Illinois
- The Crowne Plaza in Glen Ellyn opened in August, after a renovation from a Holiday Inn. The redesigned Crowne Plaza Glen Ellyn-Lombard features 119 guest rooms, including nine two-room suites with two LCD televisions. Complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access is available throughout the hotel, and wired high-speed Internet access is available in guest rooms and meeting space. The hotel offers an indoor pool, fitness center, business center and complimentary shuttle service, as well as 9,400 square feet of meeting space, with seven meeting rooms, including two ballrooms. For more information, call 630.629.6000 or visit www.crowneplaza.com.
- The Crowne Plaza Bloomington-Normal is expected to open by the end of the year. The $11.5 million conversion hotel follows a renovation of a former Holiday Inn. The five-story Crowne Plaza will offer 160 guest rooms and a variety of amenities, including a 24-hour fitness center, indoor pool, business center, and restaurant and lounge. The hotel will have more than 9,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space. For more information, call 309.451.5500 or visit www.crowneplaza.com.
Michigan
- The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit is on schedule for an early October opening. The 455-room property is undergoing a $180 million renovation. Built in 1924 by the Book brothers, the 33-story hotel became the tallest building in Detroit, and at the time the tallest hotel in the world. When completed, the hotel will offer 39,000 square feet of event and conference space, the largest in the area. The historic Grand and Italian Garden Ballrooms will both be fully restored while an additional 11,000-square-foot ballroom will be added. With seating for 1,000 it will be the largest ballroom in Detroit. For more information, call 313.442.1600 or visit www.bookcadillacwestin.com.
- The new $80 million Turtle Creek Casino Resort in Williamsburg, just east of Traverse City, recently opened. The 347,000-square-foot casino resort houses a seven-story 137-room hotel, a 64,000-square-foot gambling floor, a new nightclub/entertainment venue, a fine dining restaurant, buffet and other shops, as well as 4,500 square feet of meeting space, including a ballroom and conference room. A three-story waterfall greets visitors at the main entrance of the building. The property is owned and operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Tribal officials are also looking at plans for a major retail center on 145 acres of adjacent property. For more information, call 800.922.2946 or visit www.turtlecreekcasino.com.
Minnesota
- The Northstar Center, a downtown Minneapolis mixed-use property that includes office and retail space as well as a Crowne Plaza Northstar Hotel, is undergoing a makeover. The 814,000-square-foot property’s facade is being restored, a process that will take three to four years. Renovation of the 222-room hotel is under way and is scheduled to be completed later this year. The project, which will cost more than $4 million, includes remodeling guest rooms and the lobby and adding a larger executive club lounge. For more information, call 612.338.2288 or visit www.msp-northstar.crowneplaza.com.
- The Sheraton St. Paul Woodbury Hotel recently opened as a new 150-room hotel. Each guest room features wired or wireless Internet access. Other amenities include an indoor pool and whirlpool, and the hotel offers five conference rooms for meetings of eight to 150 people. For more information, call 651.209.3280 or visit www.starwoodhotels.com.