Arizona
Inside Arizona’s first Grand Hyatt resort in Scottsdale – The Points Guy
Previously known as the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort is one of the most iconic properties in Scottsdale, Arizona. Fresh off a $124 million renovation at the end of 2024, the resort is ready for a new era.
TPG recently got to take a peek inside this reimagined, rebranded Hyatt. Here’s what it’s like.
The 10 best hotels in Scottsdale, Arizona, for a dreamy desert getaway
What is the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort?
The Grand Hyatt Scottsdale is located 20 minutes north of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and is easily accessible from state Route 101 and Scottsdale Road.
With 496 rooms offering modern amenities and scenic views of the McDowell Mountains, the resort has emerged from a complete renovation. It was refreshed from top to bottom to now feature six new restaurant concepts from acclaimed chef Richard Blais (winner of “Top Chef: All-Stars” and judge on “Next Level Chef”), as well as award-winning Spa Aviana set within a beautiful space designed by architect Vernon Swaback, a Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice. The latter houses 19 treatment rooms and a private pool, among other amenities.
Here’s what it’s like staying at Arizona’s first Grand Hyatt.
Mountain views meet meticulous design in the guest rooms
On this visit, I stayed in a king mountain view room, where modern design meets a calming palette of gray-green tones accented with leather and marble.
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Thoughtful details were abundant, from the built-in storage bench — which doubled as a luggage rack — beneath the large flat-screen TV to a fully stocked coffee and tea bar and minifridge unit finished with a marble countertop and brass hardware.
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The spacious closet was well stocked with plush bathrobes, slippers and travel essentials (there wasn’t a clothes steamer, but I could easily request one from housekeeping), while the bathroom featured a walk-in shower with crisp white tiling and vanity lighting, plus Balmain Paris bath amenities.
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Practical touches like ample charging outlets throughout the room made settling in easy. Suitable for one to three guests, the space also included an oversized armless chair that converted into a comfy twin bed and doubled as stylish seating around the marble table — ideal for a relaxed predinner snack or glass of wine.
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A sliding glass door opened to an east-facing patio furnished with a table and chairs. Overlooking the McDowell Mountains and Gainey Ranch Golf Course, it was a prime spot for a morning yoga stretch or watching the sun rise with a cup of coffee in hand.
Restaurants offer delicious menus in design-forward settings
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Beyond room service and the Hyatt Club lounge — where guests with club access or World of Hyatt Globalist status can enjoy morning breakfast and evening hors d’oeuvres — the resort’s dining scene is anchored by six new concepts from celebrity chef Richard Blais. While I wish we had time to try them all, the highlights from our stay included an upscale Italian dinner at La Zozzona, followed by a leisurely breakfast at Mesa Centrale (enjoyed outdoors on the patio beside a cozy fire pit on a brisk morning).
La Zozzona
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Richard Blais’ Italian restaurant, La Zozzona, is a standout, drawing both resort guests and locals for an effortlessly warm, polished dining experience. Design your own vibrant spritz ($18) with house-made aperitivi and Italian soda combinations, then enjoy shareable starters like a little gem salad ($17) and crispy mozzarella with Calabrian chili honey ($19), both of which impressed us.
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The main entree choices were the epitome of Italian comfort food — the braised lamb shank with creamy polenta ($64) and the linguine with clams in scampi butter ($29) were both deeply satisfying. Service was attentive and seamless throughout the meal. When it was time for dessert and we couldn’t decide, our server said the magic words: “Just get two!” The tableside tiramisu ($14) and the Sicilian cannoli with citrus ricotta and pistachio gelato ($14) were a delightful end to a fabulous dinner.
Mesa Centrale
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Breakfast at Mesa Centrale was a relaxed, satisfying start to the day. The all-day restaurant serves everything from brunch and breakfast to lunch and dinner, with options for kids as well.
Standout morning dishes like blue corn pancakes ($24) and huevos rancheros ($26) paired beautifully with strong coffee and lattes, while indoor and outdoor seating — complete with mountain views and fire pits, of course — made it an inviting spot to linger.
Spa Aviana is a tranquil retreat for relaxation
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From the moment you’re greeted and descend the staircase, the spa sets a calming tone. The serene space includes 19 treatment rooms, men’s and women’s locker rooms, relaxation lounges, a full salon and a 24-hour fitness center with Peloton bikes and plenty of strength equipment.
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Be sure to leave time to unwind in the Himalayan salt room or outdoors, where a tranquil spa pool is surrounded by softly flowing fountains, lounge seating and fireplaces, creating a cozy atmosphere designed for lingering. Cocktails and light bites are available poolside.
Booking tip: The 60-minute signature massage ($215) blends Swedish techniques with aromatherapy for deeply relaxing results.
Things to do at the resort and around Scottsdale
With 10 pools spread across the property, the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale balances family fun and adult relaxation with everything from a sandy kids beach, a 30-foot waterslide and a volleyball pool to a peaceful adults-only retreat for reading and unwinding.
