Golf Gathering
The annual Waste Management Phoenix Open, aka "The Greatest Show on Grass," takes place every winter here. The tournament is one of the largest spectator events on the PGA tour.
Local Update
The 431-room Xona Resort Suites Scottsdale has been renamed the Zona Hotel & Suites Scottsdale, following a multimillion-dollar renovation of its guest rooms. Among the property's new amenities is an in-house golf concierge.
The 649-room Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has broken ground on a new conference center that will add 52,331 square feet of meeting space to the property, for a total of 150,000 square feet. The $20 million center will open in October; it is the final part of a five-year renovation at the property, which included upgrades to guest rooms and public spaces. Also being added is Michael Mina's Bourbon Steak and the Stone Rose Lounge by nightlife entrepreneurs Rande and Scott Gerber, along with the reopened La Hacienda with celebrity chef Richard Sandoval.
The 195-room former Hotel Theodore, following a head-to-toe renovation, has reopened as The Seguaro. The renovation and rebranding follow the sale of the hotel earlier this year to the Sydell Group and its move to a new management company, Joie de Vivre Hospitality. The property features a total of eight meeting rooms along with a Jose Garces signature restaurant.
Event space at the 210-room Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North is getting an update to the tune of $500,000. All meeting rooms are getting new carpeting and lighting fixtures, sound system upgrades and detailing throughout. Among the enhancements is the addition of custom-made wooden tables, crafted out of locally sourced mesquite trees.
Foodie Heaven
Scottsdale has more than 600 restaurants and eateries; many accommodate private events.
Meeting Hotels
Properties include the 732-room Westin Kierland Resort & Spa; 649-room Fairmont Scottsdale Princess; 647-room Phoenician; 490-room Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch; 453-room Camelback Inn, a JW Marriott Resort & Spa; 404-room Scottsdale Plaza Resort, and 210-room Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North. A complete listing can be found at mcvenues.com.
Airport Transit
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, about 10 miles southwest of downtown Scottsdale. Transfer cost by taxi, $20; by shuttle, $20
Taxes
Room tax, 5%; sales tax, 6.5%; total tax on hotel rooms, 14.92% (includes 1.77% Maricopa County transaction excise tax and 1.65% City of Scottsdale transaction tax)
Group Venue
More than 12,000 instruments from around the world set the stage for private events at Scottsdale's Musical Instrument Museum. Exhibits at this venue that debuted in 2010 celebrate such eclectic musical styles as folk and popular music. Groups of up to 400 people are accommodated for receptions or dinners.(480) 478-6000
Contact
Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, (800) 782-1117