OHIO
The 215-room Crowne Plaza Columbus–Dublin Ohio completed renovations of all of its rooms at a cost of $6 million, or about $28,000 per room. The newly revitalized Crowne Plaza Dublin improved all of its guest rooms, bathrooms, corridors, public spaces, food and beverage outlets and lobby areas. The exterior of the hotel was also upgraded, along with parking areas and landscaping. The hotel offers 13,000 square feet of meeting space and easy access to downtown Columbus.
Le Meridien Columbus, The Joseph opened its doors within the Short North arts district in downtown Columbus. The new 10-story boutique hotel was designed by renowned Miami-based firm Arquitectonica, to complement the historical aesthetic of the Short North neighborhood. The property features 135 modern guest rooms, including 10 executive suites, two contemporary Spa Suites and a modern Presidential Suite. The hotel also offers nearly 7,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
MISSOURI
Branson’s AAA Four Diamond Chateau on the Lake Resort, Spa & Convention Center completed a renovation of its 301 guest rooms and suites, as well as the renovation of all its smaller meeting rooms. In addition, the resort added a new Executive Board Room and enhanced all of its meeting space with new LED lighting, flex-back banquet chairs and “linenless” meeting tables. Situated in the Ozark Mountains overlooking scenic Table Rock Lake, the resort features 43,500 square feet of meeting space all on one level.
The 983-room Kansas City Marriott Downtown wrapped a $3 million renovation of its Muehlebach Tower meeting rooms and public spaces. The project focused on modernizing the hotel’s facilities for millennial guests and meeting planners with an emphasis on modern aesthetics, flexible work and meeting spaces, accessibility and sustainability. The renovation follows a $6 million renovation of the Marriott Tower’s ballroom and meeting rooms in 2014. The hotel offers over 93,000 square feet of banquet and meeting space that is spread between two towers and connected by an elevated walkway.
The 197-room Ramada St. Louis Airport opened near Lambert-St. Louis International Airport and attractions such as the St. Louis Zoo, Gateway Arch, the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and Washington University. The hotel offers an indoor heated pool, a business center, a fitness center and 2,326 square feet of event space. Guests can enjoy free Wi-Fi access, 24-hour shuttle service and continental breakfast.
ILLINOIS
Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago will open in April, one of the first two hotels in the world to open under Hyatt’s new full-service lifestyle brand designed for both business and leisure travelers. The 22-story property will feature 257 guest rooms, 2,500 square feet of meeting space, a 24-hour fitness center, a rooftop bar and a signature French bistro, Cochon Volant, run by James Beard award-winning chef Roland Liccioni. The hotel will also showcase elements of the area’s architectural past.