Florida
Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club in southwest Florida added a new Everglades Ballroom this year, and is offering planners a “Design Your Deal” promotion, giving perks to groups booking a minimum of 20 rooms on peak June through Dec. 24. The resort also recently renovated many of its guest rooms and has a total of 34,000 square feet of meeting space.
The Alfond Inn at Rollins College is scheduled to open in August in Winter Park. Located 15 miles from Orlando International Airport, the 112-room property will offer 10,000 square feet of flexible function space, including a 5,000-square-foot ballroom and outdoor couryards that can be tented.
Georgia
Renaissance Concourse Atlanta renovated its soundproof guest rooms, concierge lounge and 11-story atrium. Located near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the Renaissance offers 387 guest rooms and 35,000 square feet of meeting space.
Louisiana
A $15 renovation at the Omni Royal Orleans in the French quarter added 24 ironwork balcony rooms and updated public spaces. The design scheme of the 349-room hotel was selected to match the energy of the surrounding French Quarter, with some new furniture commissions even being specially designed after pieces found in the city’s antique district. The Omni offers 14,000 square feet of meeting space.
north carolina
The Greensboro Science Center will open its new SciQuarium this summer, a combination museum and aquarium that will be home to rare water-dependent animals like the flat-nosed fishing cat and braying African penguin. The new aquarium and lobby will be able to accommodate dinners and receptions of up to 500 guests, and other rental venues are available. The center also plans to open a second OmniSphere theater later this year.
South Carolina
Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa completed a $30 million update, renovating the lobby, upgrading guest rooms and restaurants, and adding a botanical conservatory to the resort entrance. The property offers more than 37,000 square feet of function space, which was also updated, including a variety of outdoor event spaces and the 13,200-square-foot Grand Ballroom.
Texas
Plans are proceeding to construct the new hotel adjacent to George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Developers are targeting a 2014 groundbreaking and a 2016 opening for the planned 1,000-room Marriott Marquis. The $335 million project will include a new parking garage and convention district improvements.
Virginia
Old Metropolitan Hall is a newly available venue available for rental in Charlottesville. The space is located on the former site of the Old Metropolican Cafe, a popular dining establishment in the 1940s and ’50s, and was carefully restored with historical touches. Both floors are available for receptions and private events.