Chattanooga
- The Chattanooga Marriott at the Convention Center (423.756.0002; www.marriott.com) recently completed a major renovation. The hotel has 342 guest rooms and 10,200 square feet of meeting space.
- Formerly a Holiday Inn, the Clarion Inn & Suites (423.855.2898; www.clarionhotel.com) was reflagged in June. Plans are in the works for a renovation to be completed by the fall. The hotel houses 121 guest rooms and 600 square feet of meeting space.
- The Hampton Inn Chattanooga North (423.305.6800; www.chattanooganorth.hamptoninn.com) opened in January about 14 miles from Chattanooga. The hotel offers 116 guest rooms and one meeting room.
- The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Ooltewah Springs-Chattanooga (423.238.2916; www.ichotelsgroup.com) recently opened. The hotel, located just outside Chattanooga in Ooltewah, sports 103 guest rooms and 675 square feet of meeting space.
Knoxville
- Hampton Inn & Suites-Knoxville/North I-75 (865.689.1011; www.hamptoninn.com) debuted in late 2008. The hotel boasts 102 guest rooms and one meeting room.
- Located near the University of Tennessee, MainStay Suites (865.247.0222; www.mainstaysuites.com) opened in fall 2008. The hotel offers 86 guest rooms and 1,000 square feet of meeting space.
Smoky Mountains Region
- Wilderness Resort at the Smokies (865.868.2171; www.wildernessatthesmokies.com) in Sevierville unveiled the 400-room River Lodge in December 2008. Within the same complex is the 240-room Stone Hill Lodge, which offers 4,100 square feet of meeting space. The resort also recently opened indoor and outdoor waterparks.
- Hilton Garden Inn Gatlinburg (865.436.0048; www.hiltongardeninn.com) opened earlier this year. The hotel is currently seeking LEED certification. The 118-room property sports two meeting rooms.
- Located in Pigeon Forge, Holiday Inn Pigeon Forge (865.428.2700; www.ichotelsgroup.com) recently completed a guest room, lobby and restaurant renovation. The 206-room hotel boasts 11,500 square feet of meeting space.
Tri-Cities Region
- At press time, Kingsport’s 305-room MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center (423.578.6600; www.marriott.com) was planning to complete a multimillion-dollar renovation and expansion of its guest rooms in August. The project is slated to include the addition of a fitness center, pool and two 55-room towers. By early 2010, the hotel plans to open a 22,000-square-foot conference center expansion, which will bring the property’s meeting space up to 87,000 square feet.
- Holiday Inn Johnson City (423.282.4611; www.hijohnsoncity.com) completed a guest room redo in October 2008. The hotel offers 205 rooms and 11,000 square feet of meeting space.
- The Bristol Train Station (276.644.1573; www.thebristoltrainstation.org) was recently transformed into a unique meeting venue accommodating up to 4,600 people.