There are too many glitzy magazine articles proclaiming how great and wonderful the Shady Dell is to stay. I was very excited to finally get to go after reading all of the positive things and seeing the cute photos of the trailers.
My partner and I are both in hospitality and travel frequently. We have never been treated so rudely by a propriator and it made for a sour experience at the Shady Dell. Intrestingly the photos that are posted crop out the dusty RV park that is no where near town but convienetly located next to the local cemetery. The beds in the trailers must be originals (think postage stamp size), the most uncomfortable bed I have ever encountered on the road.
So very disapointed with the food at Dot's diner. The biscuits and gravy were brought out from the refridgerator, then nuked.
Yuck! Breakfast is kind of hard to ruin, but Dot's does it successfuly. I can't say enough about how rude and hateful the park manager was, yelling at a guest for looking into a trailer? He is obviously burnt out and has no guest relation skills. If you must see the trailers, do just that but don't stay here or get caught lookng into the trailers or you will be told "We're a business, not a museum!"
Be smartly advised, stay somewhere else!

My boyfriend and I just got back from our trip to Bisbee and the Shady Dell! It was such a wonderful place and the charm is in its quirky and nostalgic setting! Please disregard the terrible review----it is everything it proclaims to be on its website (and more) and if you are looking for a different experience with great little touches--this is a sure bet.

The royal mansion trailer was our home for one night and we wished we had booked another night. When we arrived, 50's music was playing on the radio in the trailer and it was unlocked, waiting for us. When does that happen nowadays? Anyway, the beautiful wood, and 50's books, pictures and records warmed our hearts. We slept comfortbaly on the bed and enjoyed breakfast at Dot's in the morning.

Highly recommend. It's the kind of place you will always remember!

My boyfriend and I stayed at The Shady Dell last weekend and had a blast. We stayed in the 1951 Mansion which was 33' long and my 6' 3'' boyfriend was able to stand upright almost all the way through. The full sized bed was a little short for him, but it was only one night. The Mansion also had a bathroom which was a nice feature since not all trailers do. We watched Jailhouse Rock on the black and white TV, played the Casper board game that we found and enjoyed listening to old records.
We also had breakfast at Dot's which is great and super cheap. Breakfast for two under $10!
Make sure to bring a camera and if you have the black-and-white feature use it - it makes for some great "period looking" photos. And talk to other people staying there so you can see the other trailers, each one has it's own charm.
If you're coming south from Tucson be aware of the roundabout you need to go through to get there. We messed up the first round through and missed it all together.
The Shady Dell is an experience you'll never forget.

Hands down the most unique and interesting place you could possibly stay! I spent a night there almost 4 years ago, and still tell the stories to this day. The attention to detail in the trailers is truly a thing of awe. It really is like stepping back in time. Even the black and white tvs play classic movies (from a vcr that's hidden away in the closet so as not to spoil the illusion!). And the cookies in the cookie jars are an awesomely homey touch. Be sure to check out Dot's Diner while you're there. This is the real deal! I've stayed in a lot of fun and kitschy places, but this is the best. Can't wait to go back one day.