Other activities to enjoy on the property and nearby include:
- Borrow bikes (included in the resort fee) from the front entrance and bike down Doubletree Ranch Road to Cosanti, the copper bell foundry and workshop created in 1956 by Italian architect Paolo Soleri (who had also briefly been a Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice). For a unique gift or reminder of your trip to Arizona, take home a handmade Soleri bell wind chime.
- Visit Old Town Scottsdale to peruse the local shops, enjoy the western heritage or take in the art exhibits at the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art or the Western Spirit Museum. Between art installations and events like the annual “Parada del Sol Parade,” there’s always something happening in Old Town.
- Meet Navajo (Diné) artist Sheilah Nalwood in the hotel lobby shop, where she and her husband create unique and authentic sterling silver and turquoise jewelry and art.
- Hotel guests have access to the Gainey Ranch private club and golf course with 27 holes of championship golf.
- Just a few minutes north of the hotel is the world’s largest collection of musical instruments at the Musical Instrument Museum. Interactive galleries let you experience the music and instruments of cultures around the world. The hands-on “Experience” gallery is fun for all ages, allowing guests to play instruments.
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Accessibility
The resort is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as it offers pool chair lifts, wide entrances and wide pathways. The main building has a ramp to the front entrance, and most guest rooms are within the main building and accessible with elevators. Both accessible suites and casitas with visual, auditory and mobility accessibility options are available.
As always, TPG suggests contacting the resort directly with any specific questions or concerns.
Insider tips for staying at the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort
- Valet parking costs about $20 per night, while close-by self-parking is $10 per night.
- Definitely snag a dinner reservation for La Zozzona before your stay, as it’s popular with locals.
- The Grand Vista Lounge offers a great daily happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m. and live music starting at 6 p.m. most nights.
How to book the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort
Mountain view rooms are available from $529 per night during peak season (January through May) and from $349 per night in the summer. The Category 6 luxury resort is bookable starting at 21,000 World of Hyatt points per night.
When booking a Hyatt hotel, you’ll want to use a credit card that earns extra points for Hyatt stays, as well as one that possibly offers automatic World of Hyatt elite status for value-added benefits. These include:
The Grand Hyatt Scottsdale is also a member of the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program and The Edit by Chase Travel℠, with both programs offering perks and benefits such as early check-in, daily breakfast for two, late checkout and room upgrades (subject to availability).
Bottom line
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Hyatt hotels have become my go-to accommodation option for award stays because they are so affordable. With award redemptions at the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale, a gorgeous property with fantastic service and plentiful amenities, starting at 21,000 points per night, a stay here is a no-brainer. You really can’t beat the price for this experience.
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Since the Arizona Cardinals want to trade back from the No. 3 picks, here are three deals that could work.
The Arizona Cardinals have the third pick in the 2026 NFL draft, which begins this week on Thursday. All the reports coming out are saying that they want to trade out of the pick to acquire more draft picks.
But what does a trade look like and who could be involved?
The Kansas City Chiefs are involved in talks at some level. ESPN’s Adam Schefter expects trade talks to heat up this week.
NFL teams use a variation of a trade value chart when it comes to draft picks. Now, what a team actually is willing to give up can be influenced by potential competition with other teams, but we can’t count on that.
Here is the general trade value chart teams use.
Here are some potential deals that could be done.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have two first-round picks, which would be appealing to the Cardinals, who reportedly want to make a move for quarterback Ty Simpson, and the 29th pick might be just the spot to get him.
The third overall pick is worth 514 points.
The Chiefs’ picks at No. 9 (387 points) and No. 29 (202 points) together are worth 589.
To make up the difference, the Cardinals could give up No. 65 (78 points) for a total of 592 points.
One deal could be:
- Cardinals receive get No. 9 and No. 29 (589 points)
- Chiefs receive No. 3 and No. 65 (592 points)
Another could be:
- Cardinals receive No. 9, No. 29, No. 74 and 2027 third-round pick (653 points + value of future third-round pick, which is 36-78 points)
- Chiefs receive No. 3 and No. 34 (689 points)
The Cardinals keep their third-round pick and the Chiefs essentially move back five spots from No. 29.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have the 12th and 20th picks but no pick in the second round.
Pick No. 12 is 347 points and No. 20 is 269 for a total of 616.
This deal is close:
- Cardinals receive No. 12, No. 20 (616 points)
- Cowboys receive No. 3, No. 65 (592 points)
New Orleans Saints
The Saints are perhaps a dark horse to move up, although they do not have two first-round picks. They have the No. 8 pick, worth 406 points. Their second-round pick, at No. 42, is worth 142 points.
This deal could work:
- Cardinals receive No. 8, No. 42 (548 points)
- Saints receive No. 3, No. 104 (547 points)
Then the Cardinals could use their two second-round picks to then move back into Round 1 to get Ty Simpson.
They could trade No. 34, No. 42 and No. 65 (395 points) for No. 28, No. 38 and No. 106 (398 total points).
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
PHOENIX — Breezy winds kicked up a blanket of dust across the Valley on Sunday, and forecasters say more is on the way this week.
