Illinois
The 2,019-room Hyatt Regency Chicago unveiled its $168 million renovation project that began in 2010. The third and final phase updated the hotel’s 228,000 square feet of meeting and event space. www.chicagoregency.hyatt.com
Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace unveiled the results of a two-phase ballroom, restaurant and lobby renovation. The 50,000-square-foot conference and event center contains a 971-seat theater and several updated dining venues. www.drurylaneoakbrook.com
The former Renaissance Oak Brook Hotel is now owned by RockBridge and managed by Wischermann Partners Inc. The property will reopen in 2014 as the 172-room Le Meridien Chicago-Oakbrook Center following a $20 million upgrade. www.starwood.com
A 100-room Hyatt Place is planned for downtown Moline, projected to open in early 2014 following a property overhaul. www.place.hyatt.com
Iowa
Homewood Suites by Hilton opened a new Coralville–Iowa River Landing property last month offering 95 suites. www.homewoodsuites.com
Kansas
Four Points by Sheraton Manhattan is scheduled to open this month, adding 197 guest rooms and a 12,000-square-foot on-site convention center. www.starwoodhotels.com
A new, high-intensity waterslide is coming to Schlitterbahn Kansas City this summer. The Meg-A-Blaster speed slide is expected to surpass the current height record of 134.5 feet and reach speeds of more than 62mph. Schlitterban is available buyouts outside peak summer season, and offers an assortment of venues for group events, from a giant hot tub with a swim-up refreshment bar to pavillions, patios and a docked ferry boat. www.schlitterbahn.com/kc
Minnesota
The Radisson Blu Mall of America will open in March in Bloomington, connected to the country’s largest shopping emporium. The Radisson will offer 500 guest rooms, two ballrooms and 26,300 square feet of meeting space. The hotel can work with planners to organize teambuilding programs in the mall. www.radissonblu.com.
Wisconsin
Oshkosh is ready to handle large groups after the $12 million renovation and opening of the Oshkosh Premier Waterfront Hotel, attached to its convention center via skywalk. The former City Center Hotel offers 176 guest rooms. www.oshkoshwaterfront hotel.com
A new boutique hotel in a historic Milwaukee neighborhood, Brewhouse Inn & Suites, is scheduled to open in April. Located on a block formerly owned by the Pabst brewery, the hotel will offer 90 suites and artfully showcase the existing masonry arches and large copper brew kettles. www.brewhousesuites.com