Arizona
- L’Auberge de Sedona completed a $25 million property-wide redesign. Located in Sedona’s Red Rock Country, the resort offers luxury cottages, 3,500 square feet of indoor meeting space, four outdoor venues and a variety of recreational opportunities such as fly-fishing, jeep tours, nature hikes and Grand Canyon trips. L’Auberge promises personalized service for groups from 15 to 175. Chartered airport transportation is available. For more information, call 928.282.1661 or visit www.lauberge.com.
- In Scottsdale, The Phoenician concluded the final step in its multiyear, $80 million renovation project. More than $4 million was spent to modernize the hotel’s 25 suites. Previous improvements include the opening of the Relish Bistro and refurbishing guest rooms and common spaces on the property. The opening of the versatile 45,000-square-foot Camelback Ballroom Complex in October 2010 brought the Phoenician’s total indoor meeting space to 109,000 square feet. New carpeting and escalators were also installed in meeting areas. For more information, call 480.941.8200 or visit www.thephoenician.com.
British Columbia
- The Oak Bay Beach Hotel is scheduled to reopen in spring 2012 with 100 guest rooms, meeting and event spaces, a wine cellar and a theater. Located on the Oak Bay waterfront in Victoria, the property offers views of the San Juan Islands and outdoor activities depart from the hotel’s dock. Event room options range from the distinctive 180-seat theater to a wood-paneled 18-seat boardroom study. A lobby and terrace area can accommodate 250 guests. For more information, call 250.598.4556 or visit www.oakbaybeachhotel.com.
- A new 4,000-square-foot ballroom will open this spring at the Fairmont Empress on Vancouver Island in Victoria. The hotel’s second ballroom will be located in a former restaurant space. Following this opening, the Fairmont Empress will have 23,000 square feet of meeting space available in 22 rooms, and 477 guest rooms and suites. The hotel is fully-integrated with the adjoining, 73,000-square-foot Victoria Conference Centre, which can accommodate meetings of up to 1,200 attendees. For more information, call 416.874.2600 or visit www.fairmont.com/empress.
California
- Last year, the 225-room Beverly Garland debuted a redesigned restaurant, as well as the new Garland Ballroom with space for 650 guests. Updates planned for 2012 include the the North Hollywood hotel’s poolside bar and the Decoy Lounge. The Garland features over 12,000 square feet of event space. A 2,500-square-foot courtyard welcomes cocktail receptions or breakout sessions and an on-site 132-seat theater can host film festivals, seminars and private screenings. For more information, call 818.980.8000 or visit www.beverlygarland.com.
Idaho
- Knob Hill Inn, outside of Ketchum, Idaho, revealed an enhanced lobby area and refreshed guest rooms after the completion of a $750,000 renovation in mid-December. Located in the Sun Valley region, Knob Hill offers year-round recreational opportunities, as well as views of Bald Mountain. Groups can gather in several private dining rooms, outdoor patio space or the 400-square-foot conference room. For more information, call 208.726.8010 or visit www.knobhillinn.com.
Nevada
- The Barrymore restaurant recently opened, located just off the Las Vegas Strip and close to the Las Vegas Convention Center. Executive chef Anthony Meidenbauer’s signature selections include lobster eggs Benedict, oysters Rockefeller, octopus salad, fried chicken with cheddar grits, a 32-ounce Tomahawk cowboy rib-eye big enough to share, and changing seasonal dishes. The dining room can accommodate 50 guests and the fireside patio seats 20. For more information, call (702) 407-5303 or visit www.barrymorelv.com.