High Country Motor Lodge
Moody, retro-alpine boutique motel. Think dark palette, cassette tapes in every room, fire pits on the lawn, craft beer at the bar. Outdoor-centric with strong community energy — designed for people who ski or hike all day and want a proper recovery experience at night.
Book the Nordic Spa session separately at na.spatime.com/hcml6001 — it books out, especially on weekends when it jumps to $75/session vs $50 weekday
Why It Matters
Arizona's first Nordic Spa Experience — a reservation-based private sauna, cold shower, hot tub, and fire pit cycle that's treated as a serious wellness ritual, not just a hotel amenity. Also has the largest outdoor pool in Northern Arizona. The cassette tape players with hand-curated mix tapes in every room are a genuinely quirky retro touch that guests consistently call out. Listed in the Michelin Guide and part of the Tablet Hotels collection.
A 1962-era roadside motel on Historic Route 66 that Marc & Rose Hospitality completely reimagined and reopened in 2022. The bones are classic mid-century motor lodge — U-shaped layout, outdoor-facing rooms, parking all around — but everything inside has been overhauled by San Francisco design firm Adean Studios. Dark forest-green and midnight-blue exteriors, rustic wood paneling, 1960s-inspired fixtures, and a communal lawn that pulls guests out of their rooms and into the kind of communal hang that motels always promised but rarely delivered. It's also home to Arizona's first Nordic Spa Experience, which is the real draw for repeat visitors.
Where You'll Stay
6 room types available
Accessible Rooms
ADA-compliant rooms accommodating guests with disabilities. Same design aesthetic as other room categories. Note that the property has no elevator, so accessibility is horizontal only — no stairs required for accessible rooms.
Classic
The baseline room type, described as alpine accommodations that redefine the 'standard.' Same design ethos as the rest of the property — dark palette, rustic wood, retro touches — without pool views or cottage privacy. Available in both Courtyard and Classic configurations. Rooms were redesigned to be larger than a typical motel room to accommodate families, gear (skis, snowboards), and pets.
Cosmic Cottages
Three private, free-standing cottage suites at the edge of the communal lawn — the closest thing to a tiny mountain cabin on the property. Modern nod to a familial mountain cabin aesthetic with rustic accents, inviting color palette, and deluxe amenities. Each cottage has its own private patio with a fire pit and seating. Genuinely separate from the main motel block, which makes for a more private stay.
Junior Suite
At 390 sq ft, the most spacious room in the main building. A plush king bed sits alongside a dedicated lounging area filled with mid-century accessories, warm wooden furniture, and a palette of deep greens and blues. Has a mini-fridge, wet bar, and the retro cassette tape player. Aimed at guests who want room to spread out without springing for a full cottage.
KingPet-Friendly Rooms
Select Classic and Courtyard rooms designated as pet-friendly. Designed with extra space for gear and animals. A $125 non-refundable pet fee applies per stay — notably higher than industry standard and called out in guest reviews. Dogs are the primary pet accommodation. Same room amenities as standard Classic rooms.
Pool View
Contemporary rooms overlooking the main pool and courtyard, with steps-away access to the plunge pool and Nordic spa area. Same design language as the rest of the property — deep greens and blues, warm woods and gold accents — but with the added perk of looking out onto the heart of the property. Good choice for guests who want to keep an eye on the pool without being far from the action.
The Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Arizona Snowbowl ski resort is accessible from the lodge (approximately 7 miles north). The hotel offers a ski discount package — 50% off weekday lift tickets and 25% off weekend tickets — as a free enhancement added at booking. Hotel rooms are designed with extra space specifically for ski and snowboard equipment.
A curated vinyl listening session series run under the 'Fadeaway Sessions' banner (fadeawaysessions.com), hosted at the lodge. A niche but genuinely cool offering for music-inclined guests.
A fully outfitted game room with shuffleboard, pool table, darts, and a collection of vintage board games. Available for private parties and events. Cocktails and beer can be brought in from The General Store bar.
The communal lawn features outdoor lawn games and multiple fire pits for guest use. Social gathering space that becomes especially lively in the evenings.
Regular live music programming on the lawn and in communal spaces. Schedule listed on the What's On page.
Outdoor movie screenings on the communal lawn, open to guests. Classic films featured. Fire pits running alongside.
Flagstaff is the world's first International Dark Sky Place, and the lodge sits near the foothills of Lowell Observatory (where Pluto was discovered). The property actively leans into this — communal lawn designed for night sky viewing, organized stargazing events, and proximity to locations like Buffalo Park and Anderson Mesa. The hotel also highlights nearby Coconino Astronomical Society public viewings at Heritage Square.
Yoga classes offered to guests and community members. Schedule varies.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
1,200 sq ft of indoor event space (including the Ryder Room for board meetings) plus 3,500 sq ft of outdoor event space — 4,700 sq ft total. Used for weddings, corporate events, and private gatherings.
Unlimited high-speed Wi-Fi throughout all rooms and public areas.
Full fitness center with Nautilus weight machines, treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bikes, free weights, yoga mats, and exercise balls.
Every room includes a retro cassette tape deck with a curated collection of mix tapes. One of the most-mentioned touches in guest reviews.
All rooms equipped with STAYCAST Ultimate Streaming Experience on a 50" flat-screen TV with premium cable.
On-site self-parking included in the nightly amenity fee. Surrounds the entire U-shaped property.
Pets accepted in designated rooms with a $125 non-refundable pet fee per stay. One of the more expensive pet fees in the market — worth noting for dog owners.
Claimed to be the largest outdoor pool in Northern Arizona. Not heated — so it's genuinely refreshing in summer but not a year-round swim situation. Seasonal.
Oversized outdoor hot tub available to all guests. Part of the Nordic spa circuit, but accessible separately from the paid sauna sessions.
Entire property is smoke-free, including vaping, e-cigarettes, and marijuana. Violations incur a $500+ cleaning fee per room.
BUILD YOUR HIGH COUNTRY MOTOR LODGE PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
Start Planning