I loved the idea of going here. So quaint and super cool, but these trailers are really old, so they have many unwanted "creatures" (mice) living inside with you. Although we didn't experience the actual mice, we did happen to see a plethora of their droppings. Seemed a bit too unsanitary so we cut our stay short by a night. The call to the manager was not returned and we had to pay for the second night even though it was the mice that prevented the stay. Cleaning staff was friendly and helpful and the cemetery right beside the campground makes this place an even better choice if you're looking for a change from the norm. I would maybe suggest you go take a look then stay somewhere else in town. read more

The Shady Dell is a must stay for guests that want a little difference in their stay and some adventure. We stayed this past weekend and we will definitely be back. First night we stayed in the Tiki Bus and it was super fun and comfortable. The second night we stayed in the Chris Craft Yacht. Again super fun and comfortable. We can't wait to go back and try another one trailer, in fact we want to try them all. The staff is so nice and made us feel so welcomed. See ya soon! read more

The Shady Dell is a great experience. It's the perfect accent to the eclectic town of Bisbee (the RV park is located about 2 minutes out of town). Check in was quick and the staff was extremely polite and helpful. We stayed in the Golden "Airfloat" which semi comfortably sleeps 3 (2 on beds and 1 on a couch). For those who have lived through the 50's this will be a trip down memory lane with all the trappings (record players, vintage tvs, crazy upholstery, melamine dishes, percolators). For the younger crowd it's a throwback to technology and style that can seem both ancient and stunningly unique. The rest of the park was well kept up, but not amazing it's basically a dirt loop with the other airstreams lining its edges. (a real trailer park is adjacent the hotel as well as the old Bisbee cemetery). Each trailer has a small astroturf yard, chairs and tables to sit out on. The park has a men/womens shower area along with toilets, which work well enough and were clean. For people expecting a luxurious stay in beautiful Arizona, look elsewhere. Shady Dell, while comfortable, is more about the experience and nostalgia. You'll have to put up with some nighttime drafts and a few eccentricities of trailer life (having to switch on hte hot water heater 15 minutes before you need it). If you buy into the idea, or like the looks of the website, then this RV park is definitely for you. Just go in knowing what to expect. read more

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Stayed here twice and loved every minute. We stayed in the spacious and very comfortable Spartanette. If you are looking for an old trailer with modern interior this is not for you. Love the old funky interior. Although trailer had bathroom with shower I did use the bathhouse to shower and found it extremely clean. Had great fun eating breakfast at Dot's. Bisbee has so much history, interesting architecture, lots of art, great shops and too few good restaurants. Ready to visit a third time. read more

I've been meaning to make my way to the Shady Dell for a few years now and I finally got to go recently, it was everything I ever imagined and more. When I die i'm hoping to go to the Shady Dell. I can't say enough great things about staying here. I've read through all of the other reviews and they are right on. I'm already makin plans to go back. Do yourself a favor and check it out for yourself! Oh yeah, make sure you have breakfast or lunch at Dot's you'll love it! read more

Probably my favorite place to stay when I want to feel like I am running away from home! The Shady Dell is unrelentingly cute and fun, and has been for years. I've never had a bad time here. The beds tend to be on the cramped side, and using the bathrooms inside the trailers is IMPOSSIBLE if you're over 5'6", but those things are TRIFLING compared to the level of delight fostered by the cute furnishings, the friendly owners, and the beautiful weather! read more

The Shady Dell is amazing! You really feel like you are stepping back into the 1950s with these beautifully preserved trailers. The owners are incredibly nice, they will play drive-in movies, start a bonfire, recommend a great restaurant, or take you on a ghost hunting trip. Our favorite vacation spot! read more

My boyfriend and I stayed in the itty bitty homemade trailer and it was absolutely awesome! We're gonna try out the tiki next time! Definitely stay here! read more

I have not had a chance to stay at the Shady Dell, so this review is not about the condition of the park, but rather the practices they use when reserving a trailer. Since the park fills up fast, my girlfriend and I decided to reserve a room. After going through the process, on the final page, the disclaimers regarding reservations become fully visible (you wouldn't see them if you didn't scroll all the way to the bottom of the previous pages). The Shady Dell charges your card for the full amount of the stay when you book the room, which isn't something I have ever experienced while traveling. And while it was my mistake for not knowing to scroll down and read the bottom of the page before entering my card info and press submit, it would have been nice to have that info before I even began the process, in a place that was a little more obvious. Another part of this disclaimer states that if you cancel more than 10 days from your reserved date, you are subject to a $15 processing fee. And if you cancel less than 10 days from your reserved date, you don't get a refund! So unless you cancel EXACTLY 10 days from when you are planning on staying there, you will lose money in some way. Very SHADY indeed. read more

