Stylized arrowhead motifs.
The informative and fun tour of the hotel I took part in on Saturday was lead by Ace Bailey, the Hotel Valley Ho's concierges and maven for Valley Arts. Ace shared her historic stories with joy, enthusiasm and dedication to her love for mid century design. From Ace I learned how in 1973, Evelyn Foehl had sold the Valley Ho to Ramada (after her husband Robert had passed away). Needless to say, during the time Ramada owned operated the hotel, they destroyed interior. In 2002, Ramada sold the hotel, but it entered a bidding war - which actually resulted in saving the structure in the eleventh hour from being demolished and turning into a condominium. In 2002, the hotel was bought by Westroc Hotels & Resorts and underwent a renovation, which was completed in 2005. Conceived anew by the architectural firm Allen+Philp, many details were able to be grandfathered in to refurbish the hotel to its former glory. The difference between the old and the new were the new additions couldn't be constructed with same materials - only similar to create the seamless flow from the old to new. One prime example of this is within the lobby entry of the hotel: the actual metal framed glass entry doors are original, but the glass facade and doors directly next to the entry, leading to the outdoor smoking patio, are new. However looking at them side by side, you'd never know, until it was pointed out.
Hotel ZuZu Lounge + Indoor / Outdoor Dining area.
Original hotel exterior - Valley Ho History.
Valley Ho is the most mid century modern period restored Hotel in the US. When it was originally built, it was built without the tower - the elevations were only two levels, BUT it was constructed with a basement below with the foresight to build the "Tower" in the future. Since this "Tower" structure was grandfathered in, it enabled the "Tower" to be built, regardless of the Scottsdale zoning height restrictions (blocking the view of Camelback mountain).
New paint of today, created in period colors of yesterday.
Lobby & Smoking Patio
New additions changes are subtle, and are built to code standards (for example: changes in stair rails + rise). Green construction was applied whenever possible: For ex: the period style fireplace was added to the lobby during 2002 renovation, and it is lit with treated tempered glass - original glass from the hotel which broke during the renovation. One of the features that was able to be recast to original were the arrow-stylized columns, which Ramada had covered in mirror in the 80s (ugh! Can you imagine??)
Circular motif applied to seating for weddings today.
Valley Ho was the Paparazzi getaway for Hollywood icons (staying in Palm Springs), and also became one of the two wedding destinations of Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner. Since the hotel doesn't belong to a major chain, it still has a family owned atmosphere, including to this day, a "guest "list" that remains Private. One of the hat faves of Sinatra purchased at Hotel Valley Ho then, (a straw Fedora) can still be bought there now.
New Exclamation Point Pool - Opened Summer 2013.
The Exclamation Point Pool was just added between buildings 3 and 4 and opened Summer 2013 - Ironically, this is the 'quiet' pool. The main signature round pool (designed during the renovations in 2002) symbolizes a martini with an olive in Plan. It's a fave hot spot for DJ's and the local Spring Break crowd. The rooms around this pool were all originally designed "private" - The only means of going "room-to-room" was to swivel the pole panel between them on the back balcony. This feature is only available in the original buildings 1 and 2. The rooms around the pool were designed without windows facing the pool, creating the most peaceful and quiet transition happening between the (party) pool and rooms.
When the rooms were first designed, most of them were designed without a traditional bed - Instead they were mainly designed as entertaining spots with an open space, minimal furniture including two lounge chairs, a round table and a sofa, which actually was a sleeper sofa so if you HAD to catch a few zzz's after partying, you could pull-out the bed and crash. Suites just meant your room had a small kitchenette. Today the rooms are well appointed with colorful surroundings, the iconic B&W floor, various size beds, ample seating and even for some: a floating bathtub in the middle of the room with track set curtains to create privacy (or a show! lol) Some of the newer additions to the Hotel was also to create condominium style rooms, with a full kitchen, for those longer stays.
Valley Ho - Guest Room
Valley Ho - Two Bedroom Condo Space
And here's a 'cool' little factoid: Did you know: The Hotel Valley Ho was the first hotel in Scottsdale to have central air conditioning,
enabling it to be open all year! When Varney designed the hotel, he
put all the utility wires underground into 5-foot-high tunnels. For more cool factoids and history about Hotel Valley Ho, visit these sites:
After the tour, we enjoyed lunch or
drinks at ZuZu. I was in my element: The outdoor spaces of Hotel Valley Ho is very reminiscent
of several South Beach Hotel designs and lounges, especially since the
hotel had so much lush tropical-like landscape - Loved it!
ZuZu had several Martini's and mixed potions to choose from - I tried the Marilyn Monroe... It was deelish!
We liked the hotel so much, we even looked into some of their Spring into Summer specials for a weekend getaway for our upcoming anniversary.
If you're in the Phoenix -
Scottsdale area this coming weekend, you too can join the tour with Ace
Bailey at 10AM, Saturday morning for another tour during Modern Phoenix Week. For ticket info, visit Modern Phoenix and purchase tickets online at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.
Thanks for stopping by!
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