Stella Awards 2026: Best Hotel/Resort Event Space

Top-tier hotel and resort event spaces streamline logistics with state-of-the-art facilities, tailored configurations and an expert staff to ensure flawless execution.

NORTHEAST

Photo Credit: Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel

Gold: Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel

With more than 80,000 square feet of versatile meeting space, the 754-room Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel can host events of every size and style — from large-scale conferences and conventions to elegant galas and intimate executive meetings. Expansive, pillar-free ballrooms provide a sophisticated environment that allows for unlimited creativity in event design, while a wide array of breakout rooms ensures functionality and flow for multiday programs and complex agendas.

What truly distinguishes the property is the adaptability of its spaces. Each venue is designed to transform, enabling planners to tailor layouts and experiences to match their vision. The waterfront setting further enhances every experience. Floor-to-ceiling windows in many venues bring in natural light and showcase sweeping harbor views, creating an inspiring and energizing atmosphere for attendees. The design aesthetic throughout the event areas is marked by modern clean lines, neutral tones and sophisticated finishes, allowing each space to complement an event’s branding and décor. 

Silver: Resorts Casino Hotel

Events at Atlantic City’s 942-room Resorts Casino Hotel take place in 64,000 square feet of dedicated, technologically advanced space, including 24 meeting rooms, most featuring natural light and ocean views, and a 13,000 square-foot ballroom. With a prominent perch spanning 21 acres on the famed Boardwalk, the property also offers 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. 

Bronze: The Lodge at Spruce Peak

With more than 250 guest rooms, the Lodge at Spruce Peak offers one of the Northeast’s most dynamic event settings at the base of Mount Mansfield in Stowe, Vt. Just 45 minutes from Burlington International Airport, the village-style lodge has more than 56,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including the expansive Tamarack Ballroom, which can be divided into five sections; the Junior Ballroom, with floor-to-ceiling windows and direct terrace access; and outdoor venues like the Ballroom Terrace and Spruce Peak Village Green, bringing events into the surrounding landscape with panoramic mountain views.

Finalist: InterContinental New York Barclay

In the exciting heart of Midtown Manhattan, the 704-room InterContinental New York Barclay features 20,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including two ballrooms, breakout rooms, executive boardrooms and 4,500 square feet of prefunction space. Such venues as the Grand Ballroom, Empire Ballroom and Vanderbilt Boardroom accommodate everything from intimate board meetings to large-scale conferences and galas, while The Gallery is a dramatic prefunction space featuring a grand staircase and an 8,000-crystal chandelier.

Finalist: The Reeds at Shelter Haven

In Stone Harbor, on the lively shore of Southern New Jersey, the 58-room boutique Reeds at Shelter Haven consistently draws repeat group business thanks to 9,000 square feet of well-appointed waterfront event space, both indoors and out. For example, the Sweet Grass Ballroom offers a coastal-chic design with an eclectic mix of warm woods, bronze accents, soft linen textures and wall-to-wall sliding glass that opens to a covered outdoor veranda with full views of the bay, perfect for up to 220 guests. The private Roof Garden is ideal for relaxed, free-flowing events of up to 70 people.


SOUTHEAST

Photo Credit: Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center

Gold: Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center

With more than 500,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, the 1,718-room Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center supports programs of every size with consistency and efficiency. In Kissimmee, Fla., just minutes from Walt Disney World, the resort features five ballrooms and 104 breakout rooms designed for seamless attendee flow, efficient transitions and adaptable configurations that support complex agendas. Intuitive layouts and close proximity between spaces minimize disruption and reduce planner workload. 

From general sessions to tailored breakouts, each space at the property enhances functionality and the attendee experience. In the 28,762-square-foot Coastal Ballroom, LED lighting in the ceiling can be programmed to any color palette to suit the mood or match a company's logo. Off the beaten track, a 4.5-acre, glass-enclosed garden atrium offers a unique setting for receptions with 500,000 plants, winding waterways and Florida wildlife. Two outdoor event lawns host large gatherings, while a replica of a historic Florida fort turns events into immersive experiences. 

Silver: The Tennessean Hotel

In the lively, arts-centric city of Knoxville, the 82-room luxury boutique Tennessean Hotel has approximately 5,200 square feet of event space that includes a luxury suite ideal for intimate dinners and a private 637-square-foot executive boardroom. The property, which is near the Knoxville Convention Center, features dining at the Drawing Room, and offers tea service on weekends, complete with finger sandwiches and scones. Old Fashioneds are poured at 5 every afternoon, and on Wednesdays, the hotel offers the Long Pour Bourbon Experience with tastings and dinner.

