Westin Tempe
Reinventing the Guest Experience
A transformative project in the heart of downtown Tempe, the new Westin hotel represents both a retreat and a destination for travelers and locals alike. Located on a tight and underutilized site in the popular Mill Avenue district, the 18-story, 290-key Westin Tempe simultaneously changes the skyline and activates the streetscape, filling a gap in the market with an upscale lifestyle hospitality option. RSP’s team designed the property to seamlessly blend exterior and interior architecture, providing respite from the rush of the surrounding urban environment.
Opened in late 2021, the hotel embraces Westin’s strong brand promise known for wellness, health and a deep connection to nature. The design draws influence from a combination of biophilic design principles, desert riparian landscape, and local flavor. Nature-inspired fractal patterns, natural materials like stone and copper, and a living wall bring the outside in.
The guest experience is truly holistic, with an outdoor café and a second-floor event terrace that connects hotel activity to the energetic streetscape. Public spaces include a grand lobby and a restaurant and bar designed around an exhibit kitchen concept. The event space offers 20,000 SF of meeting space, incorporating a ballroom, banquet room, board room and break-out meeting rooms. 290 appointed guestrooms and suites celebrate dappled light patterns and a sophisticated color palette.
Offering panoramic views of Tempe, Phoenix and Scottsdale, the rooftop bar is one more reason the Westin is a popular draw for the local community. The sunken lounge with day-to-night seating, pool, jacuzzi, day beds, cabanas and large video screen make the space feel simultaneously comfortable, fun and luxurious. The backlit bar illuminates the entire hotel, turning it into a beacon that can be seen by planes flying above.
