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| - Starting this out simply (effusive praise to follow): I've stayed at a hell of a lot of hotels and Hotel Valley Ho might very well be my favorite *of all time*. The Mid Century-meets-Millenium aesthetic, the history (check out the framed old postcards, brochures and souvenirs on the second floor), the friendly service, the endless amenities, the gym (large and well-equipped with a pool view) the *swell* rooms, the lush pool area, the lobby, the bar, the restaurant... oh oh oh, please excuse me as I break out in song, preferably a Monroe number where I'm wearing rosy satin and being carried around the property by a half dozen tuxedo'd gentlemen: "Hotel Valley Ho is a girl's best friend."
Where shall I start? I'm a gal who yearns for a past she never knew. A past where goils were goils and men were men. A time when a 5pm martini was de riguer and a lady would never in a zillion years wear sweat pants. A time when no one was reminded they needed to party "responsibly" and there was no such thing as sexting. Now, I'm not a luddite -more like an early adopter- but I can sure as heck pretend I'm existing in that glorious past when I'm ensconced at the glorious Hotel Valley Ho.
And yet, there's not a single dated thing here. Modern amenities are subtle enough that they don't interfere, no less eclipse, the vintage vibe. And believe you me, you'll excuse the fact that no one had tubs with mood lighting back in '63 (though it is a subtle nod to the whole bathtub-in-the-kitchen thing that was going on in tenement buildings). And who cares if these luxe king beds didn't exist back then, I sure as hell don't want to be sleeping in a twin to preserve that I Love Lucy aesthetic either.
I stayed in one of the king suites, which during the summer are available at such an incredibly discounted rate. It's so worth it to get over your fear of desert heat and have a little vacay in Phoenix/Scottsdale. I'm all about off-season vacationing. This way, too, the pool is practically private to you and your friends. By the by, I only swam in it at night as I'm a sun-shunner. I'll have you know it's lovely at night as is the jacuzzi that's right in front of a waterfall. On that note, I applaud the HVH's landscapers. It's tropical without being over bearing and compliments the pool area just beautifully. The pool is equipped with a bar and sweet sitting areas with lounge chairs and some shading if you gotta be out there in the heat of the day.
More on the room before I exceed the word count in this review. It's large and well-appointed with dresser, desk, Eames style furniture (what else would you expect?). There's a well-priced mini bar and snack sitch, but let me just go on a bit about the martini set! I was told back in the day, people would entertain in their rooms at the HVH and this is yet more homage to that time. The other detail I love about the studio rooms is that each comes with a private patio. It might have been 100 degrees at night, but damned if I didn't enjoy a glass of bubbly & room service out there in the pitch dark. Cabana rooms are poolside, but then you don't get that swanky tub in the middle of the room. The bathroom area is a discussion unto itself. and is more like a bathroom suite. I love it! Design geniuses, I tell you.
I suppose, kittens, that I really am going on too much. I'll be back in October and will update with more accolades. Until then, I shall just yearn for The Ho!
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