Scottsdale, Arizona, has long been known as a dreamy desert destination. The city is renowned for its amazing year-round weather, picturesque mountain ranges, and world-class golf courses. And, of course, no visit to the “West’s Most Western Town” is complete without a stay at one of the area’s many fabled resorts. From architectural icons designed by Frank Lloyd Wright associates to meticulously restored midcentury marvels to luxurious spa retreats where guests receive the utmost in pampering, Scottsdale is home to more than 70 standout properties. But until recently, none were located in the heart of the action. Enter Caesars Republic.
Caesars’ First Non-Gaming Concept
Caesars Republic is located on Goldwater Boulevard, just behind the Scottsdale Fashion Square shopping mall. In fact, the sleek glass-enclosed hotel has taken over what used to be the open-air parking lot behind Macys. As such, hotel guests are literally just steps away from some of the country’s most exclusive high-end shops. They’re also minutes away from the many top restaurants, bars, and art galleries that surround the intersection of Scottsdale and Camelback roads and line the streets of Old Town.
The concept of Caesars Republic has been six years in the making. It’s the first non-gaming hotel for Caesars Entertainment, which operates numerous casino hotels in Las Vegas, including Caesars Palace, The Linq, The Cromwell, and Harrah’s. According to Ryan Kirby, director of sales and marketing for Caesars Republic, “Before there was the Roman Empire, there was a republic. So for us, before the big casinos and massive convention spaces, we had smaller roots. We’re kind of going back to our foundations and really focusing on that elevated stay for our guests.”
The company chose to build in Scottsdale because metro Phoenix residents are among the biggest customers of its Las Vegas properties. Planning began in 2018, and the groundbreaking was in 2020. The hotel opened in early March.
Refined Elegance
The luxury starts the minute you step foot through the front doors of Caesars Republic. The lobby is a study in understated elegance, with sumptuous seating, stone walls, verdant plants, and chic light fixtures.
The 11-story hotel has 265 guest rooms. These range in size from standard one-king and two-queen rooms to 2,300-square-foot penthouse suites. The muted desert hues and subtle textures found in the public spaces make their way into the rooms.
The king room features a shower cloaked in switch glass, which switches from clear to frosted depending on the level of privacy desired. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out to views of Camelback Mountain. And a cute touch is the pink wolf — or La Lupa — found on bolster pillows in all guest rooms. “This is really based on Roman mythology,” Kirby explains. “La Lupa is ‘she-wolf’ in Italian, and she was the protector and savior of two individuals, Romulus and Remus.”
By day, Caesars Republic appeals to business travelers and convention-goers. But by night, it transforms into a local hot spot. Area residents are welcome to stop by for a sunset cocktail at Seven, the rooftop lounge that features jaw-dropping views of Camelback Mountain. According to Kirby, it’s the highest rooftop bar in Scottsdale. It is located, as you may guess, on the seventh floor adjacent to the rooftop pool.
Or, if you just can’t hit a Caesars property without doing a little betting, you can catch your favorite sporting event on one of Seven’s many screens and do some bettering on the Caesars Sportsbook app.
In addition to the rooftop pool, there is Cleopatra’s Pool. It is located just off the meeting spaces and offers stunning mountain views. Day passes to the pool are available for local residents.
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Celebrity Chef-Inspired Dining
While the debut of Caesars Republic was highly anticipated, hungry Phoenicians were especially thrilled to learn that the property would include two restaurants by celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis.
Luna by Giada is the hotel’s fine-dining experience. The Italian eatery features a massive glass-enclosed kitchen in the center of the space, and guests can enjoy watching their food be prepared. A house specialty is De Laurentiis’ lemon pizza, a riff on her signature lemon spaghetti, which is also on the menu.
According to Kirby, the 290-seat restaurant is fully booked about two weeks in advance. As such, reservations are a must.
The more casual grab-and-go concept, Pronto by Giada, is open for breakfast and lunch. It serves pastries, sandwiches, meat and cheese platters, and other light bites.
What To Expect if You Stay at Caesars Republic
Room rates at Caesars Republic start at around $179 during the summer — a perfect staycation rate — and can get as high as $500 a night during peak months, such as October.
That’s not bad considering the hotel’s level of luxury and its proximity to all that Scottsdale has to offer.
“I always say to any guests who book here at Caesars Republic, you’re not only booking Caesars Republic but you’re also booking the destination. You’re gonna want to get out and about and experience the best that Scottsdale has to offer, and you’re in a great position to do so when you stay here,” Kirby says.
Check prices online at Booking.com.