$300 million in new resort investment fuels Scottsdale’s tourism surge

Investors pour money into Scottsdale. Major projects have totaled well more than $300 million since late 2024. As new resorts open, the increased capacity leads the city to anticipate 64% occupancy in 2026, down slightly from 65% in 2025, says Experience Scottsdale. Properties lean into Scottsdale’s history as an art and wellness destination while carving out a new niche as the go-to spot for multigenerational travel.

Built for groups

Known as a hotspot for bachelorette parties since 2018, Scottsdale is no stranger to group trips. In recent years, those groups have been joined by multigenerational families. According to the Scottsdale Tourism Study, expanding interest in Scottsdale keeps occupancy steady despite new lodging options.

Skyscanner cites multigenerational travel as a top trend. Their data show 37% of Gen Z and 25% of millennial travelers have traveled in the past two years with at least two other generations in their family.

In 2024, 42% of visitors reported traveling to Scottsdale with their children. Another 10% traveled with other relatives, and 9% with their parents. Scottsdale resorts respond with villas and family rooms that combine the convenience of a hotel with the space that families crave.

At The Scottsdale Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton, 12 two-story villas offer visitors 1,250 to 2,500 square feet of space. The largest villa sleeps 14 across six bedrooms, giving large groups space to spread out. The villa addition caps off a $40 million upgrade across the property.

Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas announced the completion of its $24 million renovation in March. The resort leans into group and family travel with an emphasis on its 45 two-bedroom villas, organized in groups of five to allow groups to stay connected while maintaining some privacy. A family villa with themed bunk beds and a fitness villa with in-residence fitness equipment allow guests to customize their experience further.

Villas are also the main draw of the multi-million-dollar addition at The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician. Eight free-standing villas debuted in February, each offering two, three or four bedrooms.

Laundry and kitchen facilities provide the conveniences of home. The AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five Star distinctions ensure that guests never have to think about such mundane things unless they want to.

Art in focus

One resort went all-in on its transformation. The old Scottsdale Plaza Resort reopened in January as the Kimpton Miralina Resort & Villas Paradise Valley after a $42 million update. The art-forward property invites guests to discover art installations dotted around the 40-acre property. Misters help beat the heat, but you still might want to prioritize this as a morning activity.

Inside, Mexican artist Mariella Motilla’s striking textile installation, The Loom, connects the main lobby, restaurant and bar. Culinary artistry continues the theme under the watchful eye of Chef Wes Avila, a James Beard Award finalist.

At Hotel Valley Ho, the rooms are the art. A thoughtful $18 million renovation threads the needle between the hotel’s iconic mid-century heritage and modern amenities. Custom artwork by local artist Djamila Fierek and pastel colors make this hotel a retro dream in the middle of downtown.

Wellness at the core

Scottsdale has attracted wellness-seekers since its founding in the 1880s, but Native Americans have recognized and revered the Sonoran Desert for centuries longer. Today, Scottsdale has more spas per capita than any other city in the United States. Several of them have undergone a recent renovation.

The JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, a favorite hangout of J.W. Marriott, Sr. himself, has long been known as a wellness destination. In February, it doubled down on that identity with the completion of a $25 million transformation of its facilities, The Spa at Camelback Inn.

Patrons choose between four personalized pathways to well-being: detox, soothe, harmonize and restore. The choice influences everything from the spa treatments and products used to the space’s design elements. After a treatment and a hydrotherapy circuit, grab an adaptogenic beverage from the new Ora Café.

In late 2024, Hyatt completed a $115 million property-wide renovation of its Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, rebranding it as the Grand Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort. In addition to its updated accommodations and new dining concepts, well-being is core to the transformation.

An upgraded pool complex, jogging paths, biking trails and racquet sports lure visitors to get active outside. Those who want to escape the sun retreat to Spa Avania, which offers a wellness experience choreographed to the time of day. Visitors find unique treatments here, like Cryo Sculpt Facials and CBD Trigger Point Therapy Massage, which shows that wellness is ever-evolving in Scottsdale.

More on the way

Scottsdale’s development isn’t slowing down. Hotel Solaya in Old Town Scottsdale finishes its $23.5 million renovation in spring 2026. Retro design touches evoke nearby Taliesin West, celebrated architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home. A short drive from downtown, the UNESCO World Heritage site is a must-visit when in the area.

ADERO Scottsdale Resort plans to complete a property-wide rejuvenation in late 2026.  Changes include a new event lawn and conference center, additional offerings at The Spa at ADERO and a reimagining of the resort’s casita-style rooms.

One of Scottsdale’s most well-known resorts announced a multiphase renovation in April 2026. Improvements to The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa will include a new multistory lobby bar, a revamped pool complex, a speakeasy and a redesigned Scotch library. Though capital investment figures are not public, general manager Derek Ellis says, “This is one of the most comprehensive renovations in the resort’s history, touching nearly every guest-facing space.”

Golf lovers eagerly await the fall 2026 opening of Scottsdale Golf Retreat at Troon North. The 26-room, all-suite property will offer two- and four-bedroom options perfect for golf groups and friend trips.

The food scene goes global

“The West’s Most Western Town” is developing a decidedly global appetite. Along with the resorts, Scottsdale’s food scene is booming. Telefèric Barcelona, a Spanish tapas restaurant, opened its first location outside California in Scottsdale in March.

World-famous Din Tai Fung celebrated its grand opening on April 20, bringing the dumpling powerhouse to the Southwest. Estelle, a two-story open-air restaurant and bar, opened in November with all the bases covered. Mexico City-native Chef Hector Cruz drives the menu, which combines Greek, Italian and Mediterranean flavors.

For a staunchly American experience, head to Wolf by Vanderpump. Newly opened in December, Wolf offers all the Las Vegas glitz you would expect from a reality star-affiliated restaurant set in Caesar’s Republic Scottsdale.

A Southwest hotspot

Scottsdale emerges as a family and group travel destination, with new resorts prioritizing multi-bedroom accommodations. The development doesn’t stray far from the city’s roots as a wellness and art district, though. Innovative spas and design-focused properties pair the past beautifully with the present and usher Scottsdale into a new era.

Ashley Wali is a Seattle-based travel journalist and owner of Wanderlux, writing about luxury family travel, culinary travel and wellness travel. Her work has appeared in The Seattle Times, Boston Herald, The Philadelphia Tribune, Orlando Sentinel and more. Recent assignments have had her slurping oysters on Cape Cod and cruising the fjords of Norway.

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