Arizona Inn
Tucson, Arizona
2200 E. Elm Street, Tucson, Arizona 85719
Original Property Opened in 1930
Historic Hotels of America member since 2026
In 1928 Isbella Greenway became enchanted by the charm and sense of history of her new home in Tucson, Arizona. Part of a group of entrepreneurs promoting tourism to Tucson, Greenway soon built the Arizona Inn in 1930. Choosing a distinct Spanish Colonial Revival style, she wished to provide guests “privacy, quiet, and sunshine.” The inn’s pink adobe walls and serene gardens became a beacon of hospitality in the Sonoran Desert, attracting guests like Marian Anderson, Katharine Hephurn, and Clark Gable, as well as residents who celebrated life’s milestones at the inn. Greenway went on to become Arizona’s first Congresswoman in 1933 before retiring to her home on the inn’s grounds in 1936. Arizona Inn has been in continuous operation since its founding and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. Furniture and decorations from the trailblazing Congresswoman still decorate its refined rooms. Guests today will find the same sense of hospitality and historic character at the Arizona Inn, whether reading in the historic library lounge, exploring the nearby desert trails, or relaxing poolside in the sunshine.
Discover
- Discover the historic rooms throughout the Spanish Colonial Revival inn, designed by Merritt Hudson Starkweather. Corbel arches and original wood beams connect the spaces. Relax in the historic library lounge, which is rumored to have been the background for television interviews with prominent figures, or admire the prints hanging in the George Catlin Room and Audubon Room.
- Discover antiques throughout the inn from the original owner, Congresswoman Isabella Greenway. In 1929, Greenway founded a furniture woodshop in Tucson to provide employment to disabled World War I veterans during the Great Depression. Some of the furniture remains in use with other items displayed including artifacts from Greenway’s world travels.
- Stroll through 14 acres of landscaped grounds at Arizona Inn. The landscape architecture reflects an eclectic mix of California School, Country Place Era, and Spanish Colonial Revival design principles. Walled gardens, quiet courtyards, and shaded seating create an oasis in the desert.
Explore
- Explore the Arizona State Museum, Mission San Xavier del Bac, and Presidio San Agustín del Tucson Museum. These local history museums each highlight the heritage of the region, including native cultures and Spanish influence.
- Explore Tucson arts and culture. The Tucson Art Museum is a leading regional museum featuring American, Latin American, and contemporary works of Art. The Fox Tucson Theatre is a restored 1930 Art Deco theater hosting concerts and performances.
- Take on desert adventures. Arizona is one of the best destinations for dark-sky desert stargazing. Nearby Sabino Canyon Recreation Area and Saguaro National Park are both popular parks for hiking trails, tram rides, mountain scenery, and desert wildlife. Rent a complimentary bicycle from the inn and explore the scenery nearby, like the iconic saguaro cacti.
Experience
- Experience the Arizona sun at the inn’s glamorous outdoor pool. Designed with vintage resort charm and set within lush gardens framed by swaying palms, the heated pool is a serene desert oasis that receives Arizona sunshine year-round.
- Experience relaxed recreation on the inn’s grounds. Tennis equipment is available for guests, and reservations on the clay court may be arranged through the concierge. On the main lawn, croquet and garden games invite lighthearted competition. Year-round seasonal fitness classes provide restoration and serenity.
- Relax with live music at Arizona Inn. Evening piano presentations unfold at the Audubon Bar & Patio, while public performances feature music and cocktails in the hotel’s historic library.
Taste
- Enjoy all day dining at Arizona Inn. Sip craft cocktails with live music at Audubon Bar, indulge in poolside snacks, or experience fine dining at the inn’s award-winning Main Dining Room.
- Reserve a table for Afternoon Tea in Arizona Inn’s historic library. High Tea has been served weekly since the inn’s opening. Tea and coffee blends are paired with chef-crafted sandwiches and delicate sweet treats, all served hearthside in an atmosphere of timeless elegance.
- Taste the flavors of Tucson, Arizona. Tucson is listed as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy. The city’s food culture includes a specialty called carne seca (dried shredded beef). The Sonoran Desert is one of only a few places in the world where people still prepare the Mexican specialty as it originated: under the sun.
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