The Tuxon Hotel

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.

General Manager Richard Gutierrez, a Tucson native, says the hotel aims to capture the spirit of the Southwest while offering guests an unexpected urban oasis. The centerpiece of that experience is a boomerang-shaped pool that’s surrounded by native cactuses and tropical plants, creating an immersive environment that takes visitors from the desert landscape into a serene retreat.

The interiors, meanwhile, embrace a retro-chic aesthetic with Southwest-inspired elements that honor the region’s culture — from brass and saddle leather accents, a nod to the city’s ranching history, to a color palette drawn from the surrounding Sonoran Desert. Each detail, from vibrant murals to carefully selected furnishings, has been curated to reflect Tucson’s character.

Beyond the design are robust amenities. The on-site restaurant, rebranded as the Shady Cactus Swim Club, serves Latin-inspired cuisine and tropical slushies. Guests can enjoy live music and DJ performances on weekends, and the property also offers quarterly makers markets featuring local vendors.

But what sets the Tuxon apart, Gutierrez says, is its hospitality. “A room is a room,” he says, “but our team makes guests feel like family.” Those guests, he adds, often remember staff members by name and become regulars — adding another chapter to a place built to honor Tucson’s history and evolving identity.