NORTHEAST
Photo Credit: Normandy Farm Hotel & Conference Center
In 2023, the Normandy Farm Hotel in Western Pennsylvania revealed the fruits of a $6 million rebuild of its vintage 1834 Carriage House. Reconstructed from the ground up, the venue now features 21 hotel suites spanning more than 18,268 square feet over
three stories. The renovation includes stylish furniture, art, laminate hardwood floors and modern wall treatments. Some suites also offer private patios, fireplaces, lounging areas and bridal vanities. The exterior grounds now feature a beautiful
patio and garden area with Adirondack chairs
The project, which increased the property’s total to 153 guest rooms, complements the other historic buildings on-site with their red and white barn theme. For meetings, the hotel offers a total
of 20,300 square feet, the largest space spanning 4,500 square feet. When not convening, attendees enjoy modern farm cooking at the on-site restaurant, unwinding at the pool and enjoying a wide range of local recreational options.
An award-winning destination resort in the Allegheny Mountains of Pennsylvania, the 320-room Nemacolin reopened its Grand Lodge in the fall of 2023. Located within the heart of the over 2,200-acre property, the newly appointed lodge is an all-suite, contemporary
interpretation of the resort’s original lodge and now has 56 luxurious suites complete with exclusive butler service and personalized amenities. Expanded spaces include the striking lobby with its grand split staircase and a walk-out balcony. The
resort has 35,000 square feet of exhibit space plus two 18-hole Pete Dye-designed golf courses.
Following an extensive property-wide transformation, the 250-room Ashore Resort & Beach Club in Ocean City, Md., now showcases completely revitalized facilities such as 250 fully renovated guest rooms, including 15 spacious multi-room suites, and five
new coastal-inspired restaurants ranging from the upscale Tide Room to the relaxed vibes of Wahoo Beach Bar. The property offers 14 meeting rooms and approximately 40,000 square feet of versatile indoor and outdoor function spaces, including a ballroom
and the picturesque Beachside Pavilion.
The newly renovated conference space at the nearly 500-room Sunday River Resort in Newry, Maine, is designed to cater to a wide range of events, from corporate meetings and seminars to all kinds of social gatherings. Key features include state-of-the-art
A/V equipment, high-speed Internet access, flexible seating arrangements and space flooded with natural light thanks to large windows framing scenic views of the surrounding mountains and forests. In all, the property offers more than 40,000 square
feet of diverse function space, plus an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
SOUTHEAST
Photo Credit: Waldorf Astoria Orlando
In December 2023, the Waldorf Astoria Orlando unveiled a comprehensive reimagination of the entire property, featuring a floor-to-ceiling transformation of all 502 guest rooms and suites, the lobby arrival experience, and new design and culinary innovations
at the Bull & Bear and Peacock Alley restaurants. Enhancements were also made to The Waldorf Astoria Spa and the 18-hole Waldorf Astoria Golf Club. The renovation completed a property-wide renewal begun in 2022 with upgrades to the hotel’s meeting
spaces. Led by the acclaimed Parker Torres Design firm, the work emphasizes the resort’s unique location within the 482-acre Bonnet Creek Nature Preserve, providing a tranquil retreat just minutes from the theme parks.
Among changes to the
property’s over 60,000 square feet of event space is the addition of the 8,436-square-foot Central Park Ballroom, adorned with art deco touches that recall the hotel’s New York City roots. The room is divisible into eight sections and includes 2,565
square feet of prefunction space, with floor-to-ceiling windows allowing plenty of natural sunlight.
A major transportation hub when built in 1910, today’s Union Station Nashville Yards is fresh from a multimillion-dollar revamp that was completed at the end of 2023. The hotel’s 125 guest rooms were totally redesigned, including extensive upgrades to
the Conductor, Bachelorette and Abigail suites, and the corridors underwent a restoration that pays homage to romantic railway journeys of the past. For meetings, some 11,000 square feet include six areas like the ornate Grand Lobby, a perfect setting
for an elegant celebration.
A landmark property in Florida’s Tampa Bay Area for nearly a century, the Vinoy Resort and Golf Club recently finished a comprehensive renovation led by the renowned Rockwell Group. Among the refreshed in-house features are the grand lobby and veranda,
all 362 guest rooms and various aspects of the resort’s 60,000 square feet of event space, which comprise 22 rooms (and 24 breakout rooms), including the 11,520-square-foot Palm Court Ballroom, with its chic art deco chandeliers and sconces that reference
the property’s colorful past.
In May 2023, the 162-room JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa in Florida revealed its fresh new look to the public, tailored to create an oasis of regal comfort and rustic elegance. The resort’s design ethos blends different textures, like waves
and woven patterns, elements repeated in the nearly 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space. All meeting rooms and ballrooms are outfitted with cutting-edge A/V and multimedia technology, making the property ultra-modern as well as timeless.
