Dec 3 2009
We were headed to Flagstaff after a long, hot day in Prescott. We looked forward to a cool shower and leisurely dinner in Flagstaff’s downtown historic district. We booked a room at the historic Hotel Monte Vista, expecting, perhaps, a throwback to Route 66 days, and, if we were lucky, a ghost or two.Hotel Monte Vista History
The Hotel Monte Vista is a Flagstaff community effort. In the 1920’s the town wanted to attract a more upscale clientele and realized what they needed was a first-class hotel. The prominent citizens of Flagstaff, including novelist Zane Grey, quickly raised funds. Several downtown buildings were renovated to form what is now the Hotel Monte Vista. The hotel opened New Year’s Day in 1927.
The Monte Vista has had a colorful history. In the 1930’s the 1931. The main speakeasy in town was The Monte Vista Lounge and for a couple of decades the Monte Vista offered slot machines. In the 1940’s and 1950’s, Western movies became the all the rage and more than one hundred movies were filmed in nearby Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. During these filmings, the Hotel Monte Vista hosted such famous guests as Jane Russell, Gary Cooper, Spencer Tracy, John Wayne and Bing Crosby. The Monte Vista’s reputation doesn’t stop there. There are spirits haunting some of the rooms and the halls. With such a colorful history it is not surprising that the Hotel Monte Vista is known for it’s ghosts.
A Purple and Gold Surprise
We headed into the lobby of the Monte Vista. It looked like most historic hotels. Furnishings were of a bygone era and remnants of the old Monte Vista were evident. We registered, were given our keys and entered “the ancient elevator.” “Be kind to our ancient elevator,” the sign read, and we were. It worked just fine and got us to our 4th floor room. As we walked down the hall we noticed that each room was named after a movie star… Spencer Tracy, Debbie Reynolds. And there was our corner room named after… Freddie Mercury! What a surprise. Freddie Mercury wasn’t a movie star like John Wayne and the others. Freddie Mercury, was a revered song writer and lead singer of the rock band, Queen. He died in 1991 from complications of AIDS, greatly increasing awareness of the disease.
We unlocked the door and entered the… purple, gold and black room! The walls were purple with brushed streaks of gold. The woodwork was painted glossy black and the carpet, well it needed to be replaced. On the wall was a poster of the band Queen (you know, “We are the Champions”) and a disemboweled red electric guitar. But we were tired so we showered and fell into the comfortable bed and left further exploration for morning.
The Monte Vista – A Draw for Guests from Around the World
The next morning, we opened the curtains and enjoyed a view of the rooftops of historic Flagstaff. The town was bustling, people were having coffee at “Late for the Train” across the street and the sun was shining.
I met with the manager of Hotel Monte Vista and found out why the hotel is such a popular place to stay. It isn’t necessarily the rooms, all painted differently and named after movie stars, it’s the home-like atmosphere and personal attention that draws visitors from near and far. She told me that over 50% of their clientele hails from Europe. They like the genuine feel of the hotel. Others do come just for the special rooms. The Debbie Reynolds room, for example, is painted in shocking pink. You either love it or hate it.
The Hotel Monte Vista has a culture all of its own. On Friday and Saturday nights the cocktail lounge rocks with live music. The hotel becomes “party central.” When guests check in they are asked their preferences. The non-partying guests are given rooms in the more quiet areas of the hotel where the music will not disturb their sleep.
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