NORTHEAST
Photo Credit: The Hotel at the University of Maryland
Modern décor and works by local artists adorn the AAA four-diamond, LEED Gold-certified Hotel at the University of Maryland in College Park, evoking elegance from the Lobby Bar to the 297 spacious guest rooms and 43,000 square feet of flexible event space. While high-profile guests can savor the 1,800-square-foot presidential suite with fireplace, chef's kitchen, wet bar, game room and terrace, all of the hotel's standard rooms and suites inspire awe, many with floor-to-ceiling windows and stunning views of the campus.
Within steps of the guest rooms are four restaurants (GrillmarX Steakhouse & Raw Bar, Iron Rooster, Potomac Pizza, Bagels 'N Grinds) and craft cocktails (the Lobby Bar). The fourth floor has The Spa, the Hair + Space Blowdry and Beauty Bar, and an indoor pool and fitness center. The hotel also offers a complimentary shuttle to the Station at Riverdale Park, the Shoppes at Arts District and other points of interest.
Dating from the early 1800s, the 153-room Normandy Farm Hotel & Conference Center is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. With an additional 49 guest suites spread among three other historic structures, the hotel is in the Western Philadelphia suburbs near King of Prussia and Valley Forge, Pa. For meeting professionals, the hotel has a total of 20,300 square feet of function pace. When not in sessions, attendees will enjoy modern farm cooking, unwinding at the pool, exploring the scenic grounds and enjoying a wide range of local recreational activities.
Looking out over the ocean from its perch on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, the 942-room Resorts Casino Hotel has 64,000 square feet of modern meeting space, including 24 meeting and function rooms with ocean views and a 13,000-square-foot ballroom. Attractions include an 80,000-square-foot casino, two theaters, 10 restaurants, a food court, two VIP slot and table player lounges, an indoor-outdoor swimming pool, a health club and spa and retail shops. Also on-site is the $35 million Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville-themed entertainment complex with its year-round beach bar.
All the romance and energy of the Big Apple is on ample view at the 446-room Hard Rock Hotel New York on West 48th Street, just north of Times Square. Guests can enjoy live music at the Sessions Restaurant & Bar, jaw-dropping views and craft cocktails at the RT60 Rooftop Bar & Lounge, and all the attractions that await outside. The property's 16,000 square feet of gathering space includes the 6,000-square-foot Venue on Music Row, which can host up to 600 guests, and other unique spaces able to host gala dinners, board meetings, hybrid presentations and more.
The AAA four-diamond rated Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport has a lot going for it, including 1,054 guest rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, more than 100,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a year-round heated rooftop pool and hot tub, six dining experiences and a luxe day spa. And the location isn't bad either: The hotel sits in the heart of the landmark Seaport District within an easy work of South Station, Boston Harbor and the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, and Logan International Airport is just three miles away.
SOUTHEAST
Photo Credit: The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa
Sitting majestically on the banks of the Savannah River in Georgia, the Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa has 403 guest rooms and suites featuring sophisticated design elements and views of historic Savannah or the resort's PGA Championship golf course. Speaking of which, a recent $1.2 million greens renovation has refreshed this legendary 18-hole layout winding through tidal waterways with views of downtown Savannah and the iconic Talmadge Bridge. For dining, the on-site Aqua Star Coastal is the property's signature restaurant and cocktail bar, serving Southern coastal cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
For meetings and events, the resort devotes a total of 286,600 square feet (including an adjacent convention center), 50,000 of which lies outdoors. Inside are 46 event rooms, the largest of which spans 10,116 square feet, while the 11,537-square-foot Grand Ballroom can host up to 1,600 people for a reception and 840 for a banquet.
Some 10 miles southwest of Fort Myers, Fla., the Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village has 308 guest rooms with private balconies overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. The property's 50,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space includes a conference center with an open-air terrace and marina views, plus the 12,260-square-foot Tarpon Point Ballroom able to host up to 1,400 guests. Two on-site restaurants offer dishes that incorporate locally sourced ingredients and can host private events and meeting breaks. Three outdoor pools and a fitness studio stand at the ready.
Sprawling across some 200 acres, the 2,010-room Orlando World Center Marriott is the largest Marriott-brand hotel in the world, brimming with features for work and play. The resort has 500,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor conference space, able to host intimate retreats as well as large-scale conventions. Also making a big splash is the Falls Pool Oasis, a lagoon-sale pool complete with waterfalls and sun shelves. Other draws include a full-service spa, an 18-hole golf course, a fitness center and 10 on-site dining options, from Italian to Japanese hibachi. And it's all just 1.5 miles from Disney World.
