The mega entertainment resort poised to become Arizona’s largest hotel is taking shape as it anticipates an opening next year.
VAI Resort, scheduled to open in 2025, is the most anticipated newcomer to the metro Phoenix tourism scene. Hospitality experts think it could redefine tourism in Arizona, making it competitive with Las Vegas for music residencies with its 11,000-capacity amphitheater.
Other defining features — such as 5 acres of sandy beaches, a party island, spa and wellness center, luxury boutiques and 12 restaurants anchored by a steakhouse with views of the amphitheater stage — aim to make VAI a destination in itself.
Building an ambitious destination resort with so many features is not easy, and VAI has pushed back its opening several times as the project has grown in its size and scope. Here’s what we know about VAI Resort, what it will have and when it will open.
What big resort is being built in Arizona?
VAI Resort is under construction in Glendale, AZ.
VAI’s first phase will have 1,100 hotel rooms, an 11,000-seat amphitheater, sandy beaches with temperature-controlled water, a 50,000-square-foot, European-inspired “party island” called Konos Island, the Konos Sky Bar that offers food and drinks at 130 feet in the air, and tethered hot-air balloon rides where passengers can view desert and mountain vistas from 400 feet above ground.
VAI’s second phase will include a second concert venue: a 2,000-person capacity, multilevel indoor theater. Staff anticipates a late 2026 opening.
The 9-acre Mattel Adventure Park will be adjacent to the resort.
What are they building next to the Cardinals Stadium?
The VAI Resort is under construction south of State Farm Stadium on Cardinals Way in Glendale.
Renderings of the finished resort show State Farm Stadium, where the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals play, is within view from inside the VAI Amphitheater.
What happened to Crystal Lagoons?
Crystal Lagoons was the original name for VAI Resort when the concept was proposed to the Glendale City Council, which unanimously approved it in 2020.
Plans called for many features VAI Resort will have, including an artificial beach, amusement park rides and a helium balloon offering aerial views of the area. Crystal Lagoons would have had 630 rooms, compared with the 1,100 planned for VAI.
VAI Resort LLC purchased the property from Crystal Lagoons in 2022 and expanded its footprint from 48 to 60 acres.
Is the VAI Resort opening in 2024?
No. VAI Resort’s website has been updated with its new target opening date.
When is VAI Resort opening?
The most recent updates from VAI gave a tentative opening date of late 2025.
Who owns VAI Resort LLC?
Grant Fisher is the owner of VAI Resort LLC.
His father, Tommy Fisher, owns the Tempe-based Fisher Industries, which is involved in the resort’s construction. The company’s website describes it as a family of businesses in the aggregate production and heavy civil construction industries. Fisher Industries had a moment in the spotlight when it was hired for private border wall construction projects during Donald Trump’s presidency.
The most recent construction photos from Fisher Industries, published in September on the company’s Facebook page, show progress made on the front entrance of Amphitheater Tower, the VAI Amphitheater stage and the Konos Sky Bar.
How much will the VAI Resort cost per night?
Room rates will range from $500 to $900 per night, Fisher said. He didn’t specify whether VAI Resort would charge a resort fee.
How many rooms will VAI Resort have?
VAI will have 1,100 rooms and suites across four towers:
It would be the largest hotel in Arizona, surpassing the 1,003-room Sheraton Phoenix Downtown.
It also will trounce the sizes of the West Valley’s and Westgate Entertainment District’s top hotels, with more than triple their capacity.
The West Valley’s largest hotel is the 343-room Bluegreen Vacations Cibola Vista Resort and Spa near Lake Pleasant, about 20 miles northwest of VAI Resort. It will have 23 more rooms than the largest hotel at Westgate, the Renaissance Phoenix Glendale Hotel & Spa.
How big is VAI Resort?
VAI is on 60 acres south of State Farm Stadium.
What is the economic impact of the VAI Resort?
A 2023 economic analysis by Applied Economics presented to the Glendale City Council showed VAI Resort could generate $2.2 billion in taxes to the city, county and state over the next 25 years, including $32.4 million annually to Glendale.
Is VAI Resort hiring now?
The job board on VAI Resort’s website had no job postings as of Oct. 15.
Does VAI Resort have a casino?
No. While VAI is envisioned as competing with Las Vegas mega-resorts, it will lack one common feature that draws people to Vegas: a casino.
That’s because Arizona law allows casinos only on tribal land. It’s the same reason Caesars Republic Scottsdale hotel has no casino, even though other Caesars branded properties — not limited to but including in Vegas — feature casinos.
What amusement park is coming to Glendale, AZ?
Mattel Adventure Park is coming to Glendale.
It will have a Barbie Beach House with a Barbie Dream Closet Experience, where guests can create their own Barbie sets and hologram technology is used to “bring Barbie to life right before guests’ eyes.”
There also will be two Hot Wheels-themed roller coasters: the Hot Wheels Bone Shaker: the Ultimate Ride coaster, which climbs 84 feet and drops down a double helix track, and the Hot Wheels Twin Mill Racer, which will have a double loop and two corkscrews.
How big is Mattel theme park?
Mattel Adventure Park is a 9-acre indoor/outdoor theme park.
Is Mattel Adventure Park opening in 2024?
No. Mattel Adventure Park’s website was updated to change the opening date from “late 2024” to “coming soon.”
Where is the Mattel theme park being built?
The park is just south of VAI Resort at 95th Avenue and Cardinals Way in Glendale. The Hot Wheels roller coasters are visible from State Route 101.
Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: VAI Resort: When it will open and everything it will have
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