Hermosa Inn, with its main lodge and luxury casitas dotting the desert in Paradise Valley, Arizona, is truly a hideaway in the midst of the city. Hermosa Inn is a unique property in Phoenix. It has a colorful history and embraces that history, yet creates a modern charm to go along with it.
Hermosa Inn Deluxe Casita Bedroom. Photo courtesy Hermosa Inn
Hermosa Inn is very “southwest” without being kitschy cowboy. In fact, Hermosa Inn is all about class and refinement amid Western charm. The entire property is luxurious, from the landscape to the casitas to the small spa to the wonderful food at LON’s. But the luxury boutique hotel is also comfortable. I never felt stuffy or out of place. I felt as if I were welcome in a friend’s home.
Front patio of my casita. Photo by Susan Lanier-Graham
I stayed in a deluxe casita and it was my very own retreat from the world. The bed was a massive 4-poster king with curtains around it that the maids pulled closed at turn-down. There was a large fireplace at one end surrounded by overstuffed leather chairs. Beautiful artwork covered the walls. The bathroom was comfortable and I enjoyed a nice leisurely bath after a filling dinner at LON’s. I adored the little outdoor courtyard patio on my casita. If I had had a few days, I’d plant myself there with a book for hours.
There are so many spaces to enjoy throughout the property as well. The pool area is small but the water welcoming. There are gardens, and the large patio outside LON’s is open for meals. It is perfect almost any time of the year for al fresco dining.
My stay at Hermosa Inn was made even more wonderful by the fun stories the staff shared with us, several of whom had been with the property for years. One “young” man had grown up in the area many decades earlier, and regaled me with stories about the original owners. I have no idea if the stories were true, but I enjoyed a fun evening listening to his stories.
I arrived at Hermosa Inn late one afternoon in the middle of a hectic week for a very short overnight stay. I so wish I had been able to stay more than a night. It almost hurt to leave that peaceful retreat. I will definitely make my way back to “my” casita at Hermosa Inn.
Lon’s Patio at Night. Photo courtesy Hermosa Inn
Hermosa Inn
5532 N. Palo Cristi Road
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
602-955-8614
http://www.hermosainn.com
I love Hermosa and Lon’s, and I particularly like the stories of the very interesting artist who built the original property–Lon Megargee. Among other things, he seemed to periodically forget he was married–or whom he was married to. He and the first governor of Arizona conspired to get the legislature to approve the first public art project of Arizona when he painted the murals in the Capitol. What a guy!
He is interesting. Also cool – the painting that is on the inside of every “real” Stetson – the horse drinking at the watering hole – was a Megargee painting and there’s a copy of it hanging in the bar at Hermosa Inn.