With one of the highest outdoor rooftop bars, a rooftop pool, a spa and seven food and beverage experiences, the Grand Hyatt Nashville is a gem in the heart of vibrant Music City. All 591 upscale guest rooms (including 53 suites) feature gorgeous hardwood floors, floor-to-ceiling windows for plenty of natural light and upscale bath amenities. The hotel's 84,000 square feet of event space includes private boardrooms, expansive ballrooms, prefunction areas, outdoor venues, a multilevel atrium and more than 30 additional breakout and meeting rooms.
Among the myriad reasons to meet in Orlando, the 234-room Lake Nona Wave Hotel is a standout. This luxurious property puts a special emphasis on wellness, as exemplified by the on-site 24-hour fitness center and private yoga terrace, a full-size swimming pool, complimentary access to the Chopra Mind-Body Zone and the Lake Nona Performance Club. Five on-site dining choices include the Japanese concept restaurant Nami and the Mediterranean-inspired Haven Kitchen. The hotel has 12,000 square feet of meeting space in a variety of areas, the largest of which spans 6,000 square feet.
MIDWEST
Photo Credit: MotorCity Casino Hotel
A luxurious world unto itself, the 400-room MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit is a safe bet for planners and attendees, thanks to a full complement of attractions including the property's own glitzy casino, offering more than 2,400 games of all kinds and for all tastes. For relaxation, the in-house D.Tour Spa lets guests rejuvenate in thermal whirlpools, steam rooms and dry saunas, while three eateries — Revel Steak, Assembly Line Buffet and the Lodge Diner — are buttressed by a food court offering outlets like the eponymous Chinese Food, Little Caesars and Grand Tour Deli & Burgers.
Planners will take note of a full 67,500 square feet of meeting and event space divided among modern ballrooms, boardrooms, a large theater and myriad rooms with views of the surrounding cityscape. All meeting rooms are fully equipped with state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment, including video and teleconferencing capabilities.
A historic hotel that first opened in 1913 in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich., the 656-room Amway Grand Plaza sits in the heart of the city, surrounded by lively restaurants, bars and museums. On-site event space totals nearly 50,000 square feet; the Ambassador Ballroom, which can host up to 750 people for a banquet reception, is just one of four elegant ballrooms, in addition to 30 high-tech meeting and conference areas. The hotel also offers nine dining outlets (including a Ruth's Chris Steak House), a spa, a fitness center, four rooftop pickleball courts, an indoor pool, a sauna and a steam room.
Nestled in picturesque Lincolnshire, Ill., the 390-room Marriott Lincolnshire Resort presents a full menu of options for recreation, relaxation and business. Amenities include a spa, a fitness center, inroad and outdoor pools and two top restaurants, along with the acclaimed Crane's Landing Golf Course, a championship 18-hole layout designed by George Fazio. Also on-site are a fully equipped fitness center and endless walking trails. Events take place in over 64,000 square feet of flexible space, whether elegant ballrooms, versatile meeting rooms or lush outdoor venues.
A recent $30 million renovation has made the Minneapolis Marriott City Center even more of a premier meetings hotel. The refresh touched upon the property's 585 guest rooms, public areas and almost 43,000 square feet of meeting space spread among 26 venues, including the expansive Grand Portage Ballroom accommodating up to 2,400 guests, with a separate registration office to serve as a planner's headquarters. In the heart of downtown, the property is just six blocks from the Minneapolis Convention Center and an easy walk to US Bank Stadium, Target Field and Target Center.
In the Windy City's Lakeshore East area along the Chicago River, the 334-room Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel Chicago offers guests a full 80,000 square feet of amenity space, including a large outdoor recreation deck complete with hot tubs, fire pits and a running track. A fully equipped fitness center, 28,000 square feet of meeting space (spread among 13 flexible rooms) and a convenient location near to Michigan Avenue, the Magnificent Mile and Navy Pier complete a most hospitable picture.
SOUTHWEST
Photo Credit: Arizona Biltmore
Built nearly a century ago under the consulting aegis of Frank Lloyd Wright, the 700-room Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix has recently undergone an extensive revamp that blends modern luxury with the landmark property's architectural heritage. To begin with, the hotel's iconic facade, with interlocking lines that resemble a musical scale, has been fully restored. Refreshed spaces include the adults-only Saguaro Pool, the Tierra Luna Spa and Sol Garden, and the Spire Bar, which also serves as an alfresco event space.
