Maryland
- Holiday Inn Express Baltimore-Downtown opened in September with 68 guest rooms. The hotel is located in a historic downtown building originally built in 1924 to house the Old Town National Bank. The five-story property features a complimentary 24-hour fitness center, a business center, 750 square feet of meeting space and a free shuttle to the Baltimore Convention Center. Guest rooms feature queen- or king-sized beds and complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access. For more information, call 410.400.8045 or visit www.ichotelsgroup.com.
Massachusetts
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The W Boston and The Residences at W Boston recently debuted in the city’s historic theater district. The property features 235 guest units, including 24 suites, 123 W-branded residences, an underground bar and lounge, a restaurant, Bliss spa, a fitness center and approximately 5,000 square feet of meeting and event space. All guest rooms and suites offer a state-of-the-art entertainment system that includes two plasma televisions, CD and DVD players and docking station for MP3 players. For more information, call 617.261.8700 or visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
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A $22 million, year-long series of renovations at the Boston Marriott Copley Place is partially complete. Hotel enhancements include a completely renovated first and second floor, with a new front desk area and meeting rooms; a redesigned Champions restaurant and bar; the new Connexion lounge; a relocated business center; a renovated health club and pool; and a full renovation of all 47 guest suites. Three new, midsize meeting rooms are also included in the first-floor design and will be completed in January. The hotel’s second level has also been completely reinvented and includes the Champions bar with one of the largest HD projection screens in the area and over 40 flat-panel televisions. Additional hotel renovations include the health club area. The full project will be completed by the first quarter of 2010. For information, call 617.236.5800 or visit www.copleymarriott.com.
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The Millennium Bostonian Hotel recently completed a $25 million renovation, including the new Seasons Ballroom. The 3,000-square-foot event space, previously a restaurant, accommodates 130 seated guests, 175 for stand-up receptions and for meetings of up to 150 guests. There is also 800 square feet of prefunction space. In addition, all guest rooms and public areas were renovated and the hotel introduced the new North 26 Restaurant and Bar. For more information, call 617.523.3600 or visit www.millenniumhotels.com/boston.
New Jersey
- The Courtyard Newark Elizabeth hotel recently completed a $2.5 million renovation. The makeover included the guest rooms and suites as well as all the public spaces. The guest rooms provide 32-inch flat-screen televisions, while the lobby was transformed into a social spot with flexible work spaces, media pods and a 52-inch LCD touch screen filled with area information, restaurants, weather and maps. The hotel offers complimentary Wi-Fi access. The hotel’s fitness center was also completely renovated. The hotel features four meeting rooms with 1,800 square feet of meeting space. For more information, call 908.436.9800 or visit www.elizabethcourtyard.com.
New York
- The Best Western President Hotel at Times Square recently reopened after completing a $15 million renovation. The 334-room, 44-suite property now offers suites named after presidents including Obama, Reagan, Kennedy and Nixon. The hotel’s dominant color is Centrist purple, a mix of Republican red and Democratic blue. Each guest room includes post-modern art depicting presidents or first ladies. Guest rooms are equipped with 37-inch or 42-inch flat-panel televisions, iPod docking alarm clocks and complimentary wireless Internet. Other amenities include two on-site restaurants, a lobby cocktail lounge, a 24-hour fitness center and a business center. The hotel also offers a small conference room for about 12 people. For more information, call 212.246.8800 or visit www.bestwesternnewyork.com.
Pennsylvania
- An $8 million renovation of the 333-room Crowne Plaza Philadelphia-City Avenue, formerly a Holiday Inn, was completed in October. The renovation included all guest rooms, the indoor and outdoor pool, 24-hour fitness center and meeting space. The hotel provides 7,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and a 24-hour business center. Additional amenities include complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access throughout the hotel. For more information, call 215.477.0200 or visit www.ichotelsgroup.com.
Rhode Island
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The Newport Marriott recently completed a full renovation of its 24,800 square feet of meeting space. Meeting guests can take advantage of the hotel’s wired and wireless high-speed Internet connectivity, as well as 16 meeting rooms and the Grand Ballroom, which, at 7,600 square feet, is the largest space in the hotel. The hotel features 317 guest rooms and seven suites. For more information, call 401.849.1000 or visit www.newportmarriott.com.