A stay at Arcosanti is unlike anything you’ve experienced before. Keep reading to discover why Arcosanti is one of the most unique places to stay in Arizona!
What to expect when staying at Arcosanti Arizona
Table of Contents
- A brief history of Arcosanti
- How to get to Arcosanti
- Staying at Arcosanti
- Things to do at Arcosanti
- Visit Cosanti
A brief history of Arcosanti
Arcosanti is an experimental self-sustainable “city” that was developed in Arizona’s high desert by Paolo Soleri. It was built by people for people, not by money for money.
Paolo Soleri is an Italian-born architect that came to the United States in 1947 in order to study under the renowned architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.
This prototype eco-friendly city was Soleri’s answer to consumerism and urban sprawl.
When creating Arcosanti, he envisioned a self-sustaining city that left a limited environmental footprint. His architectural design was focused on building in and up and not out, a concept that is referred to as “arcology”.
Arcology is the fusion of architecture and ecology where a city is contained within a vertical structure that reduces wasteful consumption and preserves the natural surroundings.
Instead of a sprawling city, his buildings are all multi-use compounded structures. Arcosanti is design-focused and people-focused with the intent to do more with less.
The unique architecture utilizes large-scale earth casting techniques as well as angular modern concrete buildings and geometric shapes.
The architecture is so unique, in fact, that it caught the attention of George Lucas. He was a past guest at Arcosanti and used its architecture as inspiration for the Mos Eisley spaceport on Tatooine in Star Wars.
Construction of Arcosanti began in 1970 with close to 9,000 people volunteering their time over the past 50 years to help build what the New York Times has dubbed, an “Urban Laboratory”.
Today, between 50-70 people, mostly artists and artisans, permanently reside at Arcosanti. It is reminiscent of a hippie compound with a tight-knit community of free-spirited people.
While Arcosanti didn’t quite reach the full potential or capacity that Soleri had envisioned, it is still impressive to see the architecture and the way that the space has been utilized.
Within the complex, you’ll find a library, gym, community thrift store, communal kitchen, amphitheater, music center, labs, workspaces, and living quarters.
Arcosanti continues to pride itself on self-sustainability while utilizing a food forest, garden areas, and compost. The nearby Agua Fria River is also their only source of water.
How to get to Arcosanti
Arcosanti is located in Mayer, Arizona just over an hour north of Phoenix near Cordes Junction. You’ll find the exit just off I-17 near the turn-off for State Route 69 to Prescott.
It is located only a few miles off the freeway but feels like a world away.
After taking the exit for Arcosanti, take a right onto Arcosanti Road then a left on S Cross L Rd that will soon turn into a dirt road.
Follow the dirt road for 2 miles until you reach Arcosanti. The road is doable in a sedan, but a high clearance vehicle would be more comfortable as there are a few bumps along the way.
Once you reach Arcosanti, it can be a little confusing to reach the guesthouses so I would highly recommend arriving during daylight hours.
When you book a stay, they will send you an email with detailed directions but just know that it is much harder to navigate around the community in the dark.
Staying at Arcosanti
There are a few different options for staying at Arcosanti where guests can get a first-hand immersive experience of life inside of Arcosanti.
Keep in mind that this is not an upscale resort and spa, the accommodations are modest, but a stay at Arcosanti offers a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else.
Guests can make reservations for the Greenhouse Guest Rooms, Sky Suite, Sun Suite, or camping.
Arcosanti Greenhouse Guest Rooms
Twelve Greenhouse Guest Rooms can be found on the south end of the property overlooking the scenic Agua Fria River and Valletta Canyon.
Parking is available at the guest rooms, but you will need to walk up a short hill with stairs in order to reach the rooms.
The modern minimalist guest rooms are very basic but adequate.
However, the view makes up for whatever the room may lack. In the morning, you will wake up to the most spectacular sunrise over the river valley.
The rooms have either a queen bed or two singles with some rooms sharing an adjoining bathroom in order to accommodate up to 4 guests.
The concrete rooms each boast hand-made furnishings with a custom colored silt-cast design on the ceiling. But the floor-to-ceiling windows are the real hero.
Keep in mind that there is no air conditioning or heating in the rooms, although there are space heaters and fans. I would recommend visiting in the fall or spring are when the temperatures are mild.
Each room has electricity and wifi, but there is no TV, refrigerator, or microwave.
Rates are around $100 per night. Check-in is at 3 pm and check-out is at 10 am. Pets are welcome with a $25 pet fee.
