VIVA LAS VALLEY

Article originally posted on Phoenix Business Journal on March 16, 2026

Once a destination for gambling, cheap hotels and all-you-can-eat buffets, Las Vegas is now more known for celebrity chefs, fancy restaurants, hot night clubs and big-name entertainment.

About 300 miles southeast of the Strip, a growing number of professionals in the Valley’s hospitality and food and beverage industries are trying out the same playbook — and so far, it has proven successful.

The tribal casinos around the Phoenix area have made significant investments and marketed themselves as alternative destinations to Sin City, but the trend of Vegas-style hotels, resorts and restaurants in Valley goes beyond gambling venues.

One of the biggest swings being taken to replicate the Las Vegas experience in the Valley is the VAI Resort, which is being constructed south of State Farm Stadium in Glendale.

While the construction of the 60-acre resort has taken far longer than expected – an opening date has not been announced and may not be anytime soon – the project’s multiple hotel towers, large pool, amusement park, multiple on-property restaurants and focus on live entertainment are similar to what can be found in Las Vegas.

Several of the key members of VAI leadership team came to Glendale after tenures in Las Vegas working for major hospitality companies.

Find Complete Article Here: https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2026/03/13/vegas-comes-to-the-valley.html