I recently traveled to Flagstaff, Arizona, and stayed at a great property. I’d heard about the elevated motor lodge on Route 66, so I jumped at the chance to stay there. The High Country Motor Lodge, located directly on historic Route 66, is a stylish, comfortable retreat that checks all the boxes.
What once was a tired chain motel has been transformed into a slick and modern oasis, thanks to a $13 Million Renovation in 2022. The 123 guest rooms are plush. Plus you’ll find lots of amenities and special touches throughout the property. It’s a perfect place to stay while you’re exploring Flagstaff, high in the San Francisco Peak Mountains of Arizona, at almost 7,000 feet elevation.
Why The High Country Motor Lodge Is Great For Families
- Onsite Restaurant and Bar
- Outdoor Deck and Expansive Lawn
- Private Cedar Saunas
- Fire Pits
- Plunge Pool
- Nordic Spa
- General Store
- Fully Equipped Game Room with Pool Table
- Front Door Parking
- Easy Access To Guest Rooms
- Centrally Located Close to Downtown Flagstaff
Pro Tip: The pool isn’t heated so it can be chilly. You may want to splurge and pay the extra charge for a private sauna to warm up!
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Guest Rooms
My guest room was spacious and gorgeous. I could tell the room had recently been completely redone from top to bottom and was as clean as a whistle. Everything looked freshly scrubbed. The walls feature a pretty, dark blue wainscotting topped with bright white and punctuated with white globe fixtures that illuminate the space in soft lighting. The vibe is cozy mountain retreat with a modern twist. Our double queen room felt lush and inviting. The beds were loaded with lots of comfy pillows to sink into.
In-Room Amenities
In the bathroom, we found the shower stocked with high-end bathing products. The shower was done in white tiles stacked to the ceiling, and a heavy canvas shower curtain that kept the shower spray in and the cool air out. We found thoughtful details throughout the room including a retro cassette player with a curated selection of cassettes on the nightstand and an electric kettle for brewing our morning coffee.
In addition to the 123 guest rooms, you can reserve a cosmic cottage that is a standalone private suite that’s situated Lawnside.
Restaurant
The restaurant isn’t a typical sit-down restaurant, but a more casual spot in the lobby called the General Store, where you can grab readymade food, coffee, ice cream, and travel essentials. You can also order quick items like sandwiches, salads, and pizza.
Bar
The star of the lobby area is the award-winning bar. We arrived on a Saturday afternoon to find a wedding reception taking place and the bar was bustling. The bar includes lots of intimate seating areas, so while it’s a large open space, it feels small and cozy. The decor is stunning, with lots of stylish furniture and layered fabrics. Large sliding doors and windows line the entire space, bringing the outdoors in. Step outside to enjoy the firepits and large greenspace. When we were there, the lawn was all done up for an outdoor wedding, complete with white chairs for the wedding guests. You’ll want to sip a cocktail and chill at the High Country Motor Lodge cocktail bar. I can see why it was voted best bar in Flagstaff.
Outdoors
The kids will have a great time running around the lawn and playing life-size Jenga or checkers. I haven’t often (or ever) seen a manicured lawn of this size, encircled by guest rooms on three sides. Parents will enjoy letting their littles run free while keeping a watchful eye on them from the front door of their guest room.
You’ll love the High Country Motor Lodge whether you’re visiting Flagstaff on a girls’ trip, or you’re celebrating an anniversary with your partner. The H.C.M.L will win you over with its cool, vibe, award-winning cocktail bar, and perfect location near downtown hotspots. If you’re attending a family event with kids, you’ll enjoy the vast green space, yard games, and outdoor pool.
Details
High Country Motor Lodge is located in central Flagstaff, directly on historic Route 66. Its address is 1000 West Route 66, Flagstaff, Arizona. The High Country Motor Lodge is quite close to historic downtown Flagstaff where you’ll find plenty of shopping, eateries, and nightlife.
It’s less than 10 minutes from the world-famous Lowell Observatory, which is where the planet Pluto was discovered and is fascinating to explore. The H.C.M.L. phone number is (928) 774-5221. You will want a car to explore Flagstaff, which you can park at the door of your H.C.M.L. guestroom.
We chose to visit Flagstaff after our stay at the Grand Canyon. Flagstaff is 1 hour and 20 minutes south of Grand Canyon via AZ 64-South and I-40 East.
Other Frequently Asked Questions About the Area:
Distance to Scottsdale and Grand Canyon From Flagstaff
On our 4 day trip, we drove from Scottsdale to the Grand Canyon, the Grand Canyon to Flagstaff, then from Flagstaff back to Scottsdale. We had no issues with any part of the drive. Drive time from the Grand Canyon South Rim to Flagstaff is about an hour and 20 minutes. Drive time from Flagstaff to Scottsdale is about 2 ½ hours.
What is the Most Scenic Drive to the Grand Canyon?
For a scenic drive from Scottsdale, go via AZ89A to tour Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. It’s so worth the drive for this magnificent scenery.
Is Sedona or Flagstaff Closer to the Grand Canyon?
Flagstaff is the closest city to the Grand Canyon, just 80 miles from the East and South entrances. Sedona, at 110 miles away, is a little further from the Grand Canyon. If you’re in Flagstaff or the Grand Canyon, I would take the time to visit Sedona. It’s unbelievably beautiful.
Can You Drive to the Bottom of the Grand Canyon?
Technically you can drive to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, but most people don’t recommend it because the road is very rough, a 4 x 4 vehicle is pretty much required. You must purchase a permit to use the private road located on Indian land.
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