Staying at the Shady Dell is nothing short of a dream. I stayed last Friday night in the 1957 Airfloat -- which has been stunningly restored and decorated down to every detail. After a fun night out in Bisbee, I retired to one of the posh Vegas-themed trailer's two cozy twin beds -- but not before eating the entire package of complimentary Chips Ahoy cookies provided by The Shady Dell (thanks guys, and sorry bout the crumbs!). I layed there in bed taking in all the retrofabulous decor--every piece of the interior authentic, and even the appliances, TV and record player all vintage and operational-- but what i remember most about the moments before I fell asleep is that I was SO happy... perhaps because the foam in that bed was so dang unbelievably comfortable! I imagine it's the type of foam they give you in heaven to sleep on. Once asleep, I entered into this crazy dreamland involving zombies, wallabies, and an adorable freckle-nosed dog named Squid. But then, all of the sudden I saw a man walking toward me. Was it Girard Butler? No, looked like him though. "Wait, it's that bad guy, Shane, from 'Walking Dead'," I thought to myself. He was handsome and smiling relentlessly, but I knew there were probably zombies around too, so I was a little frightened (maybe because of all the ghost stories I heard about the Shady Dell, being conveniently situated alongside a cemetery and all). But then my fear turned into relief when I realized that "Shane" was actually the park's owner, Justin, and I had actually woken up from my Airfloat dream... And he was just doing some laundry, that's all. Phew! The weird part, though, is that ever since I left the Shady Dell, I still kinda feel like I'm dreaming, in a good kind of way.... I think I'd like to go back there one day. read more

The Shady Dell - 1957 Airfloat - Hotels Near Me - Bisbee, Arizona

Eight awesome things about the Shady Dell, in no particular order. 1) It back up to a graveyard that has a "international league of oddfellows" and "baby land" section, 2) The owners are super nice,3) they also have vintage inspired tattoos 4) and they are refurbishing a trailer for the dude's (Justin?) mom. 5) There is fake grass and 6) cookies to fit the theme of your trailer (fig newtons in the tiki bus and chips ahoy in the yacht) 7) The homemade is freaking tiny! and 8) The Tiki bus surpassed my wildest dreams.... who am I kidding... the GUEST BOOK in the Tiki Bus surpassed my wildest dreams. read more

This place was seriously the coolest place I've ever stayed. I've been telling all my friends about it. The pineapple lamp is El Rey was like nothing I've ever seen before. The percolater coffee pots. Oh, I am in love. I truly hope to get back here. Jennifer was so nice and I loved the fact that she dressed to fit the theme. I highly highly recommend this place. read more

Shady Dell is one of the most delightfully odd places I have ever come across. Its a trailer park. Yes, a trailer park, unlike any trailer park I have ever seen. I stayed in a 1957 El Ray. The whole park is full of these neat vintage, fully restored trailers from the 1950's. They are restored perfectly, down to every little detail, with working fixtures, stoves, bathrooms, etc. There are even period radios and TVs that broadcast programs and music from the era. Its amazing, nothing is out of place. I even had a little piece of astroturf and some bright blue chairs outside my trailer to call my own. Even the staff wears period outfits/makeup etc. Its a little creepy, and totally fun. Its so well done, so perfect and so comfortable that were it anywhere else, it would cost hundreds a night and feel fake. But here in Bisbee, the park serves the function it would have even in 1957- its a relatively cheap, relaxing, easy place to stay while exploring a great little town. For $85 a night, there is no better option around! There are few things in the world that make me as happy as weird Americana, and here it is in full force. On site is this cute little diner, called Dot's. Now its closed on Wed and Thur, opens at 7:30 in the morning and isn't open for dinner. Since I am staying Mon night through Thur morning, and have to leave for work at 7am, this means that a rushed trip back at lunch time was my only chance. It was worth it! The service is half the fun too- everyone knows everyone from this little town, and locals are stopping in with standing orders all the time. Despite being a replica in the most obvious way (themed trailer park, costumed staff) the fact that it has 10 seats, is in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere, and does a genuine local business mean that Dots Diner is something fundamentally different than a tourist trap or fake nostalgia. Rather, it, and Shady Dell in general, reflect a genuine desire to live in a different world from the modern one which is America today. Crazy little Bisbee is the rare unique setting in which such a thing can be genuinely done, with little irony or cheesiness. No one is denying the reality around them at Shady Dell and Dot's; rather they are enhancing it with their own unique choice of lifestyle. I am glad I got to join in for a few days (or even just a lunch, and pie!) I originally wrote this review on HaochiDC, a food blog for the region I write. read more

This place is amazing. Everything everyone says and more! Not to be missed....

