The state of Arizona turned 100 years old in February, and it’s definitely been in celebration mode. Many hotels and meeting venues have recently opened, are scheduled to open, or have undergone renovations—welcoming visitors with open arms.
The 649-room Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is currently building a new $20-million conference center, set to debut in October, which will feature the Southwest-inspired, 23,000-square-foot Palomino Ballroom. The new venue brings the Fairmont Scottsdale’s total meeting space to approximately 150,000 square feet.
Meanwhile, the boutique Saguaro Hotel opened its doors in downtown Scottsdale in November 2011. A hub for desert lovers, the 194-room hotel features 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, as well as Distrito, a modern Mexican restaurant opened by renowned Iron Chef Jose Garces.
Additionally, two Scottsdale-area hotels are getting $4-million renovations: Zona Hotel & Suites Scottsdale and The Phoenician. The 431-room Zona features six conference rooms, and updates include the addition of a golf concierge. The Phoenician’s rehab included renovations to its 25 suites (of 643 rooms total), the debut of Relish Bistro, and the refurbishment of the Centre for Well-Being—all part of a broader $80-million investment.
The banquet space at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North is also getting an upgrade to the tune of $500,000. Totaling nearly 36,000 square feet, the hotel’s meeting space comprises 27 rooms. Scottsdale’s Hotel Valley Ho also added an event space called Sands, which is a Polynesian-styled space that can accommodate 400.
The Scottsdale area is primed to get a wave of new resorts over the next four years, including the eco-friendly, 325-unit Reserve; the 350-unit Sereno Canyon; and the 330-unit Reata Ranch.
Meanwhile, Phoenix saw the opening of a Westin hotel in March 2011. The 242-room Westin Phoenix Downtown features more than 11,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space, a 24-hour gym, and Province, a farm-to-table restaurant inspired by Central and South American flavors, headed by Executive Chef Randy Zweiban.
Downtown Phoenix will also see the debut of the boutique Hotel Palomar, a Kimpton hotel, later this year. With 250 rooms, the Palomar will offer more than 8,800 square feet of meeting space, including a ballroom and boardroom.
A Marriott is also destined for downtown Phoenix. The 280-room “urban concept” hotel would add to the expansion of the Marriott brand in Phoenix, most recently indicated by the reflagging of the Wyndham Phoenix as a Marriott Renaissance in December.
And last but not least, Tucson saw the debut of the Casino Del Sol Hotel Spa and Conference Center last November. The $100-million, 215-room property can host 1,500 people theater-style or 800 for dinner. The lawn capacity is 3,000.
There are also myriad new or upgraded entertainment options in which to celebrate Arizona’s centennial. First, the state’s birthday coincides with the 75th anniversary of the opening of Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wrights’ winter home and makeshift architecture school in the McDowell Mountain foothills. Now a National Historic Landmark, the center will mark its milestone with special events and enhanced tours.
If you haven’t taken in enough history yet, head to Old Tucson, Hollywood’s most famous Old West movie location, which unveiled its new Heritage Square last October.
For those looking for more of a modern thrill, Phoenix saw the opening in December of the Skypark indoor trampoline center. Featuring a 5,000-square-foot trampoline floor, the park caters to group events. Meanwhile, the Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course, a series of aerial physical challenges, will open this spring; the area also saw the introduction of the Flagstaff Ale Trail, a walking tour of local craft breweries, in December.