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Happenings - Arizona

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Phoenix

  • The Westin Phoenix Downtown (602.429.3500) opened in March one block from the Phoenix Convention Center in the 26-story Freeport McMoRan building. The property occupies nine floors and has 242 guest rooms and more than 11,000 square feet of function space.
  • The Boulders, A Waldorf Astoria Resort (480.488.9009) is upgrading its 160 casitas, including a fresh interior design, new finishes, new furnishings and technology enhancements. The project is scheduled for completion in June.
  • JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa (480.293.5000) completed a $16 million renovation of its guest rooms, suites and corridors in January.
  • CityScape (480.947.7772), which celebrated its grand opening in October 2010, is Phoenix's newest entertainment center, featuring shops, restaurants and a bowling alley. The 250-room Hotel Palomar Phoenix (800.546.7866) is set to open at CityScape in early 2012.

Mesa Area

Tempe

  • In 2010, the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel (480.894.1400) completed an $8 million renovation to all 303 guest rooms and suites as well as guest room hallways. This summer, a renovation of the property's meeting space and conference foyer area will include new carpeting, new wall coverings and new Herman Miller ergonomic tables and chairs. The renovation is on track to start in July and be completed by September.
  • The Courtyard Tempe Downtown (480.966.2800) finished a $3 million renovation in January. All of the guest rooms were redone, including new plasma televisions, carpet, wallpaper, countertops and shower curtains. The lobby now has Starbucks 24 hours a day, and the new bistro is open for breakfast and dinner.
  • The SpringHill Suites by Marriott Phoenix Tempe/Airport (480.968.8222) expanded in 2010. The lobby area was extended, and furniture and decor were upgraded; an additional 31 rooms (creating a total of 130) were added; another meeting room was added; and the fitness room was expanded.

Scottsdale

  • Talking Stick Resort (480.850.7777) recently debuted as Scottsdale's latest upscale property. The resort, located in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, features 497 guest units and more than 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. The resort also boasts a 13,000-square-foot, open-air spa; several restaurants, including Orange Sky, located on the 15th floor and featuring panoramic views of the surrounding McDowell Mountains; Talking Stick Golf Club's North and South courses; and Casino Arizona, offering 240,000 square feet of gaming space.
  • The Phoenician (480.941.8200) opened its 15,000-square-foot Camelback Ballroom last fall. Located at the southeast base of Camelback Mountain, the facility features high clerestory windows, multiple registration areas and a separate valet entrance, and has the ability to be subdivided into seven separate function areas. A large outdoor plaza provides additional options for breaks and receptions, all complemented by views of the resort's championship golf course as well as surrounding desert and mountain landscapes.
  • The Carefree Resort and Villas (480.488.5300) is undergoing a makeover that will revitalize the property with new design elements as well as upgrades to its casitas, tennis villas and restaurants. The western Red Horse Saloon restaurant will be closed and reopened as a meeting facility. The renovation is scheduled for completion in mid-2011.  
  • Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa (480.948.2100) completed its $3 million renovation in spring 2010 with the unveiling of an all-new menu, high-tech kitchen with raw bar, plancha oven for cooking whole fish and new decor. The renovation also included Praying Monk, a year-round outdoor dining space with dramatic views, and private dining room XII, which features a wine corridor boasting 800 bottles and a sommelier station, intimate seating for 12 and a front-row seat to the kitchen so diners can watch chefs at work.
  • The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa (480.624.1000) underwent property upgrades in 2010, including an additional 21,000 square feet of meeting space for a total of 208,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. New facilities include the 11,000-square-foot Trailblazer Ballroom above the resort's existing Herberger Ballroom and Northern Sky, a new outdoor terrace overlooking the lake and Kierland Golf Course. All guest rooms and corridors were also renovated. 

Tucson

  • The Casino del Sol Hotel & Convention Center (520.838.6698) is scheduled to open this fall with 215 guest rooms, more than 65,000 square feet of combined indoor and outdoor function space, Hiapsi Spa, Prime Steakhouse and a Notah Begay III-designed golf course.
  • Ramada Inn & Suites Foothills (520.886.9595) completed upgrades to its 115 guest rooms in December.

Flagstaff

  • The High Country Conference Center (928.523.9521) recently expanded and renovated. The newly renovated, 1,834-square-foot 1899 Ballroom is located in Northern Arizona University's historic North Union, adjacent to the recently opened 1899 Bar and Grill, which provides prefunction space and can be divided into three breakout rooms. 
  • Little America Hotel (928.779.7900) recently completed a 2,400-square-foot meeting room expansion.

Sedona
  • L'Auberge de Sedona (928.282.1661) completed the $25 million Project Elevation last July, including 64 new or redesigned cottages, a new guest arrival building, a redesigned Serenite Spa, an updated restaurant and a new restaurant, The Veranda.

Yuma

  • Pivot Point Interpretive Plaza (928.373.5198) recently opened by Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area. The outdoor exhibit area, located on the site where the first railroad train entered Arizona in 1877, features a restored 1907 Baldwin steam locomotive as its centerpiece, as well as audiovisual capabilities. Located adjacent to the 150-room Hilton Garden Inn and the 20,000-square-foot Pivot Point Conference Center, the new $1.6 million plaza provides a unique venue with riverside views.
  • Yuma took over operations at its two state parks to prevent their closures and has upgraded the facilities to make them inviting locations for group outings. Major electrical improvements at Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park (928.783.0071) now allow the park to host groups of up to 500 people for meetings, conferences or other special events among 10 acres of lawns, tall trees and historic adobe buildings. Meanwhile, the Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park (928.783.4771) provides a unique setting for groups of 100 or less, with its recently renovated museum now featuring a 40-seat theater with audiovisual equipment.