California
- The historic Hotel Shattuck Plaza, nearing its 100th anniversary, reopened in downtown Berkeley after two years and a multimillion-dollar renovation. The hotel features 199 guest rooms, including 17 suites. The rooms and suites offer amenities including flat-screen televisions and iPod docks. A number of rooms offer views of San Francisco. The property also offers nearly 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space on multiple levels of the hotel. All meeting space is equipped with audiovisual capabilities. For special events, the hotel offers its 2,856- square-foot Crystal Ballroom adorned with antique mirrors, and an adjoining courtyard. For more information, call 510.845.7300 or visit www.hotelshattuckplaza.com.
- San Francisco’s Personality Hotels in June debuted the Hotel Vertigo and Hotel Frank. Hotel Frank, formerly the Maxwell Hotel, debuted after a $10 million transformation. All guest rooms feature 32-inch flat-screen televisions and iPod docking stations. Two expansive penthouses—the Urban and Skyline Lofts—are outfitted with a large bedroom, living room and large patios overlooking Union Square. The 102-room Hotel Vertigo has undergone a $5 million renovation that includes a complete redesign of all guest rooms, corridors and its lobby. Hotel Vertigo is named after Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 classic thriller. Original 1920s columns, 25-foot high ceilings, a seven-foot-tall white and orange couch and high wingback chairs provide the setting for the movie Vertigo, shown 24 hours on a large flat-screen. Five Vertigo Suites are named after characters in the movie—The Gavin, The Scottie, The Carlotta, The Midge and The Madeline. All guest rooms feature 36-inch flat-screen televisions and iPod docking. For more information, call Hotel Frank at 415.986.2000 or visit www.hotelfranksf.com, or call Hotel Vertigo at 415.885.6800 or visit www.hotelvertigosf.com.
- The Huntley Santa Monica Beach recently completed the final phase of its 5,000 square feet of event space. Venues are divided into four rooms. The hotel’s LA Room is located on the rooftop and features views of the Pacific Ocean. The largest room, the 1,250-square-foot Garden Room, offers a private patio. The hotel includes 209 rooms, including 21 suites. For more information, call 310.394.5454 or visit www.thehuntleyhotel.com.
- Monterey Peninsula’s Hotel Abrego opened in July. The newly built and refurbished 93-room hotel, formerly known as the Sand Dollar Inn, features complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen televisions and iHome docking stations in guest rooms. Most rooms include fireplaces. Hotel Abrego’s lounge features outdoor seating areas and the hotel offers an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub area. The hotel also provides a naturally lit meeting room with nearly 645 square feet of flexible meeting space. Designed with floor-to-ceiling windows, the room features a nine-foot retractable screen, built-in LCD projector and high-speed, wireless Internet connectivity. For more information, call 831.373.1602 or visit www.hotelabrego.com.
- The Avia Napa boutique hotel opened in July with 141 rooms and suites. Centrally situated in downtown Napa, the hotel features 14 different room and suite options ranging from a classic king guest room to a 945-square-foot presidential hosting suite with a grand living area, dining room, fireplace and retractable glass walls leading to a private balcony. Avia Napa also offers 58 tub suites, featuring in-room soaking tubs for two. Dual-sided gas fireplaces are available in 42 of these rooms. Other facilities include a 1,900-square-foot great room designed for hosting events and meetings; a second-floor, 4,500-square-foot outdoor terrace with an outdoor fire pit; and the Avia Kitchen + Wine Bar, featuring California cuisine using seasonal, local ingredients. The hotel also provides complimentary Internet stations with printers and a menu of packages for groups. For more information, call 866.644.2842 of visit www.aviahotels.com.
Hawaii
- The 400-room Courtyard by Marriott Waikiki Beach opened in June. The property was formerly known as The Wyland Waikiki before it underwent an extensive makeover in 2007. The hotel includes 93 suites, space for small groups, two swimming pools and an Italian restaurant with outdoor seating. The lobby features a variety of flexible seating options and free Wi-Fi access. For more information, call 808.954.4000 or visit www.marriott.com.
- The Kauai Marriott Resort is undergoing a $50 million renovation, including major enhancements to its rooms, restaurants and other public areas. The renovation of all 356 hotel guest rooms and suites started June 1, with completion slated for the end of August. Guest room upgrades include a flat-screen television in each room. Also undergoing a complete transformation is the open-air Kukui’s Restaurant. Future renovation plans include upgrades to the main lobby and other public areas. For more information, call 808.245.5050 or visit www.kauaimarriott.com.
Wyoming
- The 80-room Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Gillette recently debuted. The hotel features an indoor whirlpool and 11,000-square-foot indoor waterpark. Other amenities include access to an offsite fitness center. The hotel offers a variety of guest room styles, including standard rooms, studio suites, one-bedroom suites and Jacuzzi suites. All rooms feature complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access and 32-inch LCD televisions. For more information, call 307.682.0505 or visit www.countryinns.com/gillettewy.