SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (Jan. 13, 2026) — Scottsdale is surging into the new year with marquee resort openings, must-try dining destinations, immersive spa experiences, and a packed calendar of art, sports and cultural events.

RESORT ROUNDUP

THE BIG NEWS: This month, Kimpton Miralina Resort & Villas, previously known as Scottsdale Plaza Resort & Villas, opened as one of the largest resorts in the Kimpton portfolio and the second resort property in Arizona. Set against the backdrop of Camelback and Mummy mountains in Paradise Valley, just a 10-minute drive from Old Town Scottsdale, Kimpton Miralina spans 40 acres with 260 revamped guest rooms and casitas that represent the first phase of the resort's 404 rooms. Larger Valley Villas and Residences are to follow in late 2026. A new array of offerings and amenities include Hecho Libre, the Baja-inspired Mexican restaurant led by James Beard Award- and Michelin Guide-recognized Los Angeles Chef Wes Avila, six swimming pools, event space anchored by a new contemporary pavilion, a state-of-the-art gym and Spa Miralina. Inspired by the surrounding desert, the grounds feature living art installations called “Desert Reveries,” blending elements like cooling mist, garden pathways, sculptural chimes and flowing canopies, to encourage mindfulness throughout the stay.

• AC Hotel Scottsdale Old Town is set to open its doors in February, bringing the brand's signature European-inspired design and “Perfectly Precise” guest experience to Old Town Scottsdale. AC Hotel Scottsdale will total 168 rooms and include two rooftop attractions — a pool, as well as Cielito, a bar and restaurant showcasing flavors of Northwest Mexico. Visitors will also find an AC Lounge, fitness center, flexible meeting and event spaces, and pet-friendly rooms.
• The Hermosa Inn, a beloved property and historic landmark built by 1930s cowboy artist Alonzo “Lon” Megargee, continues the legacy of its founder. In addition to boasting one of the largest known collections of Megargee's original work, the resort has partnered with Colorado-based ZHOS Gallery to showcase one-of-a-kind Shona art sculptures by prominent artists from Zimbabwe. Gaining international recognition in the mid-20th century and known for its distinctive stone sculpture, Shona art is a vibrant contemporary movement rooted in deep cultural traditions.
• Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North has added Desert Orchard, a new artisanal café that honors the beauty, resilience and quiet abundance of the Sonoran Desert. Tucked beneath the dramatic backdrop of Pinnacle Peak, the cafe serves a fresh, seasonal menu that moves with guests throughout the day. Leading this new chapter is newly appointed Executive Pastry Chef, Christina Kaelberer, an award-winning culinary talent with over 15 years in the field.
• As part of its recent and ongoing $24-million renovation, Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas continues to reveal elevated new amenities across the property. The latest addition is Salt & Sol, a Mediterranean-inspired poolside restaurant showcasing fresh, light flavors and providing a unique tasting experience of specialty salts from around the world.

SPA + WELLNESS

THE BIG NEWS: JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa is unveiling a $25-million transformation of its iconic spa this month. The fully remodeled spa offers deeply personalized and nature-connected wellness rooted in its new ariVéa philosophy — a holistic approach that blends timeless rituals with the energy and serenity of the desert. Discover personalized pathways to well-being through sound therapy, hydrotherapies and desert-inspired treatments. Highlights of the spa include 20 treatment rooms, hydrotherapy pools, an indoor Wellness Circuit, new Wellness Studio with sound baths, the debut of Ora Café and a licensed nutritionist.

