PHILADELPHIA
- According to the Greater Philadelphia CVB (www.philadelphiausa.travel), since the Pennsylvania Convention Center expansion project began in 2006, 525 new hotel rooms have been added to the city’s downtown hotel market. An additional 650 rooms are under construction in Center City and University City, which will be completed by 2013 for a total of 1,175 new rooms. Now over halfway to its goal of 2,000 new rooms in the downtown market, the city anticipates the completion of an additional 1,000 new hotel rooms going forward.
- Hersha Hospitality Trust (215.238.1046; www.hersha.com) announced its acquisition of the Rittenhouse Hotel (215.546.9000; www.rittenhousehotel.com) this March. Philadelphia’s consistent REVPAR leader, the AAA Five Diamond property boasts 98 guest rooms, including 11 luxury suites, and 8,500 square feet of business and social function space. The details of a planned update have yet to be announced.
- Built in 1907, the National Register of Historic Places-listed Latham Hotel (215.563.7474; www.lathamhotel.com) just completed major improvements to all 139 guest rooms and the lobby, as well as the addition of one- and two-bedroom suites. Renovation of the lobby, restaurant and lounge are nearing completion.
CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA
- The landmark 276-room Hotel Hershey (717.533.2171; www.thehotelhershey.com) and its Circular Dining Room received two AAA Four Diamond awards for 2012, continuing its remarkable run in the category for 32 and 24 years, respectively. Together they are the longest-running AAA Four Diamond award recipients of all hotels and restaurants in Pennsylvania.
PITTSBURGH
- Following an extensive $19 million renovation that included enhancements to all 202 guest rooms and 6,000 square feet of upgraded meeting space, Wyndham Pittsburgh University Place was reflagged as Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh University Place (412.683.2040; www.hiltongardeninn.com).
- Scheduled for completion by this fall, a $16 million transformation of Radisson Hotel-Green Tree into DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh-Green Tree (412.922.8400; www.hilton.com) is currently under way. Renovations will include 465 revamped guest rooms and suites, and the modernization of all public spaces, including the hotel’s two full-service restaurants and 30,000-plus square feet of group space in 26 meeting rooms.
BUTLER COUNTY
- New hotel openings in Butler County include the 75-room Fairfield Inn and Suites in Slippery Rock (724.406.0535; www.marriott.com) and 75-room Candlewood Suites Pittsburgh-Cranberry (724.591.8666; www.candlewoodsuites.com), while the Hilton Garden Inn in Cranberry Township (888.370.0984; www.hiltongardeninn.com) is scheduled to open this spring.
INDIANA COUNTY
- The Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex (724.357.5204; www.kovalchickcomplex.com) at Indiana University of Pennsylvania opened in March. Multiuse adaptable space within the 148,500-square-foot complex includes the 17,000-square-foot Conference Center, with multiple breakout rooms and fully equipped E-Conference Room featuring videoconferencing and teleconferencing capabilities; the 6,000-square-foot Corporate Training and Executive Conference Center; the 650-seat Torelli Auditorium; and the 5,000-seat Ed Fry Arena.