In Arizona, the Scottsdale Resort & Spa is halfway through its $40 million propertywide renovation. The updated guestrooms and three new dining venues are set to reopen first ahead of the project’s scheduled completion in January.
Driftwood acquired the conference resort in 2022 and embarked on the largest renovation in the property’s 50-year history. As work progressed, Driftwood opted to expand the original scope and budget while scaling down the room count. Upon completion, the now 278-room resort that covers almost 17 acres will join the Curio Collection by Hilton soft brand.
Guestroom Aesthetic
Taking inspiration from the property’s history as the country’s first conference resort, The Scottsdale Resort’s residential-style guestrooms balance history and heritage with contemporary style. Each room has rich textures with leather accents, embroidered headboards and hand-carved wood, all complemented with pops of modern Southwestern patterns.
One of the most notable aspects of the resort’s transformation is the conversion of The Stillman Building into 12 two-story luxury villas, reportedly the first of their kind in the market, with their own private pool with views of the golf course.
Food and Beverage
Ken Arneson, who serves as the area executive chef for Driftwood Hospitality, is leading The Scottsdale Resort’s culinary evolution with the introduction of Barnaby’s Café, an upscale café and wine bar focused on wellness-oriented cuisine with a holistic approach while highlighting local purveyors and a global wine list; The Madam, a speakeasy evoking the Roaring Twenties offering riffs on classic cocktails alongside modern creations; and La Fogata, the resort’s signature restaurant serving Sonoran fare with locally sourced ingredients. Barnaby’s Café and The Madam will be the first to open in early December, followed by La Fogata in late December.
Arneson is partnering with Arizona-based purveyors, including Laura's Gourmet Granola, Sonoran Pasta Co., Cutino Sauce Co., Noble Bread, Blue Sky Organic Farms, Simple Soda Co., Roastery of Cave Creek and Frites Street.