Scottsdale, AZ: It’s not often that we review individual hotels these days; the ever-increasing number of social media platforms and both hoteliers’ and guests’ use of them mean that there’s not much that’s not been written and shown about practically every lodging on the planet.

Today though, we found ourselves back at one of our favourite properties, which we wrote about last in 2008. And today just happened to be the day that Scottsdale’s The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician, the ultra-luxe enclave within The Phoenician AAA Five Diamond resort, reopened to guests following a multi-million dollar makeover.

Part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection, The Canyon Suites is already a Forbes Five Star retreat held in high regard by loyal returning guests, and (often) slack-jawed awe by first-time check-ins. Professional, gracious, engaging Ambassadors are permanently on-hand to assist, advise and make sure that guests make the most of their stay.

At the exclusive poolside, reserved for Canyon guests alone, service is so slickly impressive, you may wonder why all resorts can’t clone the Suites’ superstar server.

And at the front door, bell staff enthusiasm is way more than the Valley of the Sun’s soaring summertime temperatures should permit.

So, when news of a 2016 closure and relaunch was relayed to long-time guests, the common call was for as little change as possible.

Now then, is the moment of truth….

The signs of lavish expenditure are all around, as soon as the shade of the porte cochère is given up for the cool of the marbled lobby. The fountain anchors the front of house, but behind the lobby opens out in a way that’s plusher, lighter and yet more cosily intimate than before, and certainly more-so than any triple-height space could be expected to be.

To the guest corridors, and the carpeting, the wall coverings, the ceiling treatments and the light fittings are all showroom-fresh.

And, once ensconced in a Canyon Suite itself, only the coving, the skirting and the signature louvre-panel internal doors will prove familiar. From sound bar TV systems with online access to Netflix et al, to Nespresso coffee machines, to the furniture, beds, drapery, carpeting, wall decoration and artwork – every bit is new.

Here are definite mid-century cues throughout; solid, comfortable, design-led pieces that arguably echo a time when modernity was enthused over, but traditional standards of craftsmanship prevailed. A time before blue-box retail, Allen Keys and the expectation of imminent collapse defined contemporary design.

Yet, despite the transformation, nothing here will frighten The Canyon Suites‘ most loyal evangelists. It’s a credit to the teams behind the renovation that they’ve so-successfully retained The Canyon‘s unique air, while zephyring the fresh breeze of change throughout the entire building.

Outside, it’s familiar and new, too. Guests will now find an al fresco dining area between the lobby and the waterfalls, ready to welcome them for the launch of The Canyon Suites‘ complimentary breakfast service.

Poolside, there’s barely a shade of change, with eagle-eyed Canyonistas perhaps the only ones who’ll spot a new hue.

Sports fans, in particular, availing of the pool’s private cabanas will doubtless appreciate new 32″ LCDs on which to catch the game, whilst continuing to chill out of the sun.

But, for many guests the biggest change, and the one that reportedly a significant number have long campaigned-for (we even mentioned it in 2008), is the final arrival of The Canyon Suites‘ own bar, to compliment the lobby’s new lounge.

It’s a haven of craft whiskies, of wines cellared with the latest technology; it’s an open wall where intimate evenings will be accented with small bites, and where sun-flooded mornings will see The Canyon‘s market-fresh breakfasts greeting early-risers.

With The Phoenician’s main hotel building also receiving the first hints of a 2017 full-scale reworking, aimed at establishing the whole estate as the finest resort in whole South West, it’s heartening to see the care and attention that’s gone in to The Canyon Suites, and into reflecting the thoughts, feedback and requests of countless guests.

Indeed, it’s not just the relaunching of The Canyon Suites; it’s definitively the reloving of The Canyon Suites.

For more information, visit canyonsuites.com, or luxurycollection.com.