WHAT’S NEW: Fall 2026

RESORT ROUNDUP

• The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, the cornerstone of Scottsdale’s vibrant Kierland district, has announced a multi-phase renovation designed to further elevate its position as a premier destination for meetings, conferences and group experiences. This comprehensive transformation includes a full modernization of the resort’s three ballrooms and 45 meeting spaces, enhanced arrival and networking environments, and thoughtfully designed social venues that foster connection, ensuring an elevated, seamless experience for planners and attendees alike. For more, check out The Westin Kierland’s Look Book.
• Old Town’s Hotel Solaya has officially opened its doors, joining the JdV by Hyatt brand portfolio. The property was previously home to The Monarch by Sonder and The Saguaro. Following an extensive transformation, the reimagined Hotel Solaya introduces a desert oasis where modern Mexican influence, playful design and the energy of Scottsdale come together. The property features 194 redesigned guest rooms and suites, art-filled common spaces, an on-site spa and fitness center, and a lively outdoor pool deck. At the heart of the hotel’s culinary experience is Ella on the Park, which seats up to 150 guests across its indoor dining room and outdoor patio overlooking Scottsdale Civic Center. Guests also can gather around the 360-degree bar that seats up to 30. Inside the hotel lobby, Common Ground Bistro offers a casual, curated dining experience. Hotel Solaya offers a 3,500-square-foot outdoor lawn for open-air events, ceremonies and large gatherings, and it offers a 2,600-square-foot indoor ballroom.     
• The Phoenician is finishing up a refresh of guestroom, casita and Canyon Suites accommodations, including guestroom corridors. Scheduled for completion in late summer 2026, the project features refreshed décor, updated furniture and new soft goods. At The Phoenician, 31 spacious guestrooms will be elevated to Junior Suites in design and decor with a slatted screen providing natural light and views, offering an extension suite headboard and TV panel with dresser.

DOWNTIME DIVERSIONS

• Degree Wellness Kierland is a premier wellness studio designed around luxury, comfort and a truly personalized experience. Private suites feature advanced recovery and performance technologies, including Red Light Therapy, Cold Plunging, Infrared Sauna, Whole Body Cryotherapy and Advanced Nutrient IV Drips with NAD+.
• Guests at Desert Sage Herbs enjoy guided tastings, botanical education and beautifully crafted alcohol-free mocktails that are as delicious as they are beneficial. Every experience is thoughtfully customized to match your audience, goals and event theme.
• Officially opening in early 2027, the International Dark Sky Discover Center celebrates the beauty of Arizona's protected night skies and works to educate, inspire and promote their preservation. Journey through interactive galleries exploring the cosmos, space exploration, planetary science, light pollution and humanity's connection to the stars. Experience breathtaking full-dome planetarium shows that transport you across the universe, then continue your journey in the Center's observatory with unforgettable views through a research-grade 27.5-inch PlaneWave telescope.
• Noir Blanc Candle Company is a candle and home fragrance boutique where scent meets sophistication. Known for refined fragrance, modern design and a polished point of view, Noir Blanc creates small batch hand-poured candles made with botanical wax and thoughtfully composed fragrance blends.

SIP & SAVOR

• Wayward is what happens when a speakeasy and a Spaghetti Western collide. Tucked into the heart of Old Town Scottsdale, Wayward boasts a globally inspired kitchen and bar program wrapped in a dark and moody atmosphere where every detail feels a little cinematic and a little rebellious.
• North Scottsdale’s Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails dishes up premium food, handcrafted cocktails and exceptional hospitality. The menu features premium steaks, fresh seafood, house made pastas, and seasonally inspired dishes prepared with the finest ingredients and an unwavering commitment to quality.
• Ella on the Park at Old Town’s Hotel Solaya offers elevated Modern American cuisine with Southern smokehouse influences. The menu features exceptional ingredients sourced from artisan purveyors in the Southern U.S., including the renowned Bill-E’s Bacon from Alabama and cured hams from Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina.
• The Ponderosa House specializes in Arizona-born fare, craft cocktails and Old Town Scottsdale hospitality in a historic location. Menu highlights include the El Puerco Pasta with succulent green-chile pork ragout, Filet Mignon served with crispy garlic potatoes, and Ella’s Lemon Olive Oil Cake with blueberry compote, lemon curd and Chantilly cream.
• Where mesquite smoke, tequila and hospitality meet, Pistoleros Parrilla brings the grit of the borderlands and the warmth of Mexican tradition to Old Town Scottsdale. Rich with traditional flavors from Nogales, Mexico, specialties include mesquite-grilled meats sliced to order, fresh seafood and beer-braised short ribs in chile-garlic sauce.
• Drake’s Hollywood is an upscale, Old Hollywood–inspired restaurant that blends classic steakhouse fare, vibrant cocktail culture and a glamorous vintage atmosphere. Drake’s menu of Wagyu steaks, house-made pastas, specialty seafood, vibrant shareables and dynamic seasonal dishes are complemented by an extensive beverage program anchored by expertly crafted cocktails and the brand’s signature “World’s Coldest Martini.”

EVENTS

• PRCA-sanctioned rodeo action barrels into WestWorld of Scottsdale during the West’s Most Western Rodeo (Sept. 11-13). See professionals compete in events like bull riding, calf roping and barrel racing during this exciting three-day event.
• Fall Arizona Restaurant Week (Sept. 18-27) is the perfect time to discover your new favorite Scottsdale restaurant! Twice each year, in spring and fall, Arizona Restaurant Week features local chefs serving up special three-course, prix-fixe dinner menus that celebrate the state’s flavors and culinary history.
• Enjoy four days of high-end runway shows, live entertainment and curated fashion experiences during Scottsdale Fashion Week (Oct. 8-11). The shows will highlight national and local designers unveiling their latest collections, and will place across a variety of venues, each offering a unique setting and experience for attendees.
• Scottsdale’s large-scale, immersive public art festival, Canal Convergence (Nov. 6-15), returns to the Scottsdale Waterfront. This year’s theme, “Western Nature,” will focus on public art and the subject of performance itself, including its history, cultural significance and role in society. During the free 10-day event, visitors can immerse themselves in interactive art, augmented reality, music, dance and fire shows on the historic Arizona Canal.
• The captain of the Wales polo team calls Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships (Nov. 7) the “The best polo event in the world!” This year’s event at WestWorld of Scottsdale promises to feature exciting polo matches, live performances, luxury fashions and exotic car displays.