N. Arizona Adventure (Part 4 of 12) – La Posada Hotel (Winslow)

When you see the La Posada for the first time you need to thank Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter and Fred Harvey for this beautiful hotel. Fred Harvey's vision was instrumental in creating a tourist industry for the southwest and Mary was a design genius. The La Posada reflects her talents from the architecture down to its finely crafted details.

I came across the La Posada when I was trying to find some decent place to stay and eat along I-40 during a previous trip. Holbrook, Joseph City and Winslow are really lacking good restaurants and accomodations. But I found the diamond in the rough in this part of the world. I would recommend that everyone stop for a visit even if you're just passing through.

The hotel is massive and has all sorts of public areas where you can sit beside a fire or lounge and read a book. There is also an excellent restaurant within the building called the Turquoise Room. Arizona Highways recently rated it as one of the state's top restaurants. I think it's one of the top restaurants in entire Four Corners region! We had a wonderful dinner there the night we stayed.

The Chocolate Souffle dessert was excellent!

When you think about it, exploring this part of Northern Arizona (Homolovi Ruins, Petrified Forest, The Painted Desert and the La Posada) is so easy for most New Mexicans. The distances are such that you could make this a relaxing weekend trip.

Next - Part 5 & 6 of this series, the Grand Canyon's South Rim