The Sonoran city of Scottsdale, AZ embodies myriad things: southwestern flare, indigenous cultures, and America's Old West. The city's strength lies in the diversity of its offerings. There is something for everyone in Scottsdale. "The city is so diverse," says Erika Pumphrey, senior national sales manager, Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. "With Scottsdale's 333 days of sunshine, you are able to enjoy the myriad outdoor activities and flexible meeting spaces throughout the year."
To date, Scottsdale is home to over 70 hotels with approximately 15,000 rooms, and that number is poised to grow. A $15 million renovation begins in May at the historic Firesky Resort & Spa in Old Town. A two-phase project, the 204-room resort will be renamed The Scott Resort & Spa. The makeover and reinvention will apply to all public spaces and guest rooms, the resort's 14,000 square feet of meeting space, two pools, and the lobby bar and restaurant. The first phase of the redesign, which includes lobby, pools, and meeting venues, will begin May 2017 and be complete September 2017, and open to the public. For large-scale conventions or meetings, groups can utilize WestWorld, which offers meeting and event facilities with over 300,000 square feet of climate-controlled space, a 120,000-square-foot multiuse tent, and a 10-acre turf area.
Can't wait until the fall? Check out the $10 million renovation at the Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch with 326 guest rooms and casitas, and over 60,000 square feet of venue space. Groups interested in a "beach scene" in the Sonoran should check into the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, which last summer debuted a 9,000-square-foot white-sand beach and revamped pool area. At Sunset Beach, available for group rental, guests can enjoy a 7,000-square-foot swimming pool while resting their toes in the sand, and ordering drinks from the bar. Another water attraction was spotlighted during the 2016 summer season: Scottsdale unveiled OdySea, the largest aquarium in the Southwest. The OdySea welcomes groups for receptions and group experiences, can accommodate up to 2,800 guests, and offers in-house catering services.
Lovers of architecture should make a stop at Taliesin West, the winter home of starchitect Frank Lloyd Wright. This summer, in celebration of what would have been Wright's 150th birthday, the visitor's center on site will be hosting special events. For a truly western experience, groups should visit Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West. The 43,000-square-foot space has accommodations for events with up to 500 guests, plus outdoor space.
The culinary options in Scottsdale are varied, from award-winning fine dining to a fleet of food trucks, popular with locals and tourists alike. This past November, the Fat Ox opened, offering a modern twist on Italian cuisine, as did Zen Culinary, featuring an Asian fusion menu, including hand-rolled sushi.
Although Arizona's sun may be strong in the summer months, getting a great price may be worth the extra sunscreen. The peak season runs January to March, but groups shouldn't neglect the hot months. "I encourage groups to check out May to August," Pumphrey says. "If you are budget-conscious and want an amazing resort experience, think about booking off-peak. It's always in the 70s when you control the thermostat; and when meetings are done, the evenings -- and the mornings for that matter -- are beautiful for enjoying your surroundings."
Questions or comments? Email [email protected]
This article appears in the February 2017 issue of Successful Meetings.