelming, and the staff was kind, efficient, and happy to explain any dishes we weren’t familiar with.
Dining solo can feel intimidating sometimes, but being in a TravelCon group made it relaxed and fun. Still, even if I had gone alone, I think El Charro would have felt just as welcoming. There were lots of solo diners at the bar and plenty of cozy corners for people-watching over enchiladas.
Final Thoughts: Would I Recommend the Tucson DoubleTree and TravelCon?
Absolutely.
Whether you're a solo traveler easing into new experiences or a seasoned adventurer looking to expand your travel content game, the Tucson DoubleTree Hotel was a solid home base. It felt safe, comfortable, and just the right amount of fancy for a solo stay. And having direct access to the Convention Center? Total win.
As for TravelCon, it was more than just lectures and panels. It was an energizing reminder that travel and storytelling can still be fresh, fun, and full of opportunity – at any age. I left with new ideas, new connections, and that deeply satisfying sense of “I belong here.”
If you’re curious about attending TravelCon or booking the Tucson DoubleTree Hotel, I can wholeheartedly recommend both. You can check availability and pricing for the hotel here. Just don’t forget to ask for a room with a bathtub.
Please feel free to ask me any questions in the comments section about my experience at the Tucson DoubleTree by Hilton or TravelCon. Thanks for reading!