Visibility in Phoenix became so bad on Sunday that Sky Harbor airport stopped flights for over an hour
The wind and dust peaked Sunday afternoon and gradually improved into the evening, said Michael Graves, an air quality meteorologist with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.
“You might’ve seen the mountains a bit obscured in the distance,” Graves told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Monday. “A lot of haze in the air.”
By Monday morning, skies had largely cleared and dust levels near the ground had dropped significantly.
Expect more gusty, dusty days this week
The relief may be short-lived.
ADEQ is watching for increased afternoon breezes Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, this time from the west and southwest. Though the winds are expected to be weaker than Sunday’s, Graves said forecasters cannot rule out dust.
“I wouldn’t say windstorm,” Graves said. “I would just say we’ve got some waves coming in. They’re going to increase our afternoon breeziness.”
It’s enough to kick up dry, exposed dirt, which could create pockets of dust. There is a slight chance of broader regional dust transport, Graves said.
It will impact people with asthma, COPD or respiratory conditions the most. Graves advised those with issues to monitor conditions and stay indoors during the dustiest hours.
“If you’re going to be outside, be outside during the times when it’s less dusty or hazy,” Graves said.
Graves noted that spring weather systems typically pass to the north of the Phoenix area, delivering wind and slight temperature drops but little to no rain, a pattern likely to continue.
KTAR News reporter Kellen Shover contributed to this report.
The University of Arizona and Tucson are known for yearlong warm weather, but when is it too much? With temperature reaching record highs in March, the city of Tucson has already reported increased temperatures for this year.
In the wake of the third annual Southern Arizona Heat Summit, integrating voices throughout the City of Tucson, community stakeholders and experts from UA gather to speak about possible solutions and policies to address rising temperatures and extreme heat.
The summit strives to ensure that the lived experiences of Southern Arizona residents are voiced. The first summit commenced in 2024, in response to the declaration of an extreme heat emergency in Arizona by Gov. Katie Hobbs, as part of a larger plan called Arizona’s Extreme Heat Response Plan.
With representation from organizations such as the American Red Cross, the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, Arizona Jobs with Justice, Tucson Indian Center and many more, the summit emphasized the importance of the perspective and concerns of stakeholder groups throughout the community.
The summit included a variety of UA experts, including faculty representing the School of Geography, Development and Environment; the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy; the Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health and the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture.
One particular project, led by Ladd Keith at the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning, is a part of the Southwest Urban Corridor Integrated Field Laboratory, which is funded by the United States’ Department of Energy to explore extreme heat throughout Arizona. SW-IFL works in collaboration with other national laboratories including those at ASU and NAU.
The team works to analyze extreme heat in the southwest and rural areas, and how communities deal with heat by conducting interviews. The team has also prescribed policy to Pima County and the City of Tucson regarding more effective strategies to combat rising temperatures, such as green stormwater infrastructure.
Anne-Lise Boyer, a post-doctoral researcher with the Climate Assessment for the Southwest, shared that the team particularly analyzed extreme heat in three parts: heat mitigation, heat management and heat governance.
Mitigation deals with prevention through strategies such as green infrastructure and planting trees, while management includes cooling sensors and heat warning systems. Governance allows these measures to be enacted through policy.
In Tucson, some of the most meaningful work the team has engaged in has been drafting the City of Tucson’s Heat Action Roadmap in 2024, which outlines goals to mitigate and mandate extreme heat and its impacts while prioritizing community voices.
The goals of the roadmap include informing and educating citizens of Tucson on the adverse effects of extreme heat and cooling people’s homes and neighborhoods by incorporating heat risk in regional planning. These steps are essential to practicing heat management, especially as the city of Tucson grows.
“I think the most interesting thing about being based in Tucson is that because the heat has been here for a long time, it’s like a laboratory in itself,” Boyer said. “We have all this research and all this collaboration happening with local actors because it’s a pressing issue in Arizona.”
As the annual heat summit recurs, new ideas and perspectives continue to be shared throughout the community. Boyer shared that this year, the Southern Arizona Heat Summit focused on the youth perspective, highlighting middle school and high school students and how heat impacts their everyday lives. Many students spoke about how heat shaped their lives at home, school and sports.
“That’s one of the goals, to have community members participate and give their input in how they wish the city will deal with the heat,” Boyer said.
Boyer and Kirsten Lake, a program coordinator for the SW-IFL team, also shared how the impacts of extreme heat impact some neighborhoods and communities in Tucson more than others, and that their research often evaluates these factors to determine where heat management efforts would make the greatest impact.
“Its important when you’re putting into effect some of these measures, that you make sure you put it where it’s going to make the biggest difference,” Lake said.
The work of the SW-IFL team is not just locally known. The Brookhaven National Lab based in New York deployed a specialized truck to Tucson to collect information on the atmosphere and rising temperatures. The SW-IFL team hosted the Brookhaven team.
Additionally, Keith’s work has led to a guidebook called “Planning for Urban Heat Resilience” which focuses on the adverse effects extreme heat poses to marginalized communities across the country.
“It is so different from place to place and neighborhood to neighborhood because you have to take the whole context into account,” Boyer said. “They recommend first to document the heat impacts in your communities.”
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