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Site Scene

Bahamas
  • British Colonial Hilton Nassau is in the middle of a makeover that includes upgrades to the lobby and meeting rooms, and the introduction of a new Executive Lounge by the end of 2007. By late 2008, the hotel will completely renovate all guest rooms, including suites and executive floor rooms. Next year, the hotel will also refurbish its famous James Bond Suite, inspired by the hotel’s connection to “007”; two James Bond movies, Thunderball and Never Say Never Again, were filmed at the property. For more information, call 242.322.3301 or visit www.hiltoncaribbean.com/nassau.

Florida
  • Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale is nearing completion of a $25 million guest room renovation, with the final product set to debut in early November. All 650 guest rooms and suites are being upgraded with flat-screen televisions, new furniture and soft goods. For more information, call 954.525.4000 or visit www.marriottharborbeach.com.

  • Solé on the Ocean, a Kimpton Hotel, will debut this fall in Sunny Isles Beach. The 23-story, 250-room property will feature a two-story lobby facing the ocean, spa services, an infinity-edged pool, and 5,000 square feet of special event space. Guest rooms will feature Wi-Fi access, 42-inch, flat-screen televisions, CD players, and iPod docking stations. For more information, call 800.KIMPTON or visit www.soleontheocean.com.

Mexico
  • Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya is scheduled to debut in late fall. The 128-room hotel on 36 acres will offer a 25,000-square-foot spa. Guest rooms will be situated in bungalow villas or two-story villas and all will have water views and private terraces or gardens. The resort will also have Art Courtyards with sculptural showcases created by six Mexican artists, as well as flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space. The alfresco prefunction space will feature an extensive patio and adjoining garden, and there will also be a 2,020-square-foot ballroom. For more information, call 212.207.8880 or visit www.mandarinoriental.com.

  • The Los Angeles-based Kor Hotel Group changed the name of its recently acquired Hotel Villa del Sol in Zihuatanejo to the Tides Zihuatanejo. Along with its new name, the boutique property features signature amenities such as beach butlers. Two-story, adobe-inspired casitas house the resort’s 35 guest rooms and 35 suites in a garden setting. Future plans include an upgraded spa. For more information, call 011.52.755.555.5500 or visit www.tideszihuatanejo.com.

Puerto Rico
  • Caribe Hilton in San Juan is completing a transformation of its guest rooms, dining areas, public spaces, and ballrooms. The room renovations come on top of a recent expansion featuring a new executive floor lounge, dining outlets and 168 Condado Lagoon Villas. The resort now has 812 guest units, making it the largest in San Juan. Caribe Hilton offers 24 meeting rooms and more than 65,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. For more information, call 787.721.0303 or visit www.hiltoncaribbean.com/sanjuan.

  • Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort in Ponce is launching another expansion program that includes a 6,000-square-foot exhibition center, set to debut by the end of the year. The resort recently unveiled a newly expanded casino, which makes it the largest in Puerto Rico’s southern region. The resort features 253 guest rooms and more than 17,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space. For more information, call 787.259.7676 or visit www.hiltoncaribbean.com/ponce.

Tennessee
  • The Chattanoogan in Chattanooga is sporting a new look following renovations to its guest rooms, suites, lobby, and The Foundry lounge. The 210,000-square-foot resort, which offers a 25,000-square-foot conference center, reworked its 199 guest rooms and suites. The hotel also offers a spa with four treatment rooms. For more information, call 423.756.3400 or visit www.chattanoogan hotel.com.

Texas
  • Westin Galleria Dallas is undergoing a major renovation, including the redesign and expansion of its 432 guest rooms. The hotel began renovations in January, with a completion date slated for spring 2008. Guest rooms will cater to the business traveler with amenities such as high-speed wired and wireless Internet access. Plans also include the transformation of the 21st floor into sky suites, patio rooms and the new executive lounge. The property also will introduce Westin signature in-room spa treatments. For more information, call 972.934.9494 or visit www.starwoodhotels.com.