NORTHEAST
Photo Credit: Hidden Pond
Surrounded by 60 acres of birch groves and balsam fir in Kennebunkport, Maine, Hidden Pond opened in 2008 and is a collection of cottages and bungalows, each with a unique interior design and style (think cozy lodge-like with pops of color). The 16 cottages feature a full kitchen, comfortable living room, gas fireplaces and outdoor rain showers. The 20 Hidden Pond bungalows are ideally suited for two adults, each outfitted with a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, an outdoor rain shower and a screened porch, while 10 rustic Treetop Lodges consist of a studio and a one-bedroom suite (guests have the option to reserve one or both rooms).
The resort also features two outdoor swimming pools, a three-room treetop spa and organic dining at the award-winning restaurant Earth at Hidden Pond, all just minutes from Goose Rocks Beach. Three meeting spaces, the largest seating up to 200 people, are perfect for a corporate retreat.
In Washington, D.C., the 355-room Yours Truly draws its inspiration from the eclectic spirit of the 1970s with a Bohemian-inspired aesthetic that features warm brass, carved wood and tasseled accents, creating a welcoming space ideal for morning coffees alone, social gatherings with friends and daytime work sessions for young professionals. Rich tapestries, vibrant colors, velvety textures and occasional disco balls in the lobby create energy, while crochet and woven macramé accents add funky-retro charm. Similarly inventive touches mark the property’s 15,000 square feet of meeting space, including a private living room, a pantry kitchen and an outdoor patio.
In the picturesque Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, the 320-room Nemacolin seamlessly blends luxury, elegance and unique design elements to create a striking setting for its guests and meeting attendees. Throughout the property, the hotel showcases an amicable fusion of various architectural styles, from the rustic charm of its Grand Lodge to the sleek modernity of its conference facilities. Incorporating natural elements into its décor, the resort's interior spaces comprise a multitude of warm woods, natural stone accents and earthy tones, creating a welcoming and organic atmosphere.
SOUTHEAST
Photo Credit: Lake Nona Wave Hotel
In Orlando, the Lake Nona Wave Hotel immediately arrests the eye with the distinctive undulating shape of its glass and metal facade, inspired by the waves at the nearby namesake body of water. The spirit of the innovative design by Arquitectonica continues inside, where a striking collection of contemporary art fills floor-to-ceiling niches and furniture doubles as artwork, with pieces designed by Eero Saarinen, Warren Platner and Marcel Wanders.
The hotel is centered around an active, open-air gathering event park that doubles as a vibrant community center. Charming landscaped walking and biking trails surround a sculpture garden showcasing world-class works. The 234 guest rooms feature ergonomically designed furniture and space, similar to the 12,000 square feet of meeting space. Even the on-site signature restaurant, Bacán, sports a warm, enticing palette reflecting its Latin-influenced American cuisine.
Evoking the storied musical heritage of its home city, the Embassy Suites Nashville Downtown has an exterior with a crown resembling the lid of a grand piano in a lifted position, while interior public spaces feature curved porte cochere ceilings resembling musical instruments and sound waves. Front-desk pods are shaped as musical notes, and each of the 506 guest suites and the 35,417 square feet of event space feature art and design elements that again reflect the city’s rich cultural history.
In the heart of Orlando’s events and conventions district, the 1,334-room Rosen Centre adds fresh décor to its array of VIP suites by way of modern décor, sleek furnishings and crisp, cool color palates. These stylish suites now have a contoured, graceful boutique feel, much like the hotel’s executive and presidential suites. In addition, a new color palate flows throughout the hotel’s lobby and into the more than 160,000 square feet of dedicated, high-tech meeting spaces. Multiple outdoor event venues let attendees enjoy delicious cuisine and Florida’s calm, breezy evenings surrounded by a tropical pool.
MIDWEST
Photo Credit: 21c Museum Hotel Chicago
A one-of-a-kind contemporary art museum and boutique property combined in a historical 1920s-era structure, the 21c Museum Hotel Chicago has on-site galleries open around the clock with nearly 100 works selected by chief curator and museum director Alice Gray Stites. Commissioned design installations by Chicago-based artists include wallpaper by Nick Cave and his partner Bob Faust, and a video projection by Colleen Plumb.
