For the past four or five years, I’ve been wanting to spend New Year’s at La Posada, a historic Route 66 Fred Harvey Company Hotel designed by one of the southwest’s greatest architects, Mary Colter. Every year, I book a room for two nights and every year I cancel my reservation. I was on track to make it last winter when truck trouble delayed me up north. But this year I was determined to come. I even turned down two other New Years Eve invitations for spending the evening with friends.
What’s the attraction? A few things draw me here again and again. First, the history of the place and its ties to the railroad and southwest tourism. Next, the ability to see an active restoration — heck, the first time I came here in the early 2000s, only the restaurant and a handful of rooms and public spaces were open! Now this work in progress is nearly done and I’ve gotten a chance to watch its progress with my occasional visits throughout the years. Then there’s the restaurant, the Turquoise Room; I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s one of my top 10 favorite restaurants in the U.S. and finally, there’s the artwork, not only by resident artist Tina Mion but by others, as well. The gift shop is full of work by local artists and much of it decorates the walls throughout the hotel.
Anyway, I was up early this morning (as usual) and took the opportunity to snap a few images of the public spaces. I’ll add more in another post.
If you’re ever in the area, I urge you to stop in.
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I too have been trying to make a trip to La Posda after seeing articles in AZ Highways. Something always seem to take precedence.
Make time for it. It really is worth at least an overnight stay.
It’s one of our favorite destinations and extra special this time of year. I am featuring your pictures today on the https://www.facebook.com/harveycolter/ Facebook page. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks very much for the link. I really appreciate you linking to the post and not just reproducing the photos elsewhere as so many others have tried to do. Another post with more pictures is in the works.
Maria, looking forward to the next edition. I agree about just using other people’s content. I like to give credit. The posting did extremely well on the Fred Harvey/Mary Colter Fan Club Page. Thanks and wishing you the best in 2017.
I was born n raised in Winslow AZ – my book shows up in one of your postcards – the one in the Lobby bookstore – I would like to purchase your postcards but can’t figure out how to do so …
They’re E-Postcards. Online only. Not for sale. I can email you a hi-res version of the one you mentioned, but it might take a while.
Where can the postcards be purchased?
Sorry! The postcards are not for sale. Online only, I’m afraid. Unless you were interested in ordering at least 250 of them, possibly for resale? If so, I can work up a price. Let me know.