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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Arizona
Suspect in custody after fleeing Arizona troopers and barricading inside a Phoenix neighborhood shed
PHOENIX — A suspect is in custody after fleeing from Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers overnight and hiding in a Phoenix neighborhood.
According to DPS, troopers attempted to stop a white BMW around 1:20 a.m. for speeding and displaying fictitious plates. The driver did not stop, and a pursuit was initiated.
Troopers later ended the pursuit due to safety concerns.
The vehicle was eventually found abandoned near 13th Avenue and McDowell Road. DPS says the suspect briefly drove again before getting out and running through nearby residential backyards.
Authorities say the suspect barricaded himself inside a shed in a backyard.
Phoenix police officers, including a K-9 unit and air support, responded to assist and set up a perimeter. The suspect was located and taken into custody after refusing commands to surrender.
Police say the suspect was treated for minor injuries and taken to a hospital.
No other injuries were reported.
Arizona
Jenae Berry’s strongest outing as a Wildcat secures Arizona softball’s series win over Baylor
It was another adventure for the No. 14 Arizona Wildcats, but sophomore pitcher Jenae Berry turned in her best outing as a Wildcat to secure the series win against Baylor. After taking Friday’s game in run-rule fashion, UA won Saturday’s game 11-7. The Wildcats go for the series sweep on Sunday.
“I’m so proud of her,” Arizona head coach Caitlin Lowe said of Berry. “I think she was perfectly herself today. Didn’t try to do too much. She hit really great spots, mixed speeds, and it was exactly what we needed. You know, she came in and the game settled down once she did come in, and she really just controlled it throughout.”
Berry entered the game in relief and went 5.1 innings with five strikeouts. Both the innings and the Ks were season highs for the righty, who transferred in from Indiana during the offseason.
“Regan [Shockey] was messing around with me after because I don’t normally strike many people out, but definitely fun,” Berry said.
Berry lowered her ERA from 7.58 to 6.68 after giving up two earned runs on three hits and no walks. She earned her second win of the season to improve her record to 2-0.
While the outing may have given Berry a boost, her teammates were grateful for the confidence she instilled in them.
“She gave some confidence to the team, for sure, that we really needed, and she allowed us to go offensively,” Shockey said. “And that’s the biggest thing I would say she contributed today. The energy.”
Shockey may not be someone who seems like she needs confidence. She rarely seems to struggle. However, she had a tough go of things for the first two games last week. She struck out three times in the first two games against ASU. Those three strikeouts gave her 12 for the season.
She has bounced back in the over the last four games, stretching back to the final game of the series against the Sun Devils. Against the Bears, she is 7 for 8 with an RBI, a stolen base, and three runs scored. She looks more like the Regan Shockey everyone knows.
“I think that’s softball,” Shockey said. “You know, people are gonna know you. It’s my third year here, and third year playing against ASU…Can’t be scared to fail, and this weekend, I’m not scared to fail at all. Not scared to strike out, because at the end of the day, no one really remembers the strikeouts more than they remember the hits and our team scoring all those runs.”
Arizona scored most of their runs during the first inning in this one. After starter Rylie Holder wiggled out of a bases-loaded situation in the top of the first, the Wildcats’ offense got to work.
The team sent 11 to the plate in the inning. It only ended because Sereniti Trice was called for leaving base early in her second time getting on base in the frame.
The Wildcats opened with three straight singles to load the bases and bring Sydney Stewart to the plate. There was nowhere to put Arizona’s biggest bat. Baylor starter Peyton Tanner walked her to force in the first run.
A sacrifice fly by Grace Jenkins put the Wildcats up 2-0, then another walk loaded the bases again. A third walk forced in the third run.
That brought up Tele Jennings, who was making her second straight start at designated player. Jennings transferred to Arizona from San Diego in the offseason. In her two seasons with the Toreros, she hit just .239 and had 24 extra-base hits.
She had struggled in her first couple of months as a Wildcat, too. She didn’t get her first hit until her sixth appearance in cardinal and navy. She came into the series hitting .231.
Lowe has been confident that Jennings would find her way, though. She has put her in as the starting DP three times in the past two weeks. This week, the junior broke through. She went 1 for 4 and reached on an error on Friday. Even the at-bats that didn’t result in hits were solid.
