Florida
- The 40-year-old Omni Amelia Island Plantation is undergoing its first renovations since 1982. As part of an $85 million project, the conference center will gain 20,000 square feet through the addition of a 16,500-square-foot ballroom and prefunction area. The expansion also includes 155 new guest rooms, a new pool deck area, an upgraded lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows and improved resort access with rerouted roads and sidewalks. The pool will be closed during construction, but beachside amenities will be added. For more information, call 904.261.6161 or visit www.omniameliaislandplantation.com.
- Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek opened in October within the Walt Disney World Resort, becoming the fourth Wyndham property in the Orlando area. The Grand Orlando Resort has 400 guest rooms and suites and more than 25,000 square feet of flexible meeting space. The 8,000-square-foot Ponce de Leon ballroom has 19-foot ceilings and can be divided into seven separate spaces. An outdoor pool deck can accommodate up to 400 guests for informal gatherings and receptions. For more information, call 407.390.2300 or visit www.wyndham.com.
- Postcard Inn Beach Resort and Marina recently completed a $10.5 million renovation. The Florida Keys resort offers groups 5,780 square feet of updated indoor meeting space and more than 130,000 square feet of outdoor waterfront space. There are 143 guest accommodations, seven meeting rooms, two pools and resort-wide Wi-Fi. Two meeting rooms on the sixth floor of the resort’s tower building, 3,689 and 1,680 square feet respectively, showcase panoramic ocean views. Adjacent to the resort’s marina, 72,000-square-foot Bimini Row is an additional option for outdoor gatherings of up to 1,000 guests. For more information, call 305.664.2321 or visit www.holidayisle.com.
North Carolina
- Expansion continues at Harrah’s Cherokee Resort in the Great Smoky Mountains. The new 21-story Creek Tower adds 532 guest rooms in addition to shopping and dining venues, including Paula Deen’s Kitchen restaurant. In fall 2011 a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse was added as part of the ongoing five-year, $633 million expansion plan. The next addition will be a Mandara spa that integrates Native American elements into treatments. With over 21,000 square feet of meeting space and 1,018 rooms, Harrah’s welcomes groups from 10 to 3,000. For more information, call 828.497.7777 or visit www.harrahscherokee.com.