Florida
- A new Four Points by Sheraton Tallahassee Downtown, set to open in October, is expected to become the brand's first LEED-certified hotel. The164-room hotel, which is being converted from a former Holiday Inn, will offer 7,100 square feet of room space and 10,000 square feet of outdoor space. For more information, call 616.644.5874 or visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
- KSL Capital Partners recently acquired The Royal Palm Hotel in Miami's historic South Beach district for $130 million at closing. KSL intends to renovate and reposition the 1930s-era hotel under The James brand as The James Royal Palm. The plan includes improvements to all guest rooms and public areas of the hotel, including new restaurants, a spa and outdoor spaces. The renovation is scheduled to be completed in late 2012. For more information, call 786.276.0100 or visit www.jameshotels.com.
North Carolina
- Aloft Hotel Asheville Downtown is under construction and slated to open in summer 2012. The 63,521-square-foot hotel will feature 115 loft-style rooms, including four suites. The hotel will also offer the W xyz bar and dining with an outdoor deck, a third-floor outdoor pool deck with cabanas and an art collection featuring local artists. Hotel dining will feature fresh products produced at local farms. For more information, call 813.241.2399 or visit www.starwoodhotels.com/alofthotels, or check in with www.facebook.com/aloftasheville.
Tennessee
- Hampton Inn & Suites Chattanooga/Downtown recently debuted. The six-story, $18.2 million property features 134 rooms. The hotel is in pursuit of LEED Silver certification. Amenities include a courtyard, an indoor/outdoor saltwater pool and complimentary Wi-Fi access. For more information, call 423.693.0500 or visit http://hamptoninn.hilton.com.
- After being damaged by flooding in Nashville last year, Opry Mills, a large shopping mall near the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center, is set to be rebuilt, with opening expected in spring 2012. The mall suffered an estimated $200 million in damage and has been closed since the flooding last May. For more information, call 615.514.1100 or visit www.simon.com/mall/oprymills.
Texas
- The Hyatt Regency San Antonio completed the first phase of a $30 million renovation that included the creation of a redesigned lobby and addition of a restaurant featuring barbecue specialties from around the world. The second phase of the renovation, which will include enhancements to the meeting space, is set for completion in October. For more information, call 210.222.1234 or visit www.sanantonioregency.hyatt.com.
- Warwick International Hotels recently acquired a piece of land adjacent to the 184-room Warwick Melrose Hotel Dallas. Subject to relevant approvals from the city, the 30,000 square feet of land would permit a major expansion to take place next to the historic hotel that was erected in 1924. The current plans call for a large ballroom that would be complemented by additional meeting and conference space in a nearby building. The construction of a spa and a swimming pool is also under study. This would effectively more than double the present 7,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The presidential suite is also slated for an upgrade. All guest rooms offer wired and wireless Internet access, as does the hotel's meeting facilities and public space. For more information, call 214.521.5151 or visit www.warwickmelrosedallas.com.
- The Holiday Inn Houston East-Channelview and the Holiday Inn Houston Westchase recently debuted. On the west side of the city, the 130-room Holiday Inn Houston Westchase features an indoor saltwater pool, outdoor patio with a fire pit, 24-hour fitness center and a business center. The hotel also offers 2,700 square feet of meeting space, including one ballroom that can accommodate 285 people and two smaller meeting rooms. Complimentary high-speed wireless Internet service is available throughout the hotel. The Holiday Inn Houston East features an indoor pool, sauna, individual cabanas and a 24-hour exercise facility. With 111 rooms, including eight suites, the Holiday Inn Houston East offers banquet facilities and meeting space totaling more than 2,300 square feet, which can accommodate up to 240 people. Complimentary high-speed wireless Internet access is available throughout the hotel. For more information, call Houston East at 281.864.7457 or Houston Westchase at 713.532.5400, or visit www.holidayinn.com.
- The 138-suite SpringHill Suites Houston The Woodlands debuted in May. The hotel offers meeting space to accommodate 12 people, business services, an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness center. There is also free Wi-Fi in the hotel's lobby and high-speed Internet access in every suite. For more information, call 936.271.0051 or visit www.springhillsuites.com.