Patrick and I just returned from a mini road trip to Arizona, and boy are y’all in for a slew of posts! But let’s start off with the first place we stopped for the night, the El Trovatore.

El Trovatore is not only right along Route 66, but it is perched right on the edge of a cliff, and offers spectacular views of Slaughterhouse Canyon, I know, what a name! We arrived shortly before a thunderstorm, so as we started to snap photos clouds rolled in and it began to rain.

Until about ten years ago, the El Trovatore had become what many old motels of the 20s through the 50s had become, apartments. But thanks to new owners, it has returned to being a motel, complete with celebrity themed rooms, and what is said to be the world’s longest map of Route 66 painted across one of its buildings. Another building has been transformed into a western landscape featuring Looney Tunes characters. The place is kitschy to say the least, but we love kitsch. The new owner also restored the iconic neon for both the massive sign near the road and the tower on the hill. I always applaud anyone who invests in restoring neon!

In 1937 this motel began as a humble service station, owned by John F. Miller, but two years later, it 1939, it became a motel, starting at $3 a night, and was also the first to have air conditioning in the state. It’s also had notable guests, like Clark Cable, Jane Russell, James Dean, and the gal who inspired the decor for our room, Marilyn Monroe.

Sleep under the stars in a star inspired room at El Trovatoe at 1440 E Andy Devine Avenue (AKA Route 66) in Kingman, Arizona.

Outfit
Shirt: Atomic Swag (the same exact one doesn’t exist anymore, but this one is similar)
Shorts: Buffalo Exchange
Mocs: Minnetonka

Sources
“About Us.” El Trovatore.
Plaques on site.