Maryland
- Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide introduced two new hotel brands to Maryland with the opening of aloft Arundel Mills and element Arundel Mills. Located just outside the Baltimore Beltway, aloft Arundel Mills offers 142 loft-like rooms, while element Arundel Mills features 147 rooms. At the aloft, guest rooms feature the brand’s signature nine-foot ceilings as well as a combination high-tech office and entertainment center equipped with complimentary wireless Internet access and a 42-inch flat-panel television. Public spaces include the re:mix communal lobby area and w xyz bar, as well as the re:charge fitness center and splash pool. At the element Arundel Mills, the hotel offers free wireless Internet access, a fitness center and pool, as well as an outdoor fire pit and barbecue. Element Arundel Mills also features 500 square feet of meeting space, an integrated technology center and library, as well as flexible lobby space. For more information, contact aloft Arundel Mills at 443.577.0077 or element Arundel Hills at 443.577.0050, or visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
Massachusetts
- The Royal Sonesta Hotel Boston recently completed a $2 million renovation of its conference and banquet rooms. Each room has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Charles River and Boston skyline. Guest amenities include a 24-hour health club, atrium-style swimming pool, complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access and 24-hour room service and a business center. For more information, call 617.806.4200 or visit www.sonesta.com/Boston.
New York
- The Pierre, located on New York’s Fifth Avenue overlooking Central Park, reopened in June following a $100 million renovation. Guest rooms and suites were upgraded, as were public areas. All guest rooms feature an interactive 40-inch flat-screen television, iPod docking station and Wi-Fi access. A majority of the baths were enlarged to incorporate a separate soaking tub and a flat-panel television. Some suites can accommodate up to six connecting bedrooms, while two suites with landscaped terraces suitable for entertaining will be unveiled later this year. Upon completion later this year, the lobby level will feature a new restaurant, new lobby lounge and bar, and a new central area for check-in and concierge assistance. Second floor banquet spaces were previously restored during the first phase of The Pierre’s renovation program. The hotel first opened in 1930 and offers 189 guest rooms, including 49 suites. For more information, call 212.838.8000 or visit www.tajhotels.com.
Ohio
- The 125-suite Cambria Suites Columbus/Polaris opened in April. The hotel lobby features a large-screen television while guest suites offer flat-screen LCD televisions, MP3 jacks and complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet access. The hotel offers more than 1,000 square feet of meeting space. For more information, call 614.841.9100 or visit www.cambriasuites.com.
Ontario
- The Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport, in Mississauga, recently debuted. Among its 224 guest rooms are 44 suites and four deluxe Jacuzzi suites. Guest rooms each feature a high-definition 32-inch LCD television and complimentary wired and Wi-Fi high-speed Internet access. The hotel also offers a complimentary 24-hour business center, indoor swimming pool and fitness center. The hotel can also cater to events with more than 5,000 square feet of flexible conference and banquet space. For more information, call 905.678.0041 or visit www.torontoairport.hgi.com.
Pennsylvania
- The 127-room Staybridge Suites Harrisburg opened in April with three suite options—deluxe studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom/two-bath). All suites include in-room DVD/CD players. Amenities include a fitness center, complimentary 24-hour business services center, a guest library and wireless Internet access throughout the hotel. For more information, call 717.233.3304 or visit www.ichotelsgroup.com.
- The new 70-room Country Inn & Suites Carlisle debuted in May. The hotel features an indoor heated pool, whirlpool and fitness center. Other amenities include a meeting room that can accommodate up to 30 people. The hotel offers a variety of guest room styles including standard rooms, studio suites, two-bedroom suites and Jacuzzi rooms. All rooms feature complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access and a 32-inch LCD television. For more information, call 717.241.4900 or visit www.countryinns.com.
- Crowne Plaza Philadelphia-Bucks County, formerly a Holiday Inn, opened in May following $4 million in renovations to guest rooms and public spaces. The six-story hotel offers 214 guest rooms. Guests have access to a variety of amenities, including complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access, a fitness center, a 24-hour business center and an indoor swimming pool. The hotel offers a comprehensive meetings program and nine meeting rooms with 5,500 square feet of flexible meeting space. For more information, call 215.364.2000 or visit www.ichotelsgroup.com.