Tucson
- Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa (520.742.6000; www.westinlapalomaresort.com) began a $30 million renovation that includes upgrades to its 487 guest rooms and 25 suites, public areas, banquet amenities and meeting space. The 60,000-square-foot conference space will be rejuvenated with new carpeting, ballroom chandeliers and state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment. The renewal process will take place in phases, with an expected completion by the end of 2012.
- The AAA Four Diamond Hilton Tucson El Conquistador Golf & Tennis Resort (520.544.1709; www.hiltonelconquistador.com) opened a new 11,000-square-foot contemporary Executive Conference Center. Designed for small to midsize groups of up to 100 guests, the eco-friendly facility provides eight meeting rooms, including one permanent boardroom with a built-in, 70-inch LED television for presentations—the only one of its kind in Tucson.
- > The Four Points by Sheraton Tucson University Plaza is being reflagged as the Aloft Tucson University (www.alofthotels.com). The 54-room property is scheduled to open Feb. 1, 2013.
- The historic Westward Look resort was reflagged as the Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa (520.297.1151; www.westwardlook.com). The property offers 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including 12 function rooms.
- The 215-room Casino del Sol Resort, Spa & Conference Center (800.344.9435; www.casinodelsol.com) opened in November 2011 as an addition to the existing Casino Del Sol Casino and AVA Amphitheatre on the Pascua Yaqui Reservation. The new property features a 161,000-square-foot facility with more than 65,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor function space and a grand ballroom with capacity for up to 2,000 guests.
Yuma
- Adjoining Z Fun Factory, Waylon’s Water World (928.726.6000; www.zfunfactory.com) is a new waterpark that is available for large group events.