Nestle yourself in authentic Arizona romance at this intimate boutique destination just named top hotel in the Southwest.
If you are a frequent traveler, some luxury experiences may start to blend together in your mind, and this boutique destination is the exact opposite of that—a very special and memorable experience that puts guests in a super lux homey setting.
The Hermosa Inn, a 43-room property nestled in a posh Paradise Valley neighborhood, is a hidden gem that has delighted discerning guests for years. In fact, it’s been rated the No. 1 hotel in the Southwest, and the No. 8 hotel in the country for the second year in a row in Condé Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards.
The Hermosa Inn radiates the warm, welcoming atmosphere of being a cherished guest at a friend’s home.
But don’t let its luxe offerings fool you; from the moment you arrive, The Hermosa Inn radiates the warm, welcoming atmosphere of being a cherished guest at a friend’s home. Fresh cookies await guests in the front lobby, and you’re invited to take one of the beach cruisers out to explore the neighborhood whenever you like.
The Inn was originally the private home and art studio of famed Southwest artist, Alonzo “Lon” Megargee. The artist made a name for himself not only for his art, but also as a cowboy, stud poker player and stud with the ladies. His works appear throughout the hotel, and the turret where he painted is still visible above Lon’s, the renowned gourmet restaurant on site. The house became a hotel in 1941.
All guests enjoy private casitas, which blend seamlessly into the lush landscape filled with flowers, trees, succulents and tucked away seating areas to enjoy the outdoors. In 2017, a $5.5 million renovation added 10 deluxe and four grand suites, each featuring a plush king-size bed, beehive fireplace, spa-style bathrooms with antique pedestal tubs, vaulted ceiling and private patio. Additionally, the grand suite offers a separate living room. With only king-size beds in all rooms, The Hermosa Inn caters to business travelers and couples seeking a romantic getaway.
As any good host knows, the way to a guest’s heart is through their stomach. Ninth generation Arizonan, Chef Jeremy Pacheco, looks nothing like your Nana whipping up Sunday dinner, but the results are just as memorable. Don’t miss his Himalayan Salt-Seared Ahi Tuna appetizer, which just won the Arizona Restaurant Association’s Best Signature Dish award.
Begin your epicurean evening with happy hour on the patio at Lon’s Last Drop. The bar is named after Megargee’s most famous painting, “Last Drop from his Stetson Hat,” (a replica of the painting is inside all high-end Stetson hats sold there). The outdoor bar area is arguably the best patio in the Valley to sip Arizona Provisioner wine or a craft cocktail while enjoying mountain views. Watching the sun set over Camelback Mountain will be one of your Arizona “wow” moments.
Whether you dine inside or out at Lon’s, expect your taste buds to be treated to global fare with a hyper local twist. The menu is seasonal and reads like a who’s who of Phoenix purveyors. In fact, Lon’s has exclusive access in the Valley to some of the ingredients on its new fall menu. Try the ricotta agnolotti appetizer and save room for the date-pecan cake, which packs a handful of local ingredients into a powerhouse sweet treat.
A robust wine list of Arizona and global vintages has earned the restaurant a Wine Spectator award for the past 22 years. Several wine dinners pairing a particular vineyard’s vintages with Lon’s cuisine are held throughout the year. The underground wine cellar is one of the best places on property to host a private dinner or small event. The 12-person enclave has been the backdrop for intimate marriage proposal dinners, corporate events and family celebrations.
Ask any local about brunch in the Valley, and you’ll hear about the Saturday and Sunday experience at Lon’s. A weekend morning drinking in the view and handmade mimosas is hard to beat. Lon’s recently launched a new brunch menu featuring something for everyone from a superfood salad for the health conscious to a sizzling bacon sandwich, for porkophiles.
For foodies, art lovers and anyone seeking an authentic Arizonan experience, The Hermosa Inn is ready to welcome you to its neighborhood.
The Hermosa Inn invites you to unleash your inner artist
The Hermosa Inn plays homage to its artistic roots with special art programming throughout the year.
While I’m the first to admit that my artistic talent is more remedial than Renoir, I love being creative so I was excited to try out the very popular Mimosas & Monet Art Classes led by artist-in-residence Carrie Curran. Curran, a landscape painter and instructor in the Valley, leads this en plein morning art workshop. You might paint an Arizona landscape, local foliage, or the Hermosa’s iconic blue door, which was the subject of my class.
Curran guides the class in sketching the subject, mixing paints, how to create shadows and more. But most importantly she encourages everyone to not be afraid to add individual flair to the piece.
“As an artist, my job is to open new worlds for my students,” says Curran. “I try and teach them to see things in a new way on their travels. I hope they get inspired to take it a bit further—bring a sketchbook on their vacations. It’s a hobby anyone can enjoy.”
Arizona Dusk, by Carrie Curran
A recovering perfectionist, I still try to follow Curran’s advice and mimic her finished piece hoping that at the end I will have created something the average person could at least recognize as a door. It was interesting to see how despite painting the same subject, everyone’s finished piece was unique. And surprise, mine actually turned out well enough that it still hangs in a small niche in my home.
Embarking on its second year, the Journaling: Art and Observation Series is a collaboration between The Hermosa Inn and the Scottsdale Artists’ School. Each class takes budding artists around the property to observe, sketch and paint what they see. Local artist and illustrator Devon Meyer helps guests in the often tricky process of translating life to paper.
Three times a year, The Hermosa Inn combines its two greatest strengths: culinary excellence and art into a jam-packed weekend of events during Palette to Palate. The next weekend retreat is slated for Nov. 3-4, 2018. Guests can choose from a menu of offerings including a harvest wine dinner featuring a four-course, Arizona ingredient driven menu paired with award winning local Carlson Creek wines. Vintner Robert Carlson will be on hand to talk wine, pairings and all things related to the grape. Art workshops include en plein painting and watercolor workshops and a food photography class to help travelers create drool worthy images for Instagram.
All of the art programs are available for both Hermosa Inn guests and locals looking to explore their creative side.
Produced in partnership with our friends at The Hermosa Inn. To book your luxury getaway, click here.
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