Introduction / Description
Set in a former school, this laid-back hotel is less than a mile from Route 85 and 16 miles from the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
Featuring 8-ft-tall windows, the down-to-earth rooms include free Wi-Fi, and tea and coffeemakers. Upgraded rooms add kitchenettes, bunk beds and/or dining areas.
A 24-hour guest lounge offers a flat-screen TV and a library. There’s also a kitchen available for rent.
Our inn and conference center is housed in a beautifully restored school, a short walk to the historic Ajo Plaza and minutes from millions of acres of pristine desert landscapes. As a not-for-profit organization, we have a dual mission: to attract visitors to Ajo and the surrounding region, and to support Ajo’s economic development through direct employment and partnerships with local businesses, entrepreneurs, and artists.
We provide individual travelers a refreshing alternative to chain hotels, and excel in personalized planning and hosting services for groups of any type - conferences, workshops, meetings, retreats, educational trips, family reunions, weddings, and more. We are also the closest accommodation to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, one of the Southwest's desert gems.
The Sonoran Desert Inn and Conference Center is the perfect gateway to the region. You'll jump right into Ajo's fascinating mining history, and encounter the unique character of Southern Arizona, where Mexican, Tohono O'odham and American cultures create a blend that is authentically Ajo. Come experience our passion for connecting you to local history, culture, and flavors!
Arrival & Car Parking
Entrance & Reception
Accessible Rooms & Bathrooms / Accessibility
We welcome both individual travelers and groups to stay at the Inn for a night, a week, or longer. Our 22 guest rooms feature a "Southwest Industrial" style, emphasizing comfort and color while preserving elements of the historic Curley School classrooms. Eight-foot tall windows bathe our rooms with natural desert light. All rooms feature full private bath, a desk, two easy chairs, air conditioning, ceiling fan, coffeemaker, and hairdryer. In an effort to help you unplug, retreat from your regular routine, and enjoy the tranquility of the desert, our rooms are not equipped with televisions. We do have complimentary WiFi, so if you like to stay connected, bring a device for streaming.
Inclusion was not overlooked in the design of the inn either; as it boasts four accessible rooms – including two with roll-in showers – which is well over the required minimum. There’s plenty of space to parallel park an adapted vehicle in the large dirt parking lot in front of the inn, with curb-cut access up to the walkway over to the office. Additionally, all of the accessible rooms are located close to the parking area.
The accessible rooms are quite spacious, with excellent pathway access and easy rolling on the stained concrete floors. Warm tones highlight the walls, and some of the old classrooms features – like paper cabinets and built-in drawers – were incorporated into the overall design. Each room features pieces by local artists and hand-crafted furniture, and they all get top marks for wheelchair access.
Room 1111 is furnished with a 22-inch high open-frame queen-sized bed, with wheelchair access on both sides, a desk with a chair, a chest of drawers and two easy chairs. It also includes a small kitchen nook with a sink, a refrigerator, a microwave, and a few plates and glasses. And even with all that furniture, there’s still plenty of room to maneuver a large wheelchair or even a scooter around the room.
The bathroom is equipped with a roll-in shower with grab bars and a hand-held showerhead. Other access features include a toilet with grab bars on the back and right walls (as seated), and a roll-under sink. Additionally, a shower bench and a toilet riser are available for this – or any – room.
