These Two Seniors Visit La Posada

Yours truly and his wife spent a marvelous weekend in Winslow, Arizona enjoying the “grandest estate” called La Posada. Built around four historic buildings, La Posada, the last great railroad hotel has recently completed a $17 million renovation.

We spent the night in a room called Emilio Estevez. The 53 rooms are all named after famous people, mainly hollywood movies stars and historically famed personalities like John Wayne, Shirley Temple, Jackie Gleason, Will Rogers, Gary Cooper, Amelia Earhart, etc.

Travelers from around the world come to this tiny Arizona town to stay in this Mary Colter-designed, historic, architectural gem.  La Posada is a hotel that must be experienced first-hand… it is on the National Register of Historic Places.

 Seniors Meet Affeldt, Colter and Fred Harvey

La Posada embodies the visions of both Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter, the hotel’s renowned architect, and Allan Affeldt, its current owner. But the story really begins with Fred Harvey, who “civilized the west” by introducing linen, silverware, china, crystal, and impeccable service to railroad travel. The Harvey Girls served train riders for many years.

We walked near the tracks of the BNSF railroad and had fun watching trains go zooming by the old original depot that is being restored. Restoration efforts at La Posada are ongoing. My wife enjoyed winding around among a maze of straw bales that is on the 20 acre site.

We had dinner and breakfast in The Turquoise Room, an original restaurant incorporating authentic Arizona food. Considered by many to be the finest restaurant in the Four Corners region, the Turquoise Room opened in 2000 under the direction of renowned Chef John Sharpe, who oversees every detail of the preparation and service.

Senior Visitors Enjoy Artist Tina Mion’s Work

Senior visitors will enjoy wandering through the entire site. Artist Tina Mion (Allen Affeldt’s wife) has a display of her paintings on the walls of her gallery on the second floor. A number of rooms feature original 1930 mosaic tile bathrooms complete with 6-foot cast-iron tubs where my wife soaked for a good half-hour.

Many famous folks have spent a night or two at La Posada: James Cagney, Clark Gable, Charles Lindbergh, Gene Autry, Howard Hughes, Jane Russell,  Dorothy Lamour, several presidents and foreign dignitaries.

After exploring the entire site, we walked around historic Winslow on Route 66 and visited the local museum that captures the history of this old town.  I discovered that there are other hotels named La Posada, but this one stands alone for being so unique and memorable.

Put La Posada on your travel bucket-list as you drive across Arizona on I-40. It lies just a mile off this well-traveled highway. Enjoy La Posada (usually referring to an inn or guest house) as the Beckers did. We hope to take family along on our next visit to La Posada. -jeb