The 297-room hotel also has an array of unique meeting and event spaces (over 10,000 feet in total) including the Main Gallery, a 2,660-square-foot venue with a gorgeous skylight that draws in natural light against soothing white walls and appealing works of art. Able to accommodate up to 250 attendees, the space also comes with state-of-the-art A/V capabilities, two ceiling-mounted LCD projectors, plug-and-play connectivity and more. Just steps away is all the world-class shopping along the Windy City’s Magnificent Mile.
As designed by architect Jeanne Gang, the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago pays tribute to nearby Lake Michigan with slow-rippling white concrete balconies and colored glass that evoke the gentle cascade of water. The interior, by British designer Jim Hamilton, includes a reclaimed brick wall in the entryway with a stunning silhouette of Chicago's iconic skyline. The lobby’s striking chandelier casts a warm glow while guests unwind in plush high-back chairs and cozy couches. An on-site art gallery, 334 chic rooms and more than 28,000 square feet of flexible meeting space complete the picture.
Inspired by the artistic pulse of the Milwaukee arts community, Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel offers a combination of paintings, sculptures, installations and mixed media that create a dynamic and visually stimulating environment throughout. Each of the 219 art-filled guest rooms are supplied with drawing paper and colored pencils and feature custom-designed sinks and tiles by Kohler Co. The four Canvas Rooms were designed entirely by local artists. The property’s 11,600 square feet of versatile meeting space includes the plush Expressionist Boardroom, ideal for corporate gatherings, while various in-house galleries include a space curated by the Museum of Wisconsin Art.
Located along the scenic Chicago River within the second tallest building in the Windy City, the 339-room Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago has a sleek, modern facade characterized by its striking use of glass and steel, as envisioned by architect Adrian Smith. Inside, rich marble flooring, gleaming brass accents and intricate crystal chandeliers dadorn public spaces, while the new Library Lounge lets guests unwind amidst the soft glow of a fireplace. The hotel has more than 26,000 square feet of striking meeting space.
SOUTHWEST
.jpg?tr=w-920%2Cfo-auto)
Photo Credit: Arizona Biltmore
Built nearly a century ago by Albert Chase McArthur, who was mentored by the visionary Frank Lloyd Wright, the 700-room Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix recently underwent an extensive restoration by noted hospitality firms Virserius Studio and PHX Architecture, seamlessly blending modern luxury with the property's architectural heritage. The hotel’s iconic facade, with interlocking lines that resemble a musical scale, has been restored, while revamped spaces include the Paradise and Saguaro pools, stand-alone guest cottages and the Tierra Luna Spa and Sol Garden.
When it comes to the Arizona Biltmore’s 200,000 square feet of meeting space, the on-site conference center now includes a Wright-inspired carpet and large interactive LED Screen walls and e-posters. The 14,904-square-foot McArthur Ballroom sports a stunning new chandelier and electric doors and can host up to 1,500 people for a reception and 1,200 for a banquet.
Built within the historic 1910 Samuel F. Carter skyscraper, the JW Marriott Houston Downtown harmonizes original architectural elements with contemporary design. In the lobby, guests are welcomed by wooden floors, soaring ceilings, towering steel beams and oversized pieces of art. The 328 guest rooms are designed with plush furnishings, sleek lines and a neutral color palette accented by rich textures and vibrant pops of color. Among the property’s 13,500 square feet of meeting space, the Carter boardroom remains nearly untouched since 1910, redolent of the period's intricate and meticulous artisan craftsmanship.
A new boutique experience that combines luxury, style and comfort in the heart of Houston’s famed Galleria, the 131-room Hotel Vesper, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, has intimate spaces that blend work and play, accented by art and sculptures. Bold hues, sumptuous textures and custom furnishing mark the 131 guest rooms, while meeting space includes beautifully appointed rooms like the 1,584-square-foot Reveur, which can be configured to host receptions, conferences and banquets for up to 120 people. The on-site Caché Café serves breakfast and upscale dinners; craft libations can follow at the Caché Cocktail Bar.
