The Hermosa Inn is rich with Arizona history

In the mid-1930s, famed artist Lon Megargee purchased 5 acres of land in Paradise Valley. On it, he built a home that he called Casa Hermosa (beautiful house). That casita and studio are now part of one of Arizona’s best boutique resorts — The Hermosa Inn.

For those who don’t recognize his name, Lon Megargee was a rancher, a true cowboy, and a talented artist. His sketches, paintings, prints, and murals of cowboys, horses, Arizona landscape, and Native Americans provided an intimate glimpse into life in the Southwest.

In 1923, Megargee created one of the most famous cowboy paintings of all time. “The Last Drop from his Stetson” depicts a cowboy kneeling to give his horse a drink of water from his upturned hat. Hat maker Stetson purchased the rights to the image from Megargee, and it has been used to brand Stetson hat boxes, liners and advertisements.  And in 2023, in celebration of the painting’s 100th anniversary, Stetson partnered with Pendleton to reimagine the iconic artwork as a throw blanket, which is available for purchase at the resort.

Hermosa Inn History

As demand for his artwork increased, Megargee traveled the world. But his heart belonged in Arizona. He once said, “On the desert, (he) just seemed to belong.”

Megargee began with a single small house and studio. Today, that space houses the resort’s restaurant and bar. The original adobe building features thick walls that support the weight of salvaged hand-hewn wood beams. Massive corner beehive fireplaces, deep window seats, and custom ironwork adorn the structure.

A consummate entertainer, Megargee loved to host large drinking and gambling parties, and as his social circle expanded, so did his guest ranch. Megargee continued to add rooms up until he sold the property in 1941.

The next owners added amenities such as a pool, tennis court, and more casitas, transforming the property into an actual guest resort. Unfortunately, a fire damaged La Casa Hermosa in 1987, and it sat vacant until the early 1990s.

In 1992, Fred and Jennifer Unger purchased the inn. They restored the resort, keeping its original Southwest charm, and in 1994, they reopened it under the name The Hermosa Inn. Megargee’s artwork — including many original pieces — is displayed throughout the property.

Since then, The Hermosa Inn has received numerous accolades. It has achieved AAA Four-Diamond status. It has been named one of the best hotels in the world by Travel & Leisure magazine. And OpenTable named its restaurant one of the Top 100 Brunch Restaurants in America.

The Ungers later went on to purchase and restore another historic Arizona property, the Royal Palms Resort and Spa. 

A Historic Stay

There are 43 rooms at The Hermosa Inn, including 10 deluxe casitas. All feature a king-size bed. The rooms are decorated with cream-toned walls and rustic wide-plank floors. Brown leather seating and upholstery and rugs in rich reds, greens, and golds add to the warm Southwest aesthetic. In addition to a fireplace and secluded patio, each has a flat-screen TV, mini fridge, and coffee maker. Most rooms offer claw foot tubs.

The deluxe casitas range from 650 to 700 square feet. They include cozy seating areas with leather wingback chairs, vaulted ceilings, and large beehive fireplaces. But the star of the room is the massive skylight that is revealed with the push of a button, flooding the room with natural sunlight.

While the resort welcomes guests of all ages, it’s secluded location and tranquil atmosphere are geared toward adults. There are no oversize pools with waterslides or playgrounds. The petite pool is surrounded by a lush lawn and towering palm trees, with stunning mountain views. Catch some rays on a comfy chaise longue, or enjoy a good book in one of the private poolside cabanas.

And due to its intimate size, the resort does not offer a full-service spa. Instead, it partners with a local provider for massages and other services. Massages can be booked through the front desk.

In December 2023, the Inn announced the completion of The Garden at The Hermosa. Located just south of the reception building, what was once natural desert is now a serene, palm-lined space that’s perfect for weddings, receptions, parties and other outdoor events. It offers fire pits, a fountain, a waterfall with real boulders, multiple seating areas, and a pergola. The garden seats up to 70 people.

Cocktails & Cuisine

For dining, Lon’s at The Hermosa exudes the Southwest spirit. Chunky leather and wood seats, some with cowskin backs and rustic nailheads are complemented by the heavy wood beams, stone walls and iron fixtures. Artwork by Megargee lines the walls.

Executive chef Brian Peterson’s creative menu offers hearty yet refined selections for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch. Whether you enjoy mixed berry toast or huevos rancheros for breakfast or you’d prefer a dinner with foie gras, braised oxtail or Norwegian salmon, Lon’s offers something to satisfy every guest’s palate.

My lunch started with the Lump Crab Cakes, a trio of delightful crab-heavy patties topped with Old Bay aioli and resting on a frisée salad. The Open Face Steak Sandwich featured perfectly cooked slices of steak on a slice of focaccia bread. A must-have for any meal is the Churro Tree, an iron “tree” covered in puffy churro rings with chocolate, fruit, and caramel sauces.

Locals love to gather on the outdoor patio, where they can enjoy warm breezes on a summer or fall evening or relax with a cocktail by one of five roaring fireplaces during the cooler winter months. Brunch and happy hour are favorites. And Lon’s was just named one of the Valley’s best patios for outdoor dining by Phoenix New Times.

Adjacent to the restaurant is Lon’s Last Drop. The space gets its name from Megargee’s famous painting, and the rustic wood bar looks like it’s straight from an old-timey Western movie.

For a memorable gathering of up to 12 people, check out the wine cellar. Tucked beneath the restaurant, this candlelit subterranean space has a vaulted ceiling made from Chicago brick and reclaimed beams. Because it’s kept at a cool 57 degrees year-round, it’s a great place to escape Arizona’s scorching summer heat.

What to Expect at The Hermosa Inn

The Hermosa Inn is located just 15 minutes north of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. As such, it is the ideal escape, whether you’re visiting the Valley from out of town or simply want a staycation retreat that’s close to home but that feels like it’s a million miles away.

Pets are welcome, with a $100 nonrefundable fee, and dogs must remain leashed at all times. The resort also charges at $35/day resort fee, which covers valet parking, internet service, pastries and cookies in the lobby, use of a fitness room, and bike rentals.

Room rates start at about $300 night during the summer and can go as high as almost $700 for a deluxe casita in peak months. Also, The Hermosa offers a number of themed package stays, including summer staycation deals, art and culinary retreats, and holiday discounts. In addition, the resort charges at $35/day resort fee, which covers valet parking, internet service, pastries and cookies in the lobby, use of a fitness room, and bike rentals.

Check the latest rates online at Expedia, Hotels.com, or Booking.com.

Front exterior of Lon’s photo courtesy of The Hermosa Inn. All others by Rebecca L. Rhoades.