Charleston
- The Mount Pleasant Visitor Center (843.852.2965; www.cooperriverroom.com) opened in July. The facility features the Cooper River Room, which accommodates receptions and meetings for up to 150 people and has a catering kitchen, as well as river and park views.
- Founders Hall (843.853.8000; www.foundershallcharleston.com) is a brand-new facility located on the grounds of Charles Towne Landing. The event venue provides space for large receptions and meetings, and invites guests to relax on a large, screened porch.
- Hampton Inn & Suites North Charleston/University Blvd. (843.735.7500; www.hamptoninn.com) recently debuted roughly 18 miles from downtown Charleston. The property features 115 guest rooms and two meeting rooms.
- The oceanfront Folly Beach Holiday Inn (843.588.6464; www.follybeachhotel.net), located nine miles from downtown Charleston, recently completed a $5.5 million renovation that included enhancements throughout the property.
Hilton Head
- The Hilton Oceanfront Resort (843.842.8000; www.hiltonoceanfrontresort.com) recently completed $3 million in renovations to two of its restaurants, HH Prime and the XO Lounge.
- The Hilton Garden Inn Hilton Head (843.837.8111; www.hiltongardeninn.com) recently wrapped up a renovation that included updates to guest rooms, meeting space, the outdoor pool and the 24-hour business center.
Myrtle Beach
- The Horizon at 77th (866.413.8310; www.horizonmyrtlebeach.com) opened in June 2008 with 143 guest units and 1,300 square feet of meeting space.
- Oceans One Resort (866.626.2033; www.oceansoneresort.com) opened this year with 135 guest units and a lounge that accommodates group gatherings.
- Towers on the Grove (888.905.3001; www.towersonthegrove.com) opened this year in North Myrtle Beach. The property has 232 guest rooms as well as outdoor poolside and beachfront function space.
- Sands Resorts (800.726.3783; www.sandsresorts.com) recently updated its conference center. Highlights include Webcam broadcasting, LCD monitors and a new audio system, as well as a new business center, executive boardroom and group hospitality rooms.
- North Beach Plantation Resort and Spa (877.361.3195; www.northbeachtowers.com) opened Cinzia Spa and Wellness Center earlier this year.
- Embassy Suites at Kingston Plantation (843.449.0006; www.kingstonplantation.com) is completing the second phase of upgrades to all guest suites. The first phase included complete renovations of 50 percent of the guest rooms and upgrades to all meeting and conference rooms.
- The Glens Golf Group has designed suites specifically for golfers traveling in groups of 16 to 20 people. Rooms are available for as low as $100 per night year-round (exclusive of golf and breakfast costs). Guests can enjoy one of five luxury two-bedroom, two-bath suites situated on the exclusive second floor of the Shaftesbury Glen Manor House (843.369.1806; www.glensgolfgroup.com/shaftesburysuites), which overlooks the Shaftesbury Glen Golf & Fish Club and the Waccamaw River.
- The OD Pavilion and Amusement Park (843.421.0666; www.odpavilion.net) opened on Ocean Boulevard in North Myrtle Beach in August. The venue features a Ferris wheel and a small roller coaster, among other attractions.
- Construction of the new downtown Oceanfront Boardwalk and Promenade (843.626.7444; www.myrtlebeachinfo.com) between the 14th Avenue North Pier and the Second Avenue North Pier is set to begin this fall, with completion slated for 2011. The entire project will cost an estimated $12 million.
- Myrtle Beach International Airport (843.448.1580; www.flymyrtlebeach.com) is expanding with the addition of a new passenger terminal, which will add five gates for a total of 12. The $130 million passenger terminal expansion is scheduled to begin in 2010.
Columbia
- The new 135-room Sheraton Columbia Downtown (803.988.1400; www.starwoodhotels.com) has more than 8,000 square feet of meeting space.
- Township Auditorium (803.576.2350; www.thetownship.org), which once staged performances by Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, is currently closed for renovations.
Clemson
- A new Marriott (www.marriott.com) will open in Clemson in October. The property will feature an outdoor space for events as well as conference facilities for small and large groups.
Rock Hill/York County
- Courtyard by Marriott Rock Hill (803.324.1400; www.courtyardbymarriott.com) recently completed renovations of its 90 guest rooms and suites. The property has 675 square feet of meeting space.
- The 162-room Hampton Inn–Rock Hill (803.325.1100; www.hamptoninn.hilton.com) is finishing major renovations to the property, including its 625 square feet of meeting space.
- The Comfort Inn–Carowinds (803.548.200; www.choicehotels.com) is undergoing a property-wide renovation. The hotel has 153 guest rooms and suites and 420 square feet of meeting space.
Spartanburg
- Spartanburg Marriott at Renaissance Park (864.596.1211; www.spartanburgmarriott.com) recently opened with 240 guest rooms and 30,000 square feet of meeting space.
- The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Spartanburg North (864.504.3333; www.ichotelsgroup.com) recently opened with 91 guest rooms and more than 1,000 square feet of meeting space.
- The Comfort Suites (864.699.6700; www.comfortsuites.com) is Spartanburg’s newest hotel. The property has 86 guest rooms and some meeting space.