• Alvadora Spa at Royal Palms Resort and Spa is ushering in the next generation of wellness with touchless mini treatments, Wellsystem Wave Massage and V.E.M.I. therapy. The Wellsystem Wave uses advanced dry hydrotherapy — warm water jets beneath a waterproof surface — to deliver customizable, full body relaxation without getting wet, helping relieve tension, improve circulation and boost energy. Complementing this, V.E.M.I. therapy blends VibroAcoustic, ElectroMagnetic and Infrared technologies to promote deep relaxation and a meditative state through healing sound, gentle vibrations and infrared energy.
• The Scottsdale Resort & Spa is doubling down on its commitment to wellness programming in 2026 with Stay Well Weekends, a series of interactive programs throughout the year and designed to refresh the body, mind and spirit. The first edition takes place Jan. 16-18 and will include expert-led fitness classes, yoga, guided meditation, tarot readings, tea parties, golf lessons and more. With options to stay a day or the full weekend, this curated program is designed to inspire balance, renewal and healthy habits for the year ahead.
• In the cool and quiet foothills of Carefree, Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale introduces three new spring spa treatments alongside Desert Zen, a hallmark package available year-round. Desert Zen invites guests to fully absorb the region's spiritual energy with a restorative massage, Organic Signature Facial, nourishing lunch and Sonoran Explorin' Nature Tour. Seasonal treatments include The Desert Nomad, a reflexology treatment with cooling collagen eye patches and aromatherapy oils; Forbidden Fruit Renewal, beginning with a decadent sugar scrub infused with dragon fruit; and Desert Starfruit Glow, a full-body exfoliation featuring raw cane sugar and nutrient-rich coconut oil.
• On the heels of a Green Globe Certification, making Castle Hot Springs one of just three properties in the U.S. to receive this recognition for sustainability, the resort introduces the Seasonal Wellness Protocol. This is a nature-aligned wellness framework inspired by six energetic seasons observed in Eastern medicine. Each season emphasizes a distinct therapeutic focus shaped by shifts in light, temperature and rhythm, leveraging practices ranging from grounding and digestive support, to cooling practices and warm mineral soaks. The resort also offers a reset for the nervous system, rooted in science-backed vagus nerve toning, to help regulate breathing, heart rate, digestion and emotion by guiding guests from sympathetic stress into parasympathetic rest and digest restoration.
• CIVANA Wellness Resort and Spa has added two new spa treatments designed for the first and last moments of the day: the Sunrise and Sunset massages. The Sunrise Massage begins with a signature morning ritual to awaken the senses and center the mind through a guided intention-setting ceremony, chakra-tuning sound therapy and aromatherapy blends. Designed to calm the nervous system and prepare the body for deep rest, the Sunset Massage includes grounding and aromatherapy followed by a gratitude-focused sound healing ritual with tuning forks. Guests take home an aromatic inhaler from each treatment to continue their sense of intention into the day or night.
• bluSONIL, a new longevity, wellness and regenerative aesthetics studio, opened in Dec. 2025. Located in high-end shopping and entertainment destination, Scottsdale Quarter, the concept fuses evidence-based medical innovation with concierge-style, five-star hospitality, featuring a flexible model to serve every client's needs. Wellness therapies include Medical-Grade Peptide Therapy & Hormonal Optimization, IV Therapy & NAD+ Infusions, Contrast Therapy, Red Light Therapy, Lymphatic Drainage & Compression Therapy, and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, leveraging the world's only “smart chamber” at the cellular level. Regenerative aesthetic treatments include Skin Rejuvenation with Laser & Light Therapies, Microneedling with PRP & Exosome Therapies, Neuromodulators & Dermal Fillers, Medical-Grade Skincare Protocols & Custom Regimens, and Zerona ZV8 Non-Invasive Body Contouring, a clinically proven, FDA-cleared laser treatment.

