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- The Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix completed a $5.5 million renovation of all 242 guest rooms.
- New designs feature a “residential-style” aesthetic.
- This is the first phase of a larger hotel refresh that will continue into 2026.
A downtown Phoenix boutique hotel underwent its first guest room refresh since it opened in 2012.
Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix completed a $5.5 million renovation that saw all 242 of its rooms, including 27 suites, upgraded with an aesthetic that blends classic and contemporary influences.
Staff described the look and feel of the newly renovated rooms at the CityScape hotel as “almost residential.”
The guest room renovation is part of a wider refresh of the hotel that will continue into 2026, including upgraded meeting and event space and expanded bar seating areas at the on-site restaurant Blue Hound Kitchen & Cocktails.
What’s new at Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix
Rooms feature new furniture, including beds, side tables, armoires and drapes.
New artwork graces guest room wall, which are also adorned with books whose covers match the color scheme of the design.
Additionally, the elevator banks, hallways and entry points leading to the rooms were updated to complement the contemporary, desert-inspired look and feel.
Justin Simpson, the hotel’s general manager, said in a statement that the renovation reflects a vision of Hotel Palomar as “an elevated urban retreat that embodies the comfort, character, and experience guests have come to expect and love.”
A hotel designed to feel like home
A big part of the comfort and character of the Hotel Palomar’s renovation follows a recent trend in hotel design: making hotels look and feel like home.
Hotel Palomar partnered with the Los Angeles-based design firm Beleco Design to create a “residential-style” aesthetic for the renovation. The desert landscape-inspired aesthetic incorporates patterns resembling hand-woven textiles and a deep terracotta color palette.
Hotel manager Joel Contor said that guests are looking for a taste of home in their hotel stays, “not just looking for a bed anymore.” That sentiment is reflected in the look and feel of the room renovations.
“It was time,” Contor said. “And I think there is a really nice residential feel and a coziness.”
This trend is evident in other hotel renovations in metro Phoenix, the Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas’ recent $15 million renovation of its resort villas was based around offering guests the comforts of home. And ongoing upgrades at Canyon Suites at The Phoenician include adding 20 new residential-style villas.
How many rooms does Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix have?
Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix has 242 rooms, including 27 suites. Every room was updated in the hotel’s renovation this summer.
What are the room types at Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix?
Guest rooms feature either one king or two queen beds. Essential rooms are 410 square feet and premium rooms have more space at 480 square feet. Some rooms offer views of the Phoenix city skyline; others offer views of South Mountain.
Hotel Palomar also has specialty suites that include a one-king suite with extra living space, a one-king one-bedroom suite, and an arena suite with views of PHX Arena and Chase Field. The one-bedroom suite has west-facing views for guests to take in the Phoenix sunsets.
The 1,325 square foot presidential suite has one king bed, living and dining rooms, two separate bathrooms and a butler’s pantry with a private entrance.
What are the amenities at Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix?
The hotel’s $35 per night resort fee includes year-round pool access, a cocktail-making class hosted at 4 p.m. at Blue Hound, 15% off spa and salon services, complimentary access to EOS Fitness Club and classes, bikes, in-room yoga, free admission to Phoenix Art Museum and free non-event passes for Stand Up Live.
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.
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