What an amazing place! We didn't get the chance to stay, but Brad took the time to give us a tour and check out a few of the models, which are so cute and restored well! Great experience! read more

We stayed at the Shady Dell several years ago on a trip through Arizona, and loved it. The trailers are clean, comfortable, and decorated with care and a sense of humor. For me it was a trip down memory lane, back to my days in grad school. living in a 20 year-old single wide aluminum-clad trailer. The Shady Dell trailer, like my old one, was snug and comfortable, true to its period, without being too kitschy. The management was friendly and helpful. We enjoyed looking over the Bisbee area, and sitting in our own little patch of yard at the trailer park, listening to the birds, mostly unfamiliar to us, as we're from the Pacific Northwest. Dot's, open at that time, was a grand place for breakfast. We had no trouble with the service, even when the place was packed, as it often was. It's sad to hear that Dot's has closed. Overall, a relaxing, fun place to stay, at an economical price; we'd definitely stay there again. read more

Years ago on one of my many trips to Tucson I rented a truck and drove down to the Shady Dell, a vintage trailer park where you can rent one of an assortment of classic trailers for the night. I rented the 1949 Airstream with the little pink flamingos in front because years before we had printed a book with it on the cover and I finally found out where it was, so I had to visit. The park is full of all sorts of vintage trailers and even a yacht you can rent out. Inside it was decked out in vintage style. Beautiful quilt on the bed, vintage dishes, some games, etc. There was a turntable with lots of old records to play. I found myself playing Del Shannon's "Runaway" again and again as I drank and drank some more. There is no bathroom in the trailer so you can walk to the public restroom (shower too) or just mark your territory outside as I did. There is a row of bushes behind it that open to a little alley on the other side of which is a cemetary. This adds to the bizarre allure of the place. I roamed the cemetary at night and gazed up at the stars as invisible denizens gathered around me. I made an offerring of beer to satiate and honour them. The next moring, hungover, I slept too late to have a meal at Dots Diner. Someday I will return. I know they have added new trailers. Don't forget to roam the cemetary at night and visit nearby Bisbee. Its sort of a funky little town full of hippies and wierdos. Also theres a massive old open pit copper mine there, the Queen Mine that you can tour. Whatever you do, make an offerring to the restless spirits of the night, or you may be visited by things better left unspoken of in the dark, warm, silent Arizona night... read more

The Shady Dell is so much fun. Vintage campers have been restored to their mid-century glory, and are likewise outfitted with furnishings, appliances, and even tschotskies from the same era. Our Spartanette trailer had 50's era LP's and 45's to play on a vintage record player, a working radio and portable TV from the 50s. Even the glassware and cookware and chalkware knick knacks matched the time frame. There's a little outdoor theater that played "Creature from the Black Lagoon" while we were there, and this is beside a small 50's era diner from which to get complimentary snacks and sodas. There are grills available, a nice gazebo, and board games from the era to enjoy, including a giant checkerboard. You'll even see an old telephone booth, a push mower, and a shipwreck with a kitschy tiki totem pole, and vintage signs advertising Pepsi Cola and Sunbeam bread. An extra treat is that this is a short walk from Lowell, a ghost town that looks like it was abandoned abruptly sometime around 1950, as vintage cars are parked along the street. This was fun, very unique holiday for us. Loved it. read more

i have been hearing about the shady dell FOREVER from my friend that moved to bisbee and finally i got to go!! it is super cool. i probably wouldn't want to stay for more than a couple nights (i stayed 2) but it is a really neat place to check out. my friend had her wedding reception there (no, she wasn't the first), and it was especially neat because she reserved all the trailers for all of her out-of-town friends, so I got to go inside most of the trailers. conveniently, dot's diner is right next door-- great for breakfast!! read more

Love this place we recently stayed in the Tiki Bus great experience!

We had the best time at the shady dell!!! Three of us stayed in the royal mansion. The camper, and the entire campground, was very clean and tidy. When we arrived, there were complimentary bottles of water on the counter and cookies in the cookie jar. Every last detail fit the design and retro style of the park. Jenn told us about the local bars that were hosting bands and who had the best lunch in town. Many of the other guests joined us in showing off the trailers and it was so fun to check out each one. We got back a little late from our cycling expedition and they were very accommodating in letting us check out 20 min late. Excellent and friendly service!!! read more

We spent a night at the Shady Dell a couple of years ago and absolutely LOVED it! We now have our own little camper, but would definitely go back again! We booked the reservation well in advance. Extremely clean and well decorated. I highly recommend it especially if you want to travel back in time. You'll leave with a smile! read more