Bronze: Signia by Hilton Atlanta

Meeting planners have much to choose from at the 976-room Signia by Hilton Atlanta. More than 100,000 square feet of event space includes 46 meeting rooms and direct connection to the Georgia World Congress Center. Among the highlights: The Triumph Ballroom, the largest of the property's three, spans 40,050 square feet of pillarless space, able to host up to 4,578 people. The Lightning Boardroom is a posh executive space with seating for up to 25. Outdoors, an 11,000-square-foot space for functions and an 8,000-square-foot landscaped event lawn beckon.


MIDWEST

Photo Credit: MotorCity Casino Hotel

Gold: MotorCity Casino Hotel

Whether an intimate boardroom strategy session or a grand gala celebration, the 400-room MotoCity Casino Hotel in Detroit has the space and talent necessary to make it work. The property’s 67,000 total square feet of fully equipped meeting space includes sophisticated boardrooms designed for focused, high-level meetings, and expansive ballrooms and event halls capable of hosting gala banquets and large-scale conferences. 

Among group facilities, the hotel has a 17,856-square-foot flexible space that can be divided into smaller ballrooms or salons and accommodates up to 2,500 guests for a reception or 1,828 in a theater setup. Amnesia, a stylish two-story lounge and event space, is located 16 floors high, offering skyline views and a capacity of up to 200–280 guests. Modular meeting rooms totaling 6,248 square feet support breakout sessions or classroom setups. The on-site support team offers skilled help with in-person, virtual and hybrid events with integrated video and teleconferencing. 

Silver: Grand Geneva Resort & Spa

A flexible 62,000 square feet of indoor meeting and event space awaits groups at the 358-room Grand Geneva Resort & Spa in scenic Lake Geneva, Wis. The resort features five ballrooms (including the elegant 7,680-square-foot Grand Ballroom hosting up to 576 people, and the 6,480-square-foot Evergreen Ballroom with beautiful lake views and capacity for up to 360), four executive boardrooms, numerous breakout spaces, and the Forum Convention Center, which has more than 13,500 square feet of event space and can host up to 1,800 attendees.

Bronze: Lincolnshire Marriott Resort

On a scenic 175-acre property on Chicago’s North Shore, the 390-room Lincolnshire Marriott Resort is a favorite of meeting planners thanks to a total of 64,000 square feet of event space, including 48 individual meeting rooms. The centerpiece of the resort’s offerings, the 12,000-square-foot Grand Marquee Pavilion can host up to 650 guests and features floor-to-ceiling windows and customizable options whether for a formal gala or a creatively branded corporate gathering. The resort’s three outdoor pavilions provide opportunities to extend events into the surrounding landscape. 


SOUTHWEST

Photo Credit: JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa

Gold: JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa

Designed to host up to 3,300 attendees, the JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa offers a total of 115,000 square feet for meetings in 38 event spaces, including the 20,000-square-foot Arizona Ballroom (Tucson’s largest) and 26 breakout rooms. A renovation completed in the spring of 2026 reflects a refined, desert-modern aesthetic as well as a host of technology enhancements, including state‐of‐the‐art audiovisual capabilities and LED wall installations. 

What really elevates the resort’s event experience is a seamless flow between indoor meeting spaces and open‐air gathering areas. Sessions naturally transition into outdoor receptions, shared meals beneath desert skies and moments of quiet reflection. The 575 recently refreshed guest rooms and suites help provide groups with the convenience of a fully integrated meeting destination set against stunning mountain views that inspire focus, creativity and meaningful exchange. 

Silver: JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

Amid 600 acres of picturesque landscape, the 1,002-room JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa provides more than 265,000 square feet of customizable meeting and event spaces, including the 40,080-square-foot Nelson W. Wolff Exhibit Hall; the 40,500-square-foot Grand Oaks Ballroom, with a seating capacity of 6,300; and the 21,120-square-foot Cibolo Canyon Ballroom. The Texas resort’s 19 breakout rooms have a combined indoor space of 20,000 square feet, and unique outdoor venues range from 8,000 to 30,000 square feet. 