SPORTS + SIGNATURE EVENTS

• Jan. 24 – Feb. 1: Every year, Scottsdale's Western Week invites locals and tourists alike to revel in the spirit of the Old West and city's rich heritage. The streets of Old Town come alive with parades, Native American festivals, live music, a special ArtWalk, and museum exhibits to enjoy.
• Feb. 2-8: The WM Phoenix Open is one of the most distinctive and renowned events in all of sports, blending elite PGA TOUR competition with unmatched fan energy, iconic desert scenery and a festival atmosphere. Home to the famed 16th hole Coliseum and the largest, most enthusiastic crowds in golf, the tournament has hosted generations of legendary champions while creating unforgettable moments both on and off the course. From par-4 aces and the loudest hole in golf, to after-hours concerts and iconic Saturday breakfast clubs, the WM Phoenix Open honors the game's legacy while delivering a tournament unlike any other.
• Feb. 12: The Scottsdale Gallery Association is spotlighting sculpture art with its February Gold Palette ArtWalk, themed “Demonstrate Sculpture.” Coinciding with the event, Wilde Meyer Gallery is hosting a reception for its new sculpture show, which will run Feb. 5-26. Gold Palette ArtWalks occur monthly through April, in addition to weekly Thursday night ArtWalks in Old Town Scottsdale, with extended gallery hours, themed activities, complimentary wine and live music.
• Feb. 12-22: Held each February at WestWorld of Scottsdale, the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show attracts top breeders, trainers and horse enthusiasts for one of the world's premier equestrian events. The show is a tradition dating back to 1955, featuring more than 2,000 Arabian horses competing for coveted titles.
• Feb. 20—March 24: MLB Cactus League Spring Training in Scottsdale isn't just about baseball — it's about savoring sunshine and making memories that last long after the final inning. Scottsdale hosts games at both Scottsdale Stadium, home of the San Francisco Giants, and Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, home to the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. Just steps beyond the ballparks, visiting fans can explore Old Town Scottsdale's postgame accommodations, dining, shopping and nightlife.
• March 19-22: Scottsdale Art Week presented by Scottsdale Ferrari returns to WestWorld of Scottsdale, welcoming 120 worldwide galleries and launching with an Opening Night Vernissage. The four-day celebration blends art, live music and cultural programming while honoring many leaders shaping the arts, including Indigenous artist and photographer Cara Romero as the first Indigenous Artist of the Year. With a rapidly growing collector base and nearly 80% of exhibitor booths sold out months in advance, Scottsdale Art Week continues to solidify its place on the international arts stage.
• March 21: We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort presents the second annual Celebrity Wine & Spirits Festival at Scottsdale Civic Center, showcasing more than 40 celebrity alcohol brands, such as Brie & Nikki Garcia's Bonita Bonita Wines, Drew Bledsoe's Bledsoe Family Winery, Woody Harrelson's Origen Vodka, Neil Giraldo's Three Chords Bourbon, and Cristie Kerr's Kerr Cellars. Celebrity Wine & Spirits Festival is an imaginative beverage-tasting event for guests to discover famously labeled wine and spirits, and for famous makers to reach their sophisticated audience.
• April 2-5: The Phoenix-metro area will take center stage as host of the NCAA Women's Final Four. Anchor a basketball-filled weekend at one of Old Town Scottsdale's luxurious resorts, a short 20-minute drive from the Mortgage Matchup Center, where the nation's top teams will compete in the semifinal and national championship games.
• April 8-12: Now in its 29th year, Arizona Bike Week is set to bring thousands of riders and music fans back to WestWorld of Scottsdale for a five-day rally this spring. Watch fan-favorite stunt and bike shows as well as MMA and combat sports, and explore the Used Bike Corral, where enthusiasts can buy, sell or browse motorcycles. The concert lineup spans rock and country, with performances by Black Stone Cherry, Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin Evening, Cody Jinks, and Ted Nugent.

