The Hotel Monaco (888.752.2636; www.monaco-baltimore.com) is planning a $1.2 million renovation shortly after Labor Day that will add a 3,100-square-foot ballroom hosting up to 185 for meetings and up to 300 for receptions. The hotel is also planning to install bunk beds in 14 rooms to create more kid-friendly spaces. This project includes the addition of flat-screen TVs, X-box game systems and bean bag chairs. The goal is to complete the ballroom by Dec. 1.
The Marriott Inner Harbor Hotel (410.962.0202; www.marriott.com) is planning a $3.1 million renovation that will include the addition of 3,000 square feet of meeting space. The new meeting space will replace the current Cafe Promenade, and the renovation will include an expansion of the hotel's other restaurant, The Yard Sports Bar and Grille.
In June, Baltimore's InterContinental Harbor Court Hotel became the Royal Sonesta Hotel Baltimore (410.234.0550; www.sonesta.com), Sonesta International Hotels Corporation's first hotel in Maryland. The property has 10,000 square feet of meeting space. Guest rooms offer luxurious bedding, high-speed Internet access and refreshment centers. The hotel features a swimming pool with panoramic views of the city, a 24-hour fitness center, racquetball and tennis courts and a 24-hour business center. In 2013, the Royal Sonesta will begin a full renovation to refresh the property.
Caesars Entertainment (800.522.4700; www.caesars.com) won the license to build and operate a casino in downtown Baltimore. Caesars officials said the company plans to open a $300 million Harrah's-brand facility by mid-2014. It will feature multiple restaurants, including a fine-dining steakhouse and several casual eateries. The Harrah's facility would be the second-largest casino in the state behind Maryland Live!, which opened last month at Arundel Mills mall in Anne Arundel County.
In August, Kokua Hospitality announced the purchase of Baltimore's Tremont Suites Hotel & Grand Historic Venue (410.727.2222; www.tremontplazahotel.com) by Garrison Investment Group and Chartres Lodging Group. Kokua Hospitality became the management company of this 300-room, all suite Baltimore property June 20. In addition to guest room accommodations, the Tremont Suites Hotel location encompasses the Grand Historic Venue, which underwent a $27 million renovation in 2006 and features 45,000 square feet of meeting space with 19 individually restored banquet rooms.
The Four Seasons Baltimore (410.576.5800; www.fourseasons.com) opened in November 2011 and recently opened the second restaurant connected to the hotel, Pabu. The property includes 256 guest rooms and suites and more than 20,000 square feet of event space.
The Baltimore Convention Center (410.649.7000; www.bccenter.org) recently added a boardroom and underwent an energy conservation project expected to reduce annual energy costs by 20 percent, among other upgrades.
