New owners Kimpton Hotels have brought contemporary chic to the boutique resort, yet married it to the Southwest’s natural hospitality. A key element of that is the plentiful seating arrangements that invite socializing.

The initial view of the lobby is more formal, with two cream‑colored, high‑backed couches facing off in front of the fireplace. But an oversize stool in zebra pattern breaks their austerity with its touch of whimsy. The arrangement is set on a large area rug in a contemporary design that also evokes ocean waves, thus weaving in the fire‑air‑water‑earth theme of FireSky.

Cool, sleek silver accents the lobby décor in round balls and candlesticks and tall vases in planters along one side. The clean lines characteristic of contemporary design continue in the abundant seating offered in a vast, open space behind the fireplace, with the look warmed by rich but muted tones of reds and oranges as well as by the informality of some intriguing furniture choices. Along with a couple of wingback chairs are two free‑standing mattresses on which you could edge‑sit or sprawl across or even sit cross‑legged in the middle. Standing ready to accommodate a family conclave or informal business gathering is a large, onyx‑topped, bar‑height table–lit from within to create a warm glow from the glassy, yellow tabletop.

Behind this friendly area where the resort hosts its evening wine hour is the lounge. An open grate‑work partition separates the lounge from the rest of the lobby, but maintains the openness of the flow. Most eye‑catching is the chandelier–a playful mobile of colorful cloth cylinders.

The enormous lobby is thus broken into three distinct sections, which blend into one another as easily as they blend into the Southwest architecture of the building. And below the large skylights that, along with the soaring height of the ceiling itself, add to the airiness of the room, tied‑back panels of sheer drapery at intervals along the sides help to soften the edges and bring the dimensions to human size.

At the rear of the lobby, to one side of the lounge, lies Taggia, the resort’s full‑service restaurant. With the warmth of wood floor and an intimacy from the low ceiling, the space is furnished in a simplicity designed to reflect that of the menu. (Italian chef Claudio Urciuoli favors fresh and organic ingredients.) More formal than the lounge, Taggia’s color scheme is predominantly black. Its exhibition kitchen is partially shielded by an openwork partition in which bottles of wine serve as decoration. Emphasis remains on the social nature of the resort as single travelers

may enjoy camaraderie by dining at the counter that fronts the busy kitchen. The restaurant’s design also allows for bringing the outdoors in: Doors comprised of glass panels look out on the patio and can be opened to allow indoors and out to flow as one space.

The restaurant’s patio is not the only outdoor seating available. In addition to the swimming pool and sand beach areas are gathering places furnished with cushioned wood chairs and benches.

FireSky’s contemporary makeover brightens in the corridors, where apple green livens the passageways to its guest rooms. The treatment of the Jurlique Spa is more muted as crystal droplets on the wall sconces add flashes of amber to an otherwise neutral palate.

In creating a distinctive sense of place for FireSky, Kimpton built upon some of the elements that already existed on the property.

To the porte‑cochere has been added the dramatic street front of a fountain, with stack stone columns matching the ones inside the lobby. Water cascades into a pool from a spout in each of the three columns, and for extra drama (as well as to emphasize, again, the natural elements), flames will dance at night in the fire pots atop the columns.

The fire‑topped fountain is part of the completed first phase of construction aimed at enhancing the resort’s curb appeal. Since purchasing the property more than two years ago, Kimpton, who has been quietly making the physical changes as well as such procedural ones as expanded eco‑friendly programs, plans to continue with new construction to FireSky’s entrance on Scottsdale Road south of Chaparral Road.