hoenix may be the hottest big city around, but it's downright cool with a hip new boutique property in a city more recognized for Scottsdale's high-end resorts. "Phoenix is one of those weird markets, where it is almost entirely franchise properties or large scale resorts," says Ben Bethel, owner and GM of the Clarendon Hotel + Suites.

Bethel is proud to own one of the city’s few boutique hotels. He bought the formerly rundown 105-room property in 2004 and transformed it into a premiere property that just became part of the Luxe Hotels portfolio. Another unique thing about the four-story, courtyardstyle hotel is that it has one of the city’s few rooftop venues.

“It’s been decades since a space with a view has opened up in Phoenix,” says Bethel. “Our space is unique in that it is centrally located and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains as well as downtown and midtown skylines.” Because of those views, the roof has been used as a backdrop for a promotional spot for Good Morning America, as well as in commercials and films.

Bethel has worked diligently to update and refine the hotel. The formerly “boring” rooftop was expanded to create almost 3,000 square feet of usable space covered with resilient blue outdoor carpet tile from FLOR. High-end sculptural polyethylene lighting from B.Lux was added, as were furnishings from the Veneman Group. And custom planters are being fabricated, which will be filled with trailing rosemary to provide greenery and fragrance.

“There’s no other space in downtown Phoenix similar to ours,” says Sales Associate Jessica Sterusky. “There’s nothing else that’s modern and hip with a beautiful view of downtown and the mountains. It’s phenomenal, especially at sundown. Many people go up to the rooftop in the evening with drinks.”

The ground-floor pool, located in the heart of the building, also got a major overhaul. What initially was a dive pool was transformed into a space conducive to lounging and socializing. The hot tub was expanded and moved closer to the pool, where it is separated by an Italian mosaic deck punctuated with stripes of platinum and 24-karat gold tile. The striping is echoed in the cushions of rattan lounge chairs. More than 900 points of fiber-optic lighting embedded in the pool bottom create a focal point at night. “The pool is spectacular,” says Bethel. “Seen from above, it’s like a star field running through the bottom of the pool.” Surrounded by fiberoptic enhanced fountains and blue LED lights set into the pool deck, the pool area creates a mood and atmosphere aptly called “the Oasis.”

Thus far, says Don Dunlap, GM of C4, the Clarendon’s new restaurant (so named because of the hotel’s location at the corner of Clarendon and 4th), no big rooftop events have been held. Hotel guests can use the space to have drinks and enjoy the view, and anything from the C4 kitchen can be delivered to the roof or the pool. However, the hotel is making a major push to promote both spaces as banquet and special event venues. And Bethel plans to make the rooftop an attraction to locals by adding a service bar. He has a name for the space—Top of the C—and hopes it becomes the go-to place for happy hours.

LOGISTICS CHALLENGE
One challenge is figuring out an efficient way to get food and equipment to the roof, something stymied by the fact that the elevator stops at the fourth floor. The roof itself is accessed by another flight of stairs. An additional elevator planned for this summer will take guests straight to rooftop level—and make it eminently easier to bring up catering supplies. In the interim, Bethel is contemplating using a dumbwaiter to transport food and supplies.

Dunlap says, “When it gets to the point we’re doing lots of events, we’ll have to be a lot smarter about putting menus together and ensuring that little hurdle is taken into account.” There is space on the roof that can be used for catering supply storage, but everything will be cooked in the main kitchen and transported in insulated carriers.

There are no plans to add a catering kitchen on the roof. “Our main kitchen is pretty extensive for the size property we have, so it works well for catering events,” says Dunlap, who came on board in August from the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. He adds that upwards of 150 people can be accommodated for cocktail parties and buffet-style dinners. But he feels the roof space is best suited to informal occasions. “Doing a plated, sit-down dinner up there would take away from the overall aspect of the mingling and view.”

With about seven days of rain each year, the Phoenix area is geared for outdoor living. Winters are temperate, although in the evenings additional warmth is sometimes supplied by portable heaters. Summers are brutal. In July and August, notes Bethel, temperatures often remain in the high 90s even at night, making it a challenge to enjoy the outdoors. To make the rooftop more enticing for al fresco use, Bethel hopes to add modular shading. It won’t make the space much cooler but will reduce the glare of the sun. The hotel now uses umbrellas for shade. Containing the area within a tent would help encase air conditioning, but Bethel says enclosing it would spoil the effect. Despite the heat, the rooftop is already reserved for July 4 for the next two years.

Both the pool and rooftop are available for banquets and other events. However, notes Bethel, because the pool is a common space, he will only hold events poolside if a group books the entire hotel or hosts an event after 5 p.m. And events must end by 10 p.m. so as not to disturb hotel guests. Bethel envisions the pool space being an ideal venue for events like quinceañeras. The rooftop is far more private and can be used until midnight.

The C4 kitchen, says Dunlap, is fully prepared to customize menus for any occasion. He is developing a pool menu easily executed from the restaurant with an emphasis on burgers and sandwiches. C4 has an Asian theme, but the Southwestern influence infiltrates in items such as sushi rolls with roasted peppers, cream cheese, sriracha sauce, and habanero salsa. House specialties include a chicken sandwich with roasted green chili and jalapeño jack cheese and a tequila-marinated chicken sandwich. At the bar, a top seller is the Asian Pear Martini.

The Clarendon indirectly markets its hot new spaces through customers, holiday parties, and word of mouth. Invariably, because the hotel is so unique, it is mentioned on many “Best of” lists. “Once people start seeing how beautiful the sunsets and view are, they’ll book the rooftop,” says Bethel. The hotel already has a wedding booked for next October. As Sterusky says, “The rooftop would be a great spot for an evening wedding. With the sun setting on one side and the beautiful glow from the buildings in downtown Phoenix, it doesn’t have to be dressed up much.”

Beth Rogers is a frequent contributor to HOTEL F&B.