NORTHEAST
Photo Credit: InterContinental New York Barclay
For nearly 100 years, the InterContinental New York Barclay in the heart of Manhattan’s Grand Central Station district has exemplified excellence in hospitality through its unparalleled blend of historic charm, refined service and functional versatility. A multimillion-dollar renovation in 2016 preserved the hotel’s iconic American Federalist-style elegance while seamlessly incorporating modern luxury and innovation.
In addition to 704 freshly renovated guest rooms, the Barclay has a total of 20,000 square feet of event space and recently added two grand ballrooms and several flexible breakout spaces on the second floor, enhancing the property’s capacity to host high-level meetings, social events and conferences with privacy and sophistication. Amenities include a 24-hour fitness center, wellness offerings and an elevated Club Lounge experience. Additionally, the Parlour Bar & Restaurant, just off the lobby, offers guests and patrons a refined culinary experience rooted in locally sourced ingredients.
An unbeatable location, exceptional amenities and world-class service distinguish the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, nestled in the heart of the city’s vibrant Harbor East neighborhood. Indeed, the hotel offers easy access to the city’s top attractions, restaurants and entertainment venues. All 750 spacious guest rooms, including 21 suites, have breathtaking floor-to-ceiling views of Baltimore's Inner Harbor, while for meetings, a total 50,527 square feet of space includes 42 event rooms, the largest holding up to 2,800 people. The hotel also features state-of-the-art fitness facilities and an on-site waterside restaurant and bar that showcase local flavors.
Spanning 21 acres on the famed Atlantic City Boardwalk, the Resorts Casino Hotel has 942 guest rooms and suites in two towers, an 80,000-square-foot casino, two theaters, 10 restaurants, a food court featuring six eateries, a casino bar, an indoor-outdoor swimming pool, a health club and spa, a salon and retail shops. The property’s 64,000 square feet of technologically advanced event space includes 24 meeting and function rooms, most featuring natural light and ocean views, and a 13,000-square-foot ballroom. Other features include Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Entertainment Complex, an indoor/outdoor pool, retail shops and two showrooms offering top-notch entertainment.
With 162 cozy guest rooms and a perch right on the beach in Cape May, N.J., La Mer Beachfront Resort makes a mellow destination for groups seeking just the right atmosphere for productive work and relaxing play. The resort offers approximately 1,500 square feet of meeting space that can accommodate up to 72 attendees. In-house dining takes place at the Pier House, where the spotlight is on fresh ingredients, including seafood caught right off the coast. The spacious bar offers stunning Atlantic Ocean views.
A quick train ride from New York City and just seven miles from Westchester County Airport, the Sonesta White Plains Downtown beckons planners with newly renovated spaces including refreshed guest rooms (403 in total) and event space (nearly 20,000 square feet). Attendees can enjoy locally sourced cuisine at an on-site restaurant and unwind in a deluxe indoor swimming pool. The property sits in the heart of historic White Plains and near major corporate offices, including MorganStanley, PepsiCo, Mastercard, Regeneron and Danone.
SOUTHEAST
Photo Credit: JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa
With 516 well-appointed guest rooms, an outdoor pool with luxurious cabanas, a 10,000-square-foot Spa by JW and much more, guests are invited to unwind in style at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa. Groups can enjoy everything from casual bites to Michelin-recommended fine dining at seven distinctive culinary venues, all available for full or partial buyouts, offering memorable settings for networking dinners, client receptions or team celebrations.
At the core of the resort’s meetings offerings are 51,587 square feet of flexible event space (spread among 19 rooms and areas), including the light-filled 22,000-square-foot Griffin Ballroom, with capacity for up to 2,340 guests, ideal for conventions, galas and general sessions. For smaller gatherings or breakout sessions, a variety of modern meeting rooms are conveniently clustered in one area to simplify navigation for attendees. Other thoughtful touches include an on-site FedEx office for business services, expert planning support and a seasoned culinary team offering customizable menus, from chef-attended stations to elegant plated meals.
Spreading across 476 acres along the Potomac River, the Lansdowne Resort and Spa in Leesburg, Va., has 296 guest rooms, including 14 suites. The property exudes authentic Virginian hospitality while offering 55,000 square feet of modernized, purpose-built meeting rooms in a dedicated wing of the property, as well as inspirational outdoor spaces in the picturesque Potomac River Valley, all within easy access to Washington, D.C. The resort’s 9-hole, Greg-Norman-designed Sharkbite Course offers the perfect opportunity for team building for players of all skill sets.
