PHOENIX— The Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, set to open here at the end of this year, has already been upgraded to a JW Marriott designation. The move was made by Marriott International, which approached one of the ownership entities, CNL Hospitality Properties, with the prospect. CNL carefully considered the idea, said CNL COO Charlie Muller, and decided to go with the idea when it realized it would not have to increase the cost of the new-build development. At the same time, the JW Marriott designation would enable the property to command a higher room rate, and garner additional revenue from spa and food and beverage outlets, said Muller. The JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa has been long in the making. Marriott, which already has a strong presence in the area with its Camelback and Mountain Shadows Resorts, had planned the property on its own, and then approached CNL Hospitality in the first quarter of 2000 with the idea of coming up with an ownership strategy. CNL’s REIT division made an investment on its own, and the company also sponsored a partnership to fund the $300 development. Marriott International, meanwhile, also became an ownership entity. The building of the 950-room resort reflects a deep commitment for all those involved. With 170,000 square feet of meeting space, executives plan on the mega-resort’s being a major player nationally for meetings and convention business. The resort is facing stiff competition in its local marketplace alone, which includes The Phoenician, Arizona Biltmore and Scottsdale Princess. Muller said two of the resort’s ballrooms alone will make it stand out from the fray. One is 33,000 square feet, the other is 26,000: either of those are the largest in Arizona, he said. In addition, the resort will house a 28,000 square-foot spa with 40 treatment rooms when it opens, as well as two championship golf courses and four swimming pools. Outdoor areas consist of 20,000 square-foot “Indian Kiva Grounds” as well as a Ballroom Lawn, which is accessible from the ballroom level. Muller reports that the first group business for the property checks in in January.
JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort