The Sands Hotel, Phoenix 1960s

The Sands Hotel occupied an entire square block in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona, in the 1950s. Covering ten acres of land, the hotel and shopping center with a gift shop, barber and spa offered every modern convenience of the era.

The deluxe hotel boasted it had beds so comfortable it was like ‘sleeping on a cloud.’ There was an Olympic-sized and temperature-controlled swimming pool, a TV room and nightly entertainment in the cocktail lounge.

There was even a ‘public stenographer’ for business people who required urgent letters written on a typewriter.

The restaurant was run by Jay Newton, who later opened the Beef Eater in Phoenix.

All of this, according to the blurb on this menu, was available for $10 a day.

In 1950s America, tiki culture was a widespread pop culture phenomenon, fueled by returning WWII veterans and Hollywood films. An idealized ‘Polynesian’ aesthetic, reflecting the escapist fantasy of a tropical paradise, resulted in themed bars and restaurants and home décor.

This lovely menu cover followed the tiki theme and was created by an artist who signed his or her name F. Page. We’ve been unable to find out much information about this artist, but we believe some of his works are housed in the permanent collection of the Phoenix Art Museum. We will update when we can.