Hyatt Regency to bring first property to Tucson, Arizona

Dive Brief:

Hyatt Hotels has announced plans for its first Hyatt Regency in Tucson, Arizona, intended to serve as “a premier destination” for meetings and conventions when it opens in late 2027, according to a Tuesday news release.
Located in downtown Tucson, the 291-key Hyatt Regency Tucson Convention Center is undergoing a multimillion-dollar transformation in partnership with Desert Hospitality Management and HSL Properties, per the release. In addition to 22,000 square feet of meetings and events space, including a large ballroom and multiple breakout spaces, the property will feature a fitness center and pool.
The forthcoming Regency hotel aims to strengthen Hyatt’s presence in Southern Arizona and “represents a significant milestone for Tucson's hospitality industry and convention business,” per the release. The announcement also comes after Hyatt reported Q1 RevPAR growth was driven in part by full-service hotels, which include the Regency brand, a collection of more than 245 hotels and resorts located in more than 50 countries.

Dive Insight:

Hyatt Regency Tucson Convention Center “reflects our confidence in Tucson's continued growth and our commitment to enhancing the city's hospitality offerings,” Omar Mireles, president of Tucson-based HSL Properties, said in a statement, adding that the property “will serve as a catalyst for convention business, tourism, and economic development while providing guests with an exceptional experience in one of Arizona's most dynamic destinations."

Located steps from the Tucson Convention Center, the hotel is also near cultural institutions and entertainment spots, including the Linda Ronstadt Music Hall, Leo Rich Theater and Tucson Arena.

Additional details regarding the hotel’s amenities and construction timeline, including an opening date, will be announced in the coming months. The building was formerly the 13-story Braniff Place Hotel opened by the now defunct airline company known as Braniff International Airways, according to reporting from KGUN 9. Once considered a Tucson gem, it has sat abandoned for the last 14 years.

The meeting-focused hotel comes as business travel was a “major driver of economic growth” in the U.S. during 2024, according to a report from the Global Business Travel Association. However, sentiments about global business travel have sharply declined in 2025 and 2026 due in part to escalating geopolitical tensions and rising costs.