SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (April 16, 2024) – Can you stand the heat? Travelers who can, will find a summer desert oasis in Scottsdale. Relax poolside, indulge in a soothing spa treatment, check out captivating art exhibits, and dine at the hottest restaurant when the sun goes down. Scottsdale is sizzling with updates this season.
RESORT ROUNDUP
- A $110 million renovation at Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch is well underway, with the opening of a new pool complex, featuring two brand-new poolside restaurants and bars with expanded lounging areas and luxurious cabanas. The resort tapped celebrity Chef and James Beard Award nominee, Richard Blais, to create six original dining concepts, coming soon, as the renovation moves forward and unveils Arizona's first Grand Hyatt, upon completion.
- Located in the heart of downtown’s buzzing Entertainment District, W Scottsdale’s seasonal WET Deck pool parties return. Have the ultimate V.I.P. party experience at with bottle service, private cabanas, dancing, and live DJs. Holidays are celebrated in a big way at the WET Deck, too, with a patriotic Memorial Day celebration, an electric Fourth of July party, boasting the only firework display in Old Town Scottsdale, and a Labor Day extravaganza.
- Astro-tourists can discover the wonders of the cosmos while enjoying JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa’s unparalleled amenities and accommodations. The new “Celestial Retreat: A Stargazer's Paradise” package provides a $100 resort credit and whisks guests away to a private luxury sundeck casita, with a welcome basket filled with celestial-themed treats.
- Rejuvenate sun-drenched skin with the Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale’s Essential Escape Wrap. The personalized wrap is a blissful, detoxifying, and ultra-hydrating spa experience. Then, take advantage of the 33,000-square-foot spa facility, including fitness offerings, a sauna and steam room, Jacuzzi, adult-only swimming pool, and complimentary wellness classes using the resort’s spa pool pass.
- Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia’s Citrus Path IPA elevates any summer stay. Local brewery, Huss Brewing Co., owned by a husband-and-wife team, collaborated with the resort on the IPA, infused with the essence of Andalusian orange trees handpicked on the Omni Montelucia property. Sip the new suds at one of the three sparkling resort pools, surrounded by towering palms, citrus trees, and stunning views of Camelback Mountain.
ART + ATTRACTIONS
- Cool off indoors and catch three fascinating exhibits at Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) running now through July. “Dorothy Fratt: Color Mirage” is the first major U.S. museum exhibition on the prolific, yet underrecognized, American painter (through July 21). Interact with an immersive, audiovisual experience that invites viewers to explore their relationship between digital and physical spaces at, “Roelof Knol: the space in between” (through July 28). “_____ space Exhibitions” houses an experimental, flexible space at SMoCA, currently featuring “Kenaim Al-Shatti: Dreams Don’t Have Time,” and, “Roelof Knol: paper shapes” (through July 28).
- Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West’s exhibit, “Waking Dream: Works by Navajo Artist Melanie Yazzie,” focuses on the diverse talents of renowned Navajo artist Melanie Yazzie through her multi-faceted approach to artistry that spans printmaking, painting, sculpting, ceramics, and installation art (through July 14). Through her work, she sheds light on the contemporary struggles and triumphs of Indigenous peoples, particularly women, navigating a post-colonial world. The museum will open another exhibit, “Veryl Goodnight: Sled Dogs in America: Alaska & Beyond,” by sculpture artist, Veryl Goodnight on July 16. The exhibit will display props used to create the art and historic text to share the little-known story of the many roles sled dogs and their drivers have had in American history.
- Wonderspaces Arizona introduces two exhibits this summer, “Well Wishes My Love, Your Love,” and, “Blooms.” “Well Wishes My Love, Your Love” is a non-verbal, abstract short film by animation filmmaker Gabriel Garble, following the dreamlike quest of a boy taking on a bizarre favor involving the prosthetic arm of his beloved orphaned friend. “Blooms” features 3D-printed sculptures designed to animate when spun under a strobe light, to resemble the geometry nature used in many plant forms.
- Beat the heat at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts during its three June concerts; The Scottsdale Chorus a cappella group (June 1), the two-time GRAMMY®-winning Old Crow Medicine Show (June 13), and the critically acclaimed Cowboy Junkies (June 18).
- The Musical Instrument Museum celebrates the culture of Southwest Asia (June 8-9) and Greece (July 13-14) as well as Latin Jazz (April 20-21) and Arizona resident and rockstar, Alice Cooper (May 11-12) in its upcoming signature events. See live musical performances, snap photos, and take a deep dive into the music with Curator Talks.
