safari hotel scottsdale az

Remembering Scottsdale's swinging Safari Hotel

The French Quarter was a nightclub in Scottsdale's old Safari Hotel. The image for this vintage postcard was taken sometime during the 1960s.

The Safari Hotel was the place to go in Scottsdale in November 1956 when it opened to large crowds on Camelback Road a couple of blocks east of Scottsdale Road.

To those not familiar with that era, they may look at that location as being the busy hub of activity then that it is today. However, it was a different scene in 1956. Scottsdale Fashion Square mall was still a rodeo ground and Camelback Road ended at Scottsdale Road going east. The most excitement there may have been seeing sheep driven down Scottsdale Road.

As is the case with many successful enterprises that require vision, someone came along with an idea that would have been laughable to most investors. That someone was Bill Ritter, who, along with motel developer Ernie Uhlmann, saw an opportunity in the soaring heat of a Scottsdale summer.

With resorts closing in the summer because their guests preferred the cooler climes of the north, Ritter parlayed that opportunity into opening a 108-room hotel next to a canal.

Safari Hotel was not just another cookie-cutter resort. The Safari had fine dining (Paul Shank’s), a popular lounge, shopping and the two magic words that would draw plenty of action: air-conditioning!

As reported in the Phoenix New Times in May 1997, “Leopard skins, tikis, martinis. In its day Scottsdale’s Safari resort was the big bwana of Valley luxe. Under the hotel’s imposing porte cochere, valets dodged lethal tail fins as they struggled to keep up with an endless stream of late model gas guzzlers. In the resort’s continental-style restaurant, fashionably dressed guests oohed and aahed as waiters raced around with carving carts and flaming swords. Inside the lounge (aptly billed as “The Liveliest Spot in Town”), name entertainment by the likes of George Shearing, The Ink Spots, and Rosemary Clooney was always on tap. And afterward? Poolside cocktails beneath the swaying palms or a midnight snack in the hotel’s bustling all-night coffee shop, home of the city’s best stargazing.”

Even the rustic peddler of Western trinkets, Don Pablo, respected the clout of the Safari. He was known for his popular hard-scrabble place at Scottsdale Road and Pinnacle Peak that drew many visitors who wanted to purchase anything related to Western lore.

He had a postcard printed with his likeness and a picture of his place. He listed his address as being “14 miles north on Scottsdale Road.” It probably wasn’t a coincidence that was the exact distance from the Safari to his place of business. Most likely Don left some of those cards in the lobby of the Safari.

The designer of the Safari was Al Beadle, a well-known architect and designer of many buildings and homes in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. Al was a guy who liked to get to the point in a hurry. When asked later in life why he selected a jungle theme instead of something more indigenous to the Arizona desert, he replied, “A safari’s a safari. It’s about trips; there is nothing more to it than that.” Al got right to the point, and he was right.

Like many hotel and entertainment venues of the past, the Safari eventually ran its course and closed in 1998. As reported in the East Valley Tribune in 2006, “The Safari was closed in 1998 to make way for a $143 million Marriott hotel and conference center that never materialized.“

However, some apartments and condos have been constructed on the Safari site near the canal since 2008. A vacant lot near them represents where Paul Shank’s restaurant once prospered when guys like Bing Crosby and Burt Reynolds used to play while eating steak and lobster for $5.50!

Jim McAllister is a U.S. Air Force veteran. He has written many columns for The Scottsdale Republic and was a member of the original Republic bloggers program that began in 1996. He lives with his wife, Barbara, in Scottsdale.

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GIVE AWAY!🎉 In celebration of International Tiger Day, we are giving away an original paw print painting made by Equinox! To enter the giveaway, all you need to do is follow our page, like this post and tag 1 friend in the comments. The winner will be drawn tomorrow and we will mail it to you! (US only, sorry no international shipping). 📸 Brittney Olson @britolsons #giveaway #pawprint #Internationaltigerday #tigerconservation #Tiger #animals #tigers #art #animalart #follow #arizona #outofafricapark

Happy International Tiger Day! Today is the celebration of tigers and a global initiative dedicated to the protection and preservation of tigers, one of the world’s most iconic and endangered species. This day serves as a vital platform for raising awareness about the challenges facing tigers, including habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. International Tiger Day encourages individuals, communities, and organizations to support conservation efforts, promote sustainable practices, and advocate for stronger protections for tiger habitats. By joining forces on this day, we can contribute to the preservation of these majestic animals and ensure their survival for future generations. Come visit us at the park to see how you can help and thank you for your continued support! 📸 Brittney Olson @britolsons #WorldTigerDay #Internationaltigerday #Tiger #conservation #animals #arizona #outofafricapark

IMAGES

Safari Hotel
Safari Hotel Scottsdale, AZ
Safari Hotel Scottsdale, AZ
Safari_Hotel Scottsdale_AZ
Safari Hotel Scottsdale, AZ
The Safari Hotel in the 1960s, 4611 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale

COMMENTS

Safari Hotel brought cool style to Scottsdale - azcentral.com
In its day Scottsdale’s Safari resort was the big bwana of Valley luxe. Under the hotel’s imposing porte cochere, valets dodged lethal tail fins as they struggled to keep up with an endless...
Safari Hotel - Wikipedia
The Safari Hotel was a resort hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona, which operated from 1956 to 1998. Designed by noted Phoenix architect Al Beadle, the Safari is noted for being one of the resorts which helped turn Scottsdale into a tourism destination, along with the Hotel Valley Ho and the Mountain Shadows Resort. [1]
Home - Out of Africa Wildlife Park
Our interactive animal encounters and thrilling shows provide a unique experience for visitors of all ages. Located in scenic Arizona, our park promotes conservation and education while providing a memorable adventure. Book your visit now.
Paradise Valley Guest Ranch and Safari Resort. | Arizona ...
The Safari Resort, shown at the bottom right of the photograph, opened in 1956, and was one of Scottsdale's first year-round, car-oriented resorts. The Safari was torn down in 1998 and eventually replaced by a condominium development using the historic Safari name.
Safari Hotel | Arizona Memory Project
Safari Hotel Descriptive Address 4611,N. Scottsdale Rd.,Scottsdale,85251 City or Town Scottsdale County Maricopa County State Arizona Geographic Coordinates [ 1 ] Feature Class Lodging
You know you grew up in Scottsdale when | Safari Hotel - Facebook
Safari Hotel Did you ever dine at Paul Shank's, the French Quarter, or at the coffee shop? What are your memories of these places? Ernie Uhlmann and...