Starr Pass celebrates 20 years | News

JW Marriott Starr Pass & Spa is looking back while planning its future during its 20th year.

Recently, it hosted a party featuring a luncheon, a mariachi performance, a 20th anniversary tequila toast, and a Native American blessing. Mayor Regina Romero ceremonially cut the anniversary cake. 

Larry Redhouse hosted the Native American blessing, which is a ritual exclusive to JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa.

Hosted by KVOA meteorologist Matt Brode, the event featured a slew of guest speakers, including Romero; Dean Callahan, the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa general manager; J. Felipe Garcia, Visit Tucson president and chief executive officer; and Del Arvayo, Arizona Bowl chief operations officer.

Dan Padilla, the resort’s director of sales and marketing, called the event moving.

“Everyone was talking about how special Star Pass is within the community,” he said. “It’s the only resort in the city limits of Tucson.”

JW Marriott Starr Pass & Spa will soon be a revamped resort, as in May, crews will begin a $70 million renovation of the guest rooms and meeting room. Work will continue through May 2026. 

“In the last 18 months — since our new ownership group (Southwest Valley Partners) acquired the asset — we have done many upgrades already. We refreshed the public space. We have new pool cabanas, new furniture in the pool area. Now, the rooms are going to be spectacular.”

All 525 guest rooms will undergo an extensive facelift, which includes rerouted plumbing to allow for extra-large walk-in showers, double vanities.

“It will provide a much more residential and warm feeling. Everything will be so much more modern and bit more true to the Southwest.”

Since its inception, the resort has donated $584,074 in cash donations to the community, and $3.2 million in in-kind donations. 

As a brand, Marriott encourages its associates to volunteer in the community. Over the years, there have been 2,119 JWP associates who have logged more than 5,802 volunteer hours and participated in 3,990 community activities or events. 

Padilla — who has been with the property for 14 years collectively — is proud of his workplace.

“Starr Pass truly is a gem in the desert,” he said. “Southwest Valley Partners understands the market and business. They also own the Westin La Paloma; JW is a luxury property. That’s why we want. To bring that up to par.”