Mad Men Meets the Mesas
An architectural oasis in the Arizona desert.
Get full access to Outside Learn, our online education hub featuring in-depth fitness, nutrition, and adventure courses and more than 2,000 instructional videos when you sign up for Outside+.
The Hotel Valley Ho, a 1956 midcentury beauty in Scottsdale, Arizona, has been renovated to perfection, with studio rooms both mod and modern thanks to Philippe Starck-designed bathtubs, midcentury-style recliners and other stylish touches. The suites go a step further with groovy mood lighting and living rooms that feel straight out of your parents’ 1970s basement (minus that awful shag carpet).
After a day of ripping through the desert on your two-wheeler (try the black diamond East National trail for a real challenge), grab a deep bodywork message at the hotel spa or just hit the rowdy pool scene and ply your aching body with margaritas.
The tagline of Valley Ho’s onsite restaurant, ZuZu, is “classic food for current people,” which is pretty accurate. Order the pan-roasted chicken breast with a warm farro salad and a Manhattan and plot your next couple days: More swingin’ pool action or another sweet ride? It’s a toss-up if you ask us.
The Details: “Signature” rooms start at $127, while the suites will run up to $625. The hotel is located in downtown Scottsdale, steps from galleries, restaurants, and shops.
