Set against the McDowell Mountains, the former Hyatt Regency Gainey Ranch was transformed into Scottsdale’s first Grand Hyatt, merging global brand identity with Southwestern heritage and natural beauty. The redesign encompassed 496 guestrooms, 18 Casitas, and a wide range of public spaces, including new and reconfigured lounges, 8 dining venues, meeting rooms, Spa Avania, and a 24,000-square-foot ballroom with a 12,000-square-foot expansion. Arrival zones were reorganized to frame mountain views, while the Grand Vista Lounge bar was reconfigured for stronger circulation. Public areas feature travertine, bronze accents, oak millwork, and Southwestern artwork in collaboration with consultant Matthew Whitaker. Two new restaurants by Richard Blais—La Zozzona and Tiki Taka—add culinary distinction through layered interior compositions. Guestrooms draw from the surrounding landscape, with natural hues, oak furnishings, and residentially inspired suites, culminating in a Presidential Suite that evokes contemporary desert modernism. The redesign of Spa Avania enhances its connection to the resort, with 19 treatment rooms and refreshed FF+E for the pool and lounge areas.
Bio Founded in Honolulu in 1945, WATG is the preeminent leader in integrated luxury hospitality design. Comprising five studios – Advisory, Master Planning, Architecture, Landscape and Wimberly Interiors, WATG designs spaces that respect, protect and enhance the natural magic of their surroundings while delivering long-term value for clients and communities. As of 2025, its global yet local team across offices in Honolulu, Tustin (California), Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlantic City, New York, London, Singapore and Shanghai – has designed and delivered 560+ built projects in 170 countries.
Other prizes CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER 2024 The Reader’s Choice List – Nobu Hotel Los Cabos, Los Cabos, Mexico / TRAVEL & LEISURE 2024 The 100 Best New Hotels of the Year - Umana Bali, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Indonesia / LIV HOSPITALITY DESIGN AWARDS 2024 Resort-Luxury Mountain Destination - Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, China / TIME MAGAZINE World’s Greatest Places 2024 Omni Homestead Resort and Spa Renovation, Virginia, USA / HOSPITALITY DESIGN MAGAZINE 2024 / HOSPITALITY DESIGN MAGAZINE 2024 New Brand Category Finalist - Tempo by Hilton Times Square (interiors only), New York, USA / RESTAURANT & BAR DESIGN AWARDS 2023 Middle East & Africa Surface Interiors Category Winner – SushiSamba, Waldorf Astoria Lusail, Doha, Qatar / PARIS DESIGN AWARDS 2022 Urban Design - International La Cadiere Lake City, China / AHEAD GLOBAL 2022, Transport - Winner Belmond Venice-Simplon-Orient Express / GOLD KEY AWARD Excellence In Hospitality Design 2022 Best Renovation - Kauai Beach Hotel & Resort, Hawaii / WORLD ARCHITECTURE FESTIVAL 2019 Hotel + Leisure Completed Buildings - Shortlisted Nobu Hotel Los Cabos
