Editors’ Note

Nicholas Solomon is a seasoned hospitality executive with over 20 years of luxury and lifestyle experience, recognized for leading transformative hotel projects and cultivating high-performance teams. He currently serves as General Manager of The Scottsdale Resort & Spa. Solomon oversaw a $40 million+ property-wide renovation that elevated the historic resort into a premier luxury lifestyle destination. Solomon began his career with The Ritz-Carlton, rising through the ranks at iconic Southern California properties. He held leadership roles at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, a beachfront resort in Orange County, and The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey, a renowned waterfront property in Los Angeles. His success led Marriott International to tap him for global opening teams. Solomon contributed to the successful launches of The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, Santa Barbara, and Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Puerto Rico. He also played a key role in introducing Marriott’s EDITION Hotels portfolio across the U.S. and abroad, including The Miami Beach EDITION, The New York EDITION, The Times Square EDITION, and The Abu Dhabi EDITION. Additionally, he served as Hotel Manager for The West Hollywood EDITION from pre-opening through opening, overseeing all operational and team launch initiatives. In 2020, Solomon was appointed General Manager of Amara Resort & Spa in Sedona, Arizona, a boutique retreat set against Sedona’s iconic Red Rock landscape. There, he guided the resort through a full renovation and achieved record-breaking revenue and guest engagement. He later led Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown to regional recognition, earning the 2022 Canopy Award of Excellence for the Americas, before taking the helm at The Scottsdale Resort & Spa. A native of Dana Point, California, Solomon’s passion for surfing took him around the world at a young age and ultimately led him to study at Bond University in Queensland, Australia, where he earned his bachelor of business administration degree. Beyond his operational leadership, he actively shapes the future of Scottsdale tourism. In 2025, he was elected to the Board of Directors of Experience Scottsdale, and in 2026, he was appointed to its Executive Committee.

Property Brief

Nestled in the charming residential community of McCormick Ranch, The Scottsdale Resort & Spa (thescottsdaleresort.com) has been a mainstay of the area since 1976. Ideally located within this distinguished Scottsdale enclave a few miles north of the city’s vibrant downtown, the resort radiates a peaceful privacy, inviting guests to unplug and unwind. Following an extensive renovation in 2024, the property has seen a complete upgrade of its guest rooms, suites and event spaces, alongside enhancements to its Luna Spa and on property restaurant, La Fogata. The pièce de résistance of the renovation was the introduction of their Stillman Villas, a secluded enclave of two-story villas designed to provide unparalleled exclusivity for guests, offering privacy, comfort, and indulgence. The Scottsdale Resort provides a serene escape while remaining conveniently close to the city center, making it a prime destination for travelers seeking a refined Southwestern experience.

Will you discuss your career journey?

I am a seasoned hospitality executive with over 20 years of luxury and lifestyle experience, recognized for leading transformative hotel projects and cultivating high-performance teams. Prior to my current role as General Manager of The Scottsdale Resort & Spa, Curio Collection by Hilton, I spent 15 years at Marriott International under the Ritz-Carlton and EDITION Hotel flags before becoming GM at Amara Resort and Spa in Sedona in 2020.

Will you provide an overview of The Scottsdale Resort & Spa, and how the property is positioned in the market?

The Scottsdale Resort & Spa has more than 50 years of history in the larger Phoenix-Scottsdale market, having debuted in 1976 as the country’s first conference resort. Today, our legacy has expanded after a $40 million renovation which has catapulted The Scottsdale Resort into a full-service luxury retreat that captivates both global travelers and Valley locals. With a prime Scottsdale location and proximity to McCormick Ranch Golf Club plus refreshed guest rooms, new outlets, and hearty calendar of community events, the resort is well positioned as one of the leading luxury and lifestyle destinations in the greater Phoenix market.

What can guests expect from the recent property renovation and rebrand at The Scottsdale Resort & Spa?

