Each year, AZRE magazine’s RED Awards commemorates the meticulous work accomplished by the teams of companies who shepherd projects of all kinds from initial concept to final delivery. Each category represents the finest the industry has to offer — state-of-the-art education buildings, chic offices spaces, lavish hotels, modern apartments and so much more. Today, take a deeper look at the hospitality project of the year finalists.
The 2026 RED Awards will honor finalists and announce winners in 18 categories on Thursday, March 19 at the Embassy Suites Scottsdale. The year’s top developer, general contractor, architecture firm and subcontractor will also be celebrated.
The RED Awards VIP sponsor is Haydon Companies, the spotlight sponsor is Core Construction, the beverage sponsor is DP Electric, the dessert sponsor is Layton Construction, the step and repeat sponsor is Suntec Concrete, the valet sponsor is Stevens-Leinweber Construction, the giveaway sponsor is Willmeng Construction, the 360 photo booth sponsor is Ironmark Building Company and the floral sponsor is Arizona Escrow.
Tickets for the 2026 RED Awards can be found here.
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Here are the finalists for the Hospitality project category:
Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort
- Developer: Xenia Hotels and Resorts
- General contractor: Balfour Beatty Construction
- Architect: RSP Architects
- Owner: Xenia Hotels and Resorts
- Subcontractors: Wimberly Interiors, PK Associates, Kimley-Horn, EXP, Innovative Foodservice Design Team
- City: Scottsdale
- Size: 27 acres
Originally built in the 1980s, the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch was popular with locals and visitors alike. Over the years, however, more resorts and luxury hotels entered the market, creating additional competition for the aging property.
In need of a transformation, the project consists of an $110 million renovation of the 27-acre resort, involving major upgrades to all 496 guestrooms and casitas, pools, food and beverage outlets, Spa Avania, fitness center and key public areas. The project rebrands the property from the Hyatt Regency to the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa, the first Grand Hyatt hotel in Arizona.
The transformation focused on creating an elegant, vibrant and elevated guest experience that celebrates the history and context of the site while propelling the property into the future. The design includes many new elements that refresh the interior environment and provide the types of spaces and dining experiences sought after by today’s guests. For example, the previous layout included an underutilized fine dining space, this was reimagined to be a Private Chef’s Dining Table Room — especially relevant as celebrity chef Richard Blais, the first winner of Bravo’s “Top Chef: All-Stars” is connected to the dining concepts at the property.
AC Hotel by Marriott and Element by Westin Phoenix North Norterra
- Developers: JacksonShaw, Holualoa Companies
- General contractor: Layton Construction
- Architect: Cooper Carry
- Owner: JH Norterra
- Subcontractors: Colt Framing, SPG Construction, OCM Landscaping, Raven Concrete, Spectra Flooring
- City: Phoenix
- Size: 160,000 square feet
The project successfully combines two distinct designs — the AC Hotel’s sleek European minimalism and the Element’s nature-inspired wellness focus — into a unified architectural vision. This dual-branded approach maximized land use and construction efficiency in one of Phoenix’s fastest-growing districts, delivering 277 guest rooms for both short and extended stays. The result is a four-story development that serves as a visual anchor for the Norterra district without appearing disjointed.
The property offers 8,000 square feet of versatile meeting space, a resort-style courtyard with a heated saltwater pool and spa, a modern fitness center, an outdoor covered pickleball court and the Topgolf Swing Suites. Each state-of-the-art Swing Suite features a unique simulator bay with virtual games — including Topgolf target play, golf, baseball, football, hockey and dodgeball — providing an entertaining experience for both golfers and non-golfers.
Desert Diamond Casino White Tanks at San Lucy
- Developer: Tohono O’odham Nation
- General contractor: The PENTA Building Group and AECOM Hunt JV (Hunt-PENTA)
- Architect: JCJ Architecture
- Owner: Tohono O’odham Nation
- Subcontractors: Desimone Engineering, Dowl, EXP, Suntec Concrete, Arok
- City: Waddell
- Size: 184,000 square feet
Located in Waddell, this ground-up build marks the fifth Desert Diamond Casino owned by Tohono O’odham Nation, the collective group of the indigenous Tohono O’odham tribe. The 184,000 square-foot casino includes 900 slot machines, 36 table games, a 12-table poker room and a sportsbook. Guests can also sip and savor at a variety of locations around the property, such as Morton’s Steakhouse, Pub Stop, a food hall, and the Lighting Lounge, centrally located on the casino floor. Additionally, the team constructed the casino’s 2,000-square-foot parking garage.
Most notably, the project draws design inspiration from two dynamic sources — the rich cultural heritage of Tohono O’odham Nation and Arizona’s unique landscape and environment. Arizona, and the Far West Valley in particular, is varied landscape and a gateway for the migration of multiple butterfly species each spring and fall. Using these elements as inspiration, the project team developed a unified design for a new and distinctive guest experience.
For example, as visitors approach the casino, a striking butterfly-inspired canopy greets them, casting a dramatic play of light and shadow over the porte cochere. Additionally, cultural displays welcome visitors at the entry points, featuring rotating artifacts and tribal elements, along with a veteran’s wall honoring tribal members who have served in the military.
Mountain Modern Sedona
- Developer: Crystal Creek Capital Real Estate Advisors
- General contractor: Chanen, a Dick Anderson Construction Company
- Architect: RSP Architects
- Owner: Crystal Creek Capital Real Estate Advisors
- Subcontractors: IMEG, PK Associates, Berghoff Art Consultants, Raeder-Whaler, Sheets Studios
- City: Sedona
- Size: 43,100 square feet
With 89 oversized rooms, studios and suites spanning eight buildings, an outdoor pool and hot tub, a welcoming communal lobby and restaurant, Mountain Modern Sedona welcomes travelers looking to connect with Sedona’s quirky appeal and undeniable natural beauty.
Although the project began as a finishes-only renovation to the property, formerly the Sedona Real Inn and Suites, it quickly evolved. The resulting transformation includes all guest rooms and suites and a full redesign of the public space. The communal lobby and “The Den” — a new food and beverage offering that doubles as a social hub — includes a central bar, varied seating zones and a local coffee program. The lobby highlights artisanal and thrifted details, showcasing archetypal elements of the region and celebrating local excursions, activities and artists.
The REMI., Scottsdale
- Developer: Stockdale Capital Partners
- General contractor: Layton Construction
- Architect: RSP Architects
- Owner: Stockdale Capital Partners
- Subcontractors: Rockwell Group, IMEG, PK Associates, SEG, RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture
- City: Scottsdale
- Size: 128,000 square feet
The 161-key hotel offers a dynamic mix of rooms and suites, five distinct food and beverage options, an impressive rooftop pool, along with event space and fitness center. Through an architectural approach that prioritizes craftsmanship, context, and seamless indoor-outdoor integration, the design connects to the surrounding neighborhood and sets a new standard for enlightened urbanism in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale.
As one of the first new projects in the district’s transformation, The REMI. signals a shift away from the area’s reputation as solely a nightlife hotspot toward a more sophisticated destination offering immersive experiences at multiple levels. This includes the elevated retro-modern diner on the ground floor, F/sixteen, and the sushi and whiskey bar, KAUBOI on floor two.
The building’s architecture responds to its context, activating the ground level with transparency and pedestrian-scaled landscaping. Art energizes the streetscape with a constant dialogue of activity inside and out, from day to night, as the rooftop embraces the desert sky with sweeping views of Camelback Mountain. Across the building, the design celebrates motion and precision, drawing inspiration from the juxtaposition of vintage race cars, Japanese carpentry and the elegance of the Sonoran Desert.
