Taawaki Inn
A Sanctuary of Hopi Culture and Luxury
Taawaki – “House of the Sun”
For the Hopi the Sun stands as a symbol of ceaseless creative and elemental vigor, elevated to divine status due to its vital contributions and life-giving influence, especially when related to corn, a cornerstone of Hopi sustenance and culture. The sun, in its radiant glory, encapsulates the very essence of cosmic vitality, fostering growth and igniting passion.
Migration Route of the Hopi
The Hopi migration route is known as different Hopi clans migrated independently, from different directions at different times. Tuzigoot National Park “Tsor’ovi – Place of the Bluebird” was one of many early routes that Hopi clans Bear “Honngyam”, Bluebird “Tsorngyam”, Spider “Kòokyangwngyam”, and Bear Strap “Piqösngyam” clans came to live and moved on to the next location, which eventually the clans made it to the Hopi mesas and what it is known today as, the Hopi reservation.
Welcome to Taawaki Inn, a unique blend of traditional Hopi culture and modern luxury, located in the scenic town of Clarkdale, Arizona.
Our Story
Owned and operated by the Hopi Tribe Economic Development Corporation, Taawaki Inn is a groundbreaking venture that marks the first Hopi hotel constructed off of the Hopi reservation. This 44-room, 2-story marvel spans 33,000 square feet and is a testament to the Hopi people’s rich culture and history.
Location & Accessibility
Nestled at the entrance to Tuzigoot National Monument and overlooking the Verde River, Taawaki Inn offers unparalleled access to both natural beauty and cultural landmarks. We are conveniently located within a two-minute drive to the Verde Canyon Railroad, a 12-minute drive to Jerome, a 33-minute drive to Montezuma’s Castle, and a 35-minute drive to Sedona.
Commitment to Sustainability
In line with the Hopi values of balance and respect for nature, Taawaki Inn is committed to sustainable practices to protect and enrich our local environment.
Blueprints of Beauty
Featured Taawaki Inn Designers
The interior designers behind Taawaki Inn have curated spaces that are as comfortable as they are captivating, offering a sanctuary of Hopi style and serenity.
Hank Arens has been an interior designer for over 15 years. He began his career working in elder care facilities, where he actively fundraised to remodel multiple spaces; designing a 1950’s ice cream parlor, media center and multiple dining rooms. Loving every minute, he decided to study interior design and landed a dream career with Interior Studio Group. In five years, he learned how to manage remodels and new builds, clients and gained unparalleled knowledge in the field. This led to Hank Arens Designs, working with his associate, Laura Finsterwald. Their combined eye and attention to detail propelled the business to work on incredible projects such as a five-story industrial Brownstone in downtown Phoenix and a French, rustic new build in Flagstaff.
“We believe interior design is a personal experience — never forgetting that it is a privilege to enter someone’s home. Helping people realize their functional needs of a space while making it comfortable and beautiful is at the core of what we do.”
Scottsdale Studio, 7522 E. McDonald Dr., Suite H | Flagstaff Studio, 3225 W. Brenda Loop
602.435.7856 | [email protected]
Meet the architects who turned Taawaki Inn into a modern marvel. Their innovative approach combines Hopi tradition with contemporary design, setting a new standard for luxury.
Principal and president of smithARCHITECTS, inc., Ryan Smith’s strengths include design, technical expertise, project management and construction administration, especially in the commercial architectural arena. He has been responsible for many commercial projects throughout the Northern Arizona region including the new 20,000 s.f facility for the Flagstaff Family YMCA, and the historic rehabilitation of the JD Halstead Lumber Building to become the new home of the Lumberyard Brewing Co. During the past 20 years, smithARCHITECTS has successfully completed over 400 projects. Together with Project manager Tyler Scantlebury they designed Taawaki Inn to honor and blend in with the local landscape while retaining the aesthetic brilliance of the Hopi.
“For us, architecture is more than just blueprints; it’s the sacred act of creating someone’s world. We strive to meet the functional demands of each project while infusing it with beauty and innovation.”
1503 S. Yale Street, SUITE 200, FLAGSTAFF, AZ 86001 | 928.779.5993 | [email protected]
A Four-Star Oasis of Refined Comfort and Cultural Elegance
Step into a smoke-free environment where complimentary WiFi and a curated selection of coffee and tea elevate your experience in our elegant hopi-inspired common areas.
Explore the Centuries-Old History of
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THE HOPI PEOPLE
Mesas
Villages
Million Acres
Hopihinìwtipu
HOPI History
The Hopi are considered to be the “oldest tribe of the Four Corners Region” and have a current total population of 14,580. The Hopi Reservation is located in Northern Arizona, in which the Hopi land encompasses approximately 1.5 million acres with an elevation of 7,200 feet, offering panoramic views of the surrounding low-altitude desert. The Hopi people view the land as sacred and consider themselves as caretakers of the land that they inherited from their ancestors. Hopi is a tight-knit community that is bound together by clan relations. Today there are 34 living clans spread out among the 12 Hopi villages. The clan system stems from individuals who trace their ancestry matrilineally back to a common ancestor. Clans that mythically or historically migrated together since their emergence into this “Fourth world” formed a phratry that often work together to perform both social and ceremonial functions, duties, and responsibilities within the village. Each village is self-governing and autonomous, and members of the Hopi tribe often identify themselves by their village and clan affiliations.
