Alabama
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Birmingham-SW/Riverchase-Galleria in Hoover, a suburb of Birmingham, opened in February as a six-story, 113-suite hotel. The hotel offers studio, one- and two-bedroom suites. Additional amenities include an executive business center, outdoor pool, landscaped courtyard with basketball court, barbeque area, fitness center and approximately 700 square feet of flexible meeting space. For more information, call 205.637.2900 or visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.
Florida
- Holiday Inn in the Walt Disney World Resort debuted in February. The 14-story, 323-room hotel maximizes its location on Disney property, offering a host of privileges, such as complimentary transportation running every 30 minutes to all the Walt Disney World theme parks, guaranteed access and preferred tee times at Walt Disney World golf courses and advance reservations at Walt Disney World restaurants. Guest rooms offer 32-inch LCD televisions and complimentary wireless and wired Internet access. There is also an on-site fitness complex, jogging and exercise path, heated swimming and connected lap pool, an outdoor hot tub and sun deck and a game room. For more information, call 407.828.8888 or visit www.ichotelsgroup.com.
- The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, located in Hollywood, recently merged with the former Diplomat Golf Resort & Spa. Signature Westin elements have been integrated into the golf location’s 60 guest rooms and the Links Restaurant & Lounge. The championship 18-hole golf course will continue to be managed by Troon Golf. The 952-room, 106-suite property now includes more than 220,000 square feet of event space, including a 50,000-square-foot Great Hall, six ballrooms and 41 breakout rooms. The property also offers several outdoor group venues. For more information, call 954.602.6000 or visit www.diplomatresort.com.
- Miami’s Hotel Urbano at Brickell opened earlier this year. The 65-room boutique hotel is located in the downtown Brickell neighborhood and features a number of amenities, including complimentary high-speed Internet access, a fitness center and a pool and waterfall area with private cabanas, fire pits and a poolside lounge. The hotel offers meeting space for executive board meetings or small conferences. For more information, call 305.854.2070 or visit www.hotelurbano.com.
Georgia
- The Wyndham Garden Atlanta Airport South recently opened. The hotel offers 231 rooms, Scarlett’s Lounge & Restaurant and complimentary Wi-Fi access. Eight newly renovated meeting rooms feature 6,000 square feet of space. For more information, call 404.768.9199 or visit www.wyndham.com.
Louisiana
- Courtyard Shreveport Airport recently rolled out its new lobby and room design. The 90-room hotel now sports a lobby with flexible seating options that range from a central communal table to more private media booths with high-definition televisions, or a more intimate, semi-enclosed lounge area. A signature element of the new lobby is the Courtyard GoBoard, a 57-inch LCD touch screen with local information, maps and weather, as well as news, business and sports headlines. Guests can navigate using the touch screen to find restaurants, local attractions and directions. The hotel also offers complimentary Wi-Fi in the lobby. For more information, call 318.686.0880 or visit their www.marriott.com/shvcy.
Texas
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Dallas/Allen opened in February. The four-story, 114-suite hotel offers studio, one-, and two-bedroom suites. Additional guest amenities include an executive business center, outdoor saltwater pool, landscaped courtyard with sports court, barbeque area, fitness center and approximately 750 square feet of flexible meeting space. For more information, call 214.383.6673 or visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.