Like an oasis in the desert, Aloft’s opening marked the end of a 10-year dry spell without a new hotel in Tempe.

“It’s very exciting to see a new hotel open in Tempe,” said Sean Donovan, communications director of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, in an e-mail. “Many visitors from all over the world come here, and providing excellent lodging choices for them is important.”

The city’s “vibrancy” attracts many tourists and travelers, Donovan said.

“It makes sense for us to provide lodging options like Aloft, so they can stay in the heart of the action.”

Tempe is a “perfect fit for the Aloft brand, as it speaks to the urban lifestyle,” said Jamie Metzger, Aloft’s general manager in an e-mail.

Tech-savvy and designed with open space, Aloft is “the new twist in travel,” Metzger said. The hotel provides “anything the guests need, anytime they need it.”

“We put control back into our guests’ lives by offering them choices,” he said. For example, guests can check in and out at a self-serve kiosk or at the front desk.

The hotel’s fitness center Re:charge and its “gourmet grab-and-go” location Re:fuel are open 24 hours a day. The lobby features a bar, pool table and game table. Desert plants adorn the outdoor pool area.

Tempe has welcomed Aloft with open arms, Metzger said.

“So far, our reception in the community has been great,” he said. “Local businesses have called us to welcome us to the community.”

Though economic conditions in the Phoenix area seem like inopportune timing for a luxury hotel’s opening, Aloft remains optimistic.

“Clearly they have confidence in their business plan and management abilities, and I think that will correlate to a profitable venture,” Donovan said.

Tempe’s hotel industry is better positioned to weather economic concerns than other cities, Donovan said. This is partly because of “the many events and activities that take place here and because of the many travelers that make Tempe their destination.”

Attractions in Tempe include concerts, activities at Tempe Town Lake and athletic events such as the Ironman Arizona competition, the Insight Bowl and P.F. Chang’s Rock and Roll Marathon.

Close to Sky Harbor airport, numerous corporate offices and entertainment venues, its location at Scottsdale Road and Route 202 should prove strategic, Metzger said.

“We are nestled in a neighborhood that includes condominiums, apartments and businesses,” Metzger said. “A hotel was the perfect addition to the neighborhood.”

The hotel’s relationship with ASU will likely be “mutually beneficial,” Donovan said.

“Additional hotel space will benefit many people with ties to ASU, like parents of students visiting for the weekend or Sun Devil fans traveling in from out of state.”

Metzger agreed.

“Our proximity is perfect,” he said.

The hotel has been working with ASU and its alumni to promote Aloft’s features, coordinate meeting rooms for group events and create a “landing page” on its Web site with a special rate.

“They will get a better deal than what is posted on our Web site,” he said. “This also will make it very easy for customers from ASU to click and reserve rooms.”

Reach the reporter at carleen.mcgillick@asu.edu.