SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.—Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center, A Destination Hotel, will embark on a massive renovation July 1 that will transform the independent resort and revitalize its amenities. The resort is the newest property in the Destination Hotels portfolio.
In September, the property will be unveiled as The Scottsdale Resort at McCormick Ranch, A Destination Hotel, and it will have an updated look to accompany its new name. The first phase of the renovation will inject $9 million into the property, introducing a new restaurant and lobby bar, transforming the main pool, adding significant outdoor meeting and event space, and enhancing guestrooms. The designers at PHX Architects in Phoenix and SB Design in Scottsdale developed plans to update the look of the resort and introduce new amenities, while staying true to the rich history of the property that originally opened on Sept. 4, 1976.
“The goal of the renovation is to maximize the aesthetic potential of the romantic, Spanish architecture and beautiful grounds of The Scottsdale Resort, elevating the overall guest experience and amenities,” said Kevin Regan, senior vice president of operations, Western region, for Destination Hotels. “This property is situated in an upscale community centrally-located but just enough off the beaten path that it is a bit of a hidden gem within this world-class travel destination.”
This summer, the resort’s lobby restaurant will be completely remodeled to feature communal dining, an open-air kitchen, and updated furnishings along with a new culinary concept and menu influenced by the Western United States. A new bar in the middle of the current lobby will serve local coffee, freshly squeezed juices, and light breakfast options and snacks. Craft beers, wines on tap, and bites from the restaurant will be served in the afternoon and evening accompanied by live entertainment.
Noticeably different in the renovated lobby will be the removal of the wall behind the concierge desk, allowing natural light to flow into the space and providing views of the main pool. Adjacent from the lobby entrance, the addition of multiple doors will provide access to The Plaza, which will bring the outside in. The Plaza is currently used for event space, but will be transformed into a leisure gathering space in a lounge setting with food service from the new restaurant, live entertainment, and a large fireplace and new fire pits.
The main pool area will be completely remodeled and include a new full-service restaurant and bar. It will feature 16 new cabanas available for private rental, a shaded trellis in the water, and a bridge-like water feature dividing the new pool, which will be 2.5 times larger than the existing one. The guestrooms will be overhauled as well—the 54 king rooms currently on-site will be completely renovated, and 76 of the double-queen rooms will be converted to king rooms.
The renovation will expand and upgrade the outdoor event facilities. The property’s four tennis courts will be removed to create two event lawns and one sport court, and the larger main lawn will offer more than 10,000 square feet of event space to accommodate up to 1,200 people. The Scottsdale Resort’s Alameda event space is ideal for groups up to 600 people. The square footage will remain the same, but the look will be transformed to match the Hacienda design of the resort.
The Scottsdale Resort is owned by Cornerstone Advisors, which also features Motif Seattle, A Destination Hotel in its resort portfolio. In 2016, the property will celebrate its 40th anniversary and embark upon a second phase of renovations that summer.
