Part of the Trailborn plan is to develop the place as a gathering spot for locals as well as guests.
Castle Peak Holdings recently added Trailborn Grand Canyon to its collection of hotels and resorts strategically placed in supply-constrained outdoor destination markets. Trailborn, a new hospitality brand, focuses on markets including national park gateway towns, beach towns, wine country and ski resorts.
Trailborn Grand Canyon in Williams is the company’s fifth endeavor, joining a portfolio of properties, including those at Highlands and Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina; Estes Park, Colorado; and two soon-to-be-opening properties in Mendocino, California.
Sustainable Renovation of a Route 66 Classic
Trailborn prioritizes renovation and adaptive reuse of existing structures over new construction, which reduces resource consumption and environmental impact. Castle Peak Holdings revamped a classic Route 66 motor lodge and restaurant in Williams, a town known as the Gateway to the Grand Canyon.
Trailborn, which recently earned the Emerging Hotel Concept award from Gold Key Awards for Excellence in Hospitality Design, focuses on designing for the locality.
“It’s midcentury design with futuristic infusion,” said Michael Reardon, general manager, describing Trailborn Grand Canyon’s unique design. “There are little touches that call back to the history, but there are also many technology-infused amenities.”
The nostalgic touches at Trailborn Grand Canyon include artwork that reflects Williams’ ranching heritage and its connection to the Grand Canyon. Guest room art features vintage postcards and matchbook covers from the original Route 66 motel, as well as historical topographic maps of the Grand Canyon and cowboy imagery. Guest rooms are decorated in a desert-inspired color palette. The music playing in public spaces complements this ambiance with a relaxed, outdoorsy vibe.
Technology and Amenities for Today’s Travelers
Trailborn Grand Canyon integrates modern technology and amenities throughout the property to enhance the comfort and convenience that today’s travelers have come to expect. These include Tesla EV charging stations, 55-inch 4K Smart TVs with screencasting capabilities that allow guests to stream content from their personal devices, Bluetooth AM/FM radios for wireless music streaming, high-tech telephones and, of course, complimentary high-speed WiFi available in all rooms and public areas.
“The Tivoli radio is one of my favorite touches,” said Reardon. The tuning dial of the retro box radio with antenna is set to 92.1 FM, the local Williams radio station for guests. “The technology we brought to this project is good for families.”
Other family-oriented amenities, besides the outdoor pool, include a bocce ball court, an outdoor fireplace, s’mores roasting kits, and a public space in the Camp Hall with board games, table shuffleboard and darts. Trailborn is less than one mile from the Grand Canyon Railway Depot, making it a convenient base for family fun aboard the Polar Express train ride and other excursions throughout the year.
A Gathering Spot for Locals and Visitors
Part of the Trailborn plan is to develop the place as a gathering spot for locals as well as guests. “That’s easy because Miss Kitty’s Steakhouse has been so popular with the locals over the years,” said Reardon. Although Trailborn has revamped the restaurant and bar space and brought in Chef Paul Beatty to expand the steakhouse menu, it has kept the name and promotes Miss Kitty’s Bar and Steakhouse as a separate brand.
Chef Paul, a chef on Food Network’s “Chopped,” presents classic choice steaks with a selection of rubs and sauces and vegetarian options with a southwest flair. Look for BBQ cauliflower tacos, a vegan veggie tortilla lasagna and handheld options like smash burgers and fried chicken sandwiches. Even Chef Paul’s desserts are a nod to the locality with green chile apple pie, churros and Texas sheet cake.
The visually inviting bar at Trailborn Grand Canyon, located within Miss Kitty’s Steakhouse, is designed to celebrate and reflect the unique character of its Williams setting and the broader Southwest region. Dark woods and handcrafted tiles create an earthy ambiance. Its menu is centered on agave spirits — such as tequila and mezcal — and features a selection of regional beers, such as Mother Road Brewing Company and Barrio Brewing Company.
Beyond the intimate restaurant and eye-catching bar area, food is also available in the spacious Camp Hall, which sports a bandstand and is equipped for live music, movie nights, games and private events, supporting up to 200 guests.
Accessibility and Environmentally Conscious Practices
The recent renovation brings the Route 66 motor lodge, built as the Thunderbird Motel in 1957, to ADA compliance with compliant walkways, pool area resurfacing, adjustable shower wands, roll-in showers and mobility-accessible rooms.
The boutique hotel also focuses on the environment with modern guestroom furniture designed without metal pulls, room cards made from cardboard rather than plastic and a refillable water station in the reception area. Reusable water bottles are available in their grab-and-go marketplace.
Through the “Keep Extraordinary” initiative, Trailborn donates $1 from every direct booking to local land conservation efforts, supporting organizations like the Grand Canyon Conservancy and Rocky Mountain Conservancy. FBN
By Stacey Wittig, FBN
Trailborn Grand Canyon 642 E Route 66, Williams, AZ www.trailborn.com/grand-canyon
Stacey Wittig is a Flagstaff journalist focusing on travel.
Photo by Stacey Wittig: Michael Reardon, general manager of Trailborn Grand Canyon in Williams, says the boutique hotel blends midcentury design with futuristic amenities, offering a fresh take on a classic Route 66 motor lodge.
