California
The Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel is investing $5 million in property renovations to prepare for the winter season. All 400 suites will be upgraded by mid-December. The all-suite property in South Lake Tahoe boasts more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space and recently began operating as an independent property (formerly an Embassy Suites.)
Dolce Hotels & Resorts announced plans to manage a new 200-room hotel in Palm Springs. Construction on the property, across from the Palm Springs Convention Center, is expected to begin early next year and be completed by August 2015. The “urban lifestyle” hotel will include 15,000 square feet of function space, two restaurants, a screening room and a lounge.
Pechanga Resort & Casino, in Temecula, launched a major renovation that is slated to be complete by the end of this year. The resort will stay open during construction, and offers gaming 10 restaurants, 517 guest rooms and venues like the rooftop Eagle’s Nest nightclub.
Hawaii
Honolulu’s historic Iolani Palace, home to the island’s royalty, received a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services to add new exhibits to its basement galleries.
The tallest building in Honolulu, Aqua Skyline at Island Colony, recently renovated. The boutique 44-story Waikiki hotel offers stunning views and will work with planners to accommodate retreats and group incentive trips.
Montana
320 Guest Ranch, in Big Sky, announced a new meetings package for planners that allows companies and organizations to fully customize their events with everything from lodging to zipline tours, visits to Yellowstone National Park, meeting space and rustic dinner buffets serving elk tenderloin. The year-round destination outside of Bozeman offers 87 sleeping rooms within cabins, log homes and a mountain chalet. Meeting space includes two conference rooms and indoor and outdoor breakout areas.
New Mexico
The new Santa Fe Botanical Garden on Museum Hill opened this summer after years of planning. The 12-acre garden is divided into four distinct sections, each reflecting a different type of New Mexico landscape, from fruit tree orchards to winding Arroyo trails. The venue is available for rental and groups can request docent tours.