Bronze: The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa

In Tucson, Ariz., the 487-room Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa is a notable meeting venue thanks to an exceptional blend of innovative venues, personalized service, sustainability leadership and destination-inspired design. In 2025, the resort completed a comprehensive refresh of its 110,000 square feet of event space, which includes the 17,479-square-foot Arizona Ballroom with a maximum capacity of 2,100 people (or 1,160 seated with a dance floor), which opens onto a grand marble terrace. In all, the property features a total of 43 distinct meeting and breakout spaces.


FAR WEST

Photo Credit: The Venetian Resort Las Vegas

Gold: The Venetian Resort Las Vegas

With more than 7,100 guest accommodations in the combined Venetian Resort Las Vegas and The Palazzo at the Venetian Resort complex, this world-famous property on the Strip has elevated its entire slate of offerings with a recent $1.5 billion renovation. Included in the work was a revamp of all 2.25 million square feet of meeting space, including a massive $188 million convention center upgrade. The overall project introduced vibrant modern colors, premium finishes and integrated digital displays across all event rooms. 

Planners looking for high-impact outdoor venues can use the TAO Beach Dayclub, a recently remodeled 47,000-square-foot tropical oasis featuring Balinese design, luxury cabanas and state-of-the-art A/V. Coming soon is the new Lusso Lounge, a 10,000-square-foot executive space designed with residential warmth, luxury textures and bespoke furnishings perfect for high-level retreats and collaborative business gatherings. In between sessions, attendees can explore the property’s 875,000-square-foot indoor shopping mall lined with high-end boutiques. 

Silver: Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle’s Southport

One of the Pacific Northwest’s premier meeting destinations, the 347-room Hyatt Regency Lake Washington at Seattle's Southport provides planners and attendees with panoramic lake views just 10 miles from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. With more than 60,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space, the hotel offers a dynamic backdrop for conferences, corporate retreats, galas and special events. The property’s signature venues, the 13,728-square-foot Grand Ballroom and the 4,767-square-foot Lake Washington Ballroom, feature floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase sweeping waterfront vistas and distant views of the Seattle skyline.

Bronze: The Ambassador Hotel of Waikiki

Hawaii’s first Tapestry Collection by Hilton, the 368-room Ambassador Hotel Waikiki offers 6,804 square feet of versatile, design-forward boutique event space that blends island spirit with retro flair and modern functionality. Highlights include the open-air Garden Courtyard, complete with tech-enabled amenities, group seating and ambient fire pits, creating a relaxed yet refined setting for gatherings. Conference-style breakout rooms and central networking corridors provide seamless flow for meetings, receptions and conventions of all kinds.


INTERNATIONAL AND U.S. TERRITORIES

Photo Credit: Condado Vanderbilt Hotel

Gold: Condado Vanderbilt Hotel

In San Juan, Puerto Rico, the 317-room Condado Vanderbilt Hotel offers one of the Caribbean's most distinctive collections of meeting and event venues, combining oceanfront elegance, modern technology and exceptional service. More than 35,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space includes the Patio Del Fauno Ballroom, which accommodates up to 600 guests and features floor-to-ceiling oceanfront windows, stunning Atlantic views and custom-made Italian chandeliers. 

Additional venues at the hotel include the beautifully restored Salon Dorado, the intimate Salon Azul, the versatile Luchetti Ballroom and the executive-focused John Berwind Boardroom. Complementing these indoor spaces are 5,000 square feet of open-air terraces and oceanfront spaces that allow planners to incorporate Puerto Rico's natural beauty into receptions, networking events and memorable dining experiences. Attendees also can enjoy the 10,000-square-foot spa and the convenience of passport-free travel.

Silver: Atlantis Paradise Island

In the sparkling Bahamas, the 3,786-room Atlantis Paradise Island features more than 500,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, some 200,000 square feet of which is devoted to convention and ballroom activity. In addition, some 300,000 square feet across more than 20 distinct open-air function spots includes beaches and lawns, while 60 specialized breakout rooms and executive boardrooms complete the picture.

Bronze: Hilton Barbados Resort

One of the most expansive and versatile event environments in Barbados, the 342-room Hilton Barbados Resort combines more than 10,000 square feet of recently renovated indoor and outdoor meeting space with a lovely oceanfront setting. Set on a private peninsula surrounded by the Caribbean Sea, the resort includes a main ballroom that serves as a sophisticated venue for conferences, galas and corporate presentations. Among outdoor venues are oceanfront lawns, terraces and poolside spaces ideal for cocktail receptions, al fresco dinners, team-building experiences and more.