A renovated 1960s motor court on Route 66, blending mid-century design, astronomy-inspired details, and Arizona's first Nordic spa.
High Country Motor Lodge, situated at 1000 West Route 66 in Flagstaff, reimagines a 1962 roadside motel into a highly styled, mid-century mountain retreat. Operated by Marc and Rose Hospitality, the property underwent a thirteen-million-dollar renovation led by San Francisco design firm Adean Studios and Phoenix-based Synectic Design. The design concept bridges the golden age of American road trips with Flagstaff's rich astronomical legacy, nodding to nearby Lowell Observatory and the city's status as the world's first International Dark Sky Place. Midnight blue wainscoting, dark wood floors, rustic timber beams, and amber-lit, 1960s-inspired fixtures set a moody, contemplative tone throughout the lobby and communal spaces. The main buildings form a classic U-shape enclosing a central courtyard, which features the largest outdoor heated pool in Northern Arizona, alongside communal fire pits and lawn games.
The lodge features 123 guest accommodations, including standard rooms, junior suites, and three stand-alone Cosmic Cottages. These free-standing cottages offer a private, cabin-like sanctuary at the edge of the great lawn, designed with shingled siding, warm interior palettes, and custom furnishings. In a deliberate nod to retro road-trip culture, every room is equipped with a functioning cassette player and a curated selection of custom mixtapes. The design balances nostalgia with high-end modern comforts, featuring plush bedding, bulk gear storage racks designed specifically for river runners and outdoor enthusiasts, and bath products from Malin and Goetz. Arizona-inspired artwork, including large tapestry prints of the legendary river runner and activist Katie Lee, adorns the walls, reinforcing the property's deep connection to the history of the Colorado Plateau.
On-site dining and wellness offerings are tailored for recovery and preparation. The General Store serves as a hybrid lobby bar, coffee shop, and mercantile, offering made-to-order breakfasts, Roman-style pizza, sandwiches, and craft beers. The mercantile portion is stocked with gear from sustainable brands like Patagonia, Roark Revival, and Salt and Stone, reflecting the hotel's commitment as a member of One Percent for the Planet. For recovery, the property hosts Arizona's first Nordic Spa Experience. This outdoor hydrotherapy circuit features two private cedar saunas with private changing areas, an oversized sixteen-person jetted hot tub, and a cold plunge shower. Guests can reserve fifty-minute sessions to cycle through the traditional hot-cold-relax sequence, resting by private fire tables wrapped in heavy, hooded Nordic-style robes.
Reserve a session at the on-site Nordic Spa early in your stay to secure one of the heavy, hooded robes to use for the rest of your visit.
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