Hosting a resort-based meeting has had a bad rap in some corporate circles, but if the introduction of new properties is any indication, there is renewed optimism that the tides are turning. Planners will find some tempting new choices for meetings, with diverse locations that include oak-studded hills, an inviting beachfront and an upscale urban enclave.
Big as Texas
Last year, an ambitious endeavor debuted in the heart of Texas Hill Country: the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa, the world’s largest JW Marriott property. The 1,002-room hotel, which includes 85 suites, sits on 600 acres of oak-covered hills with an adjacent 100-acre bird sanctuary.
One main attraction is the River Bluffs Water Experience, which includes a 650-foot rapid river ride, three water slides and a 1,100-foot-long lazy river.
"Superlatives abound," says Mike Kass, director of marketing for the resort. "The resort gives you a sense of warmth, a sense you belong—sophisticated but very welcoming. It’s crafted as a hacienda."
Within its expanse is 140,000 square feet of meeting and function areas, including a 40,000-square-foot ballroom and 20,000 square feet of space that can be divided into 19 rooms.
"I think more important than the amount of space is that it’s a smart space designed for meetings," Kass says.
Taking advantage of its natural surroundings, the resort offers a 30,000-square-foot lawn accented by limestone waterfalls, fireplaces and views of the rolling hills.
Also fashioned on a grand scale is the resort’s 26,000-square-foot spa, which has 30 treatment rooms and space for group receptions. Golfers have exclusive access to TPC San Antonio, which offers 36 holes on 2,800 acres at the Pete Dye-designed AT&T Canyons Course and the Greg Norman-designed AT&T Oaks Course.
On-site dining options range from the 18 Oaks, located at the Golf Clubhouse and overlooking the fairways, to the High Velocity Sports Bar, which offers a screen measuring 120 feet long and 12 feet high. Along with wine tasting for groups, the resort offers tequila tasting, drawn from over 100 varieties, at its Cibolo Moon restaurant.
For those who want to venture off property, there are some 23 wineries located 50 to 90 minutes north of the resort. Groups can also experience an outing at the Knibbe Ranch 20 minutes away.
"We can do rodeos, dinners, tours, horseback riding, fishing—it’s truly an authentic experience," Kass says.
Urban Resort
Defining itself as an urban resort, the St. Regis Atlanta opened last year in the upscale Buckhead neighborhood.
"We’ve been very well received," says Dawn Truemper, director of sales and marketing for the resort. "I think we brought a whole other level of luxury to Atlanta. It’s wonderful for this destination to have this quality hotel. Atlanta is a business destination, but we’re finding groups enjoy meeting in a business destination and still having that resort feel. You’re right in middle of the hustle and bustle of Buckhead, but you can’t hear any city noise."
The St. Regis offers 120 guest rooms and 31 suites. The Empire Suite spans over 2,865 square feet and offers a private workout facility. There are also 19 St. Regis Suites that are 1,000 square feet in size.
"It’s never an issue who will get what type of suite—all VIPs could be in grand suites. The Empire Suite could be for a CFO," Truemper says.
The hotel’s 40,000-square-foot Pool Piazza is a center of activity, with a billiards room, fireplace, Jacuzzi, poolside bar and butlers. Groups also can access the adjacent Grand Terrace overlooking the Pool Piazza for receptions, sit-down dinners, luncheons and team-building events such as boat building, where finished boats compete in races across the pool. There are also lawn games available on the Grand Terrace, such as bocce ball and croquet.
"Groups have done an actual buyout of the hotel and then it becomes their resort. They can utilize the Pool Piazza and Grand Terrace," Truemper notes. "The full-service Remede Spa works with our groups for events and special services. We also have a wonderful private wine room."
The Wine Room seats 50 people and can host private events including wine tastings. Or the resort wine director can organize wine and food pairings in the ballroom or other areas of the resort.
Beach Promenade
New to the Florida coast, the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa opened its doors in February.
"We are enjoying the destination on Clearwater Beach, from a meetings standpoint" says Nancy Longstreth, director of sales and marketing. "We’re in close in proximity to Tampa International Airport and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport. That is always a nice feature for meeting planners; it’s easy to get attendees in and out."
The resort itself is a centerpiece of the Clearwater Beach Walk, a $30 million beachside promenade designed for bicyclists, rollerbladers and pedestrians.
"Beach Walk is amazing. Every night there is a three-hour sunset festival [the Sunsets at Pier 60 Festival] similar to one that’s been popular in Key West," Longstreth says. "There are craftsmen, artists and street performers. People come from all over to see the sunset festival, and we’re fortunate to have it right down the pathway."
The 250-unit, all-suite hotel is situated between the Gulf of Mexico and the Intracoastal Waterway. At press time, the region was not being affected by the Deep Horizon Oil Spill, according to Longstreth.
"At this point guests shouldn’t have anything to worry about. It’s pretty far down from us," she says.
Guests have access to the Clearwater Marina next to the hotel, and can organize activities such as parasailing, wave runners, sunset cruises, dinner cruises and dolphin eco tours.
"We also have a very unique set of poolside cabanas—there are 20 that are air conditioned. Four of them are so large, a lot of planners rent them not only for hospitality rooms, but to use as breakout rooms, as well," Longstreth explains.
Each cabana features a large-screen television, wet bar and massage service from the resort’s Sandava Spa. The spa itself is perched on the 8th floor overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway.
The resort offers 12,500 square feet of indoor function space and 20,000 square feet of private outdoor function space, including the 4,400-square-foot Roof Top Terrace, eight private 900-square-foot terraces with adjoining suites and the 8th-floor pool deck Vista Terrace, which can be reserved and roped off from the pool area.
Longstreth emphasizes that the resort staff can organize activities for groups through a local DMC and can offer in-house catering. Popular outings include golf on the water four miles away at the Belleview Biltmore Golf Club and at the world-class golf course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club with which the Hyatt has a partnership.
