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Hotel Valley Ho and Trader Vic's
The Hotel Valley Ho debuted in 1956 and is historically significant for its modern organic architecture style and for the association with Scottsdale’s development as a top-rated tourist destination. It was one of Scottsdale’s finest resorts, the first year round resort to open in town.
The arrival of winter visitors and tourism to Scottsdale in the mid 1950’s prompted the construction of the Valley Ho Resort. When the resort first opened rooms filled so fast that Robert Foehl, developer and owner-manager of the original Hotel Valley Ho, was unable to have an official grand opening. By 1957, Hollywood had found a second home at the Valley Ho Resort when teen idol duo of Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood held their private wedding reception at the Valley Ho. Wagner’s parents had been regular guests at the hotel and thought the pair should have their wedding and reception away from the Hollywood limelight. In the early 60’s Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis were guests of the hotel. Leigh’s popularity was at an all-time high following her box-office hit, Psycho, in 1960. Zsa Zsa Gabor and her daughter Francesco Gabor rode horses at the Valley Ho. There were times when Jimmy Durante was unable to sleep and would come down to the lobby lounge and start playing the piano. Others would hear him and come down to enjoy the tunes or join in with him. The original Hotel Valley Ho was acquired by Ramada in the early 1970’s and expanded to include the neighboring Ramada Hotel, which was built in 1961. The entire complex was renamed Ramada’s Valley Ho Resort and operated as such until Westroc Hotels and Resorts timely acquisition. In June 2004, Westroc Hotels & Resorts embarked on an $80-million rehabilitation and expansion of Hotel Valley Ho after acquiring the property in 2002. Paying tribute to the original flavor of its classic mid-century design, Hotel Valley Ho reopened December 20, 2005, 49 years to the date after its debut. The downtown Scottsdale urban resort features large rooms, a seven-story tower with five levels of mid-rise condominiums and a new wing for a grand total of 194 deluxe rooms and suites. New enhancements include legendary Trader Vic’s Polynesian cuisine, Café ZuZu’s American comfort food, Oh Pool Bar + Cabanas for light poolside fare and 24 hour room service. The full-service VH Spa offers eight treatment rooms, huge fitness facility with state-of-the art equipment, movement studio and the Spa Boutique. At the center and heartbeat of the hotel is the Oh Pool, a large circle pool featuring eight cabanas named after famous past celebrities. Hotel Valley Ho offers amazing venues with more than 10,000 sq. ft. of flexible indoor space and gardens, lawns and rooftop terrace satisfy the most discerning clientele.
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