Illinois
- The Four Seasons Hotel Chicago unveiled its new $6 million grand ballroom as it marked its 20-year anniversary. The 12,500-square-foot, eighth-floor ballroom and event space features the 7,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom that can accommodate events ranging from 100 to 500 guests. The renovation also includes a new sound system, energy-efficient lighting and electronic screens for displaying event times, information and personal greetings. In addition, the hotel’s grand staircase was refreshed. The redesign is part of a multimillion-dollar renovation that began in 2007 with the restyling of the hotel’s guest rooms and executive suites, featuring modern amenities such as LCD flat-screen televisions and wireless Internet. Renovations are scheduled to continue throughout this year, with redesigns of the hotel’s one- and two- bedroom suites and specialty suites. For more information, call 312.280.8800 or visit www.fourseasons.com.
- Swissotel Chicago recently introduced a new Event Centre, with a total of 38,000 square feet, making it one of the largest event spaces in Chicago. The center is a multilevel combination of ballrooms and meeting rooms of all sizes. The centerpiece is Zurich, a 14,000-square-foot ballroom that can accommodate up to 1,365 guests theater-style. The space also includes the 5,721-square-foot ballroom Vevey, as well as the 2,853-square-foot Montreux and 2,893-square-foot St. Gallen, offering spaces for everything from annual meetings to trade shows. Each ballroom can be broken out into several salons as well, with private access to each salon. The hotel’s new facilities feature wireless Internet capabilities. For more information, call 312.565.0565 or visit www.swissotelchicago.com.
Iowa
- The AmericInn of Anamosa recently opened. The hotel has 52 guest rooms, including standard rooms and a variety of suites that include large family suites, whirlpool suites, two-room suites and a grand master suite that has two rooms, a whirlpool and fireplace. Amenities include a 550-square-foot meeting room, pool area and complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access. For more information, call 319.462.4119 or visit www.americinn.com.
Minnesota
- The Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester-North is under construction and slated for completion by the end of August. The four-story hotel will be comprised of 134 guest rooms and will offer complimentary high-speed Internet access. For more information, call 507.289.6100 or visit http://hamptoninn.hilton.com.
- The Cambria Suites Maple Grove is set to open in early July with 129 guest rooms. The hotel features suites with amenities such as two flat-screen LCD televisions, CD/DVD players and an in-room Media Hub plug and play technology for a laptop, MP3 player, game console and digital camera. The hotel offers conference and meeting space of more than 2,600 square feet, complimentary wireless high-speed Internet and remote printing throughout the hotel. For more information, call 763.494.5556 or visit www.cambriasuitesmaplegrove.com.
- Grand View Lodge, a conference resort in the Brainerd Lakes area, recently debuted the Gull Lake Center, a conference and training center. The Gull Lake Center features over 25,000 square feet of conference and event space, and the ability to accommodate groups up to 650 people, including 500 in a banquet setting. Multiple facility configurations are available for groups of various sizes. The addition of the center to Grand View’s offerings more than doubles the resort’s conference and special event capabilities. The architecture was inspired by Grand View’s Main Lodge, built in 1919. For more information, call 218.963.2234 or visit www.grandviewlodge.com.
Missouri
- Crowne Plaza Lenexa-Overland Park, formerly a Radisson, opened in May following a $27 million renovation. The hotel offers 270 guest rooms, including six presidential suites. Amenities include complimentary wireless Internet access, an indoor swimming pool and a business center. The hotel offers a comprehensive meetings program as well as 18,000 square feet of meeting space. For more information, call 913.217.1000 or visit www.ichotelsgroup.com.
Wisconsin
- The 128-room Staybridge Suites Milwaukee West-Oconomowoc opened in June. Amenities include complimentary workout facilities, a complimentary 24-hour business services center, 500 square feet of meeting space and a guest library with books and games. There is also a heated, indoor pool and whirlpool and an outdoor courtyard with a putting green and barbecue pavilion. The hotel features a 60-inch plasma HDTV in the common area and also offers complimentary wireless Internet access throughout the property. For more information, call 262.200.2900 or visit www.ichotelsgroup.com.