- In conjunction with the city of Scottsdale’s June Days ArtWalk, Wilde Meyer Gallery presents a show of summer-themed art, like the work of Greg Dye; a self-taught artist who paints with palette knives and applies spontaneous strokes of thick oil paint, one on top of the other, to convey constant motion, spiritual energy and beauty in his own personal vision of the Southwest.
SIP + SAVOR
- With the opening of the new Caesars Republic Scottsdale on March 6, came two restaurants by Chef Giada De Laurentiis. Luna by Giada and Pronto by Giada both reflect the Chef’s Roman heritage and showcase her passion for traditional Italian cuisine with California and Mediterranean influences. On the seventh floor, SEVEN, an elevated pool lounge and high-end dining concept offers premium views of Camelback Mountain, desert sunsets, and American fare.
- Andrew Whiteside joins Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North as executive chef, overseeing all aspects of the property’s culinary operations, such as signature restaurant outlets, Talavera Spanish steakhouse and Proof, an American Canteen. Whiteside brings over 20 years of experience and has been with the Four Seasons brand for over four years.
- The culinary landscape at The Scottsdale Resort & Spa, a Curio Collection Resort by Hilton has undergone a remarkable transformation as part of the nearly completed $40 million property-wide renovation, with the opening of four new dining concepts. La Fogata serves modern Sonoran cuisine married with a fusion of global influence. Upon check-in, guests receive a secret password to The Madam, a speakeasy reminiscent of the Roaring Twenties and the prohibition era. Adjacent to The Madam, The Social Boardroom has a casual and welcoming lounge-style atmosphere for all ages with various entertainment options including pool, shuffleboard, board games and a golf simulator. Barnaby’s Café + Wine Bar provides a curated collection of grab-and-go options from local purveyors.
- Celebrity Chefs Scott Conant and Beau MacMillan have joined forces with beverage consultant Kiefer Gilbert to open Tell Your Friends, a swanky underground cocktail and live music lounge in North Scottsdale that will open in May. Accessed through a side door at Conant’s The Americano, guests of Tell Your Friends will enter a captivating bar serving a seasonal rotation of classic and craft cocktails conceived by Gilbert, an exceptional wine list, and a small bites menu created by MacMillan. The lounge will host nightly performances by talented vocalists, musical acts and entertainers inspired by classic sounds.
- The District Dome returns to Desert Ridge Marketplace with an enchanting French Maximalist theme, Villa Fleur (through May 12). Set under romantic lighting, guests settle into parlor-style seating for a 90-minute reservation with a 360-degree projection show that transforms the dome ceiling, displaying captivating scenes of art, light, and color, while being served a chef-driven menu and elixirs, as well as a curated list of beer and wine.
- Postino, the Valley of the Sun's original neighborhood WineCafe known for its extensive wine list and delectable bruschetta, embraces cocktail culture with its latest menu additions, the Classic G&T, Aperol Spritz, Negroni, Smoked Old Fashioned, as well as Tré Cucumber, a Prickly Pear Mezcal Margarita, and an Espresso Martini.
- FRANCINE Restaurant welcomes Michelin-trained Executive Chef Remy Lefebvre and his new seasonal menu heavily focused on French Mediterranean inspired cuisine. Crab Taramasalata with crispy socca, smoked Eggplant dressed with lemon juice, olive oil and espelette, and grilled Spanish Octopus are among the vast list of signature dishes.
- According to Expedia, more than 40 percent of travelers are likely to book a detox trip in the next year, coining the term “dry-tripping.” The Herb Box answers the call of duty with a new mocktail menu highlighting its Blackberry Refresher (blackberries, honey, sage, and Fever-Tree Ginger Beer), Grapefruit Sparkler (muddled cucumber and mint, fresh grapefruit, lime juice, and simple syrup with sparkling water), and Mango Tajin Sparkler (fresh mango puree, and tajin rim with sparkling water).
For more Scottsdale travel news and story ideas, visit www.ScottsdalePressroom.com.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Laura McMurchie, Vice President of Communications
480-429-2253, lmcmurchie@experiencescottsdale.com
Christina Dicksen, Director of Communications
480-889-2709, cdicksen@experiencescottsdale.com
Emily Holdaway, Communications Coordinator
480-424-1980, eholdaway@experiencescottsdale.com
