VAI Resort: Behind the Scenes at Glendale’s One of a Kind Destination

on Mar 14, 2024

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Glendale, Arizona, is known for hosting the Super Bowl, kicking off concert tours, and showcasing classic cars. But there’s a new kid in town. VAI Resort, set to open in late 2024, will be a 60-acre oasis in the desert with live music, theme park attractions, white sand beaches, and fine dining.

And that’s just the beginning. I was recently invited to check out this exciting property, and I must admit, I am really looking forward to seeing the finished product.

A person in a hard hat and high-visibility vest stands on a construction site with buildings and construction equipment in the background.

What is Vai Resort?
Concert Venue Meets Theme Park
Mattel Adventure Park
Concert Hotel Tower
More Things to Do at VAI
More Destinations

What is Vai Resort?

VAI, promoted as Arizona’s largest hotel, offers a unique nightlife destination. The VAI amphitheater will be a state-of-the-art concert venue that can be viewed from hotel rooms, box seats, or restaurant tables. And it’s just 20 miles from the Phoenix airport.

This luxury entertainment experience promises to be a highly sought-after destination for both concert goers and performers right in the heart of Glendale, just across the road from the home of the Arizona Cardinals NFL team.

Large steel truss being lifted by a crane at a construction site near the VAI Resort during dusk. — *Photo courtesy of VAI Resort.*

Construction is progressing nicely, and the property is really taking shape. I’m already imagining which artists might show up to perform. There are definitely a few I would take the trip to see.

Concert Venue Meets Theme Park

In addition to quality entertainment, VAI offers families a vacation packed with activities like swimming in the temperature-controlled pool, enjoying the view from their tethered helium balloon, or cooling off in the indoor Mattel Adventure Park right on property.

VAI Resort is composed of four hotel towers, so guests can have a different experience in each. VAI offers everything from family-focused rooms to an intimate boutique feel to live music or convention spaces.

Mattel Adventure Park

The Mattel Adventure Park is an exciting development that isn’t just for families. There will be a variety of attractions from beloved brands like Barbie, Rock’em Sock’em Robots, and Hot Wheels.

An illuminated entertainment complex by the beach with a roller coaster and spotlights at dusk. — *Rendering courtesy of VAI Resort.*

Visitors will have the opportunity to ride during opening hours, and there is also the potential for late-night thrill rides.

The Barbie Beach House will feature a rooftop bar for the grown-ups.

A colorful barbie-themed beach house resort with neon accents and palm trees overlooking the ocean. — *Rendering courtesy of VAI Resort.*

And being in Arizona, you can beat the heat inside with just a couple of the thrill ride tracks being exposed to the outdoors.

Two individuals enjoying a thrilling rollercoaster ride modeled after the hot wheels twin mill car. — *Rendering courtesy of VAI Resort.*

We weren’t able to go into the park on this visit, but the Hot Wheels tracks seemed close to finished from the outside!

Construction site with equipment and buildings against a backdrop of an amusement park and mountains under a cloudy sky.

Concert Hotel Tower

Possibly the most exciting feature for me is the ability to watch a concert from the balcony of my hotel room. This concept was so cool to see in person, and with VAI’s recent partnership with C3 Presents and Live Nation, some incredible shows and musical guests in residence are sure to be offered.

A vibrant and crowded outdoor amphitheater with fireworks and a flamboyant stage performance. — *Rendering courtesy of VAI Resort.*

Along with balcony viewing, there are also amphitheater stadium seats, Sky Boxes, suites, and restaurant viewing for the shows.

As we toured the site, it was evident that there would be no bad seats in the house. Speaking of seats, the VAI amphitheater has a capacity of 11,000 visitors.

Below is the same rendering with my photo of how it looks so far overlayed. The space is taking shape quite nicely.

A split image contrasting a vibrant, colorful concert scene with an empty construction site.

And here’s a fun fact for fellow Disney fans. VAI Resort is entirely connected by underground tunnels, allowing staff and performers to privately transverse the property undetected. This is reminiscent of the Utilidor at Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom Park.

There is a sense of wonder as we take in the vibe, and I am here for it.

More Things to Do at VAI

The immersive experience doesn’t stop at entertainment. There will also be 12 restaurants to choose from and an entire retail space with unique items from around the world.

Enjoy the white-sand beach oasis with a cocktail in hand, or relax on Konos Island at the center of the resort pool. Even the futuristic sand material is temperature-controlled, so you can enjoy walking barefoot any time of the year.

Luxury VAI Resort with a central swimming pool surrounded by hotel buildings under a clear blue sky. — *Rendering courtesy of VAI Resort.*

In the greater Glendale area, VAI will offer shuttles to State Farm Stadium events. Movies, shopping, and dining are also available in the nearby Westgate Entertainment District.

For visits before VAI opens, try one of these Glendale hotels.