Illinois
Indiana
Minnesota
South Dakota
- Kimpton’s art-themed Hotel Palomar Chicago, located in the city’s River North neighborhood, opened in March. The property features an indoor rooftop pool with views of the city’s southeast landscape. The 17-story hotel offers 261 guest rooms, including 23 suites, all featuring high-definition televisions and complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access. For meetings and events, the hotel offers 5,800 square feet of space, including a 2,400-square-foot ballroom and a separate prefunction area. The hotel also features a green roof and operates with more than 70 eco-friendly practices as part of Kimpton’s brand-wide EarthCare program. For more information, call 312.755.9703 or visit www.hotelpalomar-chicago.com.
- Doubletree Hotel Libertyville-Mundelein recently opened in the northwest Chicagoland suburbs. The 183-room hotel is set in the village of Mundelein, near Lake Michigan. Along with complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access, other in-room amenities include MP3-compatible stereo clock radios. There is also a fitness center, indoor heated pool and whirlpool. The hotel offers approximately 12,000 square feet of flexible meeting and banquet facilities, including an 8,350-square-foot Grand Ballroom. For more information, call 847.949.5100 or visit http://libertyvillemundelein.doubletree.com.
- Ian Schrager acquired the historic landmark Ambassador East Hotel in Chicago. The 285-room, 189,000-square-foot hotel, built in 1926, is undergoing renovation, as is its restaurant, The Pump Room. Schrager intends to return them both to their past glory. In its heyday, the hotel served as the wedding location of Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and other celebrities. Frank Sinatra was known to have booked an entire floor of rooms when in town. The Pump Room is famous for introducing the Bloody Mary with the celery stalk to the world. For more information, call 312.787.7200 or visit www.theambassadoreasthotel.com.
Indiana
- The Fairfield Inn & Suites Indianapolis Downtown debuted in February with 168 guest rooms and 34 suites. Amenities include wireless Internet service. The hotel is the first property to open in the $450 million Marriott Place complex in downtown Indianapolis. For more information, call 317.636.7678 or visit www.marriott.com.
Minnesota
- The Mankato City Center Hotel, formerly a Holiday Inn, recently completed a months-long remodeling and rebranding effort. The image overhaul began during the summer of 2009 when the hotel commenced a $1.3 million renovation of all 150 guest rooms and the lobby. Each room was outfitted with a flat-screen television. There are also long-term plans to remodel the hotel’s banquet facilities and its restaurant and bar. The hotel offers 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting and exhibit space. For more information, call 507.345.1234 or visit www.mankatomnhotel.com.
South Dakota
- The Dakota Event Center, located on the east side of Aberdeen, opened in February. The center, which offers more than 27,000 square feet of meeting space, features wireless Internet access. The event center is connected to Aberdeen’s newest hotel, the 84-room Hampton Inn and Suites Aberdeen, which also opened in February. The Hampton Inn is operated and owned by Lamont Companies and Lamont Enterprises, which also own the event center and the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Aberdeen. For more information, call the Hampton Inn at 605.262.2600 or visit http://hamptoninn.hilton.com, or for the Dakota Event Center, call the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Aberdeen at 605.725.4000 or visit www.ichotelsgroup.com.