When it comes to meetings, for which the property devotes a total of some 200,000 square feet, the on-site Conference Center has received upgrades such as energy-efficient lighting and large interactive LED screen walls. The McArthur Ballroom now sports a stunning new chandelier and can host up to 1,500 people for a reception and 1,200 for a banquet. When not in sessions, attendees also can enjoy two championship golf courses, seven dining outlets and a choice of seven sparkling swimming pools.
Located in Downtown Austin on the University of Texas Campus, the LEED Gold-certified AT&T Hotel and Conference Center features 297 modern guest rooms, a spacious interior courtyard and four chef-driven dining options. Planners enjoy 85,000 square feet of event space among 53 rooms, including tiered classrooms and a prefunction area adorned with a 4,000-square-foot mural. The location on the edge of a major college campus provides all the benefits of a premier educational institution, and within walking distance are multiple museums, the Texas Capitol and the Moody Center, a top Austin music venue.
In the Texas Hill Country, minutes from downtown Austin, the 194-room Hotel Viata features a scenic pool, a fitness center, the award-winning Spa Viata and the Laurel Restaurant & Bar, which highlights traditional Amalfi Coast Italian dishes. Meetings take place among spaces such as the Laurel Patio, for receptions of up to 28 people; the Courtyard, with 3,600 square feet for gatherings of up to 200; and the 3,540-square-foot Cypress Ballroom, with three designer chandeliers and French doors that open onto a central courtyard. After work, guests can walk the trails of the adjacent 227-acre Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve.
Amid 600 acres of oak-covered hills near downtown San Antonio, the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa can handle most-size groups thanks to 1,002 guest rooms (including 85 suites) and a hefty 268,000 square feet of meeting and event space that includes impressive ballrooms and outdoor pavilions. Guests can choose among six on-site restaurants and enjoy a luxurious spa as well as the River Bluff Water Experience, a nine-acre water park with a 1,100-foot lazy river. In close proximity are wineries, SeaWorld, the Shops at La Cantera, Natural Bridge Caverns and Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
Nearly a century old, the Wigwam in Litchfield Park, Ariz., in late 2023 debuted a multimillion-dollar renovation of its 331 guest rooms and suites, and exterior grounds, giving the property new life while still honoring its storied past. When not relaxing by glistening pools, guests can savor the cuisine of four standout restaurants, choose from three 18-hole championship golf courses designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and unwind at the 26,000-square-foot LeMonds – Aveda Salon and Spa. Planners can access any of 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space spread across the refreshed 440-acre property.
FAR WEST
Photo Credit: The Venetian Resort Las Vegas
A fully integrated luxury resort with 2.25 million square feet of meeting space; 7,100 suites, dozens of restaurants, a world-class spa, entertainment and more, the Venetian Resort Las Vegas is not resting on its considerable laurels. An ongoing $1.5 billion reinvestment in the property is impacting nearly every aspect of the guest experience, including a $188 million update to the Convention Center. The latter project is adding unique spaces like an executive lounge and a speakeasy, while creating enhanced digital and tech packages.
In deference to convenience for groups, the Venetian is organized to optimize attendee time and productivity. Meeting and trade show space is conveniently located just a 3– to 4-minute walk from guest suites. Meeting rooms and exhibit areas are organized vertically and connected by escalators, making it easy for attendees of larger events to quickly move from room to room. During down time, guests can enjoy the property's Grand Canal Shoppes and the famed Canyon Ranch spa and fitness center.
Serving guests for more than 50 years, the 850-room DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Seattle Airport is in a prime location for enjoying the south Seattle region as well as city's lively downtown. Planners will find 40,952 square feet of flexible ballroom, convention and meeting space, with banquet facilities for up to 3,000 people. Less than a half-mile from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, the hotel also is in close proximity to the pristine Puget Sound waterfront and offers complimentary transportation to the largest mall in the area as well as various unique local attractions, restaurants and entertainment.
In a prime spot along the City by the Bay's famed Embarcadero, the 821-room Hyatt Regency San Francisco is an epicenter for visitors from around the world. Opened in 1973, the hotel recently restored its iconic rotating venue now dubbed the Regency Club, with 360-degree panoramic views. For meetings and events, 72,000 square feet of customizable space is imbued with modern design and technology, with group dining managed by a world-class culinary team. Guests will find a plethora of attractions right at their doorstep, including the famous Ferry Building Marketplace overlooking the San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge.
