Sometimes you can't experience a true reward without first taking a risk. That's how we felt recently when we found Little America Hotel in Flagstaff. This hidden gem along our journey has been one of our best hotel discoveries so far and it wasn't on purpose.

After leaving our breathtaking trip to the Grand Canyon, I was adamant about stopping in Flagstaff. Now I really didn't have to sell Donetta on my idea; it was just important to me because of my old "secret love affair" with Arizona.

Some of my best memories in life were when we moved to Tempe for a short while in 1995 and driving through Flagstaff was a highlight of the trip. The mountains and trees were a completely different landscape than Oklahoma and I just wanted to enjoy that magical place. We never really got to spend time there but I always remembered that I wanted to go back.

Little America Hotel made my visit awesome.

Normally our preference is booking with Staybridge Suites or MyPlace because they're good properties. They also have complete kitchens which is important to our keto diet and daily budget. Since there weren't any of these hotels in Flagstaff, I started a Google search for alternatives. That's when the Little America Hotel caught my eye.

It started with the reviews and a lucky break.

For some reason I decided to peruse the reviews about this place first. It had a high rating and lots of people who loved staying there. In fact, the more I read the more I had to experience it.

The problem was the daily room rate was well outside our daily hotel budget. So I got discouraged, shed a few tears, and started looking at cheaper options.

Despite my other searches, I decided not to give up on Little America Hotel in Flagstaff. Why not call and see if there was a possibility of getting a better rate in exchange for a review on this website and TripAdvisor. After all, we are doing our best to help build other businesses and spread the word about great places to visit.

Thankfully I was connected to Veronica Branthoover, Guest Experience Manager of this hotel. As I explained our situation and story, Veronica was so kind and courteous. And with such enthusiasm she graciously offered to book us at a generous rate. WOW!!!

Still I didn't know what to expect upon our arrival because I'd never heard of Little America. It could've been one of those skanky motels I've learned to avoid. It certainly was anything but that.

The Property

Little America Hotel in Flagstaff sits on 500 acres of Ponderosa pine forests in what feels like a heavenly secluded part of the city. When you drive up you will feel the stress of the day melt away. It's a very calming and relaxing vibe that whispers, "welcome home."

Walking into the lobby you'll experience a most inviting atmosphere. The decor of the entire place, coupled with hints of vibrant blue colors and large beautiful marble fireplace, will entice you to sit down and stay. It feels so comfortable. The hotel lobby also houses a magnificent gift store filled with holiday spirit and other wonderful items.

Driving around the property you'll also notice it is well maintained and very clean. The landscaping and Christmas lights are wonderful. There's cozy outdoor seating areas where you can enjoy a drink or write your next article. You can tell the owners and staff of Little America take great pride in what they do and the little details really shine.

The Staff

Veronica met me at the front desk when I checked in and was very professional, even calling me Mr. Dalman despite my pleas to simply call me James. She shared lots of insightful information with me about the hotel and its history, as well as their holiday traditions.

I wish I could say I had more interaction with their team, but it was minimal during this stay. Despite that, everyone I did talk with was super-friendly and helpful.

The Room

Our room at Little America Hotel in Flagstaff was exceptional! It looks and feels like a high end resort where you'd expect to spend several hundreds of dollars per night. We were provided with the Grand View One King Bed option with our back door opening to the vast Ponderosa pine forest. It was very quiet and peaceful our entire stay.

More than that, the room was the largest we've stayed in so far and included a 55” LG Flatscreen LED TV, CubieBlue Charging Alarm Clock with Bluetooth Speaker, spacious seating area, Keurig Coffee Maker, top-fed refrigerator, and a personal safe. The bathroom was huge with two separate sink areas and a beautiful shower. And the finishing touches of marble and unique wood a plus.

Finally the room was VERY clean. Absolutely no complaints here.

The Extra Amenities

Since this was only a one night visit, we didn't get to enjoy all of the other fabulous amenities like the pool area or hot tub, sand volleyball court, on-site restaurant, or the outdoor areas. However I can say that walking by these offerings definitely made me want to stay longer. You will not be disappointed.

We did take a three mile hike on the private nature trail and that was awesome. If you like being outdoors, this space is for you.

The Price

The average rates are $109-119 per night, depending on the room and time of the year. They also have large specialty suites like the Apartment Suite Two Bedroom and Presidential Suite that are significantly higher at around $448-$648 per night.

If your travel budget allows for $100 per night or more, you will find this is GREAT value for all you get, even though breakfast is not included. They do have a higher end restaurant on site as well as a travel center next door for more budget friendly meals.

Final Thoughts

Donetta and I both agreed Little America Hotel in Flagstaff is a place we must return to and stay longer. Especially around Christmas or perhaps when it's snowing. This is truly a unique and one of a kind hotel ... it really feels special. If you're ever staying in Flagstaff, be sure to book a room here. You won't regret it.

Thank you to Veronica for giving us the opportunity to discover such a rare gem in the hotel industry.