It has been said that history is a dead subject. But as any history buff can tell you, there exist some special places on this planet where you can get a glimpse of some era long gone. In fact, historic Arizona hotels make the past their specialty, serving up modern comforts with a dash of the Old West, or the heyday of Route 66. So depending on whether you’re in search of ghosts, a romantic interlude in a National Trust Historic Hotel or just some R&R, hacienda-style, there are Arizona hotels with your name on the registry. We’ve got a few recommendations to get you started.

For those in search of ghosts at night and scenery to inspire your days, book yourself a few nights at El Tovar Hotel, set at the edge of the Grand Canyon’s south rim. That drop to the bottom should make your hair stand up on end, even if the ghost of Fred Harvey doesn’t.

And while it’s neither ghostly nor historic in a strict sense, the Wigwam Motel, in Holbrook, Arizona is completely quirky and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Which clearly makes it historic in a some circles. Think an overnight in an affordable wigwam equipped with real beds and modern facilities, the sort of place where you’ll definitely snap a few souvenir photos.

Arizona’s “Mile-high Historic Landmark” perches above the small town of Jerome Arizona, 5, 240 feet above sea level. Once a hospital during the town’s mining era, the building has been repurposed as Jerome Grand Hotel, and is counted by some to be a prime place to track down ghosts. There’s even a special hotel package (that includes an EMF meter and IR thermometer) on offer for seekers of the supernatural.

The haunt not of ghosts but celebrities in the 1930’s, La Posada Hotel in Winslow, Arizona, was for years a grand railroad hotel. With renovations, the hotel is again drawing a devoted following and makes for a fine stopover for those cruising I-40 east of Flagstaff.

So while there are plenty of chain hotels, motels and sprawling resorts to linger on in if you’re looking for the typical, try the historic for something to set your visit apart from the pack.