Caesars building its first US non-gaming hotel in Arizona

The company announced Monday that ground would be broken in the second half of the year on the four-star, 266-room Caesars Republic Scottsdale near Scottsdale Fashion Square, one of the region’s top luxury retail malls.

The project is introducing the Caesars Republic brand. Caesars Entertainment will license the brand, advise on design elements and integrate its Total Rewards loyalty program. The company expects to add more non-gaming hotel properties under the brand.

“Caesars Republic Scottsdale represents the introduction of a new world-class brand and further progress on our strategy to expand our non-gaming business into premier destinations,” Caesars Entertainment President and CEO Mark Frissora said in a statement announcing the project.

“This project will be our first non-gaming asset in the United States and demonstrates the global strength of the Caesars brand,” Frissora said. “We look forward to partnering with HCW Development and Aimbridge Hospitality to create a world-class experience in one of the nation’s most desirable communities.”

No two hotels within the brand will be exactly alike. Everything from the décor to the culinary offerings will be inspired by local traditions and tastemakers, company officials said.

International expansion

This announcement follows the late 2018 opening of Caesars Entertainment’s two beachfront luxury resorts and beach club on Meraas’ Bluewaters Island in Dubai. The company also announced plans last year to develop a non-gaming a 500-room, $200 million Caesars Palace resort along the coast of Puerto Los Cabos, in Baja California, Mexico.

Company officials say the Scottsdale resort will have ballrooms, boardrooms and suites with views.

The first-floor bar will be a spot for an after-work cocktail or glass of wine after a day of shopping. The signature restaurant will feature a sophisticated, high-energy environment that will synergize with surrounding trade areas, catering to both locals and hotel guests. There will be an abundance of outdoor seating on the patio with views of Camelback Mountain, one of the Valley of the Sun’s iconic landmarks.

In addition, there will be a coffee shop, for a casual business breakfast or as a grab-and-go option for those on the run.

Officials say the guest room experience will set the standard for rooms and amenities in Scottsdale. In addition to the mixture of kings, double queens, one- and two-bedroom suites, the hotel also will feature a bridal suite, and on the 11th floor, five luxury entertainment suites. On the second floor, there are five breakout rooms which will accommodate up to 40 people each or can be opened for events for up to 200 people. The second-floor executive board room is capable of seating 16 at a permanent table.

Caesars Republic Scottsdale will house a 7,000-square-foot column-free ballroom with 34-foot sliding glass doors which open out onto the adjacent lawn, suitable for outdoor events for up to 600 people. The ballroom is divisible into four sections and can accommodate banquets up to 500. The ballroom’s LED lighting system will allow event organizers to customize the look and feel of their event with the ability to change the ceiling color. Additionally, the ballroom will feature a cutting-edge sound, internet and audio-visual system.

Rooftop pool

The seventh floor will encompass a rooftop pool and bar — the only rooftop pool in Scottsdale — featuring views of Camelback Mountain. That area will also serve as private event space for exclusive groups or company events. Adjacent to the pool will be the hotel’s fitness center.

The company says the brand pays homage to the dynamic energy of Las Vegas.

“We are honored to partner with Caesars Entertainment and add a hotel with the iconic Caesars brand to our management portfolio,” said Aimbridge Hospitality President and Chief Operating Officer Robert Burg. “We share Caesars’ commitment to operating excellence and look forward to managing Caesars Republic Scottsdale.”

Scottsdale hosted an estimated 4.5 million overnight visitors and 4.4-million-day trip visitors in 2017.

Contact Richard N. Velotta at rvelotta@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893. Follow @RickVelotta on Twitter.