This Arizona resort is getting a $110 million facelift and a new name. Here's what's coming
A $110 million renovation at a Scottsdale resort involves changing the guest rooms, pool deck, restaurants, and ? perhaps most notably ? its name.
The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch is completing the renovation in phases, and it's scheduled to wrap in the fall. When finished, the hotel will rebrand with a new name reflecting elevated luxury: Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa.
It will be the first Grand Hyatt property in Arizona property. Only the Park Hyatt brand offers a higher standard than Grand Hyatt.
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Open now: New guest rooms, poolside restaurants
Guest rooms were updated with new flooring, contemporary furniture and marble countertops.
About half of the rooms have been renovated and are in use now. The other half, including suites and casitas, are still being remodeled, said Cassidy Khoury, Hyatt Regency Scottsdale's marketing manager.
Carpeting in the hallways is being replaced with a lighter beige color, in contrast with the current dark blue.
The pool area has a new kiosk where bathers can get towels and rent pool floats. There are updated lounge chairs and new cabanas, each including a couch, lounge chairs, 55-inch television, fan, mini fridge and a safe, hotel spokeswoman Dorothy Hornbeck said.
Poolside restaurant H2Oasis moved from the family pool to the adult pool and is now a restaurant and bar serving Polynesian and Caribbean-influenced specialties such as ahi tuna tacos. Sandbar, a new family-friendly restaurant that opened where H2Oasis was, serves burgers and chicken tenders.
Coming soon: New restaurants, more meeting space
In March, hotel staff announced a partnership with celebrity chef Richard Blais, the first winner of Bravo's "Top Chef: All-Stars," on six restaurants at the hotel. These include the poolside H2Oasis, which opened about two months ago, and Sandbar, which opened in early April.
These restaurants are under construction:
An Italian-American restaurant focused on handmade pasta and grilled steaks.
A sushi and Spanish tapas bar that will incorporate Southwestern ingredients.
A Southwest-style grill that will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.
A lobby bar connected to the grill, described as "in the style of a classic and grand hotel lounge."
Other work that remains includes a refresh of the lobby area, an expansion of the resort's meeting and event spaces including doubling the space of the Arizona Ballroom from 12,000 square feet to 24,000 square feet, and an interior redesign of Spa Avania, which will close between July and early September for the renovation, Hornbeck said.
Khoury expects most of the work will be completed by October, while the expanded Arizona Ballroom will wrap in January 2025.
How many pools does the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale have?
The Hyatt Regency Scottsdale has nine pools, including an adults-only pool. It also has a hot tub, a sand beach area and a 30-foot waterslide.
What is the difference between the Hyatt and the Hyatt Regency?
Hyatt Regency hotels are typically located in urban and resort destinations and include "world-class amenities and inviting accommodations," according to Hyatt.
The standard Hyatt brand, as well as Hyatt House (which caters to extended-stay travelers) and Hyatt Place (hotels designed for short-term stays), are classified as upscale properties.
Grand Hyatts are luxury hotels the company describes as "destination hotels that celebrate the uniqueness of their locations."
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Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Sneak peek: Swanky Arizona resort gets a $110M reno