Scottsdale Arizona is home to one of the most amazing mid-century designed spaces in the world, the Hotel Valley Ho.
The hotel was designed by architect Edward L. Varney, a protege of Frank Lloyd Wright, in 1956. The story goes, this was the first hotel in scottsdale/phoenix to have central air conditioning. Hollywood flocked to the privacy of Arizona and Scottsdale tourism boomed. This hotel started it all, mainly the original owners who hired a would-be legend in Mr. Varney.
Winter temperatures in Arizona allow for evening poolside yoga in February, and that's incredible to even type. Peak season rooms are spendy, however the summer heat drives the prices down under $100 USD in July and August.
The hotel has gone thru various owners and remodels, but as of 2018, the Valley Ho has been meticulously restored and much of the design is again original. Walk through these doors and it's 1956.
The front desk and guest lobby are themselves tributes to all things mid-century modern.
The Herman Miller furniture and lighting, plus the massive adobe details that line the outside of the second floor railings are all original.
Unlike modern day hotels the Valley Ho has a dining counter for quick meals and casual dress. It's always open, just like 1956.
Right after we photographed this scene hotel employees set up a children's tea party in the grass.
More cool cinder block detail from outside the tiki lounge where the daily happy hour goes down.
So to all of the steemit design fans, this place is worth checking out in person. Around every corner is a lighting fixture or piece of furniture that looks as though it were designed just for that space. In it's own right the Valley Ho is a mid-century modern museum of design ...and they serve pink lady cocktails :)
To steemit photographers: we needed to show proof of liability insurance and the hotel gave us a four day photography pass. We shot these images on spec and they paid us upon delivery of the files. The hospitality industry is always looking for new images so it can be an easy freelance sell.
Cheers!
Canon 5D & 5D mkII
16-35mm & 24mm tse
Here is the Hotel Valley Ho website and more of the history behind the architecture.