History Fun Fact. The village of Oraibi, on Third Mesa, is the oldest continuously inhabited U.S. settlement. This multi-level living complex was built by stacking rooms (without ground-level openings) several stories high around a center courtyard.
Hopinavoti
Traditional BELIEFS
Hopi religion is very intricate and unique. The Hopi believe they have passed through four evolutionary eras often referred to as worlds. Currently, the emergence into this present world from three preceding worlds, is currently the fourth world of Tuuwaqatsi (The Land). The Hopi continue to live by the sacred covenant made upon their arrival to this land with the deity, Maasawu, by living a life of compassion, peaceful, humble, respectful, and universal earth stewardship. The religion contains numerous important spirits and gods, including Mother Earth and Father Sky. Another part of Hopi belief are Kachinas that are beings from above, they serve as a guardian spirit, for the Hopi people.
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On Third Mesa, stands the village of the Old Oraibi, designated as the oldest continuously inhabited settlement on the North American continent, said to have been established in 1100 A.D. On Third Mesa also stand subsidiaries of Old Oraibi; the villages of Kykotsmovi, Bacavi, Hotevilla, and Upper and Lower Moenkopi. Third Mesa is widely renowned for its fine weaving of traditional Hopi clothing and textiles, wicker plaques, and multicolored yucca baskets as well as its artistic paintings, and Hopi Over-lay Jewelry.
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Second Mesa is home to the Hopi Cultural Center as well as the villages Shungopavi, Sipaulvi and Mishongnovi. Second Mesa is widely renowned for its fine weaving of traditional Hopi clothing and textiles, wicker plaques, and multicolored yucca baskets as well as its artistic paintings, and Hopi Over-lay Jewelry
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First Mesa, located on the eastern side of the Hopi reservation is comprised of the villages of Walpi, Sichomovi, and Tewa. Walpi is a historic village, noted for its high-rise dwellings panoramic view. First Mesa is widely renowned for its handmade Hopi pottery, artistic paintings and Hopi carvings. The First Mesa Consolidated Villages also offer organized tours of the surrounding Hopi landscape within jurisdiction.
With corn being a representation of the Hopi way of life and a main source of nutrition for the community, the Hopi continue to cultivate and practice their ceremonies and traditions, despite the various challenges and difficulties faced by the Hopi people today and often the phrase “Hopiqatsit hintsakqw a’ni tumalanìikyangw put angqw naat mongvaswa” can be heard, meaning “despite the difficulty of the Hopi way of life good things undoubtedly still come from it.”
NATWANI
AGRICULTURE
Living in a semiarid climate for thousands of years the Hopi have developed and perfected a traditional dry farming technique which utilizes existent moisture in the soil and is dependent on natural precipitation – winter snows or summer monsoon rains. Around agriculture and the corn, Hopi have built a civilization despite the inherent difficulties in living within the arid deserts of Arizona. Collectively surviving and more importantly prospering in this harsh environment required humility, cooperation, respect, and universal earth stewardship and thus these qualities became the tenets of Hopi life to this day.
To the Hopi, agriculture is an act of faith that has both religious and economic value. In accordance with tradition, a majority of dry farming continues to be done by hand and is in fact a collective endeavor. The men plant, nurture, and harvest the crops, while the women and young girls learn the techniques for storing and preserving this harvest for later use.
VISITING Hopi
Intensely spiritual and fiercely independent, We Hopi value our privacy particularly while conducting religious ceremonies throughout the year. Therefore, please respect and abide by each village’s posted rules and regulations regarding visitation.
• Alcohol is prohibited on the Hopi Reservation. It is not sold in any restaurant or store within the Hopi Reservation and individuals are prohibited from transporting it onto the reservation.
• Although many of the Hopi pueblo homes are hundreds of years old, many of them are still inhabited by Hopi people. Therefore, please do not enter any home or structure without permission.
• Leave no trace. To preserve the richness of Hopi culture, we ask that visitors do not take anything from the Hopi lands, and leave nothing behind.
• It is best not to carry any items when touring on Hopi – we recommend locking all personal electronics in your vehicles.
• Lastly, tours of the mesas are offered by guided tour only. Ask the hotel front desk for a list of Hopi Guides to assist you.
• Visitors may travel freely along primary highways. However, off-road travel, including jeeps, motorcycles, and 4-wheel drive vehicles, are prohibited without a guide.