TONS of historic 1920s charm. When looking for a historic hotel I usually want something that is historic inside too, and this delivers. So often hotels are victim to insensitive remodels that remove or cover up charm - not the San Carlos!
This place's glory days are behind it, but there's still tons to love. Old molding, original bathroom fixtures and tile (original pipes too, the water pressure can sometimes be an adventure). Anyone from Phoenix knows that faucets with Cold and hot knobs deliver hot and warm water, respectively. No longer functional but still present, there is a knob in each room for refrigerated water - something I'm sure travelers appreciated in decades past. There are no individual room air conditioners - but this is typical for hotels of this era. Instead the ventilation system uses central air with manual louvers controlling the air flow.
The roof top pool was a fun find, and the surroundings seemed to be well preserved '50s vintage.
There was no parking garage, but the hotel valet parks your car in the garage of the bank across the street. They don't valet park motorcycles though!
Although slightly worn if you look really close, I love this place because is so original and authentic. It is my favorite place to stay in Phoenix.