The property set in the Sonoran Desert has played up its natural surroundings to bring a more modern look and feel to its indoor meeting space.
When it comes to restructuring meeting spaces, marrying purpose with personality is an effective strategy—and sometimes that means calling attention to the less obvious.
Such was the design approach at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale (Ariz.) at Troon North, where a recent $2 million renovation of more than 17,000 sq. ft. of indoor meeting space was transformed in a modern style.
By drawing attention to the more subtle side of the resort’s natural surroundings, the meeting rooms now embody a look and feel not normally associated with desert living. The construction project took place in the summer of 2021 and wrapped just in time to welcome guests for the fall season—a perfect segue to cooler temperatures and contemporary aesthetics.
Lobbying for a Change
To reinvent the event spaces of the Four Seasons Scottsdale, management considered how to play up the natural landscape. “The renovation was prompted by a desire to bring a more modern look and feel to our meeting space, with colors that accentuate the bright, airy foyers, tall ceilings, natural light and wide, open spaces,” says General Manager Kelley Moreton.
But rather than create the perfect embodiment of the desert lifestyle, designers decided to take an unconventional route.
“Often the desert is associated with boldness and heat, but we explored the softness and coolness that exists,” explains Liana Hawes Young, Creative Director for Wimberly Interiors, which spearheaded the design project. Focusing on more muted tones as a backdrop and incorporating them with regional patterns in fabrics and carpeting, the rooms give new purpose to the changing landscape on which they are based.
“We also took the inspiration for the art and accessories from sweeping desert vistas, natural forms and stone elements,” adds Hawes Young.
One of the key components of the meeting room makeover is the Troon ballroom (see photo, pg. 42). Situated on the first floor of the property, directly below the lobby, the 1,824-sq. ft, facility features a flexible design that can be configured as needed, either as two meeting rooms or a junior ballroom with a maximum occupancy of 150. Comfortable upholstered boardroom chairs on wheels represent flexible furnishings and are a sharp visual contrast to the harder edges of the wooden entryways, chair moldings and trim.
Just outside the ballroom is the Troon foyer (see photo above), which is framed by floor-to-ceiling glass and looks directly out onto the Fountain Terrace. Because the doors lead directly to the ballroom, this space can be utilized for cocktail receptions and other functions.
Rounding out the expansion are a series of additional first-floor meeting rooms: the Monument (750 sq. ft.), McDowell (525 sq. ft.), Reata (525 sq. ft.) and Camelback (504 sq. ft.), all designed for smaller meetings, corporate retreats and breakout sessions.
Safe Surroundings
To maintain cleanliness between bookings, the resort adheres to the Lead with Care health and safety protocols that the Four Seasons organization developed in conjunction with Johns Hopkins Medical International. Key directives include increased sanitation in common areas, and retraining for housekeeping staff.
While the updated meeting rooms are still fairly new, Moreton has seen a renewed interest in group program bookings and is confident that the Scottsdale facility is poised to handle special requests of any size.
“The natural light, access to open air and plenty of space to spread out all make the property an ideal fit for many,” she says. “The refreshed space and new imagery have allowed us to tell this story to our clients in a more meaningful way.”
Design Snapshot
FOUR SEASONS RESORT SCOTTSDALE AT TROON NORTH
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Interior design: Wimberly Interiors; New York, N.Y.
Lighting: Visual Comfort
Carpeting: Innovative Carpets
Furniture: Global Allies
Artwork & Accessories: DAC Art Consulting
C+RB
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.