By Maureen Post Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published Mar 02, 2010 at 3:47 PM

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- In a city where luxury and pampering often trumps environmental conscience and architectural design, Scottsdale’s Hotel Valley Ho, 6850 E. Main St., manages to encapsulate them all. And, if you're getting ready to book a trip to see the Brewers warm up for the 2010 baseball season, you could hardly stay at a more stylish hotel when you're in the area.

Located on the edge of Scottsdale's "Old Town" neighborhood, Hotel Valley Ho stands as an example of great design and historic restoration with all the high-quality amenities and services of a resort.  Add in efforts to pave the way and set new standards for "green" accommodation, and a stay at Hotel Valley Ho becomes one of the city's most complete experiences.

Built in 1956, Hotel Valley Ho was remodeled in 2005, but maintains the classic blend of mid-century architecture characterized by clean lines, cutting edge materials and a variety of colors and textures.

Bringing to Phoenix what The Standard Hotel brings to New York, Miami and Los Angeles, Hotel Valley Ho not only considers guests needs but delves into the world of originality with an aesthetically pleasing lobby and pool area paired with kitschy restaurant concepts.

Café Zuzu, located in the hotel lobby, puts a 21st century spin on 1950s diner chic with snug booths and counter-style seating. The menu, which serves early morning to late-night, uses local ingredients to re-create comfort food favorites. Likewise, the adjoining Trader Vic’s Restaurant, plates fresh Polynesian-style seafood and flavorful meats along with a long list of made-from-scratch cocktails, including the infamous Mai Tai.

But the attention to detail, both practical and visual, doesn’t stop in the lobby and restaurant areas.

In each room, the open-floor plan and sweeping room-length sliding doors bring the outdoors inside and make the visitor feel as though the spaces are intertwined. Trendy touches on mid-century modern can be found in ergonomic furniture, low level beds and whimsical lighting.

Each room is a standard rectangular shape but utilizes space by moving the bathroom console and tub into the room itself. A standing shower and separate restroom are the only elements closed off; allowing guests to move freely about the room and make the space their own.

The hotel, a joint tower of rooms and condos plus several two-story wings, nestles a courtyard with a pool, cabanas and a bar. The service is overtly accommodating and pampering; providing not only food and drink but reading materials, skin-care products and the occasional conversation between travelers.

And yet, while Hotel Valley Ho puts you in walking distance of Scottsdale’s restaurants, shops and bars, there is a serenity of sun and silence enjoyed throughout the grounds.

Maureen Post Special to OnMilwaukee.com

OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.

After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.

Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.