High Country Motor Lodge

“Our goal with High Country Motor Lodge was to celebrate Flagstaff and Route 66’s storied roadside culture and the region’s undeniable natural beauty,” says John Grossman, the CEO of Marc & Rose Hospitality, which operates the lodge. “Throughout the property, darker color palettes are showcased alongside rustic woods and 1960s-inspired fixtures and furnishings, hearkening back to when Route 66 began to flourish.”

The property, which dates to 1962, was acquired by Classic Hotels & Resorts, Marc & Rose’s previous name, in 2020 and was fully renovated and reimagined over two years by San Francisco design team Adean Studios and Arizona-based architecture firm Synectic Design. The result was a place that offers both the cozy vibe of a vintage hotel and the rustic feel of a contemporary mountain lodge, making it a comfortable place for guests to recharge during their Northern Arizona adventures.

The guest rooms have a warm midcentury flair that includes retro tape decks and a collection of mixtapes for guests to enjoy. To appeal to a wide variety of travelers, the hotel has accessible accommodations, pet-friendly rooms, more-spacious junior suites and stand-alone cottage suites. And adorning the walls of the property are Arizona-inspired artworks, including large tapestry prints of the late Katie Lee, the beloved actress, folk singer, author and wilderness activist. 

The General Store, the on-site culinary concept, has grab-and-go provisions, as well as a lounge with craft beer and cocktails, pizza and an artisanal coffee and espresso selection. There’s also an outdoor pool and hot tub, fire pits, two private saunas and a game room. For extracurricular activities, guests and community members can enjoy movie and game nights, live music, vinyl listening sessions, yoga classes and stargazing.

But if you’re looking to truly unwind, Grossman says, try the hotel’s Nordic spa experience, a traditional hydrotherapy concept that alternates between hot and cold relaxation methods. The centuries-old ritual rejuvenates guests when they return from hiking in the Grand Canyon or skiing at Arizona Snowbowl. But if you’d rather recreate by cruising up and down Arizona’s stretch of Route 66, a Nordic spa experience probably feels good after that, too.