Wigwam Motel Route 66 Arizona Review: Holbrook AZ
Have you ever slept in a wigwam? If you haven’t, and you happen to be in Northern Arizona, en route to the Petrified Forest, Meteor Crater or doing a Route 66 road trip, make it a point to stay in the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook, Arizona. This is pure Route 66 kitsch culture at its finest!
We thought this place was great for what it was – an old skool, budget motel. This isn’t a chain (anymore), so don’t expect much. You won’t even get an in-room coffee machine here.
Now, when I say it’s not a chain anymore, at one point, it was. Back in the day, there were six of these wigwam motels across the USA, called Wigwam Villages. Today, only three remain – this location (Wigwam Motel Route 66 Arizona – Holbrook, AZ), San Bernardino, California and Cave City, Kentucky. Each of these remaining locations are now on the National Register of Historic Places. Because of this designation, these remaining wigwam motels will be preserved for decades to come!
Wigwam Motel Route 66 Arizona Details:
Location:
811 W Hopi Dr
Holbrook, AZ 86025
Holbook, Arizona seems to be in economic despair, so there’s not much around the Wigwam Motel other than abandoned buildings – but I didn’t feel unsafe.
Hours:
Check in is between 4pm and 9pm and they seem to be pretty strict on these hours. This is a family-owned business, and there isn’t someone manning the front desk after hours.
Nearby attractions:
Petrified Forest National Park
Meteor Crater
Standin’ on the Corner Park
Price:
Very affordable. Can run between $70-100/night, but it’s bare bones with the amenities.
Wigwam Motel – Rooms
The wigwams itself are not made of fabric – they’re basically made of concrete and rebar. You can park directly outside your wigwam, making for easy loading and unloading. The back row of wigwams is near a shady looking apartment complex – it looks like it’s abandoned but it’s not, and there is a loud train that runs every hour near the Wigwam motel.
Inside the wigwam is an a/c unit, towels, a small TV, and desk with a mirror. There is no hairdryer in the wigwam – you will need to plan ahead and bring your own if you require it like we did. The wigwams are small – even though we had a 2 queen bed wigwam, it was still a pretty tight space for two people. I can’t imagine squeezing more people inside here. Limited plug ins for your electronic devices – we brought along a power strip and made good use of it here.
Bathrooms are very small – especially the shower. My sister and I are short, so it didn’t bother us too much, but I could see my husband who is over 6′ having issues.
Wigwam Motel – Photography
If you’re not staying here, you are welcome to photograph the wigwams and classic cars. We went all in (well, kinda) with the retro, 1950’s feel of this place – except for the clothes. Costumes would’ve been fun but you can only pack so much. I’d say the hairstyles and cat eye sunglasses worked well enough!
Wigwam Motel Pros and Cons
Pros:
Very affordable – we paid less than $80/night in peak summer travel season
Clean
It’s such a fun, unique place to stay
Cons:
No amenities – no pool, hot tub, breakfast, fitness center, etc
No hairdryer or coffee maker
No ice machine
Wifi is spotty
Tiny bathrooms
Wigwam Motel Route 66 Arizona – FAQs
Frequently asked questions about the Wigwam Motel Route 66 in Arizona:
Do you recommend staying at the Wigwam Motel Route 66 Arizona?
Yes! Sure, there’s no amenities here and it’s pretty bare bones, but it was really fun, kitschy, and unique place to stay.
How much does it cost to stay in a Wigwam Motel in Arizona?
It’s about $100-$120/night to sleep in a Holbrook Arizona Wigwam , depending on room size.
How many Wigwam Motels are left?
Today, there are only 3 left, including the Arizona location. There are two more – one in Cave City Kentucky and another in San Bernadino California.
Are pets allowed at the Wigwam Motel in Holbrook Arizona?
Yes, pets are allowed for a $25 pet fee.
Are the Wigwams accessible for wheelchairs?
No – the wigwams are historically preserved; wheelchairs will not fit through the door of these buildings.
