Photo: Jeff Zaruba

They say what’s old becomes new again, and in the case of The Scottsdale Resort & Spa in McCormick Ranch, that’s quite literally true. After nearly 50 years of hosting conferences, weddings and other events, it was time for a change. Driftwood Hospitality Management acquired the property in 2022 and set in motion its largest renovation to date. What was at first planned as a modest overhaul of the guest rooms, common areas, spa, fitness center and restaurants became a comprehensive renovation of the 17-acre property.

Today, the resort wears its $40 million makeover well. Guest rooms, which were scaled down to 278 in number but scaled up in terms of luxury and appointments, embrace a residential style with warm hardwood floors and Southwestern textiles. Hand-carved wood cabinetry and headboards, along with leather accents, provide a masculine balance to softer hues of sage and stone. The bathrooms take a more modern approach to desert style with robust Spanish tilework and freestanding tubs. Other notable changes include the addition of 12 two-story luxury villas, which enjoy golf course views and a private pool, as well as four brand-new dining options. The property joined the Curio Collection by Hilton earlier this year.