A rendering of VAI Resort, originally called Crystal Lagoons, slated to open in Glendale in spring 2023.
By Taylor Seely | Arizona Republic
The massive resort under construction near the NFL stadium in Glendale has a new owner, a new name and will be bigger than originally planned.
The hotel and beach resort, originally dubbed Crystal Lagoons, will expand from 48 to 60 acres and be called VAI Resort. The development, purchased by VAI Resort LLC from the company Crystal Lagoons, is south of State Farm Stadium between Loop 101 and 95th Avenue.
The project will be the first for the Arizona-based VAI Resort that formed at the start of this year and is led by president Grant Fisher.
A 7-acre body of water will anchor the project with sandy white beaches. Company officials say it’s not a water park, since it won’t include water slides.
The city touts the 8-story project as Arizona’s largest hotel, at more than 1,200 rooms. That’s nearly double the 630 rooms originally planned. By comparison, the downtown Phoenix Sheraton hotel has 1,000 rooms. In Glendale, the nearby Renaissance hotel at Westgate has 320 rooms.
