When FORS Architecture reimagined the property, it aimed to preserve what was already there. One thing that did change was the name, which now honors the land’s roots. The O’odham people referred to the area as “Chuk Shon,” or “Black Base,” because of the dark basalt present on Tumamoc Hill and “A” Mountain. Documents from the 1700s indicate that Spanish settlers rendered Chuk Shon as “Tuxon” or similar variations, including the city’s current spelling.
“I’ve always been into camping,” Andrews says, “and I’ve stayed at similar lodges and loved the experience, so we decided to take the idea of above-ground trailers and make them more permanent.” He says the location, previously home to another lodging destination, was a perfect fit for the concept: “There is this beautiful creek that borders the property, and it just felt very peaceful.”
But when the city’s mining operations shut down in the mid-1970s, the hotel — named for the Warner family, who bought it in 1915, a year after it opened — was forced to do the same. It sat vacant on Subway Street for nearly half a century, and when it caught Van Norman’s eye during a visit around 2014, he assumed it had been a jail, given the bars on the windows. “It’s kind of hidden between buildings,” he says, “but I always wanted it.”
But to be a true vacation spot for others, they needed overnight accommodations. So, they began renting out the site’s three “casita suites,” initially meant for friends and family. Later, in 2024, they added geodesic domes (pictured) for “glamping.”
“We try to be a destination where people can come and enjoy themselves — have good food, good drinks, explore the area and just have a nice, relaxing time,” Salvatore says.
But an active retirement suits Bill just fine, especially when it means guests get to experience those breathtaking views — one of many attractions on this working cattle ranch, located just east of the Chiricahuas and less than a mile from the New Mexico state line.
Built in the early 1960s, the property served as the headquarters of a ranching empire that included parts of both states. The previous owners were friends of the Cavalieres, and when they put it up for sale in 2009, the couple scrapped their plans of retiring in New Mexico and settled down there instead.
The setting is quintessential Southern Arizona: rolling hills and grasslands, big sky — if life imitates art, these are Ed Mell paintings — and stunning views of the rugged Mustang and Whetstone mountains. The star of this extravagant nature show is the Mustangs’ northernmost peak, Mount Bruce, locally referred to as “The Biscuit” for its softly rounded summit. There isn’t a telephone pole in sight, the air smells fresh, and the immense quiet is broken only by birdsong or the soft whisper of wind through the vines.
“Everything in the house has so many different meanings to it,” Joy says. There are the eight different seasons of table settings, assembled from Joy’s grandmother’s collection; the “Talavera restroom,” featuring a Talavera-style toilet Joy painted herself; and a new mural, by Bisbee artist Judy Perry, honoring John, a world-class cyclist who died in a hit-and-run crash on his bicycle in 2023.
The Kennedy, its name a nod to Camelot, opened at the end of 2024 after an extensive renovation of its 98 guest rooms and several common areas. The latter include an arcade, a fitness center, a playground and a picturesque outdoor pool that’s popular among summer travelers. Throughout the renovation process, care was taken to preserve and enhance the hotel’s retro elements while adding modern amenities for guests.
The couple had taken a break from their obligations in California in the midst of the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic had thrown at them. They visited Prescott and Jerome, then made an unplanned stop in Sedona for a couple of nights. And something beckoned them to put down roots after a stay at an old motel on Jordan Road.
“We stayed in Room 7, which we now call ‘lucky Room 7,’ and when we checked out, we stopped through a real estate agency in town, just to see what was going on” and if any small hotels were on the market, Feldman says.
“We were attracted to the specific building [because] it had great bones for the making of a one-of-a-kind boutique hotel,” says Mike Weiss, co-founder and co-CEO of Trailborn and Castle Peak Holdings. “We worked with Lake Flato to fully reimagine the property and bring our vision to life by restoring elements such as the monument sign, Camp Hall — our event space — and Miss Kitty’s restaurant, while also decorating the spaces with curated art, vintage finds and playful décor.”
