The drive from the Grand Canyon was beautiful, down to Williams where we took 180 South to Flagstaff, driving through the areas highlighted above. I think if I had to move to Arizona, I'd want to move to Flagstaff. It has everything except a beach, but I believe there are lakes nearby.
Following our desire to stay in old and historical hotels, we stayed at the Monte Vista Hotel in downtown Flagstaff. During the years between the 40's and the 50's well over a hundred movies were filmed in and around Northern Arizona. With exceptional lodgings being few and far between, the Monte Vista became the hotel of choice for headlining Hollywood stars, colorful characters and other notables. Over the years the list of famous guests has grown and continues to do so even today. Mary Costigan: (rm.105), the first woman licensed to operate a radio station in the world, which was run out of The Monte Vista. Bob Hope: (rm.204), film star and comedian. Michael Stipe: (rm.205), lead vocalist of rock band "R.E.M" Zane Grey: (rm.210), famous author of wild west novels including "Riders of the Purple Sage." Bing Crosby: (rm.213) film star. "White Christmas" Michael J Fox: (rm.216), television & film star, "Family Ties" "Back to the Future," Siouxsie Sioux: (rm.220), lead vocalist of the bands "Siouxsie & the Banshees" & "The Creatures." Esther Williams: (rm.224), legendary synchronized swimmer & film star George Babbitt: (rm.301), former Arizona Governor. Air Supply: (rm.303), Australian soft rock band. Barbara Stanwyk: (rm.304), television & film star "Big Valley," "Double Indemnity." Jon Bon Jovi: (rm.305), lead vocalist of the rock band Bon Jovi. Gary Cooper: (rm.306), film star "The Pride of the Yankees." Debbie Reynolds: (rm.307), film star, singer, entertainer. "Singing in the Rain." Alan Ladd: (rm.308,309), star of many western film classics such as "Shane." Robert Englund: (rm.310), actor. star of the "Nightmare on Elm Street" series as Freddy Kruger. Carol Lombard: (rm.311), star of classic comedy films. Jane Russell: (rm.312), film star, philanthropist. "Gentleman Prefer Blondes." Lee Marvin: (rm.401), actor, "the Magnificent 7" and "Cat Ballou." John Wayne: (rm.402);" The Duke", famous american actor of many western classics. Freddy Mercury: (rm.403), lead vocalist of the legendary rock band "Queen." Spencer Tracy: (rm.404), actor. "Adam's Rib." Walter Brennan: (rm.405), actor. "The Westerner." Clark Gable: (rm.406), actor. "Gone with the Wind." Cornel Wilde: (rm.407), Nominated for an Acadamy Award for his performance in 'A Song to Remember.' Humphrey Bogart: (rm.408,409), actor. "Casablanca" & "The Maltese Falcon." Anthony Hopkins: (rm.410), actor "Silence of the Lambs." Gene Tierney: (rm.411), actress. "Son of Fury." (from the hotel webstite) We stayed in 301, George Babbitt's room.
Reported Hotel Monte Vista Ghosts
The Bank Robber
- In 1970, three men robbed a nearby bank & during the robbery, a bank guard shot one of the men. Despite their injured comrade they decided to stop by the hotel lounge and have a drink to celebrate. The wounded man bled to death while enjoying his last drink. Since then both patrons and staff have reported being greeted by a an anonymous voice saying "Good Morning!" There have also been reports of barstools and drinks that seem to move on their own.
The Women of the Night
- Years ago Flagstaff's Red Light District could be found just south of the railroad tracks, only 2 blocks away from the Monte Vista. In the early 1940's two prostitutes were brought to the hotel to room 306. During their "visit" they were killed and thrown from their third floor window to the cold street below. Over the years, numerous guests have reported being awakened in the middle of the night and unable to return to sleep due to a feeling that they are being watched. In most instances, it is our male guests that report the feeling of having a hand placed over their mouth and throat, and awakening unable to breathe. After they awake, these guests say they found it very difficult to return to sleep due to an overwhelming feeling of anxiousness and a sense that someone is "keeping an eye" on them.
The Phantom Bellboy
- Hotel guests have reported a knock at their door and in a muffled voice, someone announces "room service." When guests open the door, they find that no one is there. Some guests however have seen the figure of a bellboy standing outside of room 210. John Wayne experienced this ghost while he was a guest of the hotel. Mr. Wayne reported that the ghost seemed friendly, and that he did not feel threatened at all by its presence.
The Little Boy
- Some guests have seen the image of young boy wandering the halls of the hotel. Some guests say that they have had this young ghost touch their hand! His voice can sometimes be heard as if he is walking behind you. Guests who have seen this ghost have said it looks as though he may be speaking with his mother.
The Meat Man
- This bizarre long term boarder was known by his strange habit of hanging raw meat from the chandelier. In the early 1980's he was found in room 220 three days after his death. Not long after his death, a maintenance worker was doing repairs in the room. Needing a new fixture for the repairs, the employee left the room, turned the lights off, and locked the door. Upon returning, only a few minutes later, he found the television on with the volume full blast, and the linens on the bed had been ripped and scattered around the room!
The Rocking Chair
- Once featured on the television show "Unsolved Mysteries" room 305 is by far the "most active" room in the Hotel. There are numerous reports of seeing a woman in the rocking chair near the window. Also guests and housekeeping alike report seeing the chair "move by itself." History tells us that years ago an elderly woman who was a long term renter would sit by the window for hours on end. No one knows what she was looking at or looking for. Could it be she was waiting for someone? Someone she waits for even in death.
Baby in the Basement
- The disturbing sounds of an infant crying in the basement have been heard again & again. Reported primarily by maintenance & laundry personnel, this is possibly the most disturbing encounter reported in the hotel. Staff have found themselves running upstairs to escape the sound of the cries. Though the sounds are very real to those who hear them, there has been no information that has explained this phenomenon.
The Dancing Couple
- On several occasions lounge staff & patrons have witnessed a transparent couple dancing in the Cocktail Lounge. They are seen in formal dress laughing and smiling, eternally dancing.
The Voices
- The staff at the Old Post Office (OPO Salon) have heard voices & seen figures moving in the building for years. No one is quite sure who these shadowy visitors might be.
Poltergeists
- For years housekeeping have reported problems with light bulbs being unscrewed, or on some occasions completely removed! While this may be frustrating for the staff this is rarely a problem for guests. However, if your lights don't work, check the bulbs!
Well, we didn't experience any of this stuff, so who really knows?
Dining Out
http://hotelmontevista.com/Racha_Thai/
Simply the best Thai dinner I've experienced. More food than we could eat, we couldn't take the leftovers with us. I'd go back to Flagstaff just for the food at Racha Thai.
to be continued...
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