Sunny Day Sports revealed plans for two new hotels within the Palo District, the transformative redevelopment of the former Fiesta Mall site in Mesa. The hotels are designed to support the district’s emerging role as a national destination for women’s health, elite athletics, innovation and community engagement.
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Together, the two hotel concepts will add approximately 600 rooms to the district and serve distinct but complementary needs tied directly to the Palo District’s core uses — including sports, sports medicine, research, business, leisure and tourism.
The first hotel is planned as a 400-key, modern-lifestyle property with a chef-driven restaurant and meeting spaces located adjacent to the planned sports stadium. This new hotel is designed to be one of the Palo District’s most dynamic gathering places. Envisioned with contemporary architecture, vibrant social spaces, and a distinctly urban, design-forward feel, the hotel will cater to businesses for conferences to travelers seeking an energetic, experience-driven stay — from visitors exploring the district’s restaurants, entertainment, and innovation hub to athletes drawn by major events.
While the hotel will also accommodate visiting sports teams, coaches, officials and fans, businesses and tourism, its broader focus is on creating a stylish, flexible environment that reflects the forward-looking identity of Palo District.
It will also fill a significant need in the area for higher-end hospitality and lodging for visitors to the project and other parts of the East Valley, as other hotel properties in the area have declined since Fiesta Mall’s downturn.
The second hotel, planned to be a 200-key extended-stay, 3.5-star concept, is designed specifically to support families, fans, tourists, researchers and visitors to the district’s Women’s Health Campus. Sunny Day Sports in partnership with Plaza Companies is in final discussions with several major hotel companies to identify which brands and flags would be the best fit for the project. Both are expected to open in early 2028.
“These hotels are not standalone projects — they are essential infrastructure that supports the mission and functionality of the Palo District,” said Vicki Mayo, CEO of Sunny Day Sports. “Whether it’s elite athletes coming to compete, tourists and sports fans flocking to new attractions, families supporting loved ones receiving care, or researchers and clinicians collaborating on-site, these lodging options are designed to meet real needs and enhance the experience of everyone who comes to Palo.”
The hotels will complement the district’s first-of-its-kind Women’s Health Campus, a $100 million investment focused exclusively on women’s health, wellness, research and performance. They will also support the district’s broader mix of sports facilities, medical and office space, restaurants, retail, entertainment and community amenities.
By integrating lodging that aligns with healthcare and sports uses, Palo District aims to set a new standard for mixed-use redevelopment — one that prioritizes purpose-driven design, community benefit and long-term economic impact.
The Palo District redevelopment spans approximately 80 acres and is currently in the master-planning phase, with phased construction expected to begin following city approvals. Additional announcements regarding hotel partners, operators, and timelines are anticipated in the coming months.