SIP + SAVOR

• The Desert Botanical Garden closed out 2025 by entering a bold new culinary chapter: Gertrude's by Tarbell's. Joining the garden as the new culinary lead is renowned chef and restaurateur Mark Tarbell — owner of Phoenix's acclaimed Tarbell's restaurant, an Iron Chef America winner, five-time Emmy Award winner, James Beard Award nominee and two-time inductee into the Arizona Culinary Hall of Fame. With a legacy spanning nearly four decades, Tarbell is beloved for his vibrant cooking, approachable hospitality and commitment to seasonally inspired menus from local farmers, ranchers and winemakers. Visitors can look forward to an evolving menu highlighting Arizona-grown ingredients, wines and cocktails featuring boutique selections from Tarbell's cellar, expanded catering and more.
• Wolf by Vanderpump opened at Caesars Republic Scottsdale, a Hilton Hotel, in Old Town on Dec. 16, 2025, marking the brand's second location and its first outside of Las Vegas. Spanning 6,500 square feet across the hotel's seventh and eighth floors, the top-floor restaurant creates an immersive dining atmosphere with opulent interiors by Vanderpump Alain and Nick Alain, a dramatic central bar, and globally influenced menu of upscale comfort food. Guests can also enjoy panoramic desert views from the Camelback Veranda. The concept aligns with the hotel's La Lupa wolf icon and tagline, “Unleash Your Alter Ego.”
• In late Nov. 2025, Estelle, a new, two-story, open-air bar and restaurant, opened in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale. Created by Jocque Concepts, the team behind neighborhood favorites like The Montauk and Diego Pops, Estelle blends coastal Mediterranean flavors, a “beach-house-meets-nightlife” aesthetic, curated house music, and a rooftop designed for the versatility of long lunches, happy hours and late nights. Led by Chef Hector Cruz, a Mexico City native well-known in Scottsdale, Estelle's menu blends Greek, Italian and coastal Mediterranean dishes.
• Anhelo, a celebrated fine-dining restaurant that recently relocated from Phoenix to Scottsdale, hosted its first Thursday to Sunday brunch service this month and released a lineup of special events for the first quarter of 2026, including “An Unprecedented Red Burgundy Evening” in February and “White Burgundy Night of Rare Purity & Power” in March. Chef Ivan Jacobo curates these monthly dinners in addition to regular dinner service Tuesdays through Saturdays.
• The Guest House will start serving guests this month at Scottsdale Quarter, bringing its high-energy, social dining concept to Scottsdale. Known for its atmosphere, the reimagined venue (formerly Etta) transitions seamlessly from dinner to a vibrant, lounge-like evening. Led by Executive Chef Todd Mark Miller, the menu features elevated New American cuisine like tuna and caviar cones, a premium Wagyu steak program and spicy rigatoni.
• The sixth BOA Steakhouse will open at the Scottsdale Waterfront in Old Town during the first half of 2026 by Innovative Dining Group, the award-winning hospitality group also behind Sushi Roku and Katana. This location will deliver a celebrity-favorite, modern steakhouse experience, serving signature dry-aged steaks, an elevated raw bar and an Arizona-first partnership with 6666 (Four Sixes) Ranch, alongside a refined cocktail and award-winning wine program.
• The highly anticipated Din Tai Fung opens this spring at Scottsdale Fashion Square, further expanding the myriad culinary options at the luxury shopping and dining destination. Din Tai Fung is a globally acclaimed, Michelin-recognized restaurant brand renowned for the art of Xiao Long Bao and its upscale, inviting, cultural dining experience. Originally founded as a cooking oil retail business in Taiwan in 1958, Din Tai Fung was reborn into a humble dumpling and noodle shop in 1972. Today, the restaurant continues to be family-owned and passed down through generations, with more than 165 locations in 13 countries.

ART + ENTERTAINMENT

• The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM), one of the world's largest museums dedicated to music and musical instruments, presents vibrant seasonal programming that highlights music, culture and cuisine. A new highlight is Flute Fridays, a series of pop-up performances featuring Arizona-based flutists, complementing the special exhibition, “The Magical Flute: Beauty, Enchantment, and Power” (select Fridays, January-April). The MIM Music Theater Concert Series runs through May with artists spanning multiple genres, including Grammy-Award winner Smokey Robinson. Additional activities include educational MIM Talks (Feb. 10 and March 3) and culinary events such as Italian Spotlight Bar (Feb. 7), Rhythms of Romance (Feb. 12) and Mariachi and Mingle (Feb. 27), among others.
• Ravenscroft, a premier jazz and live music venue known for intimate performances, has announced an exciting mix of jazz artists on its spring lineup. On Jan. 31, the night before the 68th annual Grammy Awards, Ravenscroft will host its second annual Grammy Night, headlined by Grammy Award-winning pianist and jazz legend, Bill Cunliffe. Other highlights include a Valentine's Day concert with vocalist Alyssa Allgood and her Quartet, and a special appearance by acclaimed a cappella quartet, Kings Return, on Feb. 21. Throughout April, Ravenscroft will celebrate National Jazz Appreciation Month with a series of performances.
• Families can step into the magic of the Scottsdale Castle at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament during Jr. Knight Training, an interactive adventure that gives children the chance to step into the shoes of a knight. Taking place before select showtimes, Jr. Knight Training begins in the arena with a thrilling weapons demonstration and hands-on sword instruction led by skilled knights and the Weapons Master, followed by a visit from the King and Queen and a memorable knighting ceremony (Thursday–Saturday, March 12–21).

For more Scottsdale travel news and story ideas, visit www.ScottsdalePressroom.com.

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