Arcosanti Airbnb Sky Suite
The Greenhouse Guest Rooms are booked directly through Arcosanti’s site, but the two suites are available to reserve through Airbnb.
The Sky Suite can sleep up to 5 people with 2 bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, living room, bathroom, and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows.
The suite is located on the third floor with an outdoor roof terrace and spectacular views of Arizona’s high desert.
Please note that you will need to climb stairs to reach the suite, there is no elevator.
While the Greenhouse Guest Rooms are located on the perimeter of Arcosanti, the suites are located in the heart of Arcosanti for a truly immersive experience.
There is a window AC unit in the main bedroom, however, it does still get quite hot in the summer so spring or fall would be the best time to visit. Dates are released 3 months in advance.
Arcosanti Airbnb Sun Suite
The Sun Suite was actually built as a studio for Paolo Soleri himself. It even features the original 16-foot draft table that was used by Soleri when creating his architectural designs.
The small open concept studio apartment sleeps up to 3 people with 1 queen bed and one single bed. It also features a kitchenette, bath, greenhouse, and outdoor patio overlooking the river.
The room is a little dated, but the mid-century modern furnishings are true to Arcosanti’s original roots.
Camping at Arcosanti
Camping at Arcosanti is currently unavailable. The campground is located on the outskirts of the Arcosanti property on a bluff overlooking the valley.
Keep checking the Arcosanti or Hipcamp website for updates.
Things to do at Arcosanti
Guests should come to Arcosanti not to be entertained, but with the mindset that they are here to escape it all. The serene setting of Arcosanti invites meditation and rejuvenation.
Plan to bring a yoga mat, a good book, and leave all your stress and worries behind.
Some guests come for a week at a time, for us we felt that one night was enough time to experience all that Arcosanti has to offer.
Swim in the pool
Overnight guests are given a wristband that grants access to the network of public spaces.
This includes the swimming pool and kiddie pool built into the side of the basalt cliffs with dramatic views of Valletta Canyon. The pool is not heated so it is best to visit in the summer months if you would like to swim.
If the water is too cold, you can always just lay by the pool and read a book while taking in the expansive view.
Guests can also visit the community library, small gym, music room, community kitchen, gardens, and amphitheater.
Eat at Arcosanti Cafe
The Arcosanti Cafe and Bakery are located in the same building as the visitor center and boasts massive picture windows with views over the canyon.
The windows slide open in the warmer months to let in a pleasant cross breeze as sunlight pours into the cafe illuminating the unique architectural features.
This public space is a great place to gather to enjoy a meal, work on your laptop, or take in an indoor concert or lecture.
The seasonal Arcosanti Cafe is open Thursday-Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm. Coffee service is available from 9-11 am and lunch is served from 11 am to 2 pm.
The cafe serves locally sourced organic dishes with many of the fresh ingredients grown on-site.
*Note: The cafe and bakery are currently closed as it is undergoing renovations. It is estimated to be reopened in early 2022 but check the website for updated opening dates and hours.
If the cafe is closed, there is a 50’s Diner, Bar, and Grill in nearby Cordes Lakes.
I would recommend packing your own meal or snacks to enjoy in the cafe atrium or on the multiple balconies.
Take photos
Our favorite thing to do is just walk around and take photos. The architecture is so unique that there are funky photo-ops to discover around every corner!
Our favorite photo spot is at the Vaults located on the crest of the Arcosanti Mesa.
The massive outdoor North and South Vault feature a ceiling made of 12 crescent-shaped silt-cast panels that were lifted into place with a crane.
Colly’s Garden (named after the late Mrs. Soleri) is located in front of the vaults.
Here you’ll find deliciously scented Italian cypress and olive trees that were transported all the way from Italy. The olives are processed and pressed each year as nothing in Arcosanti goes to waste.
Take the steps up to the top of the vaults for unparalleled panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
The Arcosanti Cafe also has some cool architectural features near the stairwell.
Go stargazing
Be sure to visit the Sky Theater after dark. The Sky Theater is located on the roof of the outdoor amphitheater.
Here you’ll find a set of stargazing steps with a breathtaking view of the Milky Way galaxy on a clear night.
Take a hike
Arcosanti encompasses 860 acres of untouched beauty that straddles the Sonoran Desert and the Colorado Plateau.
Known as the Agua Fria Riparian Area, it is home to coyotes, mule deer, lynx, bald eagles, snakes, skunks, and other desert creatures, including over 200 species of birds.
