Highland Country Inn

From the outside, the Highland Country Inn reflects exactly what it is: an unassuming motel-style property. Inside, the brightly lit lobby has windows covering three out of its four walls, filling the small space with lots of natural light -- so much so that blinds often need to be drawn. Kitchen-style cabinets in light wood line the face of the front desk and adjacent wall where free coffee and tea are available all day. Light beige walls and tile floors add to the brightness, and two upholstered armchairs sit in a corner. It's a tidy space, as is the rest of the hotel. This is a peaceful property most of the time, as guests tend to check in and retire to their rooms -- some arriving in the evening after long days of driving. It's a popular stopover for one or two nights for tourists visiting the Grand Canyon or the nearby Northern Arizona University. 

Location is a big advantage for the Highland Country Inn, which is just a six-minute walk to Northern Arizona University and eight minutes on foot to downtown Flagstaff’s historic district. It’s a 10-minute walk to the city’s Amtrak station. The Inn sits just off the main thoroughfare of S. Milton, and is right next to a coffee shop and across from a natural foods grocery. A few other restaurants are within a short walk. It’s a few minutes’ drive to the intersection of Interstate 17 and Interstate 40, so connections throughout Flagstaff and beyond are convenient. The Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is 11 minutes away by car, and the Arizona Snowbowl ski area is a 30-minute drive. Grand Canyon National Park is about an 80-minute drive. Sedona’s airport is about an hour away by car, while the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a little over two hours.

Guest rooms here are basic and feature budget-quality furniture, but they are clean and well maintained. Decor is on the bright side, with beige and white walls, gold patterned bedspreads contrasted by crimson bed skirts, and gold drapes. Most guests find the beds comfortable. The matching wood furniture in maple shades includes headboards, nightstands, dressers, upholstered chairs, and side tables. (There are no desks.) Mounted wall racks with hangers serve as closets.

The rooms are large enough for comfort, but they’re not overly spacious; Double Queen Rooms can be a bit tight. Bathrooms are average in size for a budget property and include small white acrylic vanities, green floor tiles, and simple acrylic shower/tub combos. Standard amenities include microwaves, mini-fridges, flat-screen TVs, hairdryers, phones, and free Wi-Fi, but coffeemakers are not provided. Ambient, room-to-room noise can be heard at times, but the rooms are relatively quiet for being on a busy road. Most rooms have views of the parking lot and surrounding businesses.  

This basic, motel-style property is focused on providing a reasonably priced place to spend a night or two during a road trip, and as such, it offers limited amenities. Free coffee and tea are provided in the lobby. There is no breakfast, but there are several restaurants nearby, including a coffee shop next door. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, and the lobby is staffed 24/7. Coin laundry facilities are on-site. Ample free parking is available on the property’s surface lot, and many spots are immediately outside rooms on the ground floor. The rooms are spread out among two floors, but there are no elevators. The hotel is nonsmoking, and no pets are allowed.