On Saturday, Jennings was 1 for 3. The one hit was a double that drove in three to put Arizona up 6-0 in the first. That chased Tanner.
Shockey’s groundout drove in the seventh run, then Trice scored Addison Duke with a single up the middle. If Arizona could keep Baylor under control, it might be on the way to another run rule. It was already 8-0 after the first inning.
Holder continued to have problems in the second inning, though. Her body language indicated she was a bit frustrated with borderline pitches not going her way.
Baylor’s Leah Cran led off the second with a solo shot to put the Bears on the board. A walk and an error by Trice put two on with no outs, then a double made it 8-2. Holder had runners on the corners and still no outs. Another homer and a double made it 8-5, which ended Holder’s day.
Berry entered the game with the bases clear after the 2-run homer. Her first strikeout of the night brought the inning to a close. She continued her run by sitting the side down in order in the third, and her offense responded.
Duke continued to show her power. She had two doubles on Friday. On Saturday, she added a 3-run home run to extend Arizona’s lead to 11-5.
Arizona didn’t score again, but Berry made the runs stand up. She gave up two singles and a groundout that got a runner on, over, and in during the fourth. In the fifth, she struck out the side but a solo home run was sandwiched in between.
“We can handle the ones thrown up there,” Lowe said. “Offensively, we’re gonna punch back. So I think that’s the biggest thing. Is she was able to keep it within reach?”
Lowe was also pleased that the Wildcats didn’t have to use Jalen Adams. Having another arm or two to use is something Arizona needs.
”It also provides us a different look,” Lowe said. “And she’s such a different look than both Rylie and Jalen are. So it’s just really great to have her as a bridge. It’s great to have her as an open, as a close. I didn’t think she was going to get extended that long, but she absolutely just dominated the end portion of that game.”
While the players are too young to remember the last time Arizona couldn’t close out a series against Baylor, they were happy to get the series win for those who were there nine years ago.
“When you wear this uniform, everything means everything to everyone,” Shockey said. “So we carry this A with pride, and we did it for those people in 2017. So I hope they felt this win just as much as we did.”
There’s still a goal left to attain this weekend.
“We need the sweep,” Shockey said. “There’s no other expectation…Our coaches have a very high standard for us, and that is the standard.”
TEMPE — Former Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor took part in the school’s Pro Day on Friday in anticipation for the NFL Draft – which is being held from April 23-25.
The three-year Sun Devil spoke with media after the day concluded – discussing what the next month will entail for him, his journey into becoming a standout NFL prospect, and much more.
To watch the full media availability, view below.
Iheanachor Reveals Upcoming NFL Visits
The general consensus over the last week or two has been that Iheanachor would be more of a second round pick compared to the previous first-round notion, although revelations on Friday may refute that belief.
The talented right tackle revealed that he is set to have top-30 visits with the Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Baltimore Ravens – among other franchises – in the month leading into the draft.
Those aren’t the only potential destinations for the rapidly rising prospect, as Iheanachor has previously been linked with the San Fransisco 49ers and Detroit Lions as well. There appears to be a common theme amongst interested parties – as all of the franchises either have an aging tackle that carries an uncertain future, or has an open vacancy at right tackle at this moment.
The New England Patriots have an interest in Iheanachor that is a poorly kept secret in their own right – this was on full display when head coach Mike Vrabel worked extensively with the former JUCO player, even after group drills were finished. The Patriots own the number 31 pick in the first round.
Iheanachor’s Journey Nothing Short of Incredible
Iheanachor didn’t begin playing football until 2021, when he began his career playing at the junior college level. He eventually committed to play for Arizona State ahead of Kenny Dillingham’s first season in 2023. There were certainly questions surrounding his viability in making a transition from a lower level into the power four, but that was short-lived.
The raw prospect grew considerably as the season went on, eventually seeing real playing time later in the season. He returned in 2024 as a definitive starter and was obviously one of the most improved players on the entire roster on a year-to-year basis. He then returned in 2025 and was the best player/prospect on the entire offensive line, with figures such as taking part in 484 pass protection snaps without ceding a sack confirming the elite nature of his season.
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