It was 4 pm when we arrived at our little boutique B&B, The W2ND Historic Inn, in Mesa and the Arizona air was hot and sticky. Located on a quiet residential road in the West Second Historic District (from where it gets its name), the property is a stone’s throw away from the city’s vibrant Downtown neighbourhood.
A B&B steeped in history
Constructed in 1906 by Paul Fuller, the engineer for the Roosevelt Dam, The W2ND Historic Inn started life as a private home. Fronted with a striking white arched porch, it is a perfect example of Mission Revival Style architecture and in 1991 was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
A few years later, a careful restoration gave particular focus to maintaining its heritage features. You can see the love and attention in the pretty mosaic detail of the outdoor porch tiling or the rich walnut wainscoting inside, with period light switches and large original windows throughout.
Today, husband and wife team, Kurt and Shauna Kuhl have given it a new life as a boutique B&B, with mid-century flourishes that lend a classic ambience.
Themed rooms and plenty of amenities
Each of the B&B’s four suites were uniquely themed – the romantic, traveller, visionary and storyteller – with the décor creating a bespoke mood for each. We stayed in the romantic suite, equipped with plush furnishings, pink hues and a freestanding bathtub.
After dropping off our bags, we made a b-line for the B&B’s swimming pool to cool off from the fierce Arizona heat. The owners call this their “urban oasis” and you can see why, with plenty of loungers and shaded places to enjoy the pool privately, including palm trees and poolside umbrellas that did a great job of creating a tropical vibe.
Inside the house, the shared living space was equipped with a well-stocked, complimentary mini bar, which had everything from soft drinks to spirits, wine and ice-cold beer. Books and several games (including a retro Pac-Man arcade machine) were also available in the common areas to keep us entertained.
In the morning, guests have the option of enjoying a homemade breakfast of warm scones and fresh fruit delivered to their rooms or (as we went for) in the dining room, with coffee and tea on tap. Additional options such as avocado on toast or bagel sandwiches are available via the a la carte menu, just be sure to order these in advance.
Local neighbourhood in Mesa
The B&B was located a short 10-minute stroll from Mesa’s Downtown area. Unlike other US cities, this part of Mesa was really walkable, with large tree-lined sidewalks a real plus.
A major draw to Downtown is its brewing scene, with an ever-growing number of taprooms. Apparently, the city has the most craft beer and cocktail locations of any city in Arizona, so arrive thirsty!
With that in mind, we felt it was only polite to spend the evening bar hopping and found Phantom Fox Beer Company to be one standout venue. The brewery has partnered with a mobile pizza kitchen, Goat and Ram, which serves up excellent pizza.
For those more into cocktails, the bartenders at 12 West Brewing were mixing up some impressive-looking concoctions. They were just one of several local venues with expert mixologists. Taking a seat at the bar, the staff were really welcoming and happily chatted away with us giving us tips on where to hit next.
By day, the area also has a great selection of interesting museums, including a natural history museum covering life and arts in the southwest (from dinosaur displays to gold panning). Amongst the other attractions were the contemporary art museum and a self-guided sculpture and murals tour, which makes a stroll around Downtown all the better.
W2ND Historic Inn Mesa
148 N Macdonald
Mesa
AZ 85201
United States of America
