Why book?
Hotel Valley Ho feels different than most of the bigger, luxe resorts in Scottsdale. And that's exactly the point. There’s no massive golf course, celebrity chef restaurant, or in-your-face Southwestern decor. Instead, the property firmly leans into its midcentury pedigree, feeling more retro-chic versus resort-luxe with its bright colors, walls of lava rock, and a Jestsons-esque lobby. It’s a great pick for midcentury modern enthusiasts, as well as those looking for a fun weekend pool scene or who want to explore surrounding Old Town on foot. Bonus: a chunk of the original rooms were just renovated and rates are still quite reasonable.
Set the scene
Hotel Valley Ho’s vibe varies depending on when you visit. On weekends, the main OH pool transforms into an energetic scene with a DJ, and a big crowd come summer when locals jump on ResortPass and cabana reservations, the volume goes up, and the cocktails flow all day long. There’s a wide range of ages and types of visitors–from young couples canoodling in the pool to bachelorette bashes to groups of 40-and-50-somethings sharing pitchers of margaritas in the coveted cabana shade. (If you’re looking for R&R, you can opt for the quieter OHasis pool across the property.) By Monday, the main pool is much more serene and many of the swimsuit-clad visitors have been replaced by those here for a business lunch, a conference meeting, or camped out in the lobby on their laptops. I’m a huge midcentury buff and continued to discover groovy pieces of decor and period artifacts around just about every corner. Fellow fans might want to book a stay for that reason alone.
The backstory
Designed by well-known Arizona architect Edward L. Varney and opened in 1956, the property generated buzz right away thanks to its then A-list celebrity clientele like Bette Davis, Clark Gable, and Zsa Zsa Gabor. By the early 1970s, the hotel had been sold to Ramada, the celebs had vanished, and that midcentury shine was firmly faded. After the property was eventually acquired by a local hospitality company, it reopened with its landmark seven-story tower completed in 2008, inspired by Varney’s original plans. The hotel has done several upgrades since, including its largest to date completed in 2025: an $18 million room renovation that included most of the property’s original two-story buildings. Side note: It’s the sister property of the excellent Mountain Shadows resort in Paradise Valley.
The rooms
While every room showcases some kind of midcentury aesthetic, the layout, design, materials, and overall feel definitely shifts depending on room category and location. The way to go is to request a room in one of the newly renovated original hotel buildings, most of which sit closer to the pool. The updated rooms, unveiled earlier this year, blend classic with contemporary with white brick walls, platform beds, custom pop-art-inspired framed pieces by Scottsdale-based artist Djamila Fierek and fun accents like ceramic wall planters bursting with greenery and window sheers done in geometric patterns that give vintage vibes without feeling stuck in the past. Bathrooms are downright luxe with terrazzo countertops, illuminated vanity mirrors, and glass-enclosed showers, accented with mint-green tiles. Patios and balconies come equipped with plush chaise lounges and mesh metal dining table-and-chair sets, and most are separated by striking screen block dividers. If you can, splurge on the Terrace Suite with floor-to-ceiling windows, airy living room, oversize bathroom, and a massive wraparound balcony. If being on a higher floor is important to you, choose a room in the Tower (or better yet the 1500-square-foot two-story Presidential Loft), but note that many Tower rooms feel decidedly less swanky than the newer aforementioned hotel rooms. The hotel says they’ll be renovated in the next few years.
Food and drink
An extension of the lobby, restaurant ZuZu is one of the kitschiest and most fun spots on the property. The cavernous room is bathed in blue neon light with backlit mirror art, tufted pastel banquettes, and curved sofas with built-in end tables in the lounge flanked by a big bar with black leather stools and decorative tiki-ish room dividers. While the restaurant doesn’t take itself too seriously, it also churns out interesting and thoughtful dishes, often with unexpected ingredients, an especially great feat given how vast the menu is. ZuZu offers brunch every day of the week until mid-afternoon with a whimsical roster of breakfast and lunch offerings that toggle between comfort food and global cuisine with Southwestern influences. Think cast-iron cinnamon sticky buns, breakfast fried rice topped with pork belly and chili crunch, omelets accompanied by avocado salsa, and a Wagyu smashburger. Dinner sticks to the same style but gets even more creative with layered small plates like an indulgent fromage blanc cauliflower kicked up with Calabrian chiles, Thai basil, and pickled onion, as well as with some standout seafood entrees. Don’t miss the brown sugar-glazed salmon alongside forbidden rice and a bright local citrus salad. It’s a popular locals’ spot and as the brunch crowd wanes, the bar starts filling up with an eclectic and social crowd as visitors from around the country strike up conversations with solo diners who live down the street … or maybe even upstairs as there are a handful of residences on the top floor. There’s a little bit of a Cheers feeling here, and the night I was there, my bartender pointed out one resident who comes down for dinner, or at least a glass of wine, nightly.
The neighborhood/area
Set on the edge of Old Town Scottsdale, the location is an excellent starting spot to explore just about everything Scottsdale has to offer. Yes, there are western wear boutiques and art galleries hawking oil paintings of desert sunsets, but there’s also an impressive number of excellent restaurants, ranging from mom-and-pop taco joints to national names like Nobu and Mastro’s; a burgeoning wine tasting room scene; a waterfront area along the Arizona Canal with public art installations; loads of live music venues; and lots of excellent shopping including Scottsdale Fashion Square known for designer retailers like Ferragamo, Chanel, and Prada. You’re also a short drive to a slew of hikes, and about 25 minutes to Downtown Phoenix if you want to catch a pro sports game while you’re in town.
The service
Service is friendly and hospitable and leans younger and more casual. Pool service can, not surprisingly, get backed up on crowded days, but the valet and bellhops out front were especially on point, asking if I needed anything any time I stepped in or out and offering to help identify my rideshare without my even asking.
Accessibility
There are eight accessible guest rooms, an accessible entrance into the lobby and front desk, ramps and bars for easy access to ZuZu, and each public restroom features an ADA-accessible stall.
Anything left to mention?
The hotel is pet-friendly and doesn’t charge a pet fee. It also (proudly) doesn’t charge a resort fee. Oh, and the gym is sparkling clean and equipped with what feels like really new equipment as well as views of the resort. Downside: There’s officially no good reason to skip your workout.
6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale, Arizona 85251
United States
https://djamilafierekart.com/
(480) 248-2000