Passionate about providing guests with a distinctive Southwest meeting destination, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has broken ground on a new conference centre, which will add 52,331 square feet of indoor meeting space anchored by the new 23,000-square-foot Palomino Ballroom. Debuting 10/11/12, the new $20 million conference centre gives the resort a total of 150,000 square feet of event space, making it the largest meetings resort in the Fairmont Hotels & Resorts portfolio worldwide. Based on feedback from meeting planners, the resort recognized the need for more meeting space, larger break-out areas and more move-in/move-out time for production. The new conference centre, designed by Kollin Altomare Architects of Long Beach, Calif., will be adjacent to the existing ballroom near the resort’s main entrance. With a modern Southwest design inspired by the spirited Spanish horses that roamed the desert, the new event spaces will feature “nano” walls that open up to the outdoors for a refreshing open-air meeting or evening banquet. All meeting rooms will be wired to offer the latest in technology capability, supporting the most advanced audio-visual presentations.
Existing meeting rooms will be updated to ensure seamless transitions between spaces and private walkways will be added between the two, 23,000 square foot ballrooms to ensure group privacy. The entire 106,000 square feet of indoor space includes 47 meeting rooms, several with their own patios. The new porte cochere and outside veranda will have an artistic water feature and seating to relax between sessions.
The conference center is part of a five-year, $75 million master renovation plan by the resort’s owner, Strategic Hotels & Resorts, since it acquired the Princess in 2006. The first $55 million of enhancements took place resort-wide, adding more modern decor to the guest rooms and lobby; new fire and water features throughout the resort, as well as the addition of Michael Mina’s BOURBON STEAK, Stone Rose Lounge by nightlife entrepreneurs Rande and Scott Gerber and re-opening La Hacienda with celebrity chef Richard Sandoval. The $20 million conference center caps off the multi-phase plan and is being built by Howard S. Wright Construction, creating 350 jobs in Scottsdale over the next year.
The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is nestled by the picturesque McDowell Mountains in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. The 649-room, AAA Five-Diamond resort is spacious and sprawling on 65 acres, yet is conveniently self-contained with no need for on-site transportation. Known for its distinctive Spanish Colonial-style architecture, lush landscaping, scenic fire pits, fountains and lagoons, the property is a gorgeous backdrop for meetings and group activities.
Offering 21 outdoor and private dining venues, meeting professionals can take advantage of on-site outdoor venues including the Crown “P” Corral, a 26,000-square-foot 1880s Western town, as well as the Lagoon Lawn, charming plazas and scenic pool decks. Along with top-notch banquet experiences, the resort has award-winning restaurants that are unique venues for group functions. Active groups appreciate the resort’s five pools, two adjacent TPC Scottsdale championship 18-hole golf courses and the 44,000-square-foot Willow Stream Spa. The John Austin Center for Tennis offers seven courts, plus a stadium court with seating for 6,300 spectators and innovative team-building activities. Should meeting attendees wish to venture out, nearby activities include desert Jeep tours, hot air ballooning, desert hikes, mountain biking, world-class shopping, sporting events and museums.
