Hotel Monte Vista
Not just “the other hotel” in historic downtown, the Hotel Monte Vista has borne witness to Flagstaff’s growth and eccentricities for almost a century. Located on the northeast corner of Aspen and San Francisco, the Hotel Monte V (as it is lovingly known) had its grand opening on January 1, 1927. The hotel was built in response to the Harvey Houses that had dominated the West, as well as the need for a “modern” hotel. Besides having a bar, restaurant and several office spaces, most of the 73 rooms had their own private bath and toilet. The Hotel Monte V quickly became a favorite of Hollywood, who returned to Flagstaff en masse after the Great Depression to stage the great Western films on the Reservation.
One thing about the Monte V–it is haunted! The hotel’s own website details several stories that have prevailed through the years about Rooms 210 and 306. John Wayne is said to have been haunted by the knocking of the phantom bellboy, who repeatedly tried to interact with the grizzly actor but never succeeded. There’s eerie stories about the Meat Man who roams the second-floor hallways, and the baby who cries in the basement. Creepy! The Hotel Monte V is home to the Rendezvous, one of historic downtown’s favorite bars. Check their website for more ghost stories as well as what’s going on inside.
