Hotel Review: High Country Motor Lodge in Flagstaff, Arizona

by | Jul 10, 2024

When you’re planning a weekend or holiday trip, it’s hard to decide where to stay. Hotel? Cabin? Camp? Even if you narrow it down, it’s hard to know if a place will be as good as the photos look, or if it will be worth it. I’m here to give you super honest and in depth reviews of hotels and other lodging in Arizona to help you choose where to stay. Today we are reviewing HIGH COUNTRY MOTOR LODGE in Flagstaff, Arizona

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About High Country Motor Lodge

High Country Motor Lodge is a hotel in Flagstaff, Arizona that blends vintage and contemporary design for adventurers. I’d describe the design as moody, unique, and a bit of retro. They did an amazing job with the 2022 renovation. It also features mutiple amenities that other places in Flgastaff don’t have, like their general store/ coffee shop, bar, dining menu, and community seating.

hotel with umbrellas and seating

Rooms

Average $150-250. Standard rooms, larger suites, and a few separate cottages. Add a $125 pet fee.

Pool/ Sauna

Outdoor Pool. They also offer a nordic spa experience that includes a cold plunge/shower and sauna. You can book for a $75 one-hour private session.

Amenities

Full bar, cocktail lounge, game room with pool table, outdoor patio with fire tables. General store with edible and non edible goodies.

In-House Food

General Store which has coffee, pastries, and to-go foods and drinks. Bar has a full drink menu as well as a menu HERE.

My Experience: High Country Motor Lodge

exterior high country motor lodge

Check In Process

High Country Motor Lodge is motel-style, meaning your door leads to the outdoors. They have a separate building for check in and the community spaces. You will check in at the main building, and then they will give you parking directions. The motel is shaped like a U, with rooms facing outwards and rooms facing in towards the lawn. Parking surrounds the entire place. The staff was always very kind to us!

Rooms

rooms at high country motor lodge

photo credit: HERE

The Rooms were super cute. I loved the dark, moody design. Our room had a standard bathroom with both a counter top mirror and full-length mirror. I loved the lighting of the bathroom- super flattering. The wall texture and dark paint did show any dust or dirt, which I wasn’t a fan of. The other thing- it was too dark. They had the lamps, but still it was too dark, and if you open the shades you lose privacy. Overall, still great.

Community Spaces

photos of the community space at high country motor lodge

The Community Spaces at High Country Motor Lodge are amazing. The main building has both outside and inside community spaces to hang out at. First, there is a full bar! You can grab a drink and sit at the bar, or hang out in the moody cocktail lounge. If you want to eat, order from their breakfast to dinner menu and sit inside at the dining room or at the outdoor tables. They also have a game room with board games and a pool table- we loved grabbing a mule and playing scrabble at night.

You’ll also notice their general store. You can grab souviners, local goodies, pastries, and coffee. My caramel latte was amazing. We loved sitting on the patio in the morning efore a day of adventure. There were so many people and dogs hanging out in these spaces. My favorite part about staying at High Country Motor Lodge was these spaces.

Sauna Experience

photos of a sauna and cold shower at high country motor lodge in flagstaff

The Sauna and Plunge Experience definitely makes HCML unique. The best part about it is that it’s private. You have to book a 1 hr session for your group, for $50-75 (check on their site for updated rates). Then you check in at the front desk and they give you a card to get into the Sauna area. Inside the Sauna, there’s a room for all of your things along with water and electrolytes. Then you’ll go into a separate sauna room. Break up your session with a plunge in the pool or go nder the cold outdoor shower. The pool was being renovated when I was there, so I wasn’t able to use it, which is why I give it 4 stars. Very relaxing experience.

Property Photos

exterior high country motor lodge
interior of high country motor lodge
dining room in high country motor lodge
game room in high country motor lodge
girl holding a coffee cup reading high country motor lodge
girl in a black swimsuit under an outdoor shower

Things to Do in the Area

There is SO MUCH to do in Flagstaff for any season. Visiting in summer? Hike Mt. Humphrey’s and see the wild sunflowers at Buffalo Park. Fall? See the yellow leaves change on Aspen Loop and enjoy hot coffee downtown. Winter? Go downhill skiing at Snowbowl or cross country skiing at Arizona Nordic Village. 

I’ve created multiple 1 page itineraries that you can download for FREE using the link below!!

Summary: High Country Motor Lodge

High Country Motor Lodge was amazing. I would highly recommend it. The price is totally justifiable with everything the hotel offers. I like that it fits the modest budget. Highly consider staying here.

hotel with umbrellas and seating

WELCOME TO MY PAGE!

I’m Danielle, a midwesterner turned desert rat with a passion for the outdoors.

I’ve lived in Phoenix, Arizona since 2014 and went on my first real hike in March 2015. Being in the middle of the mountains is an unbelievable experience. I promised myself from now on, I won’t live more than 15 minutes from a trail. I promise you’ll benefit from more time outside.

By career, I am a Physician Assistant, trained in Primary Care, Emergency Medicine, Sports Medicine, and Wilderness Medicine. I hope to use my knowledge to help prepare others to be safe outdoors. This is my prescription to you to GET OUTSIDE.

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