FAR WEST
Photo Credit: The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
A fully integrated, Italian-inspired modern landmark with 7,100 suites, 2.25 million square feet of meeting space, dozens of restaurants, a spa and more, the Venetian Resort Las Vegas is in the midst of a $1.5 billion (yes, billion) reinvestment including a $188 million update of its convention center. New and beautifully designed venues include Sala 118, the High Limit Lounge and the Mediterranean restaurant HaSalon. The resort’s standard suites range in size from 650 to 720 square feet, each featuring a separate living area furnished with sofa and armchairs, an oversized Italian-marble bathroom, remote-controlled Roman curtains, a large work desk and multiple TVs.
On-site restaurants, including Mott 32 and Estiatorio Milos, have stunning interior design and are also able to serve as unique event venues. The resort’s meeting space is located just a 3- to 4- minute walk from guest suites. Indeed, all meeting rooms and exhibit areas are organized vertically and connected by escalators, making it easy for attendees to quickly move from room to room.
With an elevated yet unpretentious design, the 211-room Alma San Diego is home to thoughtful elements that showcase the rarely highlighted edginess of San Diego. Mexican heritage, street culture and tattoo-inspired art fuse to bring life to the hotel through Americana-style graphic wallpaper in the hallways, hand-painted murals on the pool deck and graffiti artworks within the marble suite bathrooms. Guest rooms also have rich wood floors, art deco furniture and woven tapestries, while events take place in similarly stylish space spanning more than 20,000 square feet.
Originally built in 1953, San Diego’s iconic 671-room Town and Country Resort recently underwent a renovation that pays homage to the property’s history with a mid-century retro-cool design and original works from local artists. New features include a four-story waterslide, several pools and restaurants, and upgraded guest rooms. The revamp included designating 12 acres of surrounding land for the public, including a three-acre park with seating and interpretive signage, as well a restoration of a natural habitat alongside the San Diego River. Indoor and outdoor meeting space totals a whopping 295,050 square feet.
Reflecting the natural beauty and culture of its surroundings, the 320-room Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort wows guests right from the start. The Armarto marble arrival bridge is framed in African mahogany over a serene infinity pond, while a central sandpit and Pacific Ocean views mark the arrival lounge. Guest rooms include shuttered wooden screens with white-washed oak finishes that blend rustic charm with modern elegance, while the lava stone floors in the bathrooms provide a connection to Maui’s volcanic heritage. The resort also offers 13,593 square feet of meeting space.
INTERNATIONAL AND U.S. TERRITORIES
Photo Credit: Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico
In the foothills of the El Yunque rainforest, the Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico recently underwent a major redesign to make the 72-acre property feel like a secluded haven, complete with a private beach. This AAA Four-Diamond gem has 579 guest rooms, including the ocean-facing Regency Suites with private pools and gazebos for lounging. The 93 newly constructed villas in a secluded area of the resort are equipped with single king and queen bedrooms, separate living rooms with queen sleeper sofas, kitchenettes, dining tables and bathrooms with rainfall showers and jetted deep-soaking tubs.
More than 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space includes a 12,000-square-foot ballroom with vaulted ceilings and a cutting-edge video-mapping wall. Also on-site are a lagoon-style oceanfront swimming pool, a full-service spa, two 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Tom Kite and 17 dining outlets ranging from a prime steakhouse to Hibachi to classic Puerto Rican cuisine.
Built with a minimal construction footprint, the 124-room St. Regis Kanai Resort Riviera Maya in Quintana Roo, Mexico, pays great respect to its site in a natural mangrove reserve. Indeed, the entire resort is designed to protect the environment, from an on-site plant nursery geared to nurture seedlings so they can replenish the mangrove, to programs that help sustain native species such as sea turtles, crocodiles and raccoons. Recycling efforts include glass, paper, aluminum, vegetable oil and more. The resort has more than 25,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space across seven meeting venues hosting up to 600 people.
When it comes to thoughtful design, the Sheraton Centre Toronto is a case study. The Sheraton Club Lounge, for example, offers a sanctuary of sophistication and tranquility high up on the 43rd floor. The décor features plush sofas arranged in cozy, conversation-friendly clusters, while the elegant bar serves as a central focal point. Carefully chosen artwork adorns the walls, paying homage to Toronto’s rich history, and that panoramic view is phenomenal. All 1,372 guest rooms and 134,642 square feet of meeting and event space show similar care and taste in their appointments.