re: Where should I stay/eat while in Tucson and Phoenix?

i think you are pretty close to la encantada, an "upscale" mall with some good dining options.

if you want to walk to eat/drink near campus just head west toward university. lots of places to eat, shop, and get a beer. there are also a lot of places to eat and bars along 4th ave, which is a bit further walk from campus.

in phoenix, if you stay at the biltmore you are sort of close to biltmore fashion, which has a few good places to eat. can also try the french bistro at the ritz or this new place called the gladly which has been getting really good reviews. all in camelback corridor.

i live in uptown phoenix, and used to live downtown so can offer suggestions there. the other phoenix posters can probably offer better advice on scottsdale places. some other really nice hotels include the phoenician (on the edge of phoenix and scottsdale), the sanctuary (in paradise valley), and the boulders (in way way north scottsdale). they are all going to be pricier than usual this time of year.