The Quality Inn – Window Rock received notification from Choice Hotels International that the Hotel has been selected as a recipient of this year’s Platinum and “Best of Brand” Awards. The Quality Inn – Window Rock is located in Window Rock, Arizona, the capital of the Navajo Nation. The Hotel is owned by the Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprise and is managed by Monument Hospitality, Inc. The Quality Inn – Window Rock is operated under a franchise agreement with Choice Hotels International.

The prestigious awards are given to only five of the 735 Quality Inn hotels in the United States. Presentation of the award was made at this this year's Choice Hotels Fall Regional convention in Reno Nevada on October 13, 2006. The Platinum and ‘Best of Brand” designations are made only to hotels that exceeds Quality Inn standards in such areas as Cleanliness & Maintenance, Guest Service and Guest Satisfaction.

The Quality Inn in Window Rock “represents the hotels that have achieved the highest standards of excellence in terms of guest care, guest satisfaction and hotel quality. The Quality Inn Navajo Nation Capital “should be very proud to have reached this distinguished milestone”
states Mr. Aaron Katz, Vice President of Brand Management & Strategy for Choice Hotels.

The general manager of the Quality Inn – Window Rock is Ms. Kristen June-Benally. Kristen’s remarks upon learning of the award were, “I was surprised and astonished about the award; it’s something I was not expecting nor pursuing. We’re just doing our job. It’s truly an honor to be recognized for our level of customer service. I have to credit my outstanding team, for all their efforts. We enjoy what we do.”

The Hotel amenities and services include a complimentary hot breakfast, free high-speed Internet, delicious food at the Dine’ Restaurant and exceptional guest service. The hotel amenities, area attractions and travel itineraries can be found at ExporeNavajo.com.

The Navajo Nation Hospitality Enterprise would like to thank the staff and management team at the Quality Inn – Window Rock for their outstanding job and for the strong commitment to providing the highest level of guest care and satisfaction.

(The following was given to Explore Navajo for publication. We want to thank Ms. Meike Boldt for allowing us to share her wonderful experience. From Hamburg Germany, Ms. Boldt enjoys the Southwest and anticipates many more trips back to the Navajo Nation.)

I visited the Monument Valley in June 2005, for the second time and this time it was a once in a lifetime experience!
I was part of a small group that planned to spend a night in a Traditional Hogan (Navajo home), as guest of Mr. Harold Simpson. "I'm used to hotel beds, bathrooms, TV's and all the other "modern" amenities," so this was going to be a real different experience, I was so excited and curious.

We arrived in the late afternoon [to Monument Valley] and at this time of day, it was just gorgeous there. The red sand and rocks combined with the sun and the incredible blue sky is so picturesque. Harold had a Hogan, where the women stayed, and a tipi where the men stayed.

Stepping inside the Hogan, my eyes first had to adjust to the darkness, because there are no windows, except an opening in the middle of the roof, which was the smoke hole for the fire. There was a single light bulb in the Hogan, which we used only during dinner. Harold's family made delicious Navajo Tacos for us and they were so good, and it tastes much better out there! Later in the evening, we sat outside around a campfire and Harold was telling about the Navajo Culture, as he played the drum and sang. (he has a great voice)!

After the sun went down, it got really cold and I was glad that I had a warm jacket with me. A very special moment was when Harold's 8 year old cousin, Cheyenne, was dancing. She danced gracefully around the camp fire.

I really didn't want to go to sleep, I wished that I could have sat many more hours outside. I tried to put all these memories in my heart and mind, I "inhaled" every second, so that I can always remember this magical moment.

We got our sleeping bags and mats for the floor, and within a few minutes everybody was asleep, except for me. I am not used to a room without windows and so I looked up to the skies thru the opening in the roof. The last thing that I saw before falling asleep, was the Stars!

Lucky me, I woke up in middle of the night and had to go "somewhere". I grabbed the flashlight and walked outside and what I saw was just breath taking! I have never seen such a beautiful night sky, with a billion of stars and the Milky Way- right above me!! (Who needs electricity or flashlights??!!) I was so fascinated with what I saw, kept my head up and I ran into the Outhouse, literally! (ouch, but it was worth it!)

A few hours later, Harold woke us up to get ready for the sunrise tour. We all had some sand in our ears, nose and eyes, because of the wind. The guys who slept in the tipi looked a bit like fried Chicken McNuggets! Next time I am leaving my electric toothbrush at home, I felt silly, because it was a real noisemaker. Everybody was laughing about me!

It was still pretty dark when Harold and another guide drove us to the entrance of Monument Valley. We got off the truck and we stood in front of the left and right Mitten, awaiting the first sunlight and to welcome the new day.

WOW! What a moment when the sun came out from behind the rocks, what a great start to a new day! Especially in the morning, the colors are just incredible and from each corner of the one rock, the whole Monument Valley looks different and much, much bigger!

We did a short walk up to a rock and had a beautiful view over the Valley. Harold was playing his Flute and that moment wass indescribable. It's very touching and some of us had tears in our eyes.

After the tour, we took a shower at the campground and we had breakfast with a great view over the Valley (a very good one) at the restuarant at the Visitors Center.

An overnight in a Hogan is a very special experience, no running water, almost no electricity, no modern amernites, all this modern stuff, you won't miss a second. It would rather disturb!

This was definately a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I really hope that someday I can see this beautiful sky at night again, sleeping on the floor of a Hogan!

Ganado, Ariz - Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry visited with Navajo students from several Navajo Nation schools when she made a special appearance at the Ganado Pavilion on Friday, October 27, 2006.

Her visit was arranged with the Office of Navajo Nation First Lady Vikki Shirley to promote a message of preventing underage drinking and drunk driving.

(Navajo Nation First Lady, Ms. Vicki Shirley; Miss America 2006 Jennifer Berry; and Miss Navajo Nation 2006-2007 Jocelyn Billy)

"We were really excited when we were told she accepted the invitation to come to the Navajo Nation," said Mrs. Shirley about Miss Berry's first visit to the Navajo Nation.

Jennifer Berry, 23, is from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and was crowned Miss America on January 21, 2006. She is a President's Honor Roll student at the University of Oklahoma majoring in elementary education. Miss Berry's ambition is to obtain a Master's Degree in education and become an elementary school teacher.

When she was crowned Miss America, Miss Berry said her platform would be a message to prevent underage drinking and drunk driving. In March, she partenered with the national organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). Miss America travels the country to talk about MADD and its lifesaving goals.
(Special from George Hardeen, Navajo Nation Presidents Office, Oct.2006)

Much like real problems everywhere, the Navajo Nation concerns itself with drivers' safety. Making sure everyone has the environment to drive safely from one great point of interest to another is important.
While on travel please take care of one another this coming New Year. Have a safe and healthy Holiday Season!

Visitors are welcomed with open arms in Navajoland.
Here are some guidelines to help you acknowledge the Navajo people and their customs:

1) Please try to be unobtrusive when visiting a Navajo performance or event. Please try to be patient and considerate.

2) Please applaud only if it is apparent it is an acceptable custom.
Please ask permission before taking photographs of people and surroundings

3) Please understand some traditional ceremonies are not open to the public, so if you are asked to leave, please do so quickly and quietly.