With a blend of style and sophistication, the 1,501-room, AAA Four Diamond Rosen Shingle Creek is Orlando’s largest convention hotel. An impressive property-wide 524,000 square feet of flexible meeting space is divided among 99 rooms, including the 95,000-square-foot Gatlin Ballroom with soaring 31-foot ceilings and precision acoustics. The 136,000 square feet of outdoor event space plus an 18-hole Arnold Palmer-designed championship golf course invite attendees out into the Florida sun. For dining, 15 unique options await, including the premier steakhouse A Land Remembered.
Set on an 11-acre oasis along the pristine Atlantic Coast, the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island has 340 newly renovated guest rooms, all with spacious private balconies overlooking the island’s tranquil scenery. Features include beautifully landscaped pools, a brand-new hot tub, an upgraded spa and five on-site dining options, while 23,000 square feet of flexible meeting space includes the 10,000-square-foot Santee Ballroom and 17 additional rooms. For more relaxed gatherings, the 7,000-square-foot Beach Pavilion and 4,000-square-foot oceanfront Shipyard Beach Club offer open-air and ocean-view settings.
Tucked on a former mango grove along Lake Mangonia in West Palm Beach, Fla., the Belgrove Resort is a tropical oasis steeped in the relaxed glamor of the British Caribbean lifestyle. Each of the 150 guest rooms includes a private balcony with expansive views, while four distinct dining venues include Bacaro, perfect for al fresco pizza. The resort’s approximately 21,000 square feet of flexible event space — 13,000 indoors and 8,000 outdoors — are ideal for meetings, retreats and group gatherings of all kinds.
The 369 island-inspired guest rooms and suites at the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort in South Florida offer the epitome of coastal comfort and luxury. There’s lots to enjoy here, from on-site entertainment to outdoors oceanfront recreation, along with dining at JWB Prime Steak and Seafood, the tropical-themed Landshark Bar & Grill, the Margaritaville Restaurant and four other outlets. More than 30,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor event space includes 15,000 square feet indoors, inclusive of ballrooms, breakout rooms and prefunction areas with spectacular views of sand and surf.
MIDWEST
Photo Credit: MotorCity Casino Hotel
An independent property and a longtime favorite with groups, the 400-room MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit features a full 67,500 square feet of function and banquet space divided among venues like the 19,604-square-foot Grand Ballroom, seven meeting rooms (able to accommodate up to 1,500 people in total), four boardrooms (each holding up to 26 people) and a large theater. All meeting rooms are fully equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment, including video and teleconferencing capabilities.
The hotel also has much to keep attendees happy during their free time, 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, the Lodge Diner and Assembly Line Buffet — are buttressed by a food court offering a variety of outlets.
In the Windy City’s prestigious Gold Coast neighborhood, the 214-room Waldorf Astoria Chicago offers easy-walking access to an impressive array of designer boutiques, celebrated restaurants and Lake Michigan’s scenic shores. And with 12,201 square feet of event space and 13 versatile meeting rooms, the hotel is well able to accommodate everything from intimate board meetings to glamorous galas. Also on offer to attendees is a curated collection of unique holistic group-wellness experiences such as personalized tarot card readings, guided inner-peace journaling sessions, yoga and fitness workshops led by top instructors.
A recent $200 million renovation has given added luster to the iconic Hyatt Regency Chicago, near the Loop District. Among other refinements, all 2,032 guest rooms were significantly upgraded, as were the Regency and Crystal Ballrooms, part of the hotel’s total 240,000 square feet of flexible and technologically advanced meeting and event space. When it comes to in-house dining, guests enjoy the American Craft Kitchen & Bar for farm-to-fork fare in a bright, open-air setting, while sustainable sourced beef and seafood can be had at Stetson Modern Steak + Sushi. Within a short walk is easy access to Navy Pier, Millennium Park, Chicago Riverwalk, the Magnificent Mile and Lake Michigan.
An award-winning, AAA Four-Diamond all-seasons property, the Grand Geneva Resort &. Spa is situated on 1,300 acres in the southeastern Wisconsin community of Lake Geneva, just 50 minutes from Milwaukee. Accommodations comprise 358 guest rooms with private patios or balconies, while recreational choices include the WELL Spa + Salon, two championship 18-hole golf courses, the Mountain Top ski and snowboard facility and several acclaimed restaurants. Over 62,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting and event space includes the 13,500-square-foot Forum Convention Center and 12,000-square-foot Conference Center. Also on-site is the Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark, which features 225 of its own guest suites and a year-round indoor/outdoor waterpark.