A favorite site for gatherings since first opening on New Year’s Eve in 1920, the Casa Marina Key West recently completed a grand $79 million property renovation. Guests can expect 311 beautifully refurbished guest rooms, including 63 suites with oceanfront
balconies and walkout beachside lanais. Complimenting the property’s 11,000 square feet of indoor function space are a number of notable outdoor areas such as a new 5,000-square-foot oceanfront lawn.
MIDWEST
Photo Credit: The Inn at Stonecliffe
In Northern Michigan’s Lake Huron, on historic Mackinac Island, The Inn at Stonecliffe has completed a two-year, $40 million renovation that included a restoration of the stately main mansion, with 16 guest rooms and suites now sporting new bathrooms
and modern amenities. In addition, all 32 rooms at the nearby Summer House have refreshed kitchenettes and dining areas with lake or garden views. Three new on-site dining choices feature local products direct from Michigan, the Great Lakes and Stonecliffe’s own orchard and garden.
For meetings, the new Sunset Pavilion has 3,000 flexible square feet, with custom catering menus for up to 150 guests. Located adjacent to the historic mansion, this event space features floor-to-ceiling window
walls offering expansive, panoramic views of Lake Huron and the Straits, while a 900-square-foot patio surrounds the building with its own sweeping views.
Just in time for its 30th anniversary in 2024, the 358-room Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in Lake Geneva, Wis., has completed a full update of its more than 62,000 square feet of event space, including five large ballrooms, four boardrooms and more. Grand
spaces like the Evergreen Ballroom have been reimagined to provide a warm, sophisticated atmosphere for up to 360 guests. Even the resort’s spacious Bay Boardrooms have been upgraded with new technology and large-screen TVs.
The largest hotel in the Windy City’s vibrant downtown district, the Hyatt Regency Chicago recently completed a $150 million renovation. All 2,032 guest rooms now feature an open design and contemporary furniture, with walls that incorporate art representing
the city’s classic art deco architecture. In addition, the Regency and Crystal ballrooms, part of the property’s 240,000 square feet of event space, were revamped with new architectural lighting, fresh flooring and wall coverings.
In Plymouth, Mich., Saint John’s Resort has finished a $50 million refresh that included its 188 guest rooms and 34,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting space, while adding features such as the Wind Grotto, an upscale wine bar whose patrons feel
immersed in an underground cave. In the F&B realm, a new restaurant, Doyles, has opened alongside the resort’s 18-hole championship golf course. The eatery has a 3,750-square-foot lawn able to host outdoor activities.
SOUTHWEST
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Photo Credit: JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
Set on 316 acres of sweeping Sonoran Desert, the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa recently unveiled an $80 million transformation that resulted in beautifully redesigned guest rooms, including new wellness suites, a revived Revive Spa and
36 refreshed holes of championship golf via the Faldo Championship Course and Palmer Signature Course. In addition, the Kembara restaurant, inspired by Asian street food, opened in 2023.
The crown jewel of the renovation is AquaRidge WaterPark,
a $16 million pool enhancement completed in October 2023, featuring three water slides, an enhanced Lazy River with poolside cabana suites, and the tranquil Sedona Springs with a hot tub overlooking the lake and golf course. In all, the resort has
950 guest rooms and suites with dramatic desert and mountain views, along with 240,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space.
An extensive overhaul has recently been completed at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park, Ariz. The work included a complete interior refresh of the property’s 331 spacious casitas, suites and two presidential suites, now decked out in rich tones of denim and
adobe, and layered with natural textures and authentic materials. Also upgraded were the surrounding 440 acres, including three glistening pools, nine tennis courts and three golf courses. The resort has 100,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor event
space.
In the heart of Houston’s famous Galleria, the 131-room Hotel Vesper, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, reveals an improved boutique experience that marries luxury and style to overall comfort. The property’s 2,776 square feet of meeting space shines anew and
can host a total of 222 people in beautifully appointed space such as the 1,584-square-foot Reveur, which can accommodate a banquet for up to 120 guests. The on-site Caché Café serves delicious breakfasts and dinners, while craft cocktails flow at
the Caché Cocktail bar.
FAR WEST
Photo Credit: Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
An iconic Southern California destination for meeting and incentive planners, a $100 million transformation of the Sheraton San Diego Resort & Marina has all 1,053 guest rooms, suites and public spaces sparkling with a fresh, intuitive design. In addition,
four new on-site dining venues are enhanced by the talents of executive chef Marcos Seville and executive sous chef Cesar Ocegura, including Rumorosa, a California/Baja-inspired restaurant, and the lively Brewery X craft beer pub. All four are destined
to take their place among the region’s best eateries.
