Goodyear’s bet on a true downtown core is getting a serious boost: city leaders have signed off on plans for two new hotels inside the GSQ project, together bringing 241 guest rooms to the still‑young city center. The timing tracks with a flurry of national retailers, new restaurants and the long‑awaited Buc‑ee’s travel center that are helping turn GSQ into a bona fide West Valley destination rather than just a quick stop off the freeway.
According to the Phoenix Business Journal, the Goodyear City Council recently signed off on both hotel proposals, clearing the way for construction within the GSQ master plan. The outlet reports that once they open, the two properties will add a combined 241 rooms to downtown Goodyear’s lodging lineup.
AC Hotels Confirmed For GSQ
One of the projects is a four‑story AC Hotels by Marriott that will bring about 135 rooms, a lounge, dining options, roughly 1,200 square feet of meeting space and an outdoor pool, as reported by AZ Big Media. Baywood Hotels is listed as the developer, and the chain’s announcement says the hotel is expected to open by the end of 2026, positioning it to catch future waves of visitors as GSQ fills in.
Where They’ll Sit
Both hotels are headed for GSQ, the roughly 150‑acre mixed‑use district built around Goodyear Civic Square, which includes the city’s new hall, a two‑story library and a two‑acre park, with parcels clustered near McDowell Road and 150th Drive, according to the City of Goodyear. Local economic development notices and developer updates point to a steady stream of new tenants and infrastructure work that officials say has helped drive demand for more hotel rooms in the district; recent tenant rosters and announcements are posted on the city’s development site.
What This Means
Developers say the added rooms and small‑event space are designed to capture conferences, spring‑training fans and Goodyear Ballpark crowds, all of whom funnel money into the restaurants and shops setting up in GSQ. “What is making GSQ successful is the lineup of one‑of‑a‑kind businesses that we are working carefully to attract,” Globe Corp.'s co‑CEO said, per AZ Big Media. The AC Hotel alone is expected to create roughly 30 permanent jobs, and the initial Business Journal coverage framed the latest approvals as one more signal that downtown Goodyear’s momentum is picking up speed.
