The AC Hotel Phoenix Downtown opened Feb. 18 in Arizona Center and is the latest of additions that bring a touch of European flair to the area. This new 13-story hotel incorporates Arizona Center with outdoor spaces and modern amenities.
“We have a beautifully appointed hotel, brought on the best talent to be a part of our team, and are excited to bring a touch of European style to the Southwest with this property,” Brian Robinson, general manager of AC Hotel Phoenix Downtown said in a press release. “This AC Hotel is the first in downtown Phoenix, and we are thrilled to be involved in this project.”
Melissa Balthazor, director of sales at the hotel said that the pandemic caused distribution issues that delayed the opening for two weeks.
“But aside from COVID-19, I think this felt like it would be a good time to open, and we’d rather be open this February than last February and have to face the shutdown,” she said.
Because the opening landed in the middle of the pandemic, the Marriott’s “commitment to clean” guidelines were already in place and the hotel was easily able to include safety measures and extra cleaning procedures.
The AC Hotel Phoenix Downtown is located on the West part of Arizona Center at 414 North 5th St. and was designed to blend with the walkability and space of the center. Balthazor said they hope the hotel helps continue to boost business in Arizona Center.
“It’s at an angle and so from the outdoor patio, it really feeds into Arizona Center space and creates this natural progression for people to leave that patio and walk into that green space or within the grotto at Arizona Center,” Balthazor said. “And then also direct traffic very naturally into Arizona Center businesses.”
The hotel also features a 3,100 square foot ballroom for events that can accommodate up to 300 people, and 5,000 square feet of meeting space.
“Our conference spaces have sliding glass doors that open up to patios space. I think as far as physical attributes that really sets our hotel apart from the others is that we do offer a lot more green space and we offer a lot more outdoor space,” Balthazor said. “It makes it really have a resort-style atmosphere that I think is really unique.”
The kitchen and lounge are currently open every day to the public, and they have entertainment in the lounge every Friday and Saturday night.
This location is the newest in the AC family. The AC brand is inspired by Spanish businessman Antonio Catalan who originally founded the hotels AC Hoteles SA in Spain until Marriott bought them in 2011 and changed the name to AC Hotels. The brand has since expanded and now has over 150 locations around the world.
The interior of the downtown location combines this European style with Southwest charm through carefully curated design and art that pays homage to Arizona’s nickname as “The Copper State.”
The European hotel design also carries over into the menu and drinks. The continental breakfast includes imported meats, cheeses, fresh fruits, and yogurt parfaits, according to the press release.
This hotel is the latest addition to the $25 million renovation that Arizona Center had in 2019. Since these renovations, Arizona Center has been redesigned to incorporate outdoor furniture, shade structures, and natural features along with valet parking and bike racks.
“We are really focused on growth in 2021 and the new AC Hotel Phoenix Downtown is the perfect complement to our plans for both the center and Downtown Phoenix,” Matt Root, the managing partner for Parallel Capital Partners said in a statement.
The hotel is now open and taking reservations. Rates average around $170 a night, according to their website.
Contact the reporter etutora@asu.edu.
Correction: The story has been updated to include the correct name of the hotel.
Elinor Tutora is a staff reporter at Downtown Devil. She is currently a sophomore at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
