Historic Egyptian Motor Hotel Opens Friday in Phoenix’s Grand Avenue Arts District
January 26, 2023
It’s no mirage: the Egyptian Motor Hotel, a mecca for live entertainment, hospitality, nightlife, and premium culinary offerings, opens to the public this Friday. The historic Egyptian Motor Hotel, which once thrived in Downtown Phoenix in the 1950’s before operating as a different brand for decades, has been restored on its original turf. The Egyptian is home to the first brick and mortar outpost for Chilte, Phoenix’s favorite pop-up and food truck for new-school Mexican street food helmed by Chef Lawrence Smith, who competed on Food Network’s Chopped last year. Chilte will open for dinner service starting Friday.
Chicago-based hotel developer and management company Rebel Hospitality breathed new life into this buried treasure of Phoenix history. The property boasts 49 retro modern rooms with bunk bed (coined “stacked”) and King bed offerings; Egyptian Live, a 250-seat outdoor bar and entertainment venue for artists and performers of the local community; adult games and activities; Airstream guest room; water and firepit features to add to the ambience; and Chilte.
“We are ecstatic to open our doors to this retro time capsule reimagined for nomads, locals, foodies, thrill seekers, and everyone in between. The Egyptian is a modern crash pad with a nod to the past. With an open-air entertainment venue, unique activities, a beloved food partner and retro ambiance, the hotel showcases the best of what this vibrant neighborhood has to offer,” said Rebel Hospitality Principal, Gene Kornota. “Grand Avenue’s spirit of creativity is a perfect match for the ethos of the Egyptian. We’re so grateful to have resurrected a time capsule of this important Phoenix community.”
The original Egyptian Motor Hotel was built over 70 years ago, clad with iconic Egyptian emblems, exaggerated neon sign, and open-air concept, all of which are preserved in its resurrected state today. In fact, the classic V-shape design and a repurposing of the parking lot made it possible to up the hotel’s cool-factor by making the stage and venue viewable from guest-room balconies and first-floor porches, furthering the communal feel of the experience.
Rebel Hospitality tapped local artists Ize and Tato Caraveo to create one-of-a-kind murals across the property, which will serve as year-round photo backdrops. Local creative collective Snoodmen produced the neon installations throughout the property.
Property updates and amenities include:
● Egyptian Live: a 250-seat outdoor entertainment venue and nightly cocktail bar that will welcome local musicians, live art, magicians, comedians and more with performances year-round
● Chilte: serving locally sourced, artisanal street food from Chef Lawrence, the beloved local chef who appeared on Food Network’s Chopped this year, in his first brick-and-mortar outpost opening soon.
● Acoustic guitars offered in all guestrooms
● Outdoor games for adults including giant Jenga, foosball, corn hole and submarine races in the water feature
● Retro, yet modern design refresh in guestrooms ranging from stacked (bunk beds) to King offerings
● New technology in guestrooms including Marshall Bluetooth speakers, retro refrigerators, and fast, free WiFi
● Custom art by a variety of Phoenix’s dynamic muralists and creators
Chilte, the hotel’s flagship restaurant for deliciously unique takes on traditional Mexican cuisine, is the first brick-and-mortar location for Co-Founder and Executive Chef Lawrence Smith, whose cuisine has been captivating local appetites through pop-ups and a food truck across town since 2020. Chef Lawrence competed on an episode of Food Network’s Chopped this year. Chilte will introduce a fresh, innovative menu at the Egyptian, including a Mole Flight, featuring three different moles inspired by Chef Lawrence’s travels to Mexico, and Elote Cheesecake, a sweet spin on beloved Mexican street corn with Mezcal, chili, fruit, corn, and queso.
The Egyptian Motor Hotel is located at 765 Grand Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85007. For reservations, visit www.egyptianmotorhotel.com. Follow the hotel on Instagram at @theegyptianphx.
About Rebel Hospitality
Helmed by Gene Kornota, and Anthony Klok, Chicago-based Rebel Hospitality is a guest-centric, lifestyle driven ownership and management company that exists to bring a wholly unique travel experience to our guests. Our properties are not about the stars and diamonds – they are about evoking a singular memorable experience. Rebel is committed to being a valued part of the communities in which we reside. Our focus is not only on providing an amazing local experience to travelers but is also committed to providing locals with destinations for dining, nightlife, and overnights for those occasions they need to escape – nearby. Our hotels and outlets are singular, stand-out independent entities, developed with a high proclivity for one-of-kind design and a genuinely unique guest experience. Rebel celebrates individuality and lauds the eccentricities that are part of every individual’s genuine self. We are merely enthusiastic supporting characters that help guests create, live, and tell their own unique story. Hotels. Unchained. www.rebelhospitalityllc.com.
About Chilte
Food is a universal connection to our past, our present and our future. It allows us to immerse ourselves and experience palatable art. Chilte aims to bring unique and inspired food to Phoenix while allowing these dishes to tell the stories of those who experience it. Starting in a 10×10 pop up tent, Chilte has always aimed to disrupt the industry at every level, whether cooking on the street or in a five-star restaurant. As they lay groundwork for its brick and mortar, Chilte is determined to stay focused on the vision of where they’re headed but never forget where they came from. Chilte strives to inspire a new culture in the culinary industry. Sourcing locally, cooking from the heart, mentoring one another, and building a community through food. Learn more at www.chiltephx.com and follow Chilte on Instagram at @chilte_phx.