Inspiring Conversations with Ronen Aviram of Hotel Valley Ho

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ronen Aviram.

Hi Ronen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a kid, I had the privilege of traveling around the world due to my father’s work. The sense of travel and the enjoyment of seeing new places, along with staying in fun hotels around the world, really resonated with me. So I knew that I wanted to be involved in the hospitality business. My mother is also a chef, so combining the two, I knew that working in hotels would be part of my future. After attending the University of Maryland and earning my master’s degree in Hotel and Food Service Management, I began my career in hotel management. I was recruited by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and started my first job as a management trainee at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. I enjoyed the ability to provide unique experiences for my guests, as well as the day-to-day opportunities to problem solve and take on special requests. My time with Four Seasons took me to Beverly Hills, San Diego, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. From there, a brief detour working for a wealthy family managing multiple private estates took me to another part of the desert in Southern California. Following that, I began my initial tenure at Hotel Valley Ho, assisting with the hotel’s opening in 2005. After a few years, I was recruited by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts and worked at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess, Fairmont Dallas, and the Swiss Hotel in Chicago. In 2016, the opportunity to return to Hotel Valley Ho as general manager was presented to me, and I immediately knew this was the place I wanted to end up.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve truly enjoyed the opportunity to work in so many different locations throughout my career. Each new place has brought unique challenges and learning experiences, whether in a bustling city or a remote resort destination. These opportunities have helped me grow and learn how to effectively manage hotels in various environments. The only real challenge has been relocating and traveling with children, but even then, I’ve always approached each day with the mindset of learning something new. No matter how many decades I’ve spent in the hotel and food service industry, every day brings something different — a new lesson and a new chance to improve. My passion for this work has never faded, not even for a moment. I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked in some amazing places, including Fort Lauderdale, Beverly Hills, Rancho Mirage, Jackson Hole, Dallas, Chicago, and Scottsdale.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Hotel Valley Ho?
I am fortunate to call Hotel Valley Ho home. Being part of the original opening team back in 2005 and then returning a few years later has given me a profound sense of pride in working for an iconic luxury property that also has the opportunity to serve the local community. Providing a luxury experience at a reimagined mid-century modern hotel like Hotel Valley Ho presents a daily opportunity to curate distinctive services, products, and moments — and I’m incredibly proud to watch our team execute that vision consistently.

From the very beginning, we set out to create something different: a one-of-a-kind architectural hotel paired with luxury service and guest experiences that exude fun, flair, and innovation. We’ve always aimed to be the opposite of a big-box brand, offering guests and colleagues a fresh, unexpected alternative. As a family-owned property, we’ve infused that same culture of connection and care into our team. The longevity of our staff speaks volumes — it’s something truly unique in our industry.

Whenever I welcome new team members, I tell them, ‘If you stay for one year, you’ll begin to understand what the Valley Ho brand truly means. By the second year, you’ll want your friends and family working here too.’ That’s how deeply our culture resonates.

Being an independent hotel gives us the freedom to design guest experiences, food and beverage programs, and seasonal events without the constraints of corporate red tape. We make decisions based on what’s best for Valley Ho — staying true to our brand and to our guests. Over the past two decades, our brand has gained global recognition. I’ve traveled wearing a hat or shirt with our logo and have often been stopped by someone who recognizes it. Recently, I traveled to the Caribbean for a vacation, and a guest approached me as he recognized the logo on my hat. He shared that every time he visits Scottsdale, he chooses Hotel Valley Ho over all the other incredible properties. That kind of loyalty and recognition speaks to the authenticity and connection we’ve built.

From the start, we’ve prioritized supporting our local community. Our property offers dynamic year-round programming — particularly through its food and beverage areas — that attracts both locals and guests. A few years ago, we launched our Sip + Shop program, which offers complimentary tastings of unique beverages and supports local artisans. In the summer, we expanded the program to include a free indoor market event paired with a celebrity chef dinner series, where chefs from across the country partner with our own culinary team to create memorable experiences for our guests. This winter, we are launching HO Holidays, a festive new activation featuring a one-of-a-kind roller skating rink, as well as themed food, drinks, and activities for both guests and locals to enjoy. This is just another example of how we blend fun, creativity, and innovation into our guest experiences.

Our community involvement goes beyond events. Each month, the Valley Ho team volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House, where they prepare meals for families in need. We also donate a portion of the proceeds from some of our events to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona, and we proudly host their annual gala. It’s incredibly inspiring to see our team embrace the spirit of giving and make a real impact in the community.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Everyone has their own personal key to success. For me, it’s about being a leader who listens to both team members and guests, embraces challenges, and welcomes change. I believe each day presents a new opportunity to learn something that will make me better tomorrow. At a unique hotel like ours, the most important thing we can do is stay focused on a shared purpose — never settle, stay attuned to the evolving desires of our customers, continually reinvest in both our team and our product, and always seek out fresh, meaningful experiences that create genuine connections with our guests.

Pricing:

• Summer Rates: start at $143 nightly
• Fall Rates: start at $399 nightly
• Winter Rates: start at $410 nightly
• Spring Rates: start at $512 nightly

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hotelvalleyho.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hotelvalleyho/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hotelvalleyhoscottsdale
• Twitter: https://x.com/hotelvalleyho