Fodor's Expert Review La Posada Hotel

One of the great railroad hotels, La Posada ("resting place") exudes the charm of an 18th-century Spanish hacienda, and its restoration has been a labor of love. Architect Mary Jane Colter, famous for her work at the Grand Canyon, designed and decorated the 68,000-square-foot hotel. Individually finished rooms are restored to 1930s style (although some have been modernized and include whirlpool tubs) and named for the famous guests who stayed there. If you can't stay for the night, take a self-guided tour of the hotel and visit the restaurant. Although most things here are a trip back in time, the stately Turquoise Room–serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner–is decidedly modern. Chef John Sharpe creates a spectacular menu that incorporates traditional fine-dining fare with locally sourced foods of the Southwest. It's a unique culinary experience in this part of the state, well worth the trip from Flagstaff.