In 2023, Americana Motor Hotel underwent a major remodel while maintaining much of its original 1960’s “spirit” (we’ll get to this shortly). Located off Route 66, this vibey Flagstaff hotel is as fun as it is ideally located near Snowbowl, Downtown Flagstaff, a short drive to Bearizona and several local dining favorites.

Americana Motor Hotel musts:

• Start your morning with a bagel and coffee at nearby Fat Bagels
• Grab lunch at the hotel’s on-site restaurant, Baja Mar
• End a day of hiking, biking or winter sports at Fat Olives with a delicious pizza

A little bit of nostalgia and a lot of character

It won’t be the first time you hear it: I am a history nerd. So, when I learned that the Americana Motor Hotel originally opened its doors in 1962, I knew there had to be an interesting backstory. And I wasn’t wrong! 

Among its claims to fame, this roadside beauty once hosted Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper during their filming of “Easy Rider.” This 1969 cult classic wasn’t just a road movie — it was a cinematic snapshot of a restless, rebellious America. Although I don’t know that I’d describe today’s version of Americana Motor Hotel as “rebellious,” I would say it has whispers of that memorable era. After all, each room has a disco ball. 

Groovy decor mixed with comfort

In addition to the late 60s/early 70s throwback disco balls, the Americana Motor Hotel also has the bright, swirly and funky color palette for which this era was known — yellow, blue, purple, rainbow fun! It’s like stepping out of time, where you have the freshness that accompanies a major renovation, with an underlying feeling of a rugged motel-roadside vibe underneath. 

Plus, for all its funkiness, the hotel’s 89 rooms have comfortable beds and pillows. The pillows made us laugh because they started as perfect squares that slowly expanded into the typical accommodation, rectangular-shaped pillows. How do they get them so square?

Cool amenities

Guests of the hotel can enjoy the year-round heated pool, a fenced “Barkyard” (complete with a pup-washing station), firepits and telescopes. 

One of the shining stars of Americana Motor Hotel is its on-site Baja Mar (open various days and times). Here, hunger can be satiated with ceviches, shrimp cocktails and fish tacos. 

Just down the street

Before a day of hiking, biking, skiing — or whatever the particular season calls for — we recommend powering up your morning with breakfast at Fat Bagels. Guests can dine in here or hit up the drive-thru before adventuring. In addition to a wide variety of bagels (including gluten-free), the eatery also has several smears (savory and sweet). Plus, we really love their coffee!

At the close of a fun-filled day, there is Fat Olives. Chef John Conley — who I’ve gleaned is a Flagstaff legend — owns this restaurant and the previously mentioned Fat Bagels. Of interest, Fat Olives is a VPN Certified pizzeria by Verace Pizza Napoletana. This is a big honorific, holding dining establishments to “strict principles in the art of making true Neapolitan pizza.” 

You really can’t go wrong with anything you order off the Fat Olives’ menu, but we swooned over the Margherita pizza. 

Back at basecamp: The Americana Motor Hotel

For adventurers and travelers, Americana Motor Hotel has everything you need to charge up and refuel for the best of Flagstaff (and nearby) destinations. Now what are you waiting for? Go grab a bagel and disco down. 

For more information about Americana Motor Hotel, visit americanamotorhotel.com.