Set in the 100-year-old landmark Illinois Building, the InterContinental Indianapolis brings refined luxury and famed Hoosier hospitality to downtown Indianapolis. The hotel has 170 guest rooms (including 17 suites) and two restaurants (the swanky Hyde Park Steakhouse and the Astrea Rooftop Bar, which hosts nightcaps, private dining and dazzling views of Monument Circle). For meetings and events, a total 15,000 square feet of space includes a 7,300-square-foot ballroom, perfect for larger events, and an additional 7,700 square feet of breakout rooms and pre-function space. Nearby is the Indiana Convention Center with 566,600 square feet of exhibit-hall space, 113,302 square feet of breakout/meeting space and 62,173 square feet of ballroom space.
In Lincolnshire, Ill., a short drive from downtown Chicago, the 390-room Lincolnshire Marriott Resort is celebrating its 50th anniversary by offering special events and dining experiences throughout the year. The in-house food and beverage program includes six outlets, including the signature Three Embers restaurant serving Midwest cuisine and flavors from Southern Europe. Also on-site is the Marriott Theatre, a showcase for some of the region’s best musical productions, as well as the resort’s public George Fazio-designed PGA golf course, a tennis center and two pools. For planners, some 65,000 square feet of space is found across 48 flexible meeting rooms, plus three pavilions for outdoor gatherings.
SOUTHWEST
Photo Credit: JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
Tucked into 600 acres in the Texas Hill Country, the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa offers impressive luxury amenities and breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The resort includes 1,002 guest rooms, over 265,000 square feet of customizable meeting and event space, a 36-hole PGA Tour golf facility, a nine-acre water park, a full-service spa, eight culinary experiences, a state-of-the-art fitness center, sports courts, trails and curated activities for guests of all ages.
Able to host events of a wide variety of sizes, the property’s meeting spaces include the 40,080-square-foot Nelson W. Wolff Exhibit Hall, the 40,500-square-foot Grand Oaks Ballroom, the 21,120-square-foot Cibolo Canyon Ballroom, 20,000 square feet of breakout space and multiple outdoor venues. The advanced infrastructure at these sites caters to ever-changing technology needs with a dual 10-gig backbone, an on-site support team, high-speed reliable wireless capabilities, fiber optic cabling and HD projection capabilities.
Opened in 1912 and meticulously restored in recent years, the 351-room Hotel Paso Del Norte, Autograph Collection, stands as a distinctive icon with a rich history in El Paso, Texas. For planners seeking a venue that combines functionality with elegance, the hotel offers over 32,000 square feet of versatile event space that includes the John J. Pershing Grand Ballroom, spanning 7,344 square feet and ideal for large conferences and galas. Among additional on-site spaces are the intimate Pancho Villa Ballroom and the Skyline Room, each providing unique settings for various events. Amenities include a rooftop pool, a spa and three signature restaurants.
On the campus of the University of Texas at Austin, the 297-room AT&T Hotel and Conference Center is in an ideal downtown location within walking distance of the Texas Capital, a world-class arena and a variety of museums (the hotel itself is filled with art from around the world). The property’s 85,000 square feet of meeting space is spread among 53 rooms and includes a 10,000-square-foot ballroom with wood beams and chandeliers, able to host up to 1,009 guests; a 3,400-square-foot junior ballroom; a 2,700-square-foot tiered classroom and more.
The first of its brand in Arizona, the Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort has 496 renovated guest rooms, a pool and new food and beverage concepts following a $115 million property-wide renovation. The resort's design invites guests to connect with the spirit of the American Southwest as the property integrates with its surroundings and offers a variety of outdoor experiences. Some 90,000 square feet of revitalized indoor/outdoor event space includes the new 24,000-square-foot Arizona Ballroom, one of the largest in the state.
Following a comprehensive renovation, the 367-room Marriott San Antonio Airport has reemerged as a standout meetings property with over 13,000 square feet of flexible event space, including a ballroom, breakout rooms and pre-function areas. The hotel can host anything from regional corporate retreats and military reunions to social celebrations and conferences. In-house dining centers around the signature Agave 210, serving modern American cuisine with regional influences, while outdoor amenities include a large pool with shaded patio areas.
With 183 guest rooms plus 43 suites, the Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale is a boutique oasis in Arizona’s Paradise Valley, offering a serene escape tucked alongside iconic Camelback Mountain. The impeccably landscaped grounds, locally inspired cuisine and curated guest activities complement meeting space that comprises 10,000 square feet indoors (including the Paradise Ballroom) along with 20,000 square feet of scenic outdoor venues ranging from lush event lawns to a 4,100-square-foot roof deck with a private bar offering dramatic mountain views.
