Illinois
- The 500-room Doubletree Chicago Magnificent Mile in April completed a $21 million property renovation including over 16,000 square feet of private event space. The property offers 13 event rooms in addition to a new lobby bar and new 160-seat restaurant. On-site is a private ballroom that accommodates up to 450 guests. A new event space is available on the lobby level, while meeting rooms on the second floor offer space for breakouts or small conferences. Other amenities include a rejuvenated outdoor pool and sun deck. For more information, call 312.787.6100 or visit www.doubletreemagmile.com.
- La Quinta Inn & Suites-Chicago Downtown opened in April following the conversion of the existing structure, the Jewish Federation Building, built in 1958, along with the addition of two newly constructed wings. The 241-room hotel has three meeting rooms, a business center, an indoor heated swimming pool with a spa and a fitness center. Guest room amenities include a 32-inch flat-panel television. The hotel will also participate in Chicago’s Green Roof Program, which helps conserve energy by lowering air temperatures and reducing what is known as the “urban heat island effect.” For more information, call 312.558.1020 or visit www.lq.com.
- The Candlewood Suites Aurora-Naperville recently opened. The 83-room extended-stay hotel features a 24-hour fitness center and complimentary Internet access in all suites and public areas. The hotel offers a small meeting room for up to 12 people. For more information, call 630.907.9977 or visit www.ichotelsgroup.com.
- ? The Fairfield Inn & Suites Peoria East debuted in April with 89 guest rooms, including 33 suites. Each room features a 32-inch television as well as complimentary high-speed Internet access. Other hotel amenities include an indoor swimming pool with a whirlpool spa, exercise room, 390 square feet of meeting space and free high-speed wired and wireless Internet throughout the public spaces. For more information, call 309.699.4100 or visit www.marriott.com.
Indiana
- Marriott Place Indianapolis is the new name for a hotel development featuring five interconnected Marriott hotels, 2,248 rooms and more than 145,000 square feet of meeting space, headquartered by the JW Marriott Indianapolis, which will open in 2011. The $450 million Marriott Place Indianapolis will feature 2,248 rooms and include the JW Marriott Indianapolis (1,626 rooms), Marriott Indianapolis Downtown (622 rooms), Indianapolis Courtyard by Marriott Downtown (297 rooms), Indianapolis Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Downtown (168 rooms) and the Indianapolis SpringHill Suites by Marriott Downtown (156 rooms). JW Marriott Indianapolis will feature 104,000 square feet of meeting space, including one of the world’s largest Marriott hotel ballrooms, totaling 40,500 square feet. All five Marriott hotels will be connected to the Indiana Convention Center. March 2010 is the scheduled opening of The Indianapolis Courtyard by Marriott Downtown, Indianapolis Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Downtown and Indianapolis SpringHill Suites by Marriott Downtown. For more information call 317.573.6536 or visit www.jwindy.com.
Minnesota
- A 175-room Embassy Suites Minneapolis-Brooklyn Center opened in April. The property is attached to the historic Earle Brown Center, which offers guests 36,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. The hotel itself offers 5,000 square feet of meeting space, including six meeting rooms, complete catering services and complimentary wireless Internet access in all public areas. For more information, call 763.560.2700 or visit http://embassysuites.hilton.com.