Air Village is steps away from downtown Prescott.
This retro camp is called Air Village, with 10 restored Avion trailers in a park-like setting along Granite Creek. It’s a block from rowdy Whiskey Row, the Courthouse Plaza and set just off Montezuma Street, also known historically as U.S. 89, which originally ran from border to border between Mexico and Canada.
Air Village, which opened last December, is a family enterprise led by brothers Spencer and Austin Andrews, with their parents, Barry and Docy, in an advisory role. Their company, Loma Buena, LLC, bought the one-acre Air Village site for $830,000 in November 2020.
The original plan was to tear down a tire shop, clean up a junkyard and restore a motel on the site. But the old building proved unsuitable for redevelopment because of a cracked foundation and flood plain issues, Spencer Andrews said.
The family shifted gears and decided to develop Air Village using 34-foot Avion trailers restored with luxury features.
“The issue was how are we going to create something at a reasonable price and make it true to Prescott, in the sense that it should feel like it’s always been here or at least fits here,” Andrews said.
A native of California’s Orange County, Andrews, 33, had a decade of experience working for vacation rental companies before starting his own business in October 2019. He still owns some vacation rentals in Prescott.
Once the family committed to developing Air Village, it took two years to round up 10 trailers and have them refurbished by Flagstaff Airstream Renovations. The shimmering aluminum trailers were trucked from Flagstaff to Prescott and set up on pylons to keep them above the flood zone. Bolted in place, they are no longer mobile.
“Now we have this retro look on the outside, but you get this modern luxury on the inside,” he said.
Air Village chose Avion trailers as a reasonable alternative to the better-known Airstream trailers.
Airstream has been building trailers for more than 90 years. Avion competed with Airstream from 1956 to 2002, when the company ceased operations.
Each of the Avion trailers is less than 300 square feet with a linear layout that makes the most of each square foot. With a queen bed at one end and a bathroom at the other, the trailers feature a walk-in tiled shower stall with a rainfall shower head.
The galley kitchen has a sink, mini refrigerator, microwave, espresso maker, pendant lighting fixtures and cabinets and drawers for dishes, glasses and utensils.
A dining table with built-in seating is across the aisle from the kitchen.
Other features include a sofa, pop-up television, electric fireplace and two heating and cooling units. Each trailer’s patio has outdoor seating and an umbrella.
Best of all, the Avion trailers have windows all around, making the small space feel more open. Blinds provide adequate privacy.
Air Village also has a spacious lawn and two outdoor fire pits where guests can congregate. The grounds are nicely landscaped with wildflowers, desert shrubs and shaded by elm trees along Granite Creek.
Historic and retro lodging options are nothing new for Prescott. The former territorial capital includes the elegant Hassayampa Inn, Hotel St. Michael, Hotel Vendome, Apache Lodge and Motor Lodge.
But overnight trailer camping is new to Prescott. It’s a trend gaining popularity across the country, along with glamping in well-appointed canvas tents in picturesque locations.
“I love that Air Village has all the creature comforts and amenities,” said Cristina Binkley, Experience Prescott tourism manager.
It also is a walkable property, close to Prescott’s attractions, she said, adding that Prescott, with just 1,500 hotel rooms, needs more lodging options. “Even though [Air Village] has just 10 units, it’s 10 units that Prescott greatly needed.”
For decades, Bisbee has welcomed guests to its Shady Dell vintage trailer court. Strawberry Inn in the Arizona town of the same name has Airstream trailers among its lodging options. Tin Can Alley plans to open in early 2025 with Airstream trailers along Route 66 in Kingman.
Nationally, AutoCamp is a category leader with eight Airstream trailer villages, including sites near Joshua Tree, Yosemite and Zion national parks. A new camp in Austin, Texas, is opening soon.
Andrews said Air Village is gaining momentum with bookings and he expects the high season next summer to be fully booked.
Air Village operates like a vacation rental property with self-check-in and assistance available via a phone call. Rates start at about $200 per night. The trailers accommodate up to four guests and pets are welcome.
“We’re really pet- and kid- friendly,” Andrews said. “It’s really about bringing people together, having a good time and being able to relax and enjoy the finer things. But, also connecting with nature and each other.” QCBN
By Peter Corbett, QCBN
Photo by Peter Corbett: Air Village offers 10 restored Avion trailers in a parklike setting along Granite Creek, a block away from Courthouse Plaza.