High Country Motor Lodge in Flagstaff

The High Country Motor Lodge in Flagstaff (or H.C.M.L. for short) is a new boutique hotel located right off historic Route 66 and west of Northern Arizona University. The rooms have a unique minimalistic design to accommodate bulky baby gear and dogs of all sizes.

There was enough floor space for a pack-n-play, baby carrier hiking backpack, three overnight bags, and our two 12-pound fluffy lap dogs.

H.C.M.L. gave off that “just because you’re a parent, doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style” vintage vibe with modern comfort. The energy you feel when you walk onto the property encourages you to connect with nature and inspires you to explore what Flagstaff has to offer.

I appreciated the cute Instagram-worthy details like the classic cassette player on the nightstand which set up a memorable dancing moment with my one-year-old daughter.

After checking into the hotel, we drove five minutes and a little more than a mile to Thorpe Park to let her and the dogs stretch their legs. One of the unique features included a play structure shaped like a fire truck.

We went back to the hotel for dinner and drinks at the property’s restaurant called the General Store. The artisan-style pizza had the perfect amount of chew and crisp to it.

Once we put our daughter to bed in the hotel room, we rigged our cell phones into a baby monitor and walked across the green grassy courtyard for a relaxing date night in the 1960’s inspired lounge and a game room decked out with foosball, pool, and a variety of board games.

High Country Motor Lodge in Flagstaff

The next morning, fueled by a fantastic cup of coffee prepared by a barista at the General Store, we returned to Thorpe Park to access Thorpe Trail trailhead with our toddler and two un-athletic lap dogs.

My husband carried our daughter in a hiking pack, but the path through the forest is smooth enough and incline gradual enough for a stroller. It was about an hour round trip. The dogs and baby did great! We turned around before reaching the top where the world-famous Lowell Observatory (where the planet Pluto was discovered) sits.

After our morning hike, we drove about 30 minutes to Bearizona, had lunch at the Grand Canyon Brewing Williams location, and made it home to Phoenix by 4pm.

I thought the High Country Motor Lodge’s charming atmosphere gave a thoughtful ode to Flagstaff’s historic core. Some of the old flooring and flagstone walls from its previous hotel lives are tastefully blended into the design.

H.C.M.L. is the newest addition to the Classic Hotels & Resorts collection. Some of their other properties include The Scott Resort and Spa in Scottsdale and Arizona Grand Resort and Spa in Phoenix.

I overheard a family wish H.C.M.L. was more kid-friendly, but it really just depends on the family and age of your kids. I thought it had everything we needed for a unique one-night stay with our toddler and two dogs. The main purpose of our trip was the morning hike. We enjoyed our H.C.M.L. hosted stay and plan to come back when the property’s Nordic Spa opens!

20% Discount Code for Phoenix With Kids readers: PHXKIDS