Phoenix - Meetings Collaborative - By and for Meeting Professionals

Firesky Resort & Spa A Kimpton Hotel Scottsdale: FireSky Resort & Spa

graysherry — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 15:16:53 +0100

I did not go onsite, but the staff that did were very satified.

Valley Ho Hotel Scottsdale: Stunning Art Deco Hotel

JoanEisenstodt — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:05:17 +0100

Tourism Safety Meeting held 11.21.08 for hospitality providers, law enforcement (local, state and federal) and tourism officials.

What a treat! My first impression was that this was a funky and stunning hotel and when I read their web site to learn more and found out is on the list of historic hotels, I was so impressed. Think "Catch Me If You Can" and more.

Just about 20 minutes from PHX, the cab ride (and my driver) were great. (He had just achieved US citizenship so we had a great conversation.) Pulling up to the Hotel, both a doorman and a bellman greeted me and asked to help. I didn't need help but it was sure nice to see them.

The lobby is bright and open, and opens into one of the lounges and a restaurant.

Guest Rooms: The rooms are large and very comfortable. Although it says the renovation was not that recent, they feel like they were recently redone. There is a frosted glass enclosed bathroom with both a soaking tub and sep. stall shower, a cool raised sink, good lighting, and even a mood light over the tub. My room was a double-double with platform beds with a table between with good lighting by which to read.

Along one wall is a counter under which are drawers, a minibar (see addl. note), and seating: a desk chair at one end and a stool at the other. One of the neatest features is a round table that rolls and can go under the counter or can be pulled out for dining .. w/o having to use the workspace. Flat panel TV, good makeup mirror, and all furnishings go w/ the retro/deco theme.

There is wi-fi at no charge and the signal is strong. The air conditioning works well and the room is immaculate. These all made me very happy.

Minibar: Some usual stuff, and: a jar of salsa w/ a small bowl in which to pour it, what look like good tri-color corn chips, I love Lucy Predic-a-Mints in a fun tin, and a cool "littler umbrella with case" (as it is written.)

One caveat: The room to which I was originally assigned is up some steps and I asked for one that wasn't. Mine was on the ground level and opened to the outside from the front door and to a private enclosed patio. I heard minimal noise from outside and felt safe. (That also comes from knowing the Dir of Security, Terry Bauer.) I would have been even happier if the door had a chain or bar in addition to the double lock.

Room service: SUPERB chicken noodle soup with real chicken see my blog Crying Fowl and a great burger with Tillamook Cheddar and an option of many sides chips, slaw, fruit, sliced tomatoes (which I chose.) The menu is a good one comfort foods, healthy foods, and a nice variety with reasonable (for room service) prices.

Meeting space/Meeting/Banquet F&B: The meeting space is in a few places throughout the hotel, all convenient to the guest rooms and lobby. Ours was off the lobby and off a lovely enclosed courtyard where a continental breakfast was served. In the space we used (a divided smaller ballroom) are floor to ceiling windows that have room darkening shades if needed. The AV dept. was superb handling all the needs easily. Restrooms were right off the courtyard which made them convenient for the meeting and would be for social events held in the courtyard.

Generally group food & beverage were very good. The lunch, in particular (creamy risotto, broccolini, and a stuffed chicken breast), was prepared very well and served beautifully. (See above about the chicken soup they use real chicken breasts on the plated meals too not the ones w/ the pre-stamped grill marks!) I would like them to find a better bagel distributor these were a bit too “white bread" for me. They serve passion fruit iced tea another nice treat.

Decor of the meeting rooms was also great reflecting the hotel's decor. Even the banquet chairs had round seats and backs to go with the other circles.

Had dinner in ZuZus, one of the restaurants (along with Trader Vic's) and again had the chicken soup which was excellent. Also had fish tacos (that night's blue plate special) that could have used a bit more seasoning but were very good and not heavy.

Improvements? See above. Even check out at 4:15 a.m. was seamless and they have a car service that serves as taxis from the hotel back to the airport.

CopperWynd Resort and Club: CopperWynd Resort and Club

aglasmeier — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:22:12 +0100

This small boutique property is excellent for an executive meeting or small sales meeting. Meeting space is extremely limited. Food and beverage was quite good and the staff was very responsive.

Scottsdale Plaza Resort Hotel: Pretty property but hard to work with

jenmerkel — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 20:13:05 +0100

Salespeople were inflexible and didn't seem to want to give us even the basic concessions such as a 1/50 comp. They also add a contract clause binding meeting planners to their in-house DMC and transportation company which I find distasteful. We decided to go with the property because our executives liked the look and feel of the resort, which was very nice and well-kept. The hotel gets good marks for that as well as F&B quality and selection though menu pricing was too high.

The worst thing about the property was the ballroom, which was like an oven for our summer meeting. If your meeting takes place in the warm months, DO NOT use the ballroom on the west side of the building or you will deeply regret it. Our room temps climbed in excess of 90 degrees and the facilities staff couldn't fix the problem. Also, our attendees had to walk to the breakout space using the outdoor sidewalk during a windy rainstorm (yes, it does rain in Arizona). Some of the breakouts were accessible only by using stairs and located next to the guest rooms.

The guest rooms themselves were nice and well-kept and the on-property restaurant Remington's is excellent, though you have to walk across the hotel parking lot to get there, which is very hot in the summertime. There is a nice boardroom adjacent to the restaurant that works well for executives, but as with all other aspects of your meeting, you will be nickel-and-dimed to death.

Four Seasons Hotel Scottsdale: Four Seasons Resort, Scottsdale

ABNS — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:11:54 +0100

ABNS Directors like the Scottsdale Four Seasons for their January meeting, and their wives enjoy being there - reading by the pool or hot air ballooning. Good meetings rooms, beautiful sleeping rooms, personal service. Outstanding facilities, including the spa. Golf within a walkable distance, but there's a van. Extremely professional, well trained staff, a pleasure to work with. Open to last minute changes and present good ideas. I always feel I'm in good hands and have just signed another contract with them. Plus, I'm a true believer that surroundings make a difference in getting good work out of Directors, and these annual meetings are extremely productive. Plus the weather is great for outdoors (unlike Florida and Bermuda which, we have found, can be cold in January).

Scottsdale Plaza Resort Hotel: Scottsdale Plaza Resort

demitriusgray — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 23:05:46 +0100

3/19/2007 Unfortunately I did not attend, but I heard nothing but wonderful things about the property and the SPR staff from my attendees. I wouldn't hesitate to book another group at that resort, but my groups are typically rate sensititve so I may not have another opportunity.

Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa Hotel Phoenix: Arizona Biltmore

demitriusgray — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:46:23 +0100

3/22/2007 I was not actually onsite with this meeting, but received feedback from the people who are. The service was great, the meeting room on the 2nd and 3rd day was great, and staff helpful.

Scottsdale Plaza Resort Hotel: Scottsdale Plaza Resort

wanerjr — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:23:04 +0100

5/25/2007

Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa Hotel Phoenix: Arizona Biltmore

wanerjr — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 21:58:58 +0100

8/6/2007 works great for a group of 300 - 400 as you take over the property and have great flexibility with the space

Scottsdale Plaza Resort Hotel: Scottsdale Plaza Resort

congressmaker — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:54:48 +0100

7/16/2007 Overall the meeting was a success and the property great. While the hotel was great and everything went well, it's nicer to be in a property where you feel that you are in partnership with the hotel rep and enjoy working with each other.