The Hilton Phoenix Resort at the Peak has always been part of the Valley’s hospitality DNA.
Recently, the property underwent a $60 million facelift that honors its past but gives it an elevated presence.
DEEPER DIVE: Read all the Ranking Arizona Top 10 lists here
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS: Want more news like this? Get our free newsletter here
“Over the last number of years, it has needed an investment and hasn’t had one until now,” said general manager Dale Moseke, a Phoenix native who also worked at the property mid-career.
“It’s exciting with our new owner coming in. You can see the changes that are already happening.”
Guests are welcoming by a new lobby, which has been replaced by The Living Room. The space is an indoor-outdoor social hub, anchored by a large bar, multiple seating zones and five fireplaces.
The redesign is part of the newly unveiled Ocotillo Wing, formerly the South Tower, which includes 208 completely renovated suites “down to the studs,” Moseke said.
The rooms now have a modern, residential feel, with clean lines, blue and natural tones. Thoughtful touches fill the room — reading lights and private patios overlooking the mountains or the new Anasazi Courtyard.
“It really is transformative,” Moseke said. “It is an entirely different experience, and much more elevated.”
The renovation isn’t just cosmetic. It’s strategic. The Peak has served two core audiences: families drawn to the 4‑acre River Ranch Water Park, and groups seeking a central, all‑suite convention property.
The waterpark has been upgraded with new cabanas, lounge chairs, and umbrellas, plus a revamped menu at Slim’s restaurant. (Moseke suggests ordering the nachos — a unanimous top choice.)
For groups, the resort has 60,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The new Ocotillo and Anasazi courtyards — shaded by sculptural canopies — offer flexible outdoor venues framed by desert landscape and Piestewa Peak.
Besides Slim’s, guests can shop in The Pantry, a grab‑and‑go marketplace with Starbucks coffee, local goods, and essentials.
The Peak’s transformation is thanks to its new ownership, Pivotal Group, which purchased the resort in late 2024.
“We’re not just renovating and updating the property,” said Julia Najafi, Pivotal Group vice president and principal, said in a statement.
“We’re reimagining the hotel’s legacy in the community.”
That legacy is personal for Moseke, who was raised in the Valley. Many longtime employees have been with the property 20 or 30 years.
“It’s really honoring the past, but then building it for the future,” Moseke said.
The renovation’s second phase is underway, though details remain under wraps. The second guest room wing is closed until the summer. A new restaurant concept is also in development, Moseke said.
The resort is also rolling out summer staycation packages, including resort credits that can be used for poolside dining, spa services at Tocasierra Spa, or guided hikes into the Phoenix Mountains Preserve.
Walking through the new Ocotillo Wing, it’s clear the renovation isn’t just a facelift. It’s a reintroduction.
“They [the rooms] provide an elevated guest experience and reflect a thoughtful approach that enhances how our guests arrive, stay, and connect, while respecting the legacy of a property that has long been part of the Phoenix community.”
