Arizona hotels offer a slice of history Connor Hotel, Jerome
There are countless things to do and see across northern Arizona’s unique landscape, whether it be a visit to the Grand Canyon, a nostalgic drive down Route 66 or a tour of Verde Valley’s award-winning vineyards.
Travelers might not think about where they spend the night as a notable part of their trip. But the region has plenty of hotels and lodges that offer guests a unique stay packed with famous architecture, history, charm, and breathtaking views of the region.
Here are a few of the historic lodgings where you should consider booking a room for your next trip across northern Arizona:
The historic Connor Hotel has occupied the same corner in Jerome since it was built in 1898, when its original phone number was eight and rooms were rented for $1 per night. The building’s stone foundations were quarried from the hills around town and the brick was fired in nearby Cottonwood.
The hotel burned to the ground twice in its first two years but as one of only two local businesses with insurance at the time, owner David Conner was able to immediately rebuild.
The building was originally designed with 20 rooms upstairs with a barroom, card rooms and billiard tables on the first floor. It was one of the earliest buildings in Jerome to be fully wired for electricity, with each room equipped with a call bell for service.
The hotel’s success saw both peaks and valleys over the course of the century as the town evolved, particularly after the closure of the mines in the 1950s. Safety concerns forced the hotel to close for a second time in the 1980s until the improvements were made after the turn of the century.
Visitors today can stay in one of 12 rooms, many with original wallpaper, exposed brickwork and more. Guests can choose from views of Jerome’s Main Street or the nearby famous red rocks.
La Posada Hotel, Winslow
La Posada, which means the Resting Place, was constructed in Winslow, the Arizona headquarters for the Santa Fe Railway. The goal during construction was to become the finest hotel in the Southwest. The total budget for the project was rumored at $2 million – more than $35 million in today’s money.
While architect Mary E.J. Colter is most well known for her work at the Grand Canyon, she considered La Posada to be her masterpiece. She was able to design or select everything from the structures to the landscape, furniture, maids’ costumes, and dinner china. She envisioned the property as the grand hacienda of wealthy Spanish landowners whose family lived onsite for 120 years.
The hotel opened in 1930, just after the stock market crash that prompted the Great Depression. In 1957, the hotel closed to the public and the museum-quality furnishings were auctioned off two years later. Much of the building was eventually gutted and converted to offices for the Santa Fe Railway.
As recently as 1994, the building faced repeated threats of demolition before the National Trust for Historic Preservation added the building to its endangered list. Allan Affeldt ultimately bought the property and took over the restoration, which cost an estimated $12 million. He and his wife Mary Ann moved into the property in 1997. In addition to restoring guest rooms, Affeldt also spearheaded the revival of on-site fine dining with the now-famous Turquoise Room.
Guests visiting La Posada today can stay in a variety of rooms with different bed sizes and amenities. Some rooms feature handmade Ponderosa pine beds, handwoven Zapotec rugs, and Mexican tin and Talavera tile mirrors. Several feature the original 1930 black and white mosaic tile and six-foot cast-iron tubs. Others have custom bathrooms with whirlpool tubs and hand-painted tile murals.
Unique views from the hotel’s rooms include the Sunken Garden, the Cottonwood Grove across the south lawn to the Santa Fe railroad and more.
El Tovar, Grand Canyon Village
Located directly on the rim of the Grand Canyon, the El Tovar Hotel first opened its doors in 1905. The hotel was designed by Charles Whittlesey, chief architect for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. It was meant to be a cross between a Swiss chalet and a Norwegian Villa because European culture was considered to be the epitome of refinement at the time.
El Tovar cost $250,000 to build and was constructed with local limestone and Oregon pine. The location was one of a chain of hotels and restaurants owned and operated by the Fred Harvey Company in conjunction with the Santa Fe Railway.
In 1987, the El Tovar hotel was designated as a National Historic Landmark and has hosted prominent guests like Theodore Roosevelt, Albert Einstein and Bill Clinton, among many others over the years.
Today’s guests can choose from one of 78 rooms, many of which are suites. Due to the historic nature of the hotel, no two rooms are alike.
Phantom Ranch, Grand Canyon National Park
Unlike other historic places to stay at the national park, Phantom Ranch is nestled at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Phantom Ranch is the only lodging below the canyon rim and can only be reached by mule, on foot or by rafting the Colorado River.
Phantom Ranch was designed by Mary E.J. Colter after the National Park Service commissioned a tourist facility within the canyon in the 1920s. Like with her other projects, Colter pulled inspiration from her surroundings: The main lodge and cabins were built with wood and native stone to blend in with the natural beauty of the area.
Guests hoping to stay at Phantom Ranch today must make a reservation in advance, as space is extremely limited.
Cabins vary in size and can accommodate between two and 10 people. Guests are prohibited from doubling up in the bunks or sleeping on the floors. All are equipped with bedding, a cold water sink, a toilet, liquid soap, and hand towels. Showers, bath towels, hot water sinks and a liquid soap-shampoo combination are provided at a central location.
Two male and two female dormitories are available to hikers only. Each dorm has five bunk beds, a shower and a shared restroom with bedding and towels provided for each guest. Children must be at least 6 years old to stay in a dorm.
Guests can enjoy breakfast and dinner from the Phantom Ranch Canteen with beverages and snacks available from the canteen’s side window from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Phantom Ranch guests can also book one- or twonight mule trips during their stay.