Prescott is perhaps best known for its historic Whiskey Row, which features multiple bars once frequented by legendary figures like Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. Whiskey Row is also home to the Hotel St. Michael, rebuilt in 1901 after The Great Prescott Fire of 1900. The hotel hasn’t changed much over the last century, offering visitors a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in some of Arizona’s rich history.

Hotel St. Michael musts:

• Book a room with a view (including Prescott’s historic Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza)
• Dine-in at the spectacular Bistro St. Michael
• Visit the Fire & Sword Speakeasy and go back in time

Old West with modern charm

The old-world charm kicks in the minute you enter the lobby, with its rich wood paneling, ornate ceilings and sweeping grand staircase, and continues during the journey up to your room.

The hotel’s elevator is an original Otis Traction model installed in 1925 — the first elevator installed in Prescott. It felt strange getting in the first time (it’s not every day you get to ride in something built 100 years ago!), but it worked perfectly fine and got us through multiple rides with no problem.

Our Park View King room sat on the third and top floor with beautiful views of Prescott’s historic Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza. The room was spacious enough for two people and offered plenty of extra storage space, including a coat closet and a vintage trunk with four drawers.

The room was decked out with classic cowboy decor, like a cowhide rug and framed vintage magazine covers (some of the decor was available for purchase if you’d like to take home a souvenir). Thoughtful touches are sprinkled throughout, like a charging cube and earplugs, in case the noise from the Whiskey Row revelers prevents you from falling asleep. I’m a pretty sensitive sleeper, but the noise was at a manageable level on a Friday night, and between the earplugs and our incredibly plush bed, I was able to doze off quickly.

One thing that surprised us was how incredibly well-insulated the room stayed at night. We visited during a blustery January evening, so we expected to be freezing come bedtime, but we were quite warm! Don’t worry, though; the rooms have plenty of cooling options to make the room your perfect temperature.

Delightful dining

The hotel’s restaurant, Bistro St. Michael, is a true standout experience and the recipient of our Bestie Award (more on this coming soon!). Bistro St. Michael may look unassuming from the street, but this spot blew us away with the quality of its dishes.

We started our meal with the calamari, followed by their tomato artichoke bisque and a house salad. For mains, we tried the barbeque combo and the crispy chicken sandwich. When we say everything was exquisite, we mean it. Unfortunately, we were too full by the end of the meal to try any desserts, but based on everything we tasted, we’re sure they are all delicious.

Fire & Sword Speakeasy: Drinking through history

Hotel St. Michael offers two spots to imbibe. The aptly-named Lobby Bar is located directly next to the front desk area in an expansive ballroom. The hotel’s signature Fire & Sword speakeasy sits below the restaurant.

The Lobby Bar boasts plenty of seating options and board games, plus live piano music on select evenings. Some nostalgic mementos, like Hotel St. Michael’s original telephone switchboard, are also on display. This spot is a great option if you’re looking for a quiet, cozy atmosphere to recharge after a day of exploring the city.

If you’re looking for a fantastic nighttime bar or just want some elevated drink options, Fire & Sword is the way to go. Not only is the vibe immaculate, with thoughtfully crafted beverages and live entertainment, but the speakeasy carries its own unique history. As the only part of Hotel St. Michael to survive the aforementioned fire, the structure is exactly the same as in the 19th century.

The interior resembles the hotel’s, with animal-print touches and ornate ceilings. Plenty of seating options exist for groups of all sizes, making this a great spot to go with friends. The bar also offers live music every Thursday, Friday & Saturday evening.

On the drink menu, Fire & Sword offers a selection of handcrafted cocktails, wine, draft beer, and an extensive liquor list. The cocktails are the main draw, with eight unique drinks from which to choose. Some of the standout options include the Mezcal You Later and the Aces High, a delightfully refreshing drink made with a base of Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur and Bulleit 95 Rye and topped with a frothy egg white.

The bar also has new seasonal drinks on the menu full of festive flavor pairings like a peppermint mocha martini and a spiked caramel pecan coffee. There’s also a Cinnamon Maple Old Fashioned, a sweeter take on its classic counterpart made with Bulleit Bourbon and Fireball, plus Vermont maple simple syrup and a torched cinnamon stick.

Overall, we had a wonderful experience at Hotel St. Michael and would book a return visit for our next weekend getaway.