There are several established and maintained hiking trails throughout the river valley.
Day visitors are only allowed to use the Visitor’s Trail, but overnight guests can access the Valletta Loop, Mind’s Garden, and Tomiaki Trails. Click here for a trail map.
Stop by the bell gallery and visitor center
The Crafts III building is a multi-use structure that houses the Visitor’s Center, Arcosanti Cafe and Bakery, private apartments, and the Gallery.
The Gallery is located on the top floor of the Visitor’s Center. Here you’ll find information about the construction and mission of Arcosanti.
There is also a gift shop where you can purchase gifts and souvenirs.
However, the most prominent feature of The Gallery is the Soleri bronze and ceramic wind bells hanging on display.
These signature wind bells are made at the Bell Foundry and Ceramics Apse here at Arcosanti using Soleri’s original method.
There are 10 artisans living onsite that are committed to making the bells full time.
The bells are artistically displayed around the atrium and can be purchased to take home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir.
Take a tour of Arcosanti
Tours of Arcosanti are offered to both day visitors and overnight guests. The cost is $20 per person, children 12 and under are free.
The hour-long guided tours are held at select times during the week. I would recommend booking a tour in advance as they sometimes sell out.
The tour is led by a local resident of Arcosanti and offers an inside look into this experimental city.
Tours begin at The Gallery where guests will watch a brief film and get an overview of the history of Arcosanti.
The tour continues around the property where you’ll gain insight into the purpose of each building, the significance of the architecture, the mission of Arcosanti, and any personal experiences that the tour guide might share.
If you are staying overnight, it would be helpful to take the tour first upon your arrival so that you can get your bearings and understand a little more about Arcosanti.
Keep in mind that if you are staying overnight, you have the freedom to explore the grounds at your will. Daytime visitors are only allowed to see the complex with a guided tour.
In addition to the daily tour, visitors also have the option to take an Architectural Tour, Sustainability Tour, or Archives Tour. See the tour website for more details.
Attend an event or workshop
The Colly Soleri Amphitheater was named for Soleri’s wife that passed away in 1982 and was laid to rest at Arcosanti.
She loved music and the 500 seat amphitheater was constructed in her memory in 1989. The adjoining Colly Soleri Music Center is also part of the complex and was completed in 1981 before her death.
Today the outdoor Amphitheater hosts public music concerts throughout the summer and several private functions throughout the year.
The Vault also makes a stunning backdrop for weddings, retreats, community dinners, and private events.
Arcosanti hosts a variety of public programs, events, lectures, workshops, and performances throughout the year. Keep an eye on the calendar for upcoming events.
*Related post: For another unique place to visit in Arizona, check out our guide Biosphere 2: Tour a Mini Earth in the Arizona Desert!
Visit Cosanti
After staying at Arcosanti, be sure to plan a visit to Cosanti. In 1955, before the birth of Arcosanti, Paolo Soleri purchased a 5-acre plot of land in the heart of Paradise Valley which he named Cosanti.
Here, he built his home, studio, and workshop using experimental techniques such as large-scale earth-casting. This entailed forming a concrete shell over a large mound of dirt.
The soil beneath the shell was then excavated, usually by hand with a shovel. What remains is a collection of these unusual and beautiful domed structures of varying sizes.
This process essentially builds the structures from the roof down instead of the ground up. Many of the structures at Cosanti are actually built below ground level in order to utilize the natural insulation.
A great example of this semi-subterranean technique is the Dome House in Cave creek that Soleri designed in 1981 as a private residence for Dino DeConcini, the brother of former Arizona Senator Dennis DeConcini.
Soleri also translated a similar earth-casting technique to create his coveted bronze and ceramic wind bells, for which he is well-known.
The wind bells are similar to wind chimes and the beautifully designed bells create a hypnotic ring when blowing in the wind.
The hand-poured bells are created onsite at the Bronze Foundry, just as they are at Arcosanti, and can be purchased as a souvenir.
Visitors can also take a guided tour and watch a free bell pouring demonstration.
Cosanti has been featured on the Travel Channel, the History Channel, the Arizona Highways magazine, and is listed on Arizona’s Register of Historic Places.
However, Cosanti and Arcosanti both remain as one of Arizona’s hidden gems.
I hope you get a chance to visit both locations and spend the night at Arcosanti, it truly is a unique experience!
And if you’re looking for more unique places to stay, check out our guide for the Best Places to Stay in Phoenix!
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