Alabama
- The former Clarion hotel in downtown Montgomery will undergo a $5 million renovation and reopen as a 130-room DoubleTree Hotel. It also has 10,000 square feet of meeting space as well as a restaurant and bar. For more informaiton, visit www.doubletree.hilton.com.
Florida
- A groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Orlando site selected by NASA as the future home of the space shuttle Atlantis exhibit. The $100 million, 65,000-square-foot exhibit will showcase the shuttle that travelled to space 33 times and explore the 30-year history of space exploration and the space shuttle program. The grand opening is scheduled for summer 2013. For more information, call 877.313.2610 or visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com.
Louisiana
- Two New Orleans Hilton hotels, DoubleTree by Hilton and Hilton New Orleans Riverside, unveiled property improvements. The 367-room DoubleTree was converted to a 100 percent non-smoking facility and added two locally-based dining options. The Hilton Riverside concluded its six-year, $63 capital improvements project. The DoubleTree offers 15,000 square feet of function space and the Hilton Riverside is located on the banks of the Mississippi River near the Ernest M. Morial Convention Center. For more information, visit www.hiltonworldwide.com.
- Hotel Mazarin opened in New Orleans. Located a block off of Bourbon Street, the former Saint Louis Hotel was redecorated and renovated. The 102-room property has a courtyard available for catered events and indoor spaces for business meetings or parties. For more information, call 504.581.7300 or visit www.hotelmazarin.com.
Texas
- Named for the international unit of energy, The Joule Dallas began a year-long renovation and expansion. Te $78 million property-wide enhancement will grow the hotel almost an entire city block and as 21 guest rooms, eight suites, three penthouses, a new spa and 10,000 square feet of meeting space. For more information, call 214.748.1300 or visit www.thejouledallas.com.
- The Stoneleigh Hotel & Spa in Dallas was added to the Luxe Hotels portfolio and completed a $36 million renovation. The 170-room property has 6,000 square feet of conference facilities will be rebranded the The Luxe Stoneleigh Dallas Hotel & Spa. For more information, visit www.luxehotels.com.