Having hosted groups since 2010 in the scenic Santa Monica Mountains and perched on 200 acres of rugged coastline, The Ranch Malibu is a world leader in the growing trend of corporate wellness programming, The property features 21 private guest cottages, an open-air kitchen, a certified organic garden, a gym, Massage Village, an outdoor pool and a Jacuzzi. An expert staff helps craft activities that include morning hikes, strength training, yoga classes and daily massage. Delicious plant-based menus feature organic and seasonal ingredients sourced directly from on-site gardens and nearby farms. The property is ideal for a private group retreat, group meeting or corporate gathering.
A true modern oasis, the W Los Angeles has 297 well-appointed guest rooms, including the luxurious WOW and Extreme WOW suites, more than 9,000 square feet of meeting & event space with state-of-the-art technology, and world-class service throughout the property. Here guests can enjoy relaxing in a private cabana at the WET deck, sampling delicious cuisine from The Hideout by STK Los Angeles at the poolside bistro or trying a cocktail from the chic airstream bar by the pool. The hotel is committed to participating in and programming for events such as Pride Month, National Women's Month and various children's causes.
INTERNATIONAL AND U.S. TERRITORIES
Photo Credit: Hard Rock Hotel Maldives
Located within Emboodoo Lagoon in Crossroads Maldives, an integrated world-class lifestyle, leisure and entertainment destination, the 178-room Hard Rock Hotel Maldives is just a 20-minute boat ride from Velana Airport. The resort leverages the shared amenities and attractions of this vibrant island, which include the 30-berth Yacht Marina, state-of-the-art MICE facilities, over 14 dining venues, myriad shopping outlets, a wide variety of water sports and a lively nightclub.
The main meeting space at the property is the Event Hall, measuring 3,509 square feet with high ceilings, flexible seating, enough trade-show space for 20 booths and able to host corporate retreats, business parties and more for up to 300 people. For planners seeking a scenic outdoor venue, the Marquee or the Pavilion offer inspiring settings directly on the beach, with views of the Indian Ocean. This space is perfect for gala dinners and receptions, allowing guests to enjoy the natural beauty of the Maldives while networking and celebrating.
With over 60 years of hospitality experience, the 180-room Europe Hotel & Resort is a luxurious getaway nestled within 26,000 acres of national parkland and bordering on the shore of scenic Lough Léin in Southwest Ireland. Among the inducements are an array of on-site dining options, complimentary horseback riding and a 50,000-square-foot spa with 16 treatment rooms. The resort's conference center features eight meeting rooms offering natural daylight with floor-to-ceiling windows and direct access to outdoor terraces. The lakeshore Boathouse is an ideal private venue for group BBQs, picnics, cocktail receptions, lawn parties and more.
Canada's largest conference hotel, the 1,372-room Sheraton Centre Toronto has a full 134,642 square feet of versatile meeting and event space spread among 63 event rooms for gatherings both large and small, including a stunning 2.5-acre outdoor waterfall garden. The hotel's open lobby is designed to be a dynamic social hub, perfect for meeting, connecting and collaborating. An award-winning in-house conference team, a 24-hour fitness center (with free weights and the latest cardio machines), a year-round indoor/outdoor pool and the popular mixology lounge 43 Down all help make this downtown Toronto property a winner
A private peninsula on the north end of Banderas Bay in the Mexican state of Navarit, Punta Mita is home to the 177-room Four Seasons Resort. Guests get to enjoy in-house eateries such as Dos Catrinas, serving Mexican fare with a contemporary twist and bespoke craft cocktails; practice Yoga on the beach; sail on sunset cruises and culture tours; and luxuriate in the sybaritic Apuane Spa. Total event space here comes to 35,535 square feet; the largest ballroom spans 12,486 square feet and can host a banquet for up to 300 people, while receptions for up to 600 can unfold on beautiful Las Cuevas Beach.
An AAA Four-Diamond property, the oceanfront Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico is spread across 72 acres of protected natural surroundings in the foothills of the El Yunque rainforest. The hotel has 579 spacious rooms, suites and villas, along with more than 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. Of special note is a 12,000-square-foot ballroom with vaulted ceilings and a cutting-edge video-mapping wall, able to accommodate up to 800 people. Guests enjoy access to the TopGolf Swing Suite at The Sand Trap, the first of its kind on the island, where four simulator bays are available for post-meeting fun.