World reknown for its extraordinary golf course designs, superb playing weather, tournaments and luxurious resorts, Arizona has a number of "to be discovered" landmark hotels scattered throughout the state. For a few days away from the links, these landmarks are nestled in all corners of the Grand Canyon state. Some are near local golf courses worthy of play, others are valuable just for location, views and atmosphere, and in some, a ghost may be sharing the room.
La Posada
Encouraging rail travel, Fred Harvey built hotels and restaurants staffed by his "Harvey Girls" all along the Santa Fe in the Southwest. Talented architects, including a number of women--rare for that day and age--designed some of his best-known hotels. One of these great railroad landmark hotels is La Posada in Winslow, Arizona. Located between the train tracks and the Mother Road (Route 66), La Posada is restored to its original grandeur, complete with restaurant, lounge, enduring lobby and Amtrak station. Frommer's "Arizona Guide" calls it "the last of the great railroad hotels." There are nine suite-style rooms, some with private balconies, others with garden views. No phones are in the rooms, but there is cell service, and fully restored antique phone booths in the lobby.
La Posada
303 E. 2nd Street (Route 66)
Winslow, AZ 86047
(928) 289.4366
The Phoenician
The crème de la crème. Presidents stay here. World leaders stay here. Professional golfers come to relax and ease their way through the historic golf course. The Phoenician in Scottsdale is one of the finest resorts in the state. A five-star restaurant and resort, The Phoenician is also one of Arizona's landmark properties. With 640 guest rooms, The Phoenician also offers the privacy of 119 casitas, 62 luxury suites and four presidential suites. Luxury amenities, WiFi, wool carpet, twice daily maid service and guest area in excess of 600 square feet in the regular rooms are the featured amenities.
The Phoenician
6000 East Camelback Road
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 941-8200
Hotel Monte Vista
Throughout northern Arizona, hotels claim "John Wayne slept here" or Betty Grable or Errol Flynn or Carol Lombard or Tyrone Power. All claims are true. Nearly any actor making a western spent some time in northern Arizona. In the "capital" of Arizona, the restored Hotel Monte Vista in Flagstaff has a long list of celebrity guests. Named for the famous, the hotels 50 rooms have been historically restored. Located steps from Route 66 and Amtrak, the Hotel Monte Vista, built in 1926, is the centerpiece of downtown Flagstaff.
Hotel Monte Vista
100 N. San Francisco Street
Flagstaff, Arizona, 86001
(928) 779-6971
Grand Hotel
Perched on the side of a mountain, the historic mining town of Jerome is dominated by two sights: the old open pit mine on one end of town and the Jerome Grand Hotel on the other.The views from the hotel are breathtaking. Jerome has several thousand residents, some of which are nocturnal spirits in the halls of the Grand Hotel.
Grand Hotel
200 Hill Street
Jerome, Arizona 86331
(928) 634-8200
About The Author
Eric Jay Toll has been writing since 1970, influenced by his active lifestyle. An outdoorsman, businessman, planner and travel writer, Toll'is work appears in LIVESTRONG.COM, eHow, travel guides for the Navajo Nation and "TIME" and "Planning" magazines. He studied broadcast marketing and management at Southern Illinois University.
