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Arizona has some of the most iconic stops along the famed Route 66 — from Seligman, the little town where the road’s historic designation first took hold, to Holbrook’s tepee-themed Wigwam Motel, which served as inspiration for the Cozy Cone Motel in Pixar’s “Cars.” More than 14 miles of the road run through Flagstaff. As such, the mountainous destination is home to many roadside motels from the midcentury era. These range from tiny budget-friendly bare-bones stays to chic, renovated boutiques that offer the nostalgia of the 1960s with all the modern conveniences. The newest addition is the Americana Motor Hotel, which reopened at the end of August following an extensive revitalization.
Building on History
Built in 1962, the Americana was a shining star of Flagstaff’s Route 66 roadside accommodations. Robert F. Kennedy campaigned at the Americana in 1968. And the cast and crew of “Easy Rider” stayed here while filming in Arizona. But like most properties along Route 66, its luster faded as traffic was re-routed along new interstates and large chain hotels moved in.
In 2021, Dallas-based Practice Hospitality began restoring the hotel, transforming it into a “classic roadside retreat.”
Practice Hospitality also owns the Drifthaven at Gearhart in Oregon; the Mojave Resort in Palm Desert, California; Hilton Dallas Park Cities in Texas; and Hotel Colee in Atlanta, Georgia.
A Stay at the Americana
It was dark when we arrived at the Americana, so we didn’t get the full effect of the property until the next morning. But even so, we were greeted by a brightly hued neon sign and playful life-size astronaut figure, which both hinted at the hotel’s space-age theme.
In the lobby, guests check in at a front desk that resembles a vintage travel brochure rack. Comfy couches, a bold geometric-patterned floor, and a dining area with leather banquette seating set the stage for the hotel’s color scheme: orange, navy blue, red, and yellow.
One thing to note: Flagstaff is the world’s first International Dark Sky City, a designation that the Americana takes seriously. Exterior lighting is very dim, which makes it a little difficult to find your room at night. Our room was in the “Orange” section (as determined by the color of the rooms’ front doors), but in the dark, it is hard to distinguish between red and orange or even to see the room numbers. Plus, the property is large: 89 rooms on two floors that snake around a spacious central “Backyard” and pool area.
Once we found our room, however, we were wowed by the retro-futuristic interiors. We stayed in a Medium Queen room, a 190-square foot room with a queen-size bed, a desk and chair, and a seating area with two lounge chairs. The hotel also offers the Mini Full, a 130-square-foot room with a full-size bed, and the Large Two Queen, a 220-square-foot room with two queen-size beds. All rooms showcase a space-age design, created by Andrew Alford, former chief creative officer of Graduate Hotels. Alford calls the look “rustic futurism.”
A Retro Renovation
Each room features a similar design. Wall coverings mimic wood paneling, padded headboards are inspired by vintage ski wear, carpeting displays a kaleidoscopic swirling pattern, and a disco ball throws sparkling prisms across the ceiling. Pops of orange are found throughout — on the lounge chairs, bedside tables, room safe, shower fixtures, and even orange mood lights. My husband took one look at the room and said, “It looks like something Stanley Kubrick would design.”
Also included are a mini refrigerator (and I do mean mini — we had to take out the shelves in order to fit a bottle of water and a six pack of beer), a coffee maker with real mugs, bedside USB chargers, and wall-mount TVs (although the internet was spotty during our stay, and programming would stop each time it would lose its connection). A pair of plush robes with the colorful NASA-esque Americana logo on the back hang in the bathroom.
The bed is extremely comfortable, and the pillows are large and fluffy. Crisp white linens include a thick comforter that while initially super cozy gets very hot during the night. So make sure to crank up the AC overnight so you can cuddle up in the blankets. And the white tiled walk-in shower is hot with excellent water pressure.
Fun for Family and Fido
If you’re like me and like to travel with your dog, you’ll be pleased to know that the Americana is pet friendly. At the back of the property is a large fenced-in “Barkyard” where pups can relieve themselves and run off some excess energy. The area is covered in wood chips with some patches of grass, making for easy clean-up. Doggie poop bags are provided. The area also includes a covered picnic table so you can relax while Fido plays. And there is a doggie wash station, and doggie towels are available at the front desk. My dog loved the Barkyard. My only complaint is that due to the property’s limited lighting, the area gets extremely dark.
The large courtyard includes a turf-covered zone with cornhole and boccie courts. You can pick up balls or bean bags in the lobby. If you just want to relax and take in the fresh mountain air, there are plenty of seating arrangements, including multiple fire pit areas, picnic tables, and hammocks. The heated pool is open year-round and offers numerous chaise lounges for sunbathing. Or, if you prefer to explore, you can rent a bicycle and head into downtown. And star gazers can check out telescopes for viewing the night sky.
While there is no on-site restaurant, the hotel does bring in food trucks. The Americana also is next door to a 24-hour IHOP.
If You Stay at the Americana
The Americana Motor Hotel is located on East Route 66. It’s about a 5-minute drive outside of downtown Flagstaff and Northern Arizona University. Rates begin at about $120 per night, depending on the room and season. Packages, including tickets to Lowell Observatory or disc-golf starter kits, are available. Self-parking, high-speed WiFi, and complimentary coffee and beverages in the lobby are included. You can also check rates at a hotel booking site such as Hotels.com or Booking.com and make your reservations there if you get a better rate.
And of course, if you’re traveling along Route 66, there are plenty of other great renovated roadside motels that are worth a stop. Check out our reviews of Hotel Zazz and El Vado Motel, both in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the Motel Du Beau, also in Flagstaff.
Main photo courtesy of Practice Hospitality. All other photos by Rebecca L. Rhoades
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