The Historically Hip Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale


By Diane Hayden, PhD J


ust thirty minutes from downtown Phoenix, Scottsdale is a small desert city known for its spas, outdoor trails, shopping, nightlife, and more than 200 golf courses. Farther north, trails wind through McDowell Sonoran Preserve, a desertscape of hills, rock formations and cacti. Nearby is Taliesin West, architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s former home and studio. Downtown's Old Town Scottsdale has 1920s buildings and 19th-century olive trees.


Originally opened on December 20, 1956, Hotel Valley Ho has classically cool roots and stands as a modernist icon in Downtown Scottsdale. Owned by John B. Mills, along with Robert Foehl and his wife Evelyn, it was built on the belief that “the important thing is to make your guest feel wanted.” Hotel Valley Ho was a true Holly- wood hideaway in its heyday, host to Bing Crosby, Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh and Zsa Zsa Gabor, among others. Celebrities loved that the paparazzi would not follow them to Scottsdale.


Reopened on December 20, 2005, Hotel Valley Ho shines brighter than ever with notable additions including ZuZu, VH Spa, and the OH Pool. Named “one of the best-preserved mid-century hotels in the country,” Hotel Valley Ho is the place where your cool comes out to play. The hotel was designed with the intention to refl ect a minimalist lifestyle and continues to provide a close to zero waste experience.


Hotel Valley Ho strives to give their guest a peaceful experi-


ence, by providing in-room yoga, spa treatments, and informing their guest about their efforts to protect the environment. Dedicated to environmental sustainability, during their 2005 re-modelation they saved over 20,000 tons of landfi ll waste by properly recy- cling and disposing of materials. Hotel Valley Ho is recognized for their sustainability efforts and has won three ‘Green Awards’ from Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association, Experience Scottsdale and Arizona Forward.


In effort to save energy Hotel Valley Ho changes guest sheets


every 3 days unless otherwise requested. They also provide organic in-room amenities and cleaning supplies, use low-fl ow bathroom fi xtures, energy effi cient lighting, as well as dual pane glass through- out the hotel. Hotel Valley Ho recycles all of the in-room amenities through Clean The World and in the past year they have donated over 1,100 pounds of soap.


The hotel also has their own restaurant ZuZu that provides a historical but modern dine-in experience, a lounge section and


24 Natural Nutmeg - October 2018


room service throughout the day. Restaurants in the great Southwest had a constant, important presence in American life in the 1950’s. The neighborhood grill — usually complete with a soda fountain — was not only the place where movie stars were discovered, but where neighbors came together to exchange news and share in a general feeling of conviviality. The food was simple and wholesome, and it was a place where you came to expect a warm welcome, a hot meal, and a well-crafted cocktail.


In this era before culinary schools and celebrity chefs, recipes were handed down from generation to generation, often with great secrecy. The cuisine is dedicated to “ZuZu,” a beloved mother and grandmother as well as a fantastic cook. She believed in the concept that food is better when it’s shared with the people you love. One thing you can’t miss out on trying is their "Show Stopper" Shake. When they say show stopper – they’re not kidding – it’s a meal in and of itself. It's a delicious concoction that changes monthly, made by talented pastry chef, Audrey Enriquez. When we visited, they were featuring the “Strawberry Shake” - Strawberry milkshake, strawberry shortcake ice cream bar, four kinds of strawberries (fresh, stewed, freeze-dried and white chocolate covered), strawberry milk crumble, strawberry sauce, whipped cream and angel food cake. Bring friends!


Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale truly is a hidden gem. Visit https:// www.hotelvalleyho.com.


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