Florida
- Shelborne South Beach’s 5,000-square-foot ballroom recently underwent a redesign. The renovated ballroom, which was once home to the Miss Universe and Miss USA pageants, is a component of the hotel’s current multimillion-dollar facelift and 70th anniversary celebration. The ballroom can be subdivided into two separate rooms or combined into one large area that can accommodate up to 700 people reception-style. The property’s meeting rooms, located in the hotel’s lobby mezzanine and conference level, also were upgraded. When completed this fall, the upgraded property will feature 200 new hotel rooms, 20 suites, nine executive poolside bi-level townhouse suites, multiple mezzanine lanai suites and a penthouse suite. The hotel will also feature a new infinity pool with an upper sun deck. For more information, call 305.531.1271 or visit www.shelborne.com.
Georgia
- The Lodge & Spa at Calloway Gardens, Autograph Collection in Pine Mountain recently joined Marriott’s Autography Collection, a group of independent, luxury-tier hotels and resorts. The 150-room property will continue to be owned and managed by Noble Investment Group, but will offer guests full participation in the Marriott Rewards loyalty program. For more information, call 706.489.3300 or visit www.marriott.com.
Louisiana
- The Candlewood Suites Avondale-New Orleans recently debuted as the first mid-scale, extended-stay hotel in the Westbank New Orleans area, about 12 miles from downtown. The 83-room property features a business center, complimentary high-speed Internet access and a 24-hour fitness center. For more information, call 504.875.3500 or visit www.ichotelsgroup.com.
Oklahoma
- The 315-room Wyndham Tulsa recently debuted, joining sister property Wyndham Garden Hotel Oklahoma City Airport. Guest rooms and suites at Wyndham Tulsa feature complimentary high-speed Internet access. The property offers a 24-hour business center, indoor and outdoor pool, free high-speed wireless Internet access throughout its public spaces and in-room spa services. There is an indoor waterpark for kids. The hotel also offers more than 14,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space in 20 multiuse rooms of varying size. The hotel’s grand ballroom, consisting of more than 7,000 square feet, can accommodate up to 850 seated guests. For more information, call 918.627.5000 or visit www.wyndham.com.
Puerto Rico
- The 107-room Wyndham Garden at Palmas del Mar in Humacao recently debuted. The hotel is located at the master-planned community of Palmas del Mar in Humacao on the island’s eastern coast. Guest rooms are equipped with flat-screen televisions and free high-speed Internet access. Other amenities include an infinity-edge pool with a swim-up bar, a whirlpool, a fitness center, a game room and a 6,000-square-foot casino. The property also provides more than 6,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, including lake and garden settings. The hotel’s Grand Ballroom can accommodate up to 450 people. For more information, call 787.850.6000 or visit www.wyndham.com.
Tennessee
- The $250 million Omni Nashville Hotel recently broke ground on a 21-story high-rise. Set to open by the end of 2013, the hotel will offer 800 guest rooms and more than 80,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and will serve as a key element within the developing Music City convention center area. Located directly across from the upcoming 1.2 million-square-foot Music City Center, the property will offer retail and entertainment venues and will be integrated with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The combined facilities will share meeting and event space as well as bring additional retail, restaurants and entertainment venues along 5th Avenue. The hotel will also feature an urban pool deck, fitness center and a Mokara signature spa. For more information, call 615.742.2298 or visit www.omnihotels.com.
- The 199-room Chattanoogan recently completed renovations to its guest rooms, as well as to its 7,752-square-foot ballroom and prefunction space. Guest room amenities include HD televisions and high-speed wireless Internet. The hotel also offers a 25,000-square-foot conference center. For more information, call 423.756.3400 or visit www.chattanooganhotel.com.
- Nashville’s Radisson Hotel at Opryland recently completed a $7 million renovation encompassing its 303 guest rooms, 16,000 square feet of meeting space and lobby. Guest rooms offer complimentary high-speed Internet access. The makeover also includes a new 200-seat restaurant, called Opry Backstage Grill, which opened in July. For more information, call 615.889.0800 or visit www.radisson.com.
Texas
- White Lodging Services announced it will build a 1,003-room, 26-story Marriott Marquis in downtown Austin. Construction is set to begin in June 2012 and the hotel is scheduled to open in January 2015, two blocks from the Austin Convention Center. Plans for the hotel include 104,000 square feet of flexible meeting, banquet and exhibition space, multiple food and beverage venues and a 4,500-square-foot fitness center. For more information, call 219.472.2900 or visit www.whitelodging.com.