New Orleans
The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is embarking on the Convention Center District Development Project, situated on 47 acres upriver from the center and calling for construction of a new headquarters hotel, a park along Convention Center Boulevard, outdoor entertainment, arts and cultural venues and new retail and housing options.
Aloft New Orleans Downtown opened last month with 188 guest rooms and 2,500 square feet of meeting space.
Formerly the Cotton Exchange Hotel, AC Hotel New Orleans Bourbon/French Quarter Area debuted with 220 guest rooms and 2,200 square feet of meeting space in October 2014.
Baton Rouge
Hilton Baton Rouge Capital Center recently completed a renovation including updates to guest rooms and meeting spaces.
Embassy Suites Baton Rouge recently completed a transformation including upgrades to all 223 suites and 7,000 square feet of meeting space.
St. Tammany Parish
In summer 2014, the 42-room Covington-based Southern Hotel opened after an extensive restoration with a 2,160-square-foot ballroom.
Monroe-West Monroe
At press time, a Hampton Inn & Suites was on track to open in Monroe this month.
Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana
The West Cal Arena and Events Center opened in July in Sulphur with 45,000 square feet of function space.
In December 2014, the Golden Nugget Lake Charles opened adjacent to the L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles with 740 guest rooms and suites, 30,000 square feet of meeting space and an 18-hole golf course.
L’Auberge Casino Resort Lake Charles recently completed a renovation project of its 754 guest rooms and suites, including the addition of two new room categories—royale and marquis suites—which are larger in size than luxury class rooms.
The Isle of Capri Casino & Hotel in Lake Charles received a Tower Hotel renovation, which included nine parlor suites, 240 junior suites, the hotel lobby, the Lakeside Ballroom and fitness center.
Lafayette
Holiday Inn Lafayette and Hampton Inn & Suites Broussard are scheduled to open this June, and a Home2 by Hilton property is on track to open in Lafayette in October.
As part of its transition to a DoubleTree by Hilton, Hilton Lafayette is currently working on a renovation project including updates to all sleeping rooms, lobby, restaurant and ballrooms.