The property also has unveiled 130,000 square feet of renovated event space in the Marina Tower, catering to the diverse needs of corporate gatherings, conferences and special events
in high style. Each of the hotel’s 53 meeting rooms is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, and it’s all just a 15-minute drive from the San Diego Convention Center.
An ongoing $1.5 billion reinvestment in the Venetian Resort Las Vegas is impacting nearly every aspect of the property, including all 7,100 guest rooms, dozens of restaurants, a world-class spa and the attached convention center, itself the recipient
of a $188 million upgrade. Available for stays as of Autumn 2024 will be 4,000 completely updated suites in the resort’s towers, inspired by the traditional ornate costumes of the Venetian Carnival. Also new is COTE, America’s first Michelin-starred
Korean steakhouse.
Following a $45 million renovation, the 750-room Westin Los Angeles Airport has 45 new EV parking spaces, the new Westin Heavenly 2.0 bed and bamboo bedding, a Topgolf Swing Suite and other new amenities such as a sunset-finder resource/picnic package
and an expanded Westin Club Lounge. The hotel has more than 56,170 square feet for meetings, including 13,000 square feet of ballroom space, and a location close to the airport and with easy access to downtown entertainment and the Los Angeles Convention
Center.
Following the completion of an extensive three-year, multimillion-dollar renovation, the 400-acre Omni Las Costa Resort & Spa features 607 handsomely restyled guest rooms and 100,000 refreshed square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor function space.
Golfers among the attendees will enjoy two 18-hole, par-72 championship golf courses, which include the fabulously upgraded North Course and its meandering yardage through wetlands, landscaped bridges and rolling hills.
Drawing inspiration from iconic local landmarks like Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row, a $1.83 million revitalization of the Portola Hotel & Spa, in the heart of Monterey, Calif., has made a great meetings property even better. From the 379 newly refreshed
guest rooms and suites to the beautifully made-over De Anzo and Bansai ballrooms, part of the hotel’s more than 60,000 square feet of flexible indoor/outdoor event space (including the adjacent Monterey Conference Center), the property shines anew.
INTERNATIONAL AND U.S. TERRITORIES
Photo Credit: Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa
On the pristine shores of West Bay Beach In the Bay Islands, Honduras, the Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort & Spa, has undergone a dramatic renovation while preserving its unique charm and connection to the surrounding environment. The resort's 119 guest rooms,
suites, bungalows, and villa suites have been redesigned with modern décor, luxurious furnishings and upgraded amenities. The Kao Kamasa Spa has been transformed into a serene sanctuary with updated treatment rooms and a broader selection of rejuvenating
therapies
On the events front, the property’s Orquidea Ballroom, spanning 2,152 square feet, can now be split into two rooms that together hold up to 200 people. The Dene Francis Boardroom and other smaller meeting rooms have been redesigned
to offer a sophisticated environment for business meetings and retreats, complete with state-of-the-art technology and exceptional catering services. The renovation has incorporated sustainable practices and materials throughout.
A truly iconic resort destination in the Bahamas and the Caribbean, the Atlantis Paradise Island has debuted a resort-wide renovation of its 1,201 guest rooms, which now feature entirely bespoke décor specially curated for the property. The 85-table,
700-game casino now has a new design plus four glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly, along with Bar Sol, an inviting space for guests to enjoy a craft cocktail and practice their dance moves. The resort’s ballrooms offer 50,000 square feet for groups
of up to 4,000.
In August 2023, the latest phase of a multiyear renovation was unveiled at the 579-key Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico. Among other advances, the Villas en la Reserva added 93 new accommodations with a relaxed, modern design including separate
living rooms and bathrooms with rainfall showers and jetted deep-soaking tubs. Just 19 miles from the center of San Juan in Rio Grande, the oceanfront property has 40,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space plus an 18-hole championship golf
course.
Spring 2024 saw the addition of 11 Premier Lakeview Rooms and five Golfside Signature Suites at the 180-room Europe Hotel & Resort in beautiful Lough Léin in Southwest Ireland, while summer 2024 capped the renovation of the 2,500-square-foot Presidential
Suite, renamed the Hans Liebherr Suite. The resort also offers complimentary horseback riding and a 50,000-square-foot spa with 16 treatment rooms. The on-site conference center features eight meeting rooms offering natural daylight with access to
outdoor terraces.
Situated on pristine sugar white sands stretching across 121 acres along Macao Beach in the Dominican Republic, the Hard Rock Rock Hotel & Casino Punta Cana recently underwent a renovation of all 1,775 guest rooms, including the addition of new furniture
and accents. Categories like the Caribbean and Islander rooms relocated the previously indoor tub onto the balcony for a private spa ambiance, while the Rock Suites were equipped with full-sized dining tables and living rooms. The hotel has nearly
65,000 square feet of event space.