The Verde Valley will say hello to its first six-story hotel in December.
In the words of its organizers at Cliff Castle Casino, “It will offer luxury accommodations without the expensive Sedona price tag,” while allowing guests access to the natural and historical assets of the Verde Valley and red rock country.
Owned and operated by the Yavapai-Apache Nation, the casino is one of the area’s largest employers. The current number of 430 employees number is expected to swell to 475.
The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Thursday, Jan. 21, attracting employees, members of the Yavapai-Apache Nation and the general public.
“In our 20 years of operation, Cliff Castle and its benefits to the Nation and the local community has grown tremendously — and is continuing to do so, improving the infrastructure, employment, housing, education, medical access and public safety for our tribal members in the area,” said Thomas Beauty, chairman of the Yavapai-Apache Nation.
“We are thrilled to announce this new hotel because we know it will be a one-of-a-kind destination for our guests,” Cliff Castle General Manager Mary Ketterling added. “Adding an affordable luxury hotel to Cliff Castle Casino gives a new level of entertainment experience to our guests and will help our casino continue to be a place that creates local jobs and attracts visitors to our beautiful Verde Valley community.”
According to Cliff Castle Casino Marketing Operations Manager James Perry, the new hotel will offer 122 rooms “with a mix of suites, king-bed rooms, double-queen-bed rooms; a pool; a multi-purpose event center for entertainment and conferences; a coffee shop; a retail outlet; and a 300-space parking garage.”
The 80 current hotel rooms will maintained as an economical option for guests.
Beauty called the project “monumental” for the Nation, as well as Northern Arizona: It will create jobs to boost the economy and provide hitherto-unavailable spaces for visitors.
“With the addition of the new hotel, we continue a proud tradition of providing a fun environment for the whole family and fostering economic growth for the community,” Beauty said. “This hotel will bring in an estimated 60,000-plus additional guests each year. Our community will benefit greatly from this expansion.
“The Nation’s Tribal Council is to be commended for their support of the new hotel.”
The project is being co-developed by DreamCatcher Hotels, a specialty hotel brand and development company in Memphis, Tenn.