After a years-long, multi-million dollar renovation, The Scottsdale Resort & Spa feels like an entirely new destination with refreshed guestrooms and fresh public spaces, including Luna Spa and the introduction of four new distinct dining experiences. Spacious guest rooms feature subtle desert touches within the design that offer a true sense of place, along with the addition of The Stillman Villas, a unique enclave of 12 two-story villas that offer high-end finishes, upgraded and enhanced amenities, expansive golf course views and an exclusive private pool. With a variety of outlets, guests can enjoy a fresh dining experience across the four outlets including modern Sonoran cuisine with global flair at the signature La Fogata Kitchen and Bar; a swanky speakeasy experience with craft cocktails at The Madam; playful fun at The Social Boardroom, a casual and welcoming lounge that features various entertainment options, including pool, shuffleboard, board games and a golf simulator; Barnaby’s Café + Wine Bar, an open-air concept that offers coffee and pastries by day and light bites and bottles by night; plus our beloved Twisted Vines pool bar which is an ideal place to sip and soak up the Arizona sun all year long. Another welcome addition to the resort renovation was Luna Spa, which meets the wellness travel demand with nine treatment rooms, innovative and seasonally rotating spa menus, alongside enhanced amenities like a zen meditation garden, sauna, steam room, tranquil relaxation room and outdoor cold plunge.

How did you balance maintaining some of the history of the property while making it current and modern?

The Scottsdale Resort’s new residential-style guest rooms take inspiration from the property’s historic charm with added modern flair that reflects our decades-long Southwestern appeal seen across leather accents, intricately embroidered headboards and hand-carved wood that are reflective of our destination’s natural beauty. From a community perspective, the resort has enhanced our programming to inspire a feeling of belonging across our resort guests and locals seen through monthly Chef’s Dinners, yappy hours, concerts and more that ensure that both new and returning guests always feel welcomed at our resort.

What does luxury mean to you in today’s hospitality landscape?

The modern luxury traveler values experiences above all else; so, while a great room product, refined outlets, and polished resort grounds matter, our team looks to constantly evolve the guest experience through programming and amenities. As an example, The Scottsdale Resort has supported our recent spa renovation by extending our wellness experience beyond the walls of the spa facility with our new “Stay Well Weekend” series which includes property-wide, multi-day wellness classes and experiences. Similarly, we recently activated the resort with a concert series in collaboration with Warner Chappell music which was a major success in terms of overnight and outlet revenue.

What has made the hospitality industry so special for you?

What I admire most about this industry is the unique ability to create genuine human connection, and that no two days are the same. Every interaction presents an opportunity to positively impact someone’s experience, whether that’s a guest or a property colleague. In my role as General Manager, I take pride in building an environment that empowers and supports our team to curate meaningful travel experiences. I am also deeply committed to fostering development and care in young talent – the future leaders of our industry – and have witnessed line level employees rise in the ranks to hospitality executives. At The Scottsdale Resort & Spa, I’ve had the opportunity to continually invest in curating community moments on our grounds, seen through monthly and quarterly programming investments from Cult Classic Movie Nights to Chef’s Dinner series and quarterly Wellness Weekends. My goal is to create energy, connection, and belonging, positioning our property as Scottsdale’s living room – a place where our community naturally comes together. Hotels are living, breathing spaces that reflect culture, design, food, wellness, and community. Being able to shape those elements and watch this property and team evolve and to see that growth reflected in positive guest feedback is unbeatable.

What advice do you offer to young people interested in building a career in the industry?

I encourage young hoteliers and leaders to stay curious, be adaptable and never underestimate the power of relationships. Hospitality is an ever-evolving industry, and growth in this field requires stepping out of your comfort zone and understanding all aspects of the business. From food and beverage to finance, guest services to housekeeping, each role helps the greater ecosystem and understanding the importance of every function builds perspective, enforces empathy, and makes for a well-rounded leader. Understanding each function of a hotel employee early on in your career also allows you to hone in on your true passions early on – so, say yes to every opportunity. Invest in people, in mentorship, and in teamwork, and surround yourself with people whose strengths complement your own, and take time to develop those around you.