Places to stay on / around the I-17 between Phoenix and Flagstaff. (Prescott: where to stay, motel)

[johnnyjaywick]

After a 9 hr flight from the UK, landing at about 5pm on a tuesday, in Phoenix. where to stay ? dont miind driving a way north, we're headed to flagstaff and then onto utah and beyond. first night after a long flight, we need a half decent motel / b&b, not chained, within an hour or so of the airport.
we have driven in the us before, but have always avoided big towns. i want to drive straight to flagstaff, but not sure if thats realistic. .
Any advice would be most welcome.
thanks.

[buckeyenative01]

Straight to Flagstaff from Phoenix is about two and a half, three hours at the most. I-17 bottlenecks north of the 101 up to the Carefree Highway, but other than that, its smooth sailing and there's really not much of interest between the two. Anthem and New River are practically suburbs of Phoenix, and Camp Verde/Cottonwood is only about 45 minutes from Flagstaff.

[allio27]

Arcosanti : Experience : Workshops : Guestrooms

Here's a really cool spot you should check out! I stayed in the Sky Suite with a group of friends for a night and loved it.
Some info -
-It's on your route! You'll be taking the I-17 to get from Phoenix to Flagstaff, and Arcosanti is about half way there at Cordes Junction (the Prescott exit)
-It's not at all ritzy: no television, mini bar, little shampoos for you to use. Bring with you whatever you want to eat or drink. There's a full kitcken with dishes and glasses for you to use.
-Try to get there before dark. The Sky Suite is kind of hard to find and there's not much light to guide you. There are lots of walkways and weird staircases, so it's not handicap accessable.
-Think "Hippie" rather than "Classy"
-Think "Artistic" rather than "Unconventional"
-Go to the giftshop, and explore all over the place.
-Get a private room with a private bathroom if you really want to stay there and can't book the Sky Suite. I've never stayed in any other room, but I hear they are kind of creepy. (Book the Sky Suite. Trust me, it's amazing!)

Good luck, and have fun!!