Sutton's Hotel Cottages began in 1927 as a service station built by R.P. Thurston, who added four Arizona Sandstone tourist cottages in 1928. In 1929, Thurston added 18 stucco adobe-style cottages. In 1931, the telephone directory listed Thurston's Hotel Cottages and Thurston's Service Station, both located at 321 W. Bill Williams Avenue.
The Sutton brothers apparently purchased the property in the spring of 1937, when it was listed in the telephone directory as "Sutton's Hotel Cottages" at 321 W. Bill Williams Ave. and the service station as Conoco at 341. They immediately renovated the building inside and out and installed a neon sign to attract the traveling public. At the time, each cottage had an attached garage, but that is long gone.
In 1939, the Suttons began a remodel, installing tiled showers, new hardwood floors, and new furniture. The new furnishings, including "Perfect Sleeper" mattresses, increased guest comfort.
The business was also called Sutton's Court(s) over the years, while also being called Sutton's Hotel Cottages and Conoco Station. In 1945, they appear to have dropped the Conoco brand name and began advertising the business as Sutton's Hotel Cottages and Service Station.
In 1946, the Suttons sold the motel, but not the gas station. The motel subsequently went through several owners before becoming the Whiting Brothers Motor Hotel. By 1965, both the gas station and motel were operating under the Whiting Brothers name. This apparently lasted until the 1990s, when Whiting Bros. sold it. The old cottage-style gas station was extensively remodeled or replaced by the Whiting Brothers in 1965. Apparently a new motel office, still in use today, with a covered driveway, was added at that time.
Thus was born the Arizona 9 Motor Hotel we see today.