wines that are surprisingly good. The winery is open Friday through Sunday 1 to 5pm. Call for directions. And right in town, at the top of Courthouse Plaza, is Superstition Meadery, 120 W. Gurley St. (
www.superstitionmeadery.com;
928/458-4256), which brews mead (made with honey) and ciders.
Where to Stay in Prescott
Moderate
Hassayampa Inn This is the most fun and beautiful place to stay in Prescott. The stately Hassayampa, designed in a slightly incongruous Italianate style, was built as a civic undertaking in 1927 to give the town a first-class hotel worthy of its status as the bustling territorial capital. (The hotel remains on the National Register of Historic Places.) The lobby is all exposed ceiling beams, wrought-iron chandeliers, and arched doorways; the elevator, an original part of the hotel, is stately, too, by which I mean slow. There’s a quite good restaurant in the Peacock Room, which has been redone with Art Deco touches, and the adjoining Glass Bar is a comfortable place to unwind, whether you’re staying at the hotel or not. The rooms have been restored as well, with some original furnishings or antiques, but they can be small and oddly configured. Solo travelers will be fine, but couples should ask in advance about what exactly they are getting.
Jerome may be the region’s top ghost town, but in Prescott, three hotels claim to be haunted: The Hassayampa Inn, Hotel St. Michael, and Hotel Vendome are all said to have resident ghosts.
122 E. Gurley St. www.hassayampainn.com. 928/778-9434. 67 units. $79–$199 double. Pets accepted ($10 per night). Amenities: Restaurant; lounge; exercise room; room service; free Wi-Fi.
Inexpensive
Hotel St. Michael Located right on Whiskey Row, this hotel has a resident ghost and the oldest elevator in Prescott, and also a self-described “historic ambience”—meaning narrow hallways and small rooms in all manner of configurations. Ask what you’re reserving. Some rooms have tubs but no showers. Its restaurant, the casual Caffe St. Michael, overlooks Courthouse Plaza, and there’s a charming attached cobblestone-paved mini-mall of shops, including a decent bookstore (p. 175).
205 W. Gurley St. www.stmichaelhotel.com. 928/776-1999. 70 units. $79–$189 double; $119–$149 suite. Rates include full breakfast. Amenities: Restaurant; free Wi-Fi.
Hotel Vendome Not quite as luxurious as the Hassayampa, yet not as basic as the St. Michael, the Vendome is a good middle-price choice for those who want to stay in a historic hotel. Built in 1917 as a lodging house, the restored brick building is only 2 blocks from the action of Whiskey Row, but far enough away that you can get a good night’s sleep. Guest rooms are outfitted with modern furnishings, although some bathrooms still have original claw-foot tubs. Two-bedroom units with an interconnected bathroom are ideal for families. There’s an in-house bar open all day and evening; next door is a welcoming gastropub, and on the other side is a groovy coffee shop (Cuppers, see below). And yes, like a couple of other Prescott hotels, the Vendome has a resident ghost.
230 S. Cortez St. www.vendomehotel.com. 928/776-0900. 20 units. $99–$149 double; $149–$299 suite. Rates include continental breakfast. Amenities: Lounge; concierge; free Wi-Fi.
The Motor Lodge Originally opened in 1937 as a collection of summer cabins, this vintage getaway has been revived as a midcentury modern motor court. Rooms are decorated with retro furnishings—more Scottsdale hip than Prescott country, but if you want to stay someplace with a cool aesthetic, this is about your only choice in town. Keep in mind that this is budget hip; rooms vary in size and amenities.
503 S. Montezuma St. www.themotorlodge.com. 928/717-0157. 13 units. $109–$179 double. Amenities: Free Wi-Fi.
Where to Eat in Prescott
For delicious baked goods and coffee, try the airy, friendly Wild Iris Coffee Shop, 124 S. Granite St. (www.wildiriscoffee.com; 928/778-5155); the coffee’s great, and all baked goods are made from scratch on premises. It’s 2 short blocks west of Whiskey Row. Cuppers, 226 S. Cortez St. (www.cupperscoffee.com; 928/445-1636) is a genteel place to stop for a cup, right next to the Hotel Vendome just south of Courthouse Plaza.
Expensive
Murphy’s AMERICAN Prescott’s high-end steakhouse, Murphy’s is housed in an 1890 mercantile building that’s on the National Register of Historic Places; it’s long been one of Prescott’s favorite special-occasion restaurants. Sparkling leaded-glass doors usher diners into a high-ceilinged room with fans revolving slowly overhead. Many of the shop’s original shelves can still be seen in the lounge area, and the restaurant does a good job of creating a historical ambience. The best bets on the menu are the mesquite-grilled meats, but the fish specials can also be good.
201 N. Cortez St. www.murphysprescott.com. 928/445-4044. Main courses $19–$49. Daily 11am–10pm. Brunch Sun 11am–3pm.
Moderate
El Gato Azul MEDITERRANEAN This casual but careful creekside restaurant in downtown Prescott is a great choice. By careful I mean that they are serious about food. You can have as few or as many tapas (small plates) as you and your group want—try the green chili carnitas, the fried artichokes, or the sticky chicken.
316 W. Goodwin St. www.elgatoazulprescott.com. 928/445-1070. Main courses $8–$12 lunch, $12–$21 dinner; tapas $6–$13. Daily 11am–9pm.
Inexpensive
Dinner Bell Café AMERICAN A big hit with local students and other people in the know, this casual little breakfast-and-lunch place has a split personality. Up front there’s a classic old diner, in business since 1939, while in back is a colorful modern space with walls that roll up in good weather. Regulars order either the waffles (served with a variety of toppings) or the thick, juicy burgers. (The waffles are available at lunch, but I don’t think you can get the burger at breakfast.) The setting, a block off Whiskey Row, makes this a great hideaway for a quick meal; kids will enjoy wandering along the adjacent creekside path.
321 W. Gurley St. 928/445-9888. Main courses $9–$11. No credit
