Florida
- The Naples Beach Hotel reopened its championship golf course last year after a closure for upgrades. The 125-acre resort boasts 34,000 square feet of meeting space anchored by a 22,000-square-foot clubhouse. An updated pool complex with event and teambuilding venues rounds out the group options. For more information, call 239.261.2222 or visit www.naplesbeachhotel.com.
- The historic 347-room Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club unveiled its updated lobby, featuring a library space, fire pit and additional veranda seating. For more information, call 727.894.1000 or visit www.marriott.com.
Louisiana
- Baton Rouge will gain a 74,000-square-foot casino and a 12-story hotel with 206 guest rooms with the opening of L’Auberge Casino & Hotel this summer. Constructioncosts are estimated at $357 million, and the hotel will also offer event seating for up to 1,600 and outdoor festival grounds. For more information, visit www.lbatonrouge.com.
North Carolina
- The 30,000-square-foot Gastonia Conference Center opened in December. Located 15 miles from Charlotte/Douglas International Airport, the facility includes a 5,000-square-foot ballroom and 10 meeting rooms. The property was built to high standards of sustainability and includes electric vehicle charging stations. For more information, call 704.869.1949 or visit www.gastoniaconferencecenter.com.
Texas
- Houston’s Hotel ICON relaunched under new management in 2011 after undergoing a $5 million renovation. The 135-room hotel offers 8,000 square feet of function space, including a 2,300-square-foot ballroom and the underground Wine Vault. More updates are planned for 2012. For more information, call 713.224.4266 or visit www.hotelicon.com.