The Bahamas
- Cape Eleuthera Resort & Yacht Club recently debuted as a resort and real estate development located along a 4,500-acre peninsula on Eleuthera Island. The $85 million Cape Eleuthera offers 16 miles of waterfront property and allows visitors to stay along the marina in two-bedroom townhomes. Guests have access to hiking trails, fitness trails and water sport rentals. For more information, call 242.422.9977 or visit www.capeeleuthera.com.
Florida
- The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club is undergoing a multimillion-dollar renovation and enhancement of its guest rooms, suites and corridors, with a projected completion by the beginning of February. The 318-room resort, which spans 125 acres, also features an on-site championship golf course, spa and tennis center, as well as 34,000 square feet of meeting and event space. High-speed wireless Internet access is also available. The latest improvements follow a six-year, $40 million enhancement and expansion, completed in 2006. For more information, call 239.261.2222 or visit www.naplesbeachhotel.com.
- Naples Bay Resort is upgrading to a four-star 193-room property. The hotel features 65 suites and 20 superior rooms as well as 108 cottages. Another 30 townhouses and flats are being added for the residential part of the resort. Upon completion in early February, Naples Bay Resort will provide 3,100 square feet of meeting and special event space. Naples Bay will feature a spa, tennis center and a pool complex. The resort will also offer The Yacht Club and Captain’s Lounge and a clubhouse for up to 750 members. For more information, call 239.530.1199 or visit www.naplesbayresort.com.
- The Don CeSar Beach Resort, a Loews Hotel at St. Pete Beach is expanding with the Spa Oceana, scheduled for completion in March. Spanning 11,000 square feet and 16 treatment rooms, the Mediterranean-themed spa will feature a rooftop garden overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, a private reception area for meditation and suite areas for private parties. For more information, call 866.728.2206 or visit www.doncesar.com.
- Embassy Suites Tampa-Brandon opened in December as a 147-suite hotel seven miles from Tampa’s city center. Guest rooms offer high-speed Internet access. The hotel also provides 3,000 square feet of meeting space, a swimming pool and spa, a complimentary on-site fitness center and a 24-hour business center. For more information, call 813.653.1905 or visit http://embassysuites1.hilton.com.
Mexico
- The Hotel Marina El Cid Spa & Beach Resort, Riviera Maya in Puerto Morelos recently opened a new spa and convention center as part of a multimillion-dollar expansion that included 150 new luxury junior suites, a new restaurant and a new beachfront lounge. The 342-room property’s new convention center boasts 7,500 square feet of flexible space, including a salon with room for 400 people theater style. For more information, call 011.52.998.872.8999 or visit www.elcid.com.
- The BlueBay Grand Esmeralda in the Riviera Maya recently underwent an expansion, giving the hotel a total of 984 rooms. In addition, the property introduced a spa complete with a hydrotherapy circuit, a 6,000-square-foot meeting and convention facility with capacity for up to 450 people, and an auditorium with capacity for up to 600 people. For more information, call 011.52.984.877.4500 or visit www.bluebayresorts.com.
- Cancun’s Beach Palace recently reopened for the first time after damages sustained during Hurricane Wilma in 2005. The beachfront resort offers 287 guest rooms, with each of the units featuring a flat-screen satellite TV, a double Jacuzzi and a view of the ocean or lagoon. The hotel also features a spa, fitness center and 9,260 square feet of meeting space, including a ballroom. Additionally, wireless Internet is available throughout the resort. For more information, call 011.52.998.891.4110 or visit www.palaceresorts.com.
Texas
- Dallas-based The Stoneleigh Hotel is currently undergoing a $28 million renovation, due to be completed by March. First opened in October 1923, the hotel is listed as one of the Historic Hotels of America and has hosted the likes of Judy Garland and Elvis. Its $30 million worth of restoration is being undertaken in consultation with The Texas Historical Society and the National Register of Historic Places, and will offer 170 guest rooms as well as a Penthouse and Tribute Suites to honor famous past visitors. Other amenities include a 5,200-square-foot spa. For more information, call 800.921.8498 or visit www.stoneleighhotel.com.
- Dallas’ Hilton Anatole is undergoing a $45 million renovation to its 126,304 square feet of meeting space, many of its public areas and its 700 Tower guest rooms. This marks the hotel’s second phase of its multi-year renovation project representing a total investment in excess of $100 million. The Tower features 54 suites as well as executive level accommodations with 60 deluxe guest rooms and an executive lounge. The new guest rooms offer high-speed Internet access. Meeting space renovations include the Grand Ballroom, 17 atrium breakout rooms, the nine Tower M ballrooms and meeting rooms, and the eight Tower Gem meeting rooms. Renovations are slated for completion in the middle of February. For more information, call 214.748.1200 or visit www1.hilton.com.
- The Dallas Marriott Solana in Westlake is undergoing a $27 million renovation and expansion, including the remodeling of all 200 guest rooms and creating an additional 94 guest rooms and suites in a new tower. Additionally, the property is doubling its meeting space to more than 15,000 square feet, nearly tripling the fitness center and introducing wireless Internet throughout the complex. The newly established hotel wing features a junior ballroom, creating a 3,000-square-foot outdoor terrace adorned with a variety of water features. The changes will be unveiled in early spring. For more information, call 817.430.5000 or visit www.marriottsolana.com.