From motor courts to luxury hotels, how the resort industry has transformed Arizona
Travel and tourism have been big industries in the Phoenix area for decades. The Arizona Development Board estimated tourism accounted for $160 million to the state in 1954 — that’s nearly $2 billion in today’s dollars. The Arizona Office of Tourism now reports the travel industry brought more than $28 billion in direct spending to the state.
Many early spots have since been closed and torn down — but not all of them. Many still in operation have been hosting travelers for decades.
In Last Resorts, The Show is looking at the history and future of resorts, and the Valley as a resort community. Travel from Paradise Valley to Litchfield Park, and visit some of the Valley’s oldest and newest resorts. Hear how they’ve impacted the region from art and architecture, to how people all over the world view the West.
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In the series Last Resorts, The Show is looking at the history and future of resorts, and the Valley as a resort community. Visit some of the Valley’s oldest and newest resorts. Hear how they’ve impacted the region — from art and architecture, to how people all over the world view the West.
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Step back into the 20th century, when a stretch of Van Buren Street was the place to stay. At its peak, my next guest says there were up to 200 hotels and motels, mostly clustered between 16th and 40th streets — although they could go as far east as 52nd Street and as far west as about 11th Avenue.
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Ace Bailey is president of Ultimate Art and Cultural Tours and a part-time concierge at the Hotel Valley Ho. The Show's Mark Brodie joined her on a recent tour to see the midcentury modern resort and learn more about its history.
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It's time to visit the Hermosa Inn in Paradise. Specifically, a room that looks like a library, filled with the paintings of Lon Megargee. If his first name sounds familiar — he’s the Lon for whom the resort’s restaurant is named.
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The Show visited Litchfield Park and the Wigwam Resort. Now it’s a well-known resort, but it didn’t start out that way. Lisa Hegarty, executive director at the P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center, talked to The Show about it's impact and history on the West Valley.
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Early on in the Valley's existence, sunshine was being equated with health and wellness. This drew many people from the East and Midwest to Arizona's resorts. including Castle Hot Springs.
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The newst resorts in the Valley tend to focus less on things like horseback riding in the desert or even basking in the sun, but rather on entertainment and the kinds of experiences you might be able to find in other cities.
Hidden gems