Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Breaks Ground on New Conference Center Debuting 10-11-12 (United States)
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Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Breaks Ground on New Conference Center Debuting 10-11-12 (United States)
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Category: North America & West Indies / Carribean islands - United States - Industry economy
vRenovation / Addition
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2011-09-12
Passionate about providing guests with a distinctive Southwest meeting destination, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess has broken ground on a new conference center, 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 center 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.
"Over its 100-year history, Fairmont has been host to many legendary and historic meetings and events and this conference center expansion ensures the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is well-positioned to offer creative and unique resources to tomorrow's guests," said Chris Cahill, President, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. "Launching this project has been a joint effort with our resort's owner Strategic Hotels & Resorts who have made significant enhancements to this iconic property and proved visionary partners in this hotel's continuing success. Together, along with the meaningful support of the City of Scottsdale and Scottsdale Convention & Visitors Bureau, we look forward to offering more to the marketplace and maximizing innovative options for our group customer."
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 center, 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.
"This new development is a measure of our faith not only in the strength of the Scottsdale market, but also in the distinct appeal of our property, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess," stated Laurence Geller, Chief Executive Officer, Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc., owners of the hotel. "Our plans will further differentiate this terrific resort and the finished product will offer a welcome, and needed, addition to serve the evolving needs of today's meeting and event planners."
To celebrate the new conference center, groups who book 100 rooms or more on peak by Sept. 30, 2012 will receive the "Celebration Is On Us Package": a one-hour, destination-themed reception with cocktails and light hors d'oeuvres (meeting must take place by December 2013). Groups that book between July 4 and Labor Day of 2013, 2014 or 2015 will receive a complimentary five-minute fireworks show. The offer is not valid on existing bookings.
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.
ABOUT THE FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE PRINCESS
Set against the backdrop of Arizona's McDowell Mountains, the AAA Five-Diamond Fairmont Scottsdale Princess reflects its Southwestern setting with Spanish colonial-style architecture, expansive plazas and lush, flower-filled gardens. The resort features 649 oversized guest rooms, including 69 new Fairmont Gold rooms and suites, five heated swimming pools, the luxurious 44,000 square-foot Willow Stream - The Spa at Fairmont, the new John Austin Center for Tennis, championship golf at the adjacent TPC of Scottsdale and the new Bobcat Billy's Clubhouse for kids. Dining options include BOURBON STEAK, a AAA Four-Diamond steakhouse by the acclaimed Michael Mina; modern Mexican cuisine at La Hacienda by Richard Sandoval; LV Bistro, serving favorites for the whole family and seafood at The Grill, with stunning views overlooking the 18th green at the TPC of Scottsdale Stadium Course. Stone Rose, a contemporary bar and lounge presented by nightlife entrepreneurs Rande Gerber and Scott Gerber, is the spot for cocktails in Princess Plaza. Become a fan and follow the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.
ABOUT FAIRMONT HOTELS & RESORTS
Located in world-class destinations around the globe, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is a celebrated collection of hotels that includes landmark locations like London's The Savoy, New York's The Plaza, and Shanghai's Fairmont Peace Hotel. With more than 60 hotels, Fairmont is known as much for its warm, engaging service and culturally rich experiences, as its classic hotels that imbue a sense of heritage, sophistication and social importance and are often considered destinations in their own right. A community and environmental leader, Fairmont is also regarded for its responsible tourism practices and award-winning Green Partnership program. Fairmont is owned by FRHI Holdings Limited, a leading global hotel company with over 100 hotels under the Fairmont, Raffles, and Swiss?tel brands. The company also manages Fairmont and Raffles branded estates and luxury private residence club properties.
ABOUT STRATEGIC HOTELS & RESORTS
Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. is a real estate investment trust (REIT) which owns and provides value-enhancing asset management of high-end hotels and resorts in the United States, Mexico and Europe. The Company currently has ownership interests in 17 properties with an aggregate of 7,762 rooms.
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