Hotel Valley Ho : Scottsdale's 'Timeless Modern' Desert Destination

Scottsdale, Arizona’s Hotel Valley Ho originally opened in 1956 and quickly became a getaway for Hollywood elites. As the hotel grew through the years, so did its style. The hotel adapted the decade’s trends and patterns and moved away from the Midcentury Modern style that suited it best. When the hotel took new ownership, it was all about peeling back the paint and restoring this landmark to its former glory by matching the style with the original architecture.

hotel valley ho executive suite — The designers’ concept of “timeless modern” plays out well in the living room of the Executive Suite, with orb lights, wood floors and atomic orange curtains. Photo courtesy of the Hotel Valley Ho.

The History

“The unique architecture, pops of color, lush landscaping and 1950s music make you feel as if you are somewhere entirely different,” says Kristin Heggli, the area director for PR and communications. What really inspired Westroc Hospitality, the designers of the hotel, were the photos of its original state. By adding some new elements and mixing them with vintage pieces, the designers made sure that “the hotel didn’t feel like a time capsule, but rather more a timeless modern.”

hotel valley ho loft suite 1 — One of the hotel’s loft suites comes with a full kitchen, including some Bertoia barstools and a shock of yellow cabinetry, the perfect complement to the grey concrete architecture. Photo courtesy of the Hotel Valley Ho.

Although the hotel had its floor plan laid out, the original architect, Edward Varney, had a something revolutionary in mind. The hotel’s building, as well as most of the buildings in Scottsdale, were one or two stories. Varney gave the new owners the opportunity to expand the hotel vertically. Although this created some challenges for the redesign of the hotel, adding vertical space with “The Tower,” ultimately paid off in the end. Heggli says that they wanted to create a separate identity for The Tower that mixed the ’50s retro style with contemporary modern. Despite the challenge, it proved to be worth it, seeing as though Hotel Valley Ho has become a unique tourist destination for fans of MCM and interesting design.

hotel valley ho studio guest room — The studio guest room is the perfect desert hideaway, complete with freestanding tub and plenty of atomic furnishings. Photo courtesy of the Hotel Valley Ho.

hotel valley ho presidential loft suite — For the full Hotel Valley Ho experience fit for the old Hollywood elite, check into the Presidential Loft Suite, which mixes a combination of masculine contemporary decor with a floating staircase and streamlined architecture reminiscent of the area’s steel houses. Photo courtesy of the Hotel Valley Ho.

The Design

Balance is one of the most important aspects that the Hotel Valley Ho focuses on. The architecture in the hotel is a mix of contemporary and midcentury. The common areas have embellished on the dark wood and structures that were in the original building; however, the rooms take a different approach to retro and combine a lot of fresh structures. Through the glass stairs and concrete walls, the rooms provide a modern space that is made midcentury through its furnishings and simple details.

hotel valley ho loft suite 2 — Van der Rohe’s Barcelona chair in white is a nice pop of true mid mod style in the subuded tones of another loft suite living room. Photo courtesy of the Hotel Valley Ho.

One of the staples of Hotel Valley Ho’s suites is the yellow cabinets. Heggli claims that it “is a great way to add some color in an unexpected place.” Combining this cabinetry with dark wood creates that perfect mid-mod vibrancy. The furnishings are simple, clean and resemble a very high-class space. The hotel’s rooms also incorporate several pieces of wall art. This is a great way to add a personal touch to any room without taking up floor space.

hotel valley ho pool and cabanas — No desert vacation would be complete without some modern cocktails by the pool—especially if you can secure one of the hotel’s luxurious cabanas. Photo courtesy of the Hotel Valley Ho.

What’s Around

Hotel Valley Ho is a perfect desert vacation spot for those looking for an active city life with a little bit of escapism. Lounge by the pool or go on a tour of the hotel’s history and architecture. Of course, the hotel’s design has attracted many tourists and vacationers, but the Scottsdale-Phoenix area is also a destination filled with Midcentury Modern features and exciting nightlife. For more information on how to plan your trip, visit hotelvalleyho.com, or call 866.987.2052.

This article is part of our 2017 Atomic Getaways series. For more of our favorite midcentury hotspots, restaurants and must-see travel destinations, check out the rest of our series.