[Last updated 3/4/26 4:29 PM PT—The Aztec Hotel is still for sale for $15 million. I swung by to do a wellness check and take some photographs on a nice, sunny day—which are added at the top of this post.]
[Updated 8/13/25 5:33 PM PT—The 100-year-old Aztec Hotel is listed for sale at $15 million.]
circa 2026
The Aztec Hotel is one of those landmarks of Route 66 that is worth the drive just to see it.
circa 2026
And somehow, it has managed to avoid demolition—a fate that has befallen many of the Mother Road's other attractions.
circa 2026
Built in 1925, it is an excellent example of Mayan Revival architecture...
circa 2026
...but, afraid that tourists wouldn't understand what "Mayan" meant, its architect (Robert Stacy-Judd) named it the Aztec Hotel, which of course is a totally different thing.
Today, the highly ornamented façade remains preserved (partially thanks to the building's placement on the National Register of Historic Places)—as is much of the rest of the hotel parts of the building. (Ed: Many different storefront businesses have come and gone over the last century.)
The Aztec is under new ownership and management [Ed: as of the original date of this post, in 2013], and so although you can't reserve a room there just yet...
...we were lucky enough to take a peek inside and gawk at the amazing, ornate decor...
...including Incan-inspired lighting fixtures...
...grand floor tiles...
...ceiling murals...
...and a bar, which was slated to receive a brand new granite top.
The modern kitchen looks ready for cooking...
...and all the doorways and entryways look inviting.
Mayan symbolism, glyphs, and iconography surround the lobby...
...leading upstairs...
...to the comparatively simple halls of rooms.
Geometric shapes recall the pyramids...
...and Mayan reliefs remain in rooms once occupied by a dentist...
...while stained glass windows still mark the coffee shop which was most recently occupied by sporting enthusiasts.
Plenty of modern facilities could be converted into a cafe...
...perhaps a gift shop...
...or an office...
...but as of today, the Aztec Hotel's fate is very much undecided.
It once thrived, as a stop along Route 66, and as a nearby accommodation to the Santa Anita Racetrack.
Here's to its imminent comeback! I hope we're here to see it. The Mayans themselves didn't think we would be.
Related Posts:
Today, the highly ornamented façade remains preserved (partially thanks to the building's placement on the National Register of Historic Places)—as is much of the rest of the hotel parts of the building. (Ed: Many different storefront businesses have come and gone over the last century.)
The Aztec is under new ownership and management [Ed: as of the original date of this post, in 2013], and so although you can't reserve a room there just yet...
...we were lucky enough to take a peek inside and gawk at the amazing, ornate decor...
...including Incan-inspired lighting fixtures...
...grand floor tiles...
...ceiling murals...
...and a bar, which was slated to receive a brand new granite top.
The modern kitchen looks ready for cooking...
...and all the doorways and entryways look inviting.
Mayan symbolism, glyphs, and iconography surround the lobby...
...leading upstairs...
...to the comparatively simple halls of rooms.
Geometric shapes recall the pyramids...
...and Mayan reliefs remain in rooms once occupied by a dentist...
...while stained glass windows still mark the coffee shop which was most recently occupied by sporting enthusiasts.
Plenty of modern facilities could be converted into a cafe...
...perhaps a gift shop...
...or an office...
...but as of today, the Aztec Hotel's fate is very much undecided.
It once thrived, as a stop along Route 66, and as a nearby accommodation to the Santa Anita Racetrack.
Here's to its imminent comeback! I hope we're here to see it. The Mayans themselves didn't think we would be.
Related Posts:
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