Crickethead Inn
Bed and Breakfast

Crickethead Inn, situated on twenty acres of undisturbed Sonoran Desert just outside of Tucson, not only views crickets as a symbol of luck and treats them with respect in the tradition of the far East, but honors all desert creatures, from night flying bats to graceful deer. A bountiful desert and domestic garden with a wide variety of unusual succulents and blooming plants provide sustenance for plant-feeding insects, who, in turn, provide fodder for birds and other beasts (the colorful flowers nurture the spirit of two-legged residents as well). A small watering hole attracts mule deer, kit fox, coyote, bobcat, and packs of javelina, among others.

At Crickethead Inn, the flavor is spontaneously eclectic. Outside, natural beauty mixes with one-of-a-kind, spirited sculptural assemblages. Inside, Indonesian folk art, antique quilts and furniture, Mexican craft, and unusual objects provide many angles of contemplation. Crickethead's guest rooms occupy one wing of the Inn, designed and constructed by the owner, Michael Lord. Land, light, and space were the driving forces in its design. Built with Mexican fired brick and high beamed ceilings, it is comfortably earthy and unpretentious, yet inspiring in its detail.

Each of the three guest accommodations includes a queen-size bed, private bathroom with shower, a roofed porch facing the sunset, and an entrance onto a common patio facing the mountains. High ceilings and French doors let the outdoors in. Looking up from your patio at night, the starlit skies shine brightly beyond the lights of Tucson, and muted hoots of the great horned owl are not uncommon, nor are the distant yip of the coyotes.

Breakfast is always a delight at Crickethead. Start with fresh aromatic coffee and herbal or black teas. A varied breakfast menu is always tasty, featuring fresh fruits in season. Guests also have access to a common refrigerator and stove for personal use.

Bordering Saguaro National Park west, Crickethead Inn claims a poetic place on the land. The rocky slopes of the Tucson Mountains are just minutes away by foot. Those who enjoy a desert walk need only head up the dirt road or, for a more challenging hike, head across the desert and up Panther or Safford peaks next door. At the same time, business, arts, and culture in downtown Tucson are just a half-hour away.

A few miles east or south, ancient petroglyphs are easily found at Pictures Rocks or in Saguaro National Park, and the nearby Esperanza Trail winds you gently to the top of Wasson Peak. Riding stables close by offer a less strenuous way to explore the desert. Interstate 10, eight miles east, will take you to Nogales, Mexico in an hour and a half, if you don't stop at the numerous cultural, historic, and natural attractions in between. But after a busy day, the rejuvenating tranquility you will find at Crickethead Inn may be the best attraction in the area.