High above the copper-colored hills of Jerome, a once-forgotten relic of Arizona’s mining boom has been reborn. The Little Daisy Jerome, a 25,000-square-foot architectural wonder built in 1918, has traded its pickaxes for champagne flutes and candlelit dinners. What was once a dormitory for miners under copper baron James “Rawhide Jimmy” Douglas is now a destination for travelers seeking beauty and connection.
The estate’s revival is the vision of managing partner Brian Grooms and his father, F. Andrew Grooms, who saw not just a structure worth saving, but a story worth retelling. Under their stewardship, The Little Daisy’s marble halls and sunlit atrium have transformed into the backdrop for milestone birthdays, art-filled retreats, and multi-day weddings that feel like something out of a modern fairy tale.
Gone are the days when exclusivity meant velvet ropes and five-star lobbies; today’s guests crave spaces that feel personal, immersive, and rooted in history. According to Airbnb’s 2024 Travel Trends Report, group bookings for entire homes have surged 80 percent.
The wedding industry reflects this same evolution. The Knot projects 2.5 million weddings across the United States in 2026 — the highest number in nearly forty years — and more couples are opting for destination celebrations that stretch over several days.
This desire for depth and togetherness is exactly what The Little Daisy delivers. The estate creates bespoke itineraries that might include private chef dinners beneath the stars, wine tastings that showcase the Verde Valley’s terroir, or guided explorations through Jerome’s storied hillsides. Every detail is crafted to blend indulgence with authenticity, ensuring that guests experience a genuine sense of place.
The light-filled atrium doubles as an art gallery, sunlight streaming through its grand windows to illuminate curated works. The chef’s kitchen invites intimate gatherings that linger long into the night, while the billiards room and upstairs lounge call to guests after the sunset. The main house sleeps 19, with space for up to 33 when paired with The Geologist’s House and Villa Contenta.
Exclusivity remains one of the estate’s most alluring features — only one party stays at a time, guaranteeing complete privacy and immersion. For weddings, The Little Daisy’s team designs fully custom experiences that weave together art, history, and intimacy into something unforgettable. Couples who have celebrated their vows here speak of the experience in reverent tones.
“We turned The Little Daisy into a weekend-long wedding with our closest family and friends,” said bride Melissa Brown. “From the early planning to the final day, the team made sure every detail ran smoothly so we could be fully present. The history, the beauty, and the intimacy of the estate cannot be replicated — it’s even more magical in person than any photo could show.”
The estate hosts custom weddings and multi-event celebrations, corporate and creative retreats, family reunions and milestone birthdays, while wellness, culinary, and wine experiences offer a serene retreat into Arizona’s high-desert beauty. The mansion’s legacy has passed through the hands of inventor William Earl Bell and the Acker family before being reimagined by the Grooms family in 2020.
Now, more than a century after its construction, it stands not as a relic of the past but as a symbol of what’s possible when history and hospitality meet. For more information, visit thelittledaisyjerome.com.