FAR WEST
Photo Credit: Grand Hyatt Indian Wells
Known for its attentive staff, design-forward spaces and striking desert location, the Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Resort & Villas recently completed a $64 million property-wide renovation. In Greater Palm Springs, Calif., the resort has 531 uniquely designed rooms (including 39 suites and 43 villas) with spacious living areas and private balconies. Luxury spa services, a water park and a golf course are just some of the attractions here, while five dining outlets include the upscale Tía Carmen by renowned chef Angelo Sosa, which pays homage to the beauty of the Southwest’s stories, land and farmers.
The resort devotes fully 88,000 square feet of flexible space for meetings and events, including the 20,000-square-foot Indian Wells Ballroom with striking views and the capacity to host up to 2,200 guests; the 1,666-square-foot Sunset Room, perfect for hospitality events, executive meetings or receptions for up to 70 people; and the lovely outdoors Verbena Terrace, suitable for receptions of up to 300 or banquets for up to 200 people.
Attendees discover the beauty of the Pacific Northwest at the 347-room Hyatt Regency Lake Washington, a stunning waterfront destination in Renton, Wash. Thanks to energy and water conservation, among other sustainable practices, the hotel has been certified LEED Silver. Walking trails, a spa, a lakefront fitness center and myriad water sports are on offer here, while planners will find 60,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space, including plenty of natural light, outdoor spaces and advanced A/V capabilities.
On the island of Kauai in Hawaii, a 15-minute drive from Lihu’e International Airport brings travelers to the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort, where a deep respect for authentic local culture lets attendees get immersed in activities such as lei-making, ukulele lessons, beach yoga and even a Hawaiian language class. All 314 guest rooms sport balconies, while 12,454 square feet of meeting space comprises five events rooms, the largest of which can seat up to 400 people and includes an open-air pavilion with sweeping Pacific Ocean views.
INTERNATIONAL AND U.S. TERRITORIES
Photo Credit: Planet Hollywood Cancun
High-end infrastructure, curated group activities and entertainment-focused design come together at the Planet Hollywood Cancun in Costa Mujeres, on Mexico’s northeastern coast. With a dedicated team of professionals to manage the logistics, the resort has more than 25,000 square feet of event space, including a 12,000-square-foot ballroom, while four breakout rooms accommodate everything from board meetings to workshop rotations. Unique venue options include beachfront terraces, an on-site cinema, rooftop cocktail spots and the stylish Studio Disco Bar & Lounge.
Between sessions, attendees can enjoy a range of engaging amenities like a trampoline park and a surf simulator. At night, live performances and curated entertainment keep the atmosphere vibrant, creating natural opportunities for team bonding. Culinary offerings include 10 à la carte restaurants and an international buffet providing variety throughout multi-day programs. The resort has 648 suites plus 380 adults-only units through its connected adults-only wing.
In the northeastern Caribbean, the 550-room Sonesta Resorts Sint Maarten offers extensive and modern meeting facilities just five minutes from Princess Juliana International Airport. The resort features 24,000 square feet of flexible event space, including a purpose-built 16,000-square-foot convention center with an indoor pillarless ballroom for up to 700 people. Among outdoor venues are a rooftop terrace, beachfront decks and a beautiful gazebo. This is all anchored in lively Maho Village, with its colorful array of duty-free shopping, dining and nightlife.
About an hour’s drive north of Cabo San Lucas on the Baja California coastline, the adults-only Kimpton Mas Olas Resort and Spa is a blend of natural beauty, immersive wellness and soulful luxury, all contributing to memorable events and retreats of all scales. Attendees will find 94 thoughtfully designed guest rooms, including 22 oceanfront suites and villas with expansive terraces, fire pits and direct beach access. Also beckoning is the 25,000-square-foot Botánica Spa, four pools, pristine beaches and lush gardens. Events can be arranged in 1,406 square feet distributed across seven dedicated spaces.
Overlooking Ireland’s highest mountain range, the 180-room Europe Hotel & Resort in Killarney sits within 26,000 acres of national parkland. Here a dedicated staff specializes in crafting tailored experiences for meetings, incentives and events, with an in-house conference center offering eight meeting rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and direct access to outdoor terraces. The lakeside Boathouse is ideal for cocktail receptions and team-building experiences, while dining options include farm-to-fork cuisine at the Panorama Restaurant. The 50,000-square-foot ESPA at The Europe has 16 treatment rooms and more for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Set along Grand Cayman’s iconic Seven Mile Beach, the 264-room Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa is awash in sweeping water vistas and lush tropical gardens. This LEED Silver-certified resort features the award-winning Spa at Seafire, a Jacuzzi, a waterfall, relaxation lounges and more. Dining experiences include Ave, serving Mediterranean-inspired fare in an ocean-view setting, while right on the beach, Coccoloba delivers ceviche, house-made tortillas and tropical treats for casual meals by the sea. The property’s 20,